A former medieval trading city on the Gulf of Finland, Estonia’s seacoast capital and largest city is enjoying a surge in popularity among travelers to Eastern Europe. In January of 2011, visits to Tallinn were up 19 percent over the past year, with visits from the United Kingdom up a full 35 percent.

What’s driving the spike in interest? In addition to offering medieval churches, museums, and lively nightlife, the city was crowned a 2011 European Capital of Culture. The honor prompted Tallinn to offer an incredibly rich cultural calendar for 2011—over 7,000 events are scheduled, including dance festivals, concerts, museum exhibits, and a storytelling series.

Image: mdid

Getting to Tallinn is also increasingly easy, with discount air carriers ramping up direct flight service to the city. EasyJet now offers flights from Liverpool and London Stansted, and Ryanair recently introduced routes from Düsseldorf, Stockholm, Oslo, Dublin, Milan, London, and Edinburgh.

While 21st-century travelers are just discovering Tallinn, the city’s historic attractions have been around for centuries. With twisting cobblestone lanes and medieval markets, Tallinn’s famous Old Town is one of the world’s best preserved medieval towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its hub for the past 800 years has been the rustic Town Hall Square, home to the world’s oldest continuously operating pharmacy.

Other Old Town attractions include original wall fortifications, the 17th-century Bastion Tunnels (tour them by visiting the Kiek in de Kök Museum), and the picturesque St. Catherine’s Passage, where artisans sell and demonstrate crafts ranging from ceramics to glass work.

Historic churches and palaces also number among Tallinn’s prized attractions. The grandiose Kadriorg Palace, built by Peter the Great in 1718, features an art collection and beautifully manicured gardens, while over in Old Town the needle-spired St. Olav’s Church ranked as the world’s tallest church from 1549 to1625.

Two other significant historic churches are found on Toompea Hill: the opulent, onion-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the medieval Cathedral of St. Mary the Virgin, better known by locals as the “Toomkirik” (Dome Church). At the latter, visitors can climb the 69-meter bell tower for sweeping city views.

Despite its historical attractions, Tallinn is decidedly not a city stuck in the past. High-tech startups like Skype and Kazaa were born here, and the city is blanketed in WiFi. The modern Rotterman Quarter is especially future-focused — the bustling commercial and cultural district is home to avant-garde architecture and the new Kumu art museum, which opened in 2006.

Tallinn’s lively nightlife scene also stands firmly in the present (its famous Depeche Mode bar notwithstanding). The growing popularity of Tallinn’s bars and nightclubs with British bachelor parties in particular has even led some to dub Tallinn a “Las Vegas of the Baltics.” While we’re not sure that reputation will hold, Tallinn’s general tourist appeal is certainly on the upswing.

From the center of Berlin cool, Mitte, to more laid-back neighborhoods like Tiergarten and Prenzlauer Berg, you’ll find an array of shop and markets to meet your consumer tendencies. Not to fret, the prices of quality second-hand goods and the variety of quality vintage goods make this part of your trip easy on the wallet.

When it comes to flea markets in Berlin, though sifting through the trash can often be a tedious activity, it’s well worth the effort when you fall upon some relic of communist Eastern Europe. A great locals market in Friedrichshain provides the perfect opportunity to do just that. Here, you’ll find local Berliners pawning off the things they don’t want as well as the gems they seek to share. Go early to give yourself time to distinguish the junk from the treasures.

For vintage style, there’s no better neighborhood than Mitte, an establishment of the cool and the ‘in’ crowd. With vintage boutiques abounding, it helps to have something in mind if you’re looking to actually make a purchase in a timely manner. Among the most eloquently laid out establishments is Rianna in Berlin, a fashion designer’s treasure seeking skills materialized in a cozy and aesthetically pleasing shop. With fun and interesting displays of vintage bags, clothes and jewelry adoring every corner of this shop, you’ll wonder if you’ve entered an art installation or a clothing store. Art and Fashion mix in alchemy of good taste that resonates with the young Berliners that are regulars in this neighborhood.

