My Hilariously Epic Estonian Adventure: From Medieval Towers to Forest Spirits (and Maybe a Little Too Much Vana Tallinn)

So, I decided to embrace my inner travel hipster and set off for Tallinn, Estonia’s charming capital. Let me tell you, Tallinn wasted no time showing me that famous “Baltic chill.” From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was greeted by an icy blast that screamed, “Welcome to Estonia!” Not exactly warm and fuzzy, but hey, it woke me up faster than coffee.

Speaking of coffee, my first stop was a cozy café in Tallinn’s Old Town. Picture this: cobblestone streets, centuries-old buildings, and me sipping on a bowl of Estonian grains and yogurt that tasted like health itself. Fueled and ready, I started exploring Old Town, which is basically a medieval wonderland with endless photo ops and enough charm to knock you off your feet.

Then I spotted St. Olaf’s Church, standing tall and invitingly. “Hey, let’s climb it,” I thought, completely forgetting my leg day limitations. Fast forward 287 winding steps, and I finally emerged at the top, gasping for air and clutching the railing like it was my new best friend. But the view? Worth every burning calf muscle.

Later, I decided to go “royal” and headed over to Kadriorg Palace, built by Peter the Great himself. Now, I tried to stroll through the gardens like royalty, but I was mostly just tired, pretending the “graceful palace guest” look was what I was going for. Still, Kadriorg’s elegance made me feel like I was at least 10% fancier.

By evening, it was time for Tallinn’s food scene, which naturally meant sampling verivorst (Estonian blood sausage) and washing it down with Vana Tallinn, a local liqueur that’s essentially a one-way ticket to warm, fuzzy euphoria. One glass in, I felt cozy. Three glasses in, I was basically fluent in Estonian, imagining myself as a local. Naturally, this led me to a hidden jazz bar, where I decided I was Tallinn’s newest jazz prodigy—never mind the fact that I’ve never played an instrument in my life.

Off to Lahemaa National Park for a forest hike. I don’t know what kind of magical world Lahemaa exists in, but every squirrel looked like a forest spirit, and every tree had the perfect mystical vibe. After a few hours of “discovering my inner forest self,” I continued my journey to Haapsalu, a fairytale town with wooden houses and castle ruins straight out of a storybook.

With the Baltic Sea as my guide, I drove along the coast and found Kasmu, the “Captains’ Village,” where rocky beaches meet wild waves. Standing on the shore, watching the waves crash, I felt like I’d stumbled into an epic Norse saga. I half-expected a Viking ship to appear in the distance.

Finally, Haapsalu welcomed me with its old railway station, romantic castle ruins, and an atmosphere that felt frozen in time. I ended the day sitting at a café by the sea, watching locals fish on the pier, completely at ease. It was like Estonia itself was inviting me to slow down and just breathe.

Leaving Estonia was bittersweet. I’d come looking for a hidden gem, and what I found was a whole world of charm, beauty, and (admittedly) a few questionable liqueur decisions. As my plane took off, I realized Estonia had officially stolen my heart. I’ll be back, ready for more Baltic winds, medieval towers, and maybe even a jazz solo or two.