Lovely old Europe, once vibrant, feels dog-tired, swamped by tourists and in need of a good lie down. But not the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania that embrace the east coast of the Baltic Sea.

Like the Baltic white storks that return in spring from their African sojourn believed to bring good fortune and happiness, so these little republics, a scant 25 years after independence from the Soviet Union, are experiencing a miraculous renewal. It’s like Western Europe 40 years ago – upbeat societies, still tackling problems but awash with exuberance, optimism and a deep appreciation of the freedom that has cost them so much. The result – a convivial traveller experience.

Here’s my cover story published in November 2019 in The Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Age Traveller and online at Traveller.com.au here: https://www.traveller.com.au/the-baltic-states-of-estonia-latvia-and-lithuania-just-like-western-europe-40-years-ago-h1jgrb

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