From the unique historical remnants that are scattered throughout the Sunday markets in Berlin to the finely tuned vintage boutiques that abound, there is an economical option for any visitor looking to take home a gift or two. A sharp eye makes bargain and treasure hunting in Berlin an essential part of your visit to this eclectic place.

Thoroughly hip and far from your grandma’s day spa, the Liquidrom Berlin is where relaxation takes on a whole new definition. You’ll find that this ultra modern venue, catering to the younger crowd, has just what the doctor ordered, either in the form of trippy projections or locally grown DJs who provide the soundtrack to this unique getaway. Seeking an out of body experience never felt so healthy. While you soak in baths of salt water, the ambient lighting and full sensory experience will remove you from the cold and concrete of the city faster than you can hum ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’.

Though the city comes in an array of grays, there’s no need to let the color get you down. In fact, why not plan an escape to the ONO Spa, a relaxation center decorated in all white, and a lift from the eyesore of concrete. Indulge in an all-day treatment lasting anywhere from four to eight hours, or spend time taking advantage of the fitness center and saunas. Whether you’re seeking a moment to contemplate the contemporary German Artists that left you dumbfounded, or the heavy nature of the Berlin wall, this oasis in the city provides an ideal venue to let your mind go.

Nestled in the lesser-known Berlin neighborhood of Neukölln, you’ll find an opportunity to indulge in a neo-classical Roman bathhouse. If you ever wondered what those ancient emperors must have felt like as the relaxed in thermal baths while their portraits were being carved of marble, this may be the closest you’ll get. Taking time out from the tourist attractions and seeking Zen in one of its many forms is something the Berliners seem to be perfecting, complete with an International and a Historical flare.

In Berlin, it’s not just about the drinks being served up, rather, the atmosphere can make all the difference. With a variety of venues to appease everyone’s taste, you’ll find the ultra chic butted up against the super hip, all in a night’s outing. If you’re thinking of starting with something low-key, why not try Mysliwka, where the simplicity of the place is akin to spending time in a comfortable lodge with friends. Laid-back Polish style and an ideal location on Schlesischestraße keep this staple bar popular as others in a similar position have come and gone.

Getting comfortable is easy over a few drinks in Berlin’s abounding bars and clubs, but when it comes to choosing a place with a little bit of class and unique sense of style, you’ll find choosing one is the most difficult part. Themed bars abound in Berlin, from anything like a Russian pool hall to a hidden underground spot only accessible by the touch of a doorbell. With respect to this particularity in thematic drinking venues, Riva, named after a 1970’s Italian football hero, hits the nail on the head. With classy colors and an impressive bar occupying the greater part of this tunnel like space, you’ll wonder if you were just transported back in time to the Italian disco scene. An impressive variety of cocktails compliment the unique atmospheres that define this chic Mitte hang out.

If you’re feeling a bit trippy or just looking to counteract the flashiness of your Mitte bar hopping hours, then make your way to Lübbener Straße, where you will literally find a bar that turns your night around. The unique décor here can only best be described as ‘upside down’, because in fact, that it is. The decorations adorning the walls, from world maps to pots and pans, have all been assembled in reverse, making your tipsiness that much more profound. The out of body experience that Berlin offers on levels of city attractions, great museums, world-class cuisine, and hot bars is only topped off to an extreme degree with this one-of a kind bar, French-owned, known as Madame Claude.

From gritty and urban to chic and refined, Berlin’s diverse neighborhoods and unending desire to show off a diverse attraction to bar-life make it a top choice for those looking to enjoy a night on the town. Unique venues create distinct atmospheres and make going out in Berlin always a new experience.

There are lots of carts and stands around the city offering their own take on the dish, but few are as popular or well-known as Curry 36, one of the longer-running places in town. It began as one of the ubiquitous carts around the city, and has grown into one of the mainstay takeout places. Open nearly 24 hours per day, it opens for breakfast and stays open until the wee hours, providing fuel for the club-going masses. It’s the perfect place to stop for a mid-day meal, though. The lines can be long, as it’s popular with both locals and tourists, and it’s great food on the cheap.

