Travel Notes on the Three Baltic States

        In the northeast corner of Europe, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are like three quietly sparkling gems set along the Baltic Sea coast. Although they are not large in size, they have a strong medieval atmosphere, a calm Nordic aesthetic, and historical traces left by the Soviet era. We spent 10 days slowly crossing the borders of the Three Kingdoms, stepping through forests and stone roads, entering castles, harbors, and markets, and experiencing the beauty of time stopping.

        Romantic Voyage - Crossing the Baltic Sea

        This journey departs from Shanghai, flies over the sky, arrives in Helsinki, Finland, and then boards the TALLINK Megastar cruise ship, built by Estonian shipping company TALLINK and costing up to 230 million euros. On weekdays, cruise ships mainly travel between Tallinn, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland. There are boutique shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes on board. In just over 2 hours, we enjoy a buffet dinner and immerse ourselves in the romantic sea scenery.

        First stop: The Medieval Treasure Box where Time Stays - Tallinn (the capital of Estonia)

        The Old Town of Tallinn was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1997 and is one of the most well preserved medieval cities in Europe. The winding alleys, red tiled roofs, Gothic churches, and city walls surround one, as if taking one back to the 14th century. From Toompea Hill, the blue of the Baltic Sea and the red of the roof interweave into a stunning painting. At night, the lights illuminate the stone pavement, and the music of street performers flows in the air, making people feel like they have entered a fairy tale.

                Second stop: Art brides from the north - Riga (capital of Latvia)

        It takes about 4 hours by bus from Tallinn to reach Riga, known as the 'Paris of the North'. The local Art Nouveau style buildings are dense and well preserved, making it a paradise for architecture enthusiasts. For example, the Riga Central Market, which was converted from five German Zeppelin airship hangars, includes a meat hall, fish hall, dairy hall, vegetable and fruit hall, grocery hall, and outdoor flower, fruit, and grocery area. It is the largest market in Europe and a representative building of 20th century Latvia. It has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. We bought a lot of berries and peaches here and enjoyed them to the fullest.

        Third stop: The place where faith and art intertwine - Vilnius (capital of Lithuania)

        Vilnius is a city that blends religious beliefs and artistic souls, with numerous Catholic churches and statues and murals everywhere. Among them, the "Trakai Water Castle" is a must visit destination for tourists, with the lake reflecting the red brick colored castle like a scene in a postcard. The museum also displays many medieval artifacts. As for the 'Cross Mountain', it is a 96 meter high hill. Initially, only a cross was inserted to pray for friends and family. Today, it is covered with hundreds of thousands of crosses, and fellow travelers have also left their blessings here.

                Afterword - The Slow Journey of Small Capitalists in Summer

        Summer has long sunshine and a cool climate, making it a good time to visit Europe. Moreover, the consumption of the three small Baltic countries is relatively affordable, making it very suitable for petty bourgeois travel. This place gathers classic architectural styles such as ancient Rome, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, etc. Each church has its own characteristics, and every stone tells the story of history.

        We participate in the travel agency's itinerary and leave at 9am every morning, with a leisurely pace. The local security is good, but most shops have closed after dinner, leaving only restaurants and supermarkets open. Therefore, when we are free to move around, we often go to the supermarket to buy fruits, snacks, and souvenirs. It is worth mentioning that the forest coverage rate in all three countries exceeds 50%, and tall trees and blooming flowers can be seen everywhere. Walking in the city is also like undergoing a baptism of Fantawild essence.

        Setting sail from the romantic sea to the stone paved roads of medieval ancient cities; From the magnificent details of Art Nouveau architecture to the tranquil beliefs of lakeside castles and Mount Cross, the three Baltic states are like an endless picture book, with each page recording different colors and stories. They may not be the top priority on the travel list, but they will definitely become the gentlest and most unique chapter in memories.

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