Estonia is heir to a legacy of medieval castles and pagan ruins, German manor houses and grim Soviet skyscrapers. Despite the rapid changes the country has experienced since it regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, there's still a lot of tradition. While Tallinn, the capital, has been dramatically transformed by the influx of foreign investment, its well-preserved Old Town retains its medieval charm.

Latvia has been forging its own distinctive style in recent years. In the capital, Riga, elegant and whimsical Art Nouveau buildings are surrounded by blocks of Soviet-era concrete structures. While no longer "the Paris of the north" (as it was once called), Riga is the cosmopolitan hub of the Baltics. You'll find good food and nightlife, with a growing international flair.

Lithuania has been busy doing away with the drab remnants of its Soviet past, and restoring the wonderful old buildings that represent its earlier history. In Vilnius, the capital, hundreds of grand old baroque buildings have been artfully renovated into well-appointed hotels, shops and cafes. Lithuania is more agricultural than the other Baltic nations, which gives it a slower pace and a bit more charm. While the nation as a whole is intensely Roman Catholic, you can still detect traces of pre-Christian religions influencing life in the countryside, where elaborate wooden sculptures of ragana (witches) and barzdukais (gnomes) are almost as common as crosses.