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The countries, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia together make up the Baltic States. After decades of being ruled from Moscow these countries, which border the Baltic Sea, gained independence in 1991 and became members of the European Union in 2004.
All are vibrant, if sparsely populated countries, with strongly separate identities and are popular for unspoilt nature, amber and medieval cities.
The countries’ capitals are all worthy of a visit. The Estonian capital of Tallin is a walled medieval town; Riga - Latvia’s capital and the largest city in the Baltic States - is renowned for its art nouveau architecture and Vilnius in Lithuania is growing into a vibrant city with numerous churches, cafes and restaurants. All countries have interesting old towns amid natural unspoilt countryside as well as having calm, unspoilt coastlines. Palanga in Lithuania is typical of a Baltic State seaside town with its pristine white sand, bracing Baltic sea, and colourful Dachas dotted throughout its old town amid shops selling the ever present amber. Other seaside towns along the Baltic Sea coast include the picturesque Jurmala in Latvia as well as its harbour towns of Ventspils, the charming colonial town of Parnu in Estonia and the seaside town of Kuressaare on the Estonian island of Saacremaa. Ask a Professional
It pays to be skeptical at all times when investigating the purchase of a property overseas - get a keen eye for spotting whether people or articles are as independent as they may claim.
There may be investment prospects in the Baltic States, but it is essential that you seek independent expert professional advice before undertaking any property purchase. There are lots of things to bear in mind, including local laws and regulations, taxes, surveyor's assessments of the building, financial currency exchange, dealing with interbank transfers, volatility of the housing market, etc. etc. In some countries there are various restrictions on foreigners owning land or property, so this needs to be checked out fully. Any property purchase is a major undertaking.
Surge in InterestThe interest in purchasing property abroad has increased at an amazing rate in the past five years, fuelled in the UK by a booming domestic housing market making overseas properties seem good value for money. Also, TV programmes like Channel 4's `A Place in the Sun' have made everyone realise that owning a property abroad is no longer just for the rich and famous. People are interested in purchasing a home overseas for a variety of reasons - enjoyment, investment, a new life, retirement, and more.
All links and text on this site have been provided for information purposes - they are not recommendations. Personal experience of Vilnius in 1993A trip to Lithuania - nuns, cheap vodka and soggy sheets …We had taken an ill-planned trip to Vilnius in 1993 - shortly after the country had gained its independence from Russian rule - and on the foggy night we boarded the bus from the airport into town it soon became clear this was no ordinary time to visit Lithuania - we were the only ones who weren’t dressed in a Habit and Wimple - it seemed the world’s nuns had descended on the country’s capital for what reason we were unsure. As we walked along the streets trying to find a hotel it was evident something surreal was going on - every hotel was full - with nuns - and so were the streets. There were video screens around every corner and it didn’t take too long before we realised what the fuss was all about - it was Pope John Paul 11’s first visit to Lithuania since the death of communism had allowed the return of Catholicism to the streets. And the faithful were out in force to proclaim their support.We missed the momentous moment at which John Paul had delivered his message to the masses, but we were still left with the problem of finding somewhere to sleep. We were just about to give up when we fell upon the Hotel Gintaras (Lithuanian for amber) and it was not long before the doorman of the hotel fell upon us - demanding to know if we had a reservation, smelling of cheap vodka and being vaguely abusive in his tattered, once regal, braided uniform. We informed him that we had just checked in and he agreed reluctantly to take us to our room after seeing our room key. Our room had seen better days - if those days had ever been better. The beds were hard board sofas with wet sheets found in an old brown sideboard, the window was cracked and the wind was blowing in a blast - but we laughed about it all, just glad we had somewhere to stay. After coming to terms with the room we went for something to eat but the only café we found was an old place with a bullet riddled wall selling nothing but hard- as- stone pasties and plum brandy. We had our fill, returning strangely sated and toastie to our hotel for a fitful night sleep and a stand up breakfast of stringy half raw sausage in a bun which we shared with a surly bunch of men in black leather jackets. I'm sure the Lithuanian capital has come on a great deal since the days of our visit but I hope it hasn’t lost its magic. After all, magic, legends and myth are something the Lithuanians have a special affinity for, as we were to find out . . .
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