Ask anyone who has visited Estonia about what they liked best, and you’ll get many different answers. However, some aspects of Estonia seem to be mentioned more consistently than others.

Here are just a few reasons why Estonia is special:

Medieval Old Town Tallinn: It’s impossible to deny that this is the main reason most people first come to Estonia – to see the best protected medieval city in Europe.

Manor Houses: Luxurious manor houses, built over the centuries, are open for visitors and many also have been converted to high-class hotels.

Forests: Estonia is about 50% forest. Hiking trails criss-cross the forests, many of which are protected or part of National Parks.

Ice Roads: In deep winter the Baltic Sea freezes, and so ice roads are created between the mainland and the islands. Driving on the frozen sea is unforgettable.

Folklore: Estonia is second only to Ireland in Europe when it comes to folkloric history, stories, legends and songs.

The Estonian Song Festival (In Estonian: Laulupidu): First held in 1869, takes place every five years. In 2009, over 26,000 choral singers gathered to perform for an audience of 80,000 people. It is recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Over 1500 islands: Most are tiny, but the inhabited ones offer beautiful, peaceful and friendly atmospheres and a traditional culture that opens a window on how Estonians used to live.

Wild Animals: Where else in Europe could you hope to encounter wild bears, wolves, lynx and flying squirrels?

Castles: Restored or in ruins, there are medieval castles not just in Tallinn but throughout the country.

Saunas: When it’s snowing take a hot log sauna, beat yourself (or a friend) with a birch branch and then roll around in the snow. It’s fun. Really.

Swedish, German and Russian History: Estonia has been occupied by Russians, Swedes and Germans. Each has left their marks on our landscapes and culture. Rightly or wrongly, they have helped define who we are.

Small size: Size is everything. In Estonia distances are short and travel is cheap, so you can squeeze in plenty of sightseeing and activities in a relatively short time.

So, there seems to be lots of reasons to get more information about Estonia from www.visitestonia.com and come to visit the mysterious Nordic country.