Estonia

With closer historic ties to Finland than its Baltic neighbour states, Estonia is a nation of just over a million residents who preserve and actively propel the country’s distinctive culture: the Estonian Song Festival belongs to UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage and Tallinn, the capital, holds northern Europe’s best-preserved Medieval Old Town (today also part of UNESCO World Heritage), which remains standing after decades of Soviet rule. Beyond Tallinn lie vast natural expanses, islands bearing trace of Viking presence, castles, lakes and charming Estonian towns.