By Kerry Kubilius
Eastern Europe Travel Expert, about.com
[post_ads_2]The Baltic Region of Eastern Europe is a unique territory inhabited by non-Slavic natives as well as ethnic Slavs who have made their home in the Baltic Region. Travelers to the Baltic Region will discover centuries-old folk culture, strong national pride, and the refreshing air of the Baltic Coast.
Countries of the Baltic Region: Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
Nestled
together on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
make up the Baltic Region of Eastern Europe. While the three countries
are grouped together geographically, they differ from one another
culturally and linguistically and consistently strive to encourage the
world to see them as as unique nations. Lithuanians and Latvians share
some similarities of language, though the two languages are not mutually
intelligible (Lithuanian is considered to be the more conservative of the two), while the Estonian language derives from the Finno-Ugric branch of the language tree.
Language is only one way in which the three Baltic countries are different.
Cultures of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
Countries
in the Baltic Region of Eastern Europe take pride in maintaining their
traditional folk cultures. Festivals and markets highlight folk dances,
songs, crafts, and food, and visitors can learn about folk culture at
art and history museums. Song and dance festivals preserve this essential part of these countries' cultures, which was integral to gaining their independence during the Singing Revolution. Christmas and Easter celebrations are celebrated according to local customs, with markets, crafts, and seasonal foods.
Baltic Region Geography
Latvia
is situated between Estonia, its neighbor to the north, and Lithuania,
its neighbor to the south. Because Russia (and Belarus), Poland, and
even Germany have shared borders with the Baltic Region, the Baltic
countries may share some characteristics of nearby countries. Each
Baltic nation has a coast on the Baltic Sea, which has provided fish,
amber, and other ocean resources to Baltic Region locals.
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Visiting all three Baltic countries is easy, with regular flights between the capital cities of Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. Short distances between the cities also means that travel by bus is convenient, affordable, and comfortable and that seeing all three cities in one visit is possible.
Regional Destinations
Visiting
the Baltic Region offers sights and activities not offered by other
countries in East or East Central Europe. The capital cities may offer
the most as far as entertainment, sights, and shopping goes, but a trek
into the countryside will mean the exploration of castle ruins, enjoying
a day at an open-air museum, or spending a revitalizing holiday by the
sea. Furthermore, villages and towns showcase interesting snapshots of
life in the Baltic Region.
- Lithuania's Hill of Crosses
- Vilnius City Profile
- Photos of Tallinn
Times to Visit
While most people visit the Baltics in the summer, other seasons have a wealth of options for the off-season traveler. Autumn
or spring are beautiful times to visit these three countries, while
winter has the remarkable advantage of being the season during which
Christmas markets and related events allow visitors to participate in
holiday traditions. When you dine out in the Baltics,
seasonal dishes such as cold beet soup in the summer and hearty stews
in the winter will be popular fair at restaurants serving traditional
fare.