You can get two wurst on a roll for 3.20 euros — served with french fries and a gallon of ketchup, of course. Feeling even cheaper? Go for the boulette, a large German beef meatball accompanied by mustard and pickles. That will only set you back 1.50 euros. And it’s good, too, with just the right amount of grease. Don’t expect high-class service here, but it’s quick and friendly. These folks want to get you your food and get it to you fast, and they accomplish that task with impressive efficiency. Then you can huddle around a bar-height table and savor the spices that ooze from your wurst. Wash it all down with a stein of beer, and you’re truly living like a Berliner.

[photo courtesy of iLoveButter]

Perhaps one of the biggest contributions to the Berlin landscape has been the massive wave of Turkish immigrants that started in the 1970s. Many of these Turkish citizens reside in the neighborhood just south of Mitte known as ‘Kreuzberg’. Here, you’ll find the array of Turkish shops and restaurants is a refreshing departure from the typical European vibe of the majority of the city.

You may also notice that in the neighborhood of Kreuzberg, you’ll find many people buzzing around with a hot wrapped sandwich of sorts in their hand. The smell of donor kebabs pervades, as it’s become the number one choice of fast food for Germans on the run, according to recent polls. That means the infamous German sausage has even lost its rank to this spicy roasted lamb and meat wrapped in pita bread and doused in savory spices. With a price at less than 5 euros and the flavor to match, it’s no wonder the donor-eating trend has taken off like wild fire.

Although integration of these immigrant groups into German society has been slow coming, there is no denying the growing presence of Turks and other Eastern Europeans throughout the city of Berlin. The benefit of having large numbers of immigrants has opened up the perspective of many Berliners and provided a direct means of interacting and finding the common elements in their cultures. Eating Spicy meat is certainly one of them.

As Berlin continues to grow in it’s cultural scope and international reputation as a world-class city, more and more people will continue to find their home there. Having just hosted the World Cup in 2006, Berlin attracted fans from every country, enabling for a fluid exchange of ideas and cultures that will continue to define Berlin for years to come.

With the most progressive means of showing art taking front seat here in Berlin, the Kunsthalle exhibition spaces mean fresh and constantly changing art shows on a routine basis. The Kunstalle is a unique form of showing art in which venues do not hold a permanent collection of any kind. Rather, they show art that is temporary, ephemeral, or traveling in some form. This relieves museums of many pressures when it comes to maintaining a permanent collection, and in Berlins’ case, means contemporary art is constantly coming and going. Kunst-Werke Institute for Contemporary Art is among the sites that is gaining particularly good press, and with a massive space, outdoor garden and café, it attracts art-lovers and curious visitors from all over.

When it comes to diverse institutions that beckon the most cutting edge talent, Berlin is simply ahead of the game. Take the newly renovated ‘Samlung Boros’ for example. Here, you’ll find that a Nazi-era bunker was reconverted to show the private collection of two avid art collectors. Despite the long waiting list to participate, this space redeems itself as a pristine and totally unique venue for showing top names in the art world.

To Berlin’s merit, contemporary art has found itself a thriving epicenter because of the generous support from Berliners. As a result, the city has been attracting an array of creative individuals from all disciplines to show work or participate in collaborative projects. The city’s ability to attract top talent from the art world means that the shows and cultural events are sure to relay a sense of culture and diversity unlike any other.

Cold weather, snow and rain don’t necessarily have to define a city, and they don’t when it comes Berlin. This city is absolutely spilling over with cultural events and sites going on year-round. The number of indoor venues, theatres and festivals, whether it’s the world-renown Berlin Film Festival, or the constantly evolving gallery scene, the Berlin visitor is offered more than enough to do in the vain of cultural and entertainment related activities. Still, if you’ve ever seen Berlin in Summer, you’ll wonder why anyone would plan his or her trip during any other season.

The summer months make for a colorful and lively landscape throughout the city. Parks and plazas burst with life and outdoor soccer games and street performers dot the landscape all around you.  Among the most colorful of your possible summer-time excursions in Berlin is the Britzer Garten, located just southeast of the city center in the suburbs of Neukölln. At the end of August, nearly 10,000 dahlias come into bloom, stealing the show and illuminating this picturesque park with color.

