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Bordered by neighbors Latvia and Russia, the tiny former part of the Soviet empire is today a proud member of the EU and thriving as a prime Eastern European travel destination.

Western visitors will also be glad to know that Estonia usually ranks No. 1 in surveys of most liberal Internet nations in the world, (just behind the US) for its non-restrictive Wi-Fi web access from border to border.

Nordic in both climate and location (with Finland lying north and Sweden directly west) Estonia combines a richness of medieval architectural gems with an admittedly short-lived yet spectacular summer season along its Baltic Sea coast.

Any time of year, Estonia's main draw is its capital city of Tallinn with most of its medieval Old Town designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A beautifully preserved city wall, medieval towers and churches are a part of Tallinn's living history, also featuring old manors dating to the Middle Ages, a number of which are still in active use or carefully restored to their 14th century grandeur as popular tourist attractions.

Equally historic is the Kadriorg district, a throwback to the Russian Tsarist period, while a walk around other parts of Tallinn reveals a starkly contrasted glimpse of Soviet-era life. Popular day trips from Tallinn include the short ferry ride to nearby Helsinki — or a scenic trip to Saaremaa, the largest of the islands off the Estonian coast.

During peak summer season in July and August, join the hordes of Estonians who head for the
summer capital, Parnu, or take advantage of the pristine beaches and breathtaking scenery
of any one of the other 1,500 islands that dot the coast.

More about Estonia travel & tourism around the Web:

Estonia Travel Guide - Wikitravel - Detailed information on things to do and see, getting around, practical travel and safety tips.

Estonia Travel - Lonely Planet World Guide - Good overview of major attractions, when to go, how to get there plus maps, typical travel costs, photo galleries, with separate guides to Tallinn, Lahemaa National Park, and more.

Tallinn Tourism - The official travel site offering information on major attractions, restaurants and shopping guides, event calendar, map, photos and related resources.