Tallinn

Wandering Tallinn's Old Town is like stumbling into a medieval fever dream, a gloriously preserved maze of twisting cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and shadowy alleys where you're half-expecting hooded monks or drunken Hanseatic merchants to pop out from behind a tavern. Yes, it's UNESCO-approved and chock-full of postcard-perfect squares, but beneath the quaint dollhouse facades lies a saucy history of invasions, pirates, and the occasional witch-burning. Get here early, preferably at sunrise, to enjoy the Old Town before it floods with selfie sticks and cruise-ship hordes. Allow plenty of time for aimless wandering: budgeting an indulgent afternoon and around €20-30 for street food, strong coffee, and amber-colored local ales. Wear sturdy shoes to navigate centuries-old, ankle-twisting stones, and bring curiosity-and perhaps a witty retort for costumed guides cheerfully barking tales of torture and plague. Ultimately, exploring Tallinn's Old Town isn't just sightseeing: it's squeezing yourself into a vibrant tapestry of Baltic history and delightfully sinister lore-worth it if only to return home boasting about that time you accidentally stumbled into a medieval-themed pub, knocking back Estonian schnapps alongside a troupe of off-duty troubadours.

Boarding a helicopter just outside Tallinn's diminutive airport may feel like entering a slightly alarming mosquito with delusions of grandeur, but once airborne your skepticism quickly evaporates into childish delight. As you lift off-preferably early morning when the city shakes off its medieval hangover, or late afternoon when the Baltic sun throws its amber spotlight onto rooftops and ancient church spires-you'll see Tallinn unfolding beneath you like an elaborate medieval Lego set scattered by a mischievous giant. From above, Estonia's proud capital reveals the charming tangle of cobbled streets, red-roofed buildings, and relics from centuries of conquering Danes, Germans, Swedes, and Russians-a veritable layer cake of historical grudges and architectural triumphs. Book at least a week or two in advance, and set aside around €150 for fifteen adrenaline-spiked minutes-a worthwhile extravagance if only to make your traveling companions (and Instagram followers) painfully envious. Bring sunglasses, a sturdy camera strap, and a bravado masking mild nervousness about whirring rotors and flimsy-seeming doors. Sure, there are cheaper ways to appreciate Tallinn's medieval magic, but there's no better way to confirm that, yes, the Baltic Sea really does shimmer like a postcard, and yes, this is absolutely the coolest way you've ever spent your money for what amounts to a glorified-but spectacular-joyride.