Another exciting spot for the warm weather traveler is Berlin’s zoo. The zoo, once a popular spot among German thinkers and philosophers alike, also boasts an impressive collection of animals, nearly 15,000 to be exact. Located right in the center of the famous Tiergarten parks in Berlin, the zoo is easily accessible from all parts of the city. When temperatures are agreeable, animals can be scene roaming among the middle-eastern and Asian influenced structures that house them.

Though Berlin doesn’t typically stand out as a city filled with color, it’s wintertime blues are impressively counteracted by a diverse and lively summer scene. The crowds of tourists are bigger, but the sense of movement that compliments the city makes for a thoroughly enjoyable Berlin.

Probably the two most impressive pieces on the entire island are the Ishtar Gate (in the Middle East wing) and the Pergamon Altar (in the Antiquities wing), both housed in the Pergamon museum. The processional way and the Islamic and Greek art collections in the Pergamon are also worth a visit and there’s an excellent audio guide, but you could easily spend a day or more here and not see everything!

Smaller and less imposing than the Pergamon is the Altes Museum, which also houses some Greek and Roman art as well as Egyptian. There are some interesting artifacts showing Egyptian daily life and burial rituals. However, it can feel like an extension of the Pergamon and Neues, so peek into the best of the Egyptian exhibits then breeze through if you’re short on time.

The Bode was recently renovated, and can easily hold its own now against the Pergamon as a star of Museum Island. More exciting Egyptian artifacts are displayed here, including a huge sphinx. Other main attractions are the largest sculpture collection in the country, the Papyrus exhibit, and the collection of paintings from the European masters. It’s also the most impressive museum architecturally, with its dome on the river serving as one of Berlin’s iconic images.

The Neues Museum was completely renovated from head to toe, and now houses more of the collections that begin in the Altes (it was built as a sort of extension), including the bust of Nefertiti, one of Museum Island’s most famous pieces. Most impressive here, though, is the architecture and interior design, which is a reason in itself to come to the Neues. There are some fascinating exhibitions dedicated to the development of building and industry, too, but even a walk through the museum just to see the museum itself is worth it.

Most traditional of the island’s museums is the Alte Nationalgalerie, which is home to Classical, Romantic, and Impressionist works of art from Europe’s finest. Several of Germany’s most important paintings are housed here, and you won’t find a larger collection of 18th and 19th century art elsewhere in the country. Check out Schadow’s sculptures of the Prussian princesses before you leave.

[photo courtesy of Malkav]

1. SO 36 is an iconic punk club, where many Berlin punk bands got going and where great music is still played. On non-concert nights, there’s still a great dance scene.

2. Converted from an old brewery, Icon is now one of the city’s most respected clubs. Cover tends to be cheap, and the hippest DJs come through on weekends.

3. Visit Havanna for some Cuban flavor, where house and hip-hop play on the clubs four floors most nights but salsa and merengue take over a few nights per week. Bring your dancing shoes and learn a few moves if Latin isn’t your usual style.

4. Known as a “beach bar” along the Spree, Bar 25 has a hip dance floor but also has swings and a fire pit by the river to relax on when you need a breather. Great tunes and a laidback atmosphere combine for a great atmosphere on the water.

5. Variety’s the name of the game at Knaack, where the different floors host karaoke, live rock shows, DJs spinning house and hip-hop, and pool tables. Fun for everyone.

6. To groove to the classics, visit the Bassy Cowboy Club, where the vibe is laidback and the music’s from the ’60s and ’70s.

7. Soul, indie, punk, alternative, house, rock — what isn’t on the playlist at Lido? This small and stylish club is one of Berlin’s hottest.

8. For an upscale night in a hip and elegant club, strap on your heels and head to Bohannon.

9. Why is the huge establishment that is Berghain so hard to get into? Because it’s considered one of the best techno clubs in the world, that’s why. You’ll most likely wait in line, but it’ll most likely be worth it!

10. With the best of the latest tunes but without the pretension of the larger and more famous Berlin clubs, Roter Salon der Volksbuhne is eclectic and a total blast.

[photo courtesy of libertinus]