Getting me out of the house can be difficult enough, especially in winter. A “weekend away” isn’t my thing; I prefer road trips, exclusively to France. Therefore, it should come as a great surprise when I was convinced to make a trip to Estonia for a short break over the holidays.

Tallinn is a relatively quick flight from Dublin, approximately 3hrs (give or take, depending on the wind), and it is somewhere a little different, as opposed to the more popular sun or tourism destinations of Spain, France, or Italy. If going to the trouble of a weekend getaway, why not go somewhere slightly unique?

The city centre was easily accessible by bus from the airport. Maybe it was due to Denise’s advance planning, but there was no stress or hassle at any point in the trip. Lots of nice places to eat, and even though the city centre was fairly compact, there was no shortage of interesting things to see. The cobblestones are quite uneven in places, so bring your hiking boots; and clearly at this time of year (late December) it can be cold and rainy, so prepare for that too.

Friendly people and a beautiful atmosphere, without massive crowds, a very nice and laid-back way to spend a weekend.