What a difference a decade can make. After the fall of the Soviet Union no one was quite sure what would happen to Tallinn. The capital of the small nation of Estonia could have floundered, but instead it took off and today it is one of the better cities in all of Europe to visit.

Dubbed by the New York Times as the “Silicon Valley of the Baltic Sea,” Tallinn’s economy has been boosted by the development of the information technology sector. In addition, the historic old town’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has helped to boost tourist revenues, making Estonia one of the wealthiest of the former Soviet republics.

For travelers, the pleasures in Tallinn are many. The mixture of old world charm and new world optimism makes the Estonian capital an exciting place to visit. While prices continue to rise and it is no longer the bargain it once was, the city is still relatively inexpensive when compared to other European capitals.

Speaking of inexpensive, you should be able to get your hands on [1] hostels that are available.

[2] Top flight deals