Nē, nē, nē, duša ir pirmais! These were the instructions given by a Latvian grandmother in her birthday suit after I entered the bath complex and reached for the steam room door. Never mind that I was already clean. The Latvian sauna ritual always begins with a shower. Perhaps amused by my halting Latvian and my […]
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Trakai Castle: A Medieval Fairytale in Lithuania
Regular readers of this blog will know that I love a good castle. This fact traces to my childhood, when my favorite movie was Disney’s Robin Hood. I delighted in watching the cartoon animals sing and frolic around ye olde countryside and dreamed of being Maid Marion in a castle of my own. (Dramatic scenes were often […]
How to Have Fun Almost Anywhere
When I started this blog, one of my hopes was to show a few naysayers that I was capable of living beyond the comforts of North America and Europe. From the wilds of the Cambodian jungle to the crowded Beijing metro, I have tried to make the most of every experience and tackle every challenge […]
Two Days in Munich: An Itinerary for Culture Lovers
Munich is the capital of Bavaria, the second largest state in Germany. Until 1918, Bavaria was an independent kingdom ruled by the House of Wittelsbach. These dukes and kings were very wealthy and it shows in their former residences and art collections. Locals remain proud of their regional heritage, so much so that signs at […]
Two Weeks in Australia: The Perfect Itinerary
Anyone who has been to the Land Down Under knows that Australia has some of the most stunning and diverse scenery in the world. From the burnt red expanse of the Outback and cliff-backed beaches along the coasts to subtropical rain forests and snow-covered mountains, nearly every type of landscape is represented across the continent. […]
Two Days in Cologne, Germany
When I visited Cologne for its world-famous Christmas Markets, I was also on the hunt for other fun things to do. Germany’s fourth-largest city did not disappoint. In fact, with its UNESCO-listed Cathedral and over 30 museums, I was rather spoiled for choice. If you are looking to soak up some culture on a city-break […]
3 Days in Vienna: The Best Palaces and Museums
Vienna is a beautiful city filled with art, music, and coffee houses. It was home to Mozart and Beethoven, seat of the Hapsburg Monarchy, and capital of the Holy Roman Empire for hundreds of years. With over 100 museums and multiple palaces to explore, you will need at least 3 days in Vienna. The following […]