rise and shine; A Baltic trio of old Soviet republics has become Europe's most stylish destination.

Byline: Richard Alleman

Once written off as dreary Russian satellites, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania-among the newest members of the European Union-have come into their own. With booming economies and fresh optimism they're now some of the brightest, friendliest travel destinations across the Atlantic.

TALLINN

Tallinn is the Baltics' hippest capital. In its storybook Old Town-think Prague on a smaller-

scale-surfer types pilot white Plexiglas pedi-cabs, Internet cafes resemble sets for Blade Runner, and clubs and restaurants outdazzle their Western European counterparts.

"We are celebrating our freedom," says Tallinn-born model Carmen Kass, "yet we're still a secret hideaway place." And it's the design, she adds, that makes her hometown special. Case in point: Tallinn's new

23-room Three Sisters hotel. Created within three adjoining fourteenth-century town houses by Dutch architect Martinus Schuurman and Estonian interior designer Kulli Salum, the hotel's ancient rooms-thick walls, wide-plank floors, and massive beams-feature Italian furniture, slate bathrooms with Philippe Starck fixtures, and Estonian fabrics and linens (doubles from U270; Design Hotels 800/337-4685; www.designhotels.com).