Jeremy Smith has to revise his preconceptions after a stay in Estonia.

Will I never learn? Someone says “Tallinn” and I think ex-Soviet nuclear silo.

A knee-jerk reaction, to be sure, but that’s no excuse.

Which I think explains why, when offered the opportunity to visit this city, Estonia’s capital and the country’s largest metropolitan area, I wasn’t exactly holding my breath.

And nor did the hotel I was told I’d been booked into raise this level of expectation.

All I cared (not “knew”, you understand) was that it was situated in the centre of a former communist country, and that I’d probably be lucky if my room had power. Or water.

No great example, then, of travel broadening the mind, since clearly it’s extinguished mine.

Which is why I suggest we clean the slate and start all over again.

Both so I might retain some element of dignity and appear learned to boot.

Having thus gorged myself on humble pie, let me redress the balance.

Tallinn is, by far and away, one of the best discoveries of my professional life.

Not only is it beautiful (make that stunning), but also cosmopolitan, smart, fashionable and effortlessly romantic.

Add to this Air Miles cocktail the fact that it is a mere two-and-a-half hour flight from Stansted, and just 10 minutes’ drive from its airport, and you begin to understand what a jewel it really is.

Plus, if that weren’t enough, the city retains its dreamly-like grip both in winter (when the snow can sometimes lay six feet deep) and summer, when the cobbled streets of its old town echo to the the chatter and clinking soundtrack of its easy-style cafe culture. And most of it can be discovered on foot.

If you want the history, buy the book; otherwise do what we did, which is saunter along its chocolate box-style alleyways, stopping here and there for refills of coffee, beer and wine, and wonder, as we did, whether it mightn’t in fact be a bad idea to just keep the whole thing to ourselves.

Sadly, I occasionally go to church and already boast a streak of guilt as wide and as heavy as the Botley Road come commuter time.

Which is why I’ve penned – though it was painful – the above review.

True, I could say more, and wax lyrical to a “pass the bucket” level, but that would be like writing a poem to the person you love when all they want to hear you say is...“you’re hot”.

GETTING there easyJet – return from Stansted easyjet.com Cost: Depending when you travel, you can fly, return, for as little as £95. The crew, by the way, were great.

Staying there Hotel Telegraaf, Vene Street 9, 10123 Tallinn, Estonia.

Tel: (+372) 6000 600 telegraafhotel.com This hotel boasts the best dining room (the Tchaikovsky) I’ve ever eaten in.

Truly, truly beautiful.

A standard room here will cost you from £180 per night.

With underground parking, a mere 70-metre walk to the heart of Tallinn and a spa (and I HATE spas) you’d want to take home with you, it’s little wonder that some fairly well-known types such as, oh, Bob Dylan, Lenny Kravitz and Enrique Iglesias have all stayed here.

And forgive me here for being a little immature, but just bear in mind, it’s my secret, I told you about it, so don’t go booking my favourite room (which, as insurance, I won’t reveal anyway).

* SPECIAL OFFERS Stay for four nights or more in the Telegraaf Hotel in July or August 2010 and receive a complimentary two-course meal on the terrace of the Tchaikovsky restaurant, and a free night’s accommodation, with Baltic Holidays. Price is £222 per person.

balticholidays.com 0845 0705710