What better place to start our exploration of Eastern Europe than in a country whose name literally means Land of the East, Estonia.
It could also be described as our final Nordic country, as the people and culture are more closely related to Finland, than to their Baltic neighbours.
Definitions aside, we arrived by ferry to the old, beautiful and touristy city of Tallinn.
Its cobbled streets and charming town walls date back to 1265.
While it's a little gimmicky, it's also a little awesome that the local salespeople adorn ye-olden-day clothing to recreate the town's medieval heyday.
Among the medieval sites are bars, restaurants and colourful buildings from the 19th century.
Tasty tasty venison
Inside the town hall
Next up, Estonia's second city, Tartu.
Tartu is a very pleasant university town, but as it's summer, there seemed to be a lack of exciting student atmosphere. Nonetheless, we went to the university botanical gardens so that you could see even more photos of flowers.
Soomaa National Park is an area in Southern Estonia covered in bogs. Luckily we were appropriately shod with bog shoes.
It felt like we were walking on a gigantic waterbed. It's easier to see how they work in this live-action short film.
As it turns out, the bogs are home to a variety of wild berries which are absolutely free!
Clockwise from Top left: Bilberries, Wild Strawberries, Blueberries & Cloudberries.
The return journey in a canoe.
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