More and more Britons seem to be eschewing France, Spain and Italy in favour of Eastern Europe, especially when it comes to city break season. The east is often cheaper and offers destinations and sights off the beaten path. Here are 25 places to consider if you're thinking of a trip to the old Eastern Bloc.

1. Tallinn, Estonia

Head to the Estonian capital for “an alluring fusion of the medieval and the modern”, says Adrian Bridge.

He adds: “Tallinn contains one of the best-preserved old towns in Europe, with ancient city walls, cobbled alleyways and a score of spires and steeples — a legacy of an 850-year history that has included periods of (often unwelcome) rule by Danes, Swedes, Germans and Russians.

“It is wonderfully picturesque and it beggars belief to think that until just over 25 years ago it was part of the Soviet Union. Those dark, grey days are long gone: the Estonian capital today boasts boutique hotels, sushi bars, colourful cafes and a forward-looking population that has embraced the digital age with a passion (Skype was invented here).”