Alternative city breaks - Tallinn, Estonia

There are some timeless classics when it comes to European city breaks, but this means that these cities are besieged by crowds. Luckily there are other, less-visited options that are surprisingly similar...

Tallinn, Estonia
Instead of: Dublin.
Who for? Drinkers.
Why? The capitals of Latvia and Estonia - Riga and Tallinn - have taken over from the likes of Amsterdam and Dublin in recent times for those wanting to go abroad for a booze-a-thon. Of the two, Tallinn is slightly more expensive, but prettier and with more variety.
Highlights: For those purely intent on sinking as much as possible, there are plenty of Anglo-centric bars that cater for tourists and stag parties. However, there are also plenty of ultra-cool bars hidden away in underground caves, often without obvious signposts. Keep a look out for flights of steps leading below street level for some seriously sexy spots.

Search: Hidden gems of Europe | Eastern European cities
Be there: Flights to Tallinn | Hotels in Tallinn | Estonia travel guide
Related articles: Travelling in Europe | Top 10 most romantic cities