Baltics – Why You Should Visit This Lesser-Explored Part Of Europe Now

Europe might be one of the most visited continents in the world, but the Baltic region and its countries are surely the underrated ones. We are sure your Instagram feed is full of friends visiting Paris, Amsterdam and Prague right now. But if you want to boast of a place with crumbling castles, enchanting forests and magical lakes – a trip to the Baltic proves that fairy tales do come true.

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, popularly referred to as the Baltic States, joined together couldn’t even reach the size of Belarus. People often confuse their names, location, capital cities, and the people outside Europe rarely even know of their existence. The Baltic States have a lot to offer and there is only one way to find out – by visiting them. Read on to know about the reasons that are tempting enough to ditch the ‘done to death’ cities of Europe.

 

Surrounded by the Baltic Sea

Summer, sun and the sea – aren’t these the best three inseparable things? If you love the sea, good for you because all the three Baltic States are bordering the great Baltic Sea. It has a small piece of land between the sea and the Curonian lagoon. This part, called Curonian Spit, mostly consists of sand dunes and proudly has its name written down in the UNESCO Heritage list.

 

A Diverse Experience

There is no doubt that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are tiny regions. Yet in this wonderfully compact space there are three completely distinct cultures to discover – with different languages, traditions and nuances. If you look at the capitals of these three places, you can get an idea about how different they are. There’s the baroque Vilinus, art-rich Riga and the medieval town of Tallinn. What’s common between all these three capital cities is that all of them have the coveted UNESCO Cultural Heritage title. So, let Tallinn tell a classic tale of history, climb a (or many) hill of Three Crosses in Vilinus or look at the city from the tower of Riga.

 

The Rich History of War and Peace

Have you heard the story of the Baltic Way? It was a peaceful political demonstration in 1989 where people joined their hands and made a human chain 675 km long. One can see memorial plates in all three capitals, commemorating this incredible historical event. Also, the Baltics States suffered the wrath of the 20th century misfortune. You can discover the heart-touching (or rather heart-breaking) stories of the Nazi and Soviet invasions of these lands. Take a stroll in the memorials, excellent social-history museums and the Stalinist architecture that continues to fascinate.

 

Bounty of Nature

The Baltic States have places where you’re left in no doubt that its nature that’s calling the shots. One of the cherries on the cake are these countries being free of a crowd so you can simply soak in the wilderness. A smorgasbord of active endeavours awaits anyone wanting to delve into the outdoors. You can indulge in berry-picking, cycle through dense forests, canoe down a lazy river, and do bird-watching.  Those craving an adrenalin fix can find some surprising options, too, from bobsledding to bungee-jumping. If you still have second doubts, try cross-country skiing, or explore the cliffs and caves. Visit National Parks like Gauja National Park, Aukstaitija National Park or the Aegviidu-Korvemaa recreation area.

 

Music Festivals and Nightlife

Baltic folks are music lovers, and a number of annual festivals throughout the region can make you enjoy the greatest local and international talent. In Lithuania’s capital, the super-hip Loftas Fest converts a massive industrial complex into a weekend-long music and arts festival.  Positivus, the biggest music and arts festival in Latvia in the Baltics, happens over a three-day weekend every July. Istonia prides itself on its Singing Revolution, the capital hosts Tallinn Music Week every spring, with a variety of genres.

 

Stunning Islands of Estonia

Of the three Baltic countries, Estonia will treat you with a whopping 2222 islands. Many are small and uninhabited, but quite a few offer a chance for unique excursions. Among the most popular are Saaremaa, Estonia’s largest island, and its sister island Muhu, which are easily accessible and filled with colorful folklore, great nature spots, and beaches. There is a one-of-a-kind Kihnu, the “women’s island,” where semi-remoteness has helped it preserve a proud and distinct matriarchal culture. Just off the coast of Tallinn is Prangli, an island with only around 150 residents, which has camping accommodations for nature lovers.

As a starter pack, let us warn you with questions that might come your way when you decide to book your tickets. ‘Why the Baltics?’, ‘There are so many Must-see places in Europe’, ‘Go to Switzerland, buddy’ etc. will just be some reactions to your decision. Answer their questions not with words, but with experiences, memories and pictures of the Baltics post your trip, and you’ll surely be guiding them with an itinerary to this amazing region next!

 

Written by: Aashima Kadakia

Creative ninja and a true follower of ‘Work, Save, Travel, Repeat’, I love to travel, experience places and bring back stories for a lifetime. Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, I like to visit the same old places, the same cliched tourist spots and destinations, but choose to see the unexplored in the old places. Always inclined towards the mighty mountains in their debate with the beaches!