The most famous seaside resort of the country offers nice white sandy beaches, and the Baltic Sea is as warm here as it can be, thanks to the Pärnu Bay and shallow sea bottom. Small wooden houses, calm leafy streets and numerous spas (including mineral springs and mud baths) create a healing atmosphere for Estonians, Finns and other Nordic nations who need sun and warmth after long and dark winters. The town is so much loved by Estonians that Pärnu is called a Summer Capital of the country since 1996.

Of three Baltic republics, only Estonia has relatively big islands on the Baltic Sea. Until World War II there were lots of Swedes living on Saaremaa island, but fled before Red Army retook the area in 1944. They are now major force behind the tourism, but many more nationals come to enjoy mild Baltic summers - not to mentioned Estonians themselves, who come in especially big quantities for Midsummer festivities. Kuressaare is the administrative centre of the island and sports a very attractive castle which is now a public museum.

This town is known from 869, which make it young comparing to many ancient towns of Southern Europe, but this is a very respectable age at this latitude. Actually, it's one of the oldest towns in whole Scandinavia. Its cobblestoned streets and half-timbered houses remember the old times when Ribe was very important trading center. The town remains small, any of its corners is walkable from the main square, Torvet, in 10-15 minutes.

Saint-Malo was in the past notorious for piracy; today it is a major tourist destination, with many ancient, attractive buildings. The population of Saint-Malo quadruples during the summer, when vacationers head up to the beaches of Brittany. But besides the sun and the sea, there are so many things to see - walled old town, magnificent cathedral, great aquarium, as well as few national parks in the surroundings.

Tarifa is a windy relaxed place, where Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Southernmost point of mainland Europe, it is so close to Africa, that you can see it from the coast at most days (more than 300 of which are sunny per year, by the way). The eternal wind is both the curse and the blessing: it prevents the large scale hotel development that totally altered other coastal areas of the country, but also attracts a different sort of public - more bohemian and self-paced, backpackers and kitesurfers. The area bears traces of its ancient inhabitants - the Romans and the Moors. North of town, wide beaches of fine white sand are still framed with pine forests.

A pretty fishing village turned into a resort town, Camogli is a true gem of Ligurian coast. It is a part of Portofino Marine Protected Area. Once known as the "city of thousand white sails" for its fleet (and having 500 patented ship captains out of 12000 residents in 1880s), the town now lives mostly off tourism. Colourful buildings line a few streets over the beach and remind the times when vivid colours helped fishermen to return home. The town is also a home for a nationwide water polo team that won several Italian championships - so it's not a too big surprise that swimming pool is one of the most important recent buildings in Camogli.

The area of La Spezia has been settled since pre-historic times. However, an extraordinary development of La Spezia occured starting from the second half of the nineteenth century. Thanks for the large South-looking bay, the town became one of the main military and commercial ports of the country. La Spezia is also famous for its many museums, fine churches and art-nouveau-style villas. Lively and interesting town by its own, La Spezia is also a great starting point for exploraion of Cinque Terre villages that reside on Ligurian Coast a short drive to the West.

This town is a must visit if only because of its proximity to Rügen - a large and beautifully shaped island, whose many lagoons, sandy beaches, peninsulas and open bays are huge attractions for sea-loving German vacationeers. Stralsund and Rügen are naturally separated by a narrow (max 3km) strait called Strelasund. There are two bridges and several ferry lines that are crossing Strelasund. The island is named UNESCO site because of its natural beauty, while Stralsund's old town is granted the same status for its architectural and cultural heritage.