If December were a city, then Tallinn would likely be it.

The Estonian capital has been taking the holiday season seriously since 1441, when it is said to have erected the world’s first public Christmas tree (Latvia and Germany still beg to differ).

Then, 24 years ago, the Estonians levelled up to full Clark Griswold mode by opening a market around the 14-metre spruce. Ever since, the annual festive affair has been consistently recognised as one of Europe’s best .

Strolling through the town square, I can see why.

It’s beginning to look a lot like (Baltic) Christmas

In Tallinn, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns, pastel-coloured buildings form a ring around the market, where twinkling lights and kitschy stalls make me feel I’ve just walked onto the set of a Hallmark

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