Luxe Beat Magazine DECEMBER 2014 | Page 23

Travel seaside location. Even if it were situated at the end of the dark alley, I’d recommend it for artful presentations, light clean flavors and eclectic menu, cleverly categorized by Surf, Surf and Turf and No Turf (veggie)…and more of that fabulous bread. Do There are a variety of walking tours, centered around the twisty, cobblestone streets of Tallinn’s impeccably preserved Old Town, but for an utterly fascinating overview of Estonia’s tumultuous past, our guide, Uve Poom, the CEO of Unitas Foundation and author of “Tallinn by the Stand-Up Tour Guide,” not only educated us but kept us in giggles. See Even if you normally steer clear of maritime museums the new Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour, housed in a huge, century-old hangar, is utterly mesmerizing. It’s uber hands-on (test your Top Gun skills on Addictive brown bread ABOVE Balloon views can’t be beat atmospheric streets of Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1997. It now spills over with sophisticated designer boutiques, quality artisan shops taking root in repurposed limestone factories, eclectic museums, and renovated Medieval mansions that have been converted to luxe hotels. Stay Check into St. Petersbourg Hotel, where hipness and history join forces. St Petersbourg dates back to the 15th century and is the oldest hotel in Estonia, but without a hint of stodginess. After a recent sprucing up by renowned British interior design agency Andrew Martin, it’s like you are staying at a wealthy Russian aristocrat’s home, decorated with erotic works of art, sumptuous fabrics, and crystal chandeliers. The hotel loves ballet and believes in kick-starting the day with a scrumptious Estonian buffet breakfast. Eat Leib Resto ja Aed- It will take supreme effort, but try and limit yourself to just one basket of addictive, handmade “Leib” (black bread), so you’ll have room to enjoy the pure flavors of Liivimaa grassfed beef, farm-fresh goat cheese and house smoked trout fillet. The talented owners, a chef and a sommelier, created Leib because they are “passionate about sharing the goodies from their homeland.” Noa is not content to be known simply for its stellar skyline views of Tallinn, hip architecture, amusing driftwood furniture, or picturesque Farm fresh greens and cheese 23