Photos and Videos

Travel Weekly contributor Nadine Godwin recently sampled the charms of Estonia's capital, Tallinn, as well as attractions and activities on two of the country's 1,521 islands, including the largest, Saaremaa. The itinerary included sweeping views of Tallinn's Old Town from a tethered helium balloon that rises to almost 400 feet above ground. Balloon Tallinn launched the excursions, lasting 15 minutes, in 2014. Photos by Nadine Godwin

Photos & Videos Europe Travel

Sampling Estonia, from Tallinn to Saaremaa

Travel Weekly contributor Nadine Godwin recently sampled the charms of Estonia's capital, Tallinn, as well as attractions and activities on two of the country's 1,521 islands, including the largest, Saaremaa. The itinerary included sweeping views of Tallinn's Old Town from a tethered helium balloon that rises to almost 400 feet above ground. Balloon Tallinn launched the excursions, lasting 15 minutes, in 2014. Photos by Nadine Godwin

Travel Weekly contributor Nadine Godwin recently sampled the charms of Estonia's capital, Tallinn, as well as attractions and activities on two of the country's 1,521 islands, including the largest, Saaremaa. The itinerary included sweeping views of Tallinn's Old Town from a tethered helium balloon that rises to almost 400 feet above ground. Balloon Tallinn launched the excursions, lasting 15 minutes, in 2014. Photos by Nadine Godwin

One of Tallinn's traditional wooden houses, now home to a restaurant called Neikid.

Interior of the Estonian Maritime Museum, new in 2012, at Tallinn's early 20th century Seaplane Harbor. Seen here is the 16th century Maasilinn, the oldest surviving wreck of a ship built in Estonia.

Raeapteek, on Tallinn's Town Hall Square, described as Europe's oldest continuously operating public pharmacy, from 1422.

Houses on the heights of Toompea Hill (or Castle Hill), supported by very impressive embankments.

Tallinn's Town Hall Square, where old houses are often now restaurants, many with outdoor seating in good weather.

A staffer at Olde Hansa restaurant, in period costume, urging passersby to try the eatery. Olde Hansa, housed in a medieval building, features period menus as well as costumed personnel.

View of Tallinn's Lower Town rooftops, seen from a viewing point on Toompea Hill. The steeple of St. Olaf's Church rises above it all.

St. Olaf's Church, with Tallinn's tallest spire pointing skyward. A previous St. Olaf's was the world's tallest structure until it burned in about 1625.

Part of Tallinn's medieval city walls.

St. Petersbourg Hotel, where members of the tour group stayed. Located in Tallinn's Old Town, the building dates to the 14th century, with hotel operations from 1850, making it the city's oldest operating hotel.

From Tallinn, the itinerary ventured east. MerMer is a home restaurant in the fishing village of Kolga-Aabla on Estonia's Juminda Peninsula. In warm weather, meals are served in the MerMer summer house, seen here.

A view of the Viru Bog in Estonia's Lahemaa National Park. Much of the area is covered with waterlogged moss, but bogs can leave spaces for pools of water, too. Estonians, and some visitors, rent gear that looks like snowshoes for walking on the bogs.

The island portion of the trip took us to Muhu and Saaremaa. Ingrem Raidjoe, who teaches cooking classes at the Nautse Mihkli guesthouse that she and her husband operate on Estonia's Muhu island, the country's third largest island after Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.

Muhu women folk dancers showing off both the dances and the traditional costumes for which Muhu is noted.

Saaremaa's 14th century Episcopal Castle, in its capital city of Kuressaare.

Another view of Saaremaa's Episcopal Castle, at right, and an associated tower, both reflected in the castle's moat.

Ea Velsvebel Greenwood leading a soap-making workshop at the GoodKaarma Soap Factory on the island of Saaremaa. She and her husband operate the factory.

Not your average airport waiting area: Colorful seating for waiting passengers in the Tallinn Airport. Each of several gates in Tallinn Airport features a unique design for its waiting area.

More unusual seating for waiting passengers in the Tallinn Airport.

A make-shift library in the Tallinn Airport, where passengers are invited to borrow books and to contribute books.