A trip to the Baltics proves that fairy tales do come true.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are tiny.

Yet in this compact space there are three wonderfully distinct cultures to discover.

As demonstrated by their capital cities, talent is majestically medieval.

Vilnius is flamboyantly baroque on Riga is full of art novel chic.

Latvia's capital has more buildings in the flamboyant art nouveau style than any other European city.

Spend a breezy afternoon, snapping your camera at the ethereal and almost eerie Malange of demons, deities, overgrown flora and intriguing geometric patterns.

Although the ancient pagan rituals of Midsummer's Eve have largely disappeared, the summer solstice is held in high regard.

Every town and village celebrates with a bright night of beer and bonfires.

This forested island weaves a magic all of its own.

The highlight is curious are a castle, a magnificently preserved medieval fortress looming over the harbor across the Baltics, folk love a good soak in esteem, so indulge in a traditional sauna experience, getting whipped by dried birch branches while sweating and temperatures over 60 degrees.

Lithuania's loveliest seaside retreat is a long thin strip of rare and majestic sand dunes facing the Baltic Sea.

It's the ideal place to recharge your batteries with the restorative powers of wind, water and sky.

Although busy gin toe August offers long days and warm weather along with Midsummer Eve festivities not to be missed.

Travel costs in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania can range from less than 60 euros a day if you choose guest houses in public transport toe over 120 euros a day for luxury hotels and pub crawls.

Public transport is reasonably priced quick and efficient, with an extensive bus network covering major towns and linking them with smaller destinations.

The collision of history with the modern world makes the Baltic states places of fascination on.

For all their differences, they have weathered the 20th century together.