Spring in Riga can feel a bit elusive. Winter starts in November and by the time March rolls around, it can be hard to remember that there are in fact other seasons throughout the year. Life slowly returns in April, when people once again venture outside and buds appear on the trees. Then after a […]
Europe
A Hill of Crosses Day Trip in Lithuania
On a field in rural Lithuania, a Hill of Crosses rises on the horizon. Visible from a considerable distance in the flat landscape, it is an impressive sight to behold. I’ve read reports that the site contains 100,000 crosses, but I’m not sure how anyone could know that. Impenetrable walls surround the narrow walkways, with crosses […]
A Guide to Some of the Best Restaurants in Amsterdam
What comes to mind when you think of Dutch food? For me, it’s Gouda cheese and stroopwafels. But surely a culture of explorers and spice traders must have more to offer. With one full week in Amsterdam, I had plenty of time to sample the national dishes. This Amsterdam restaurant guide features my best meals of […]
10 Interesting Things to Do in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities. In addition to its stunning architecture and canals, it boasts enough quality attractions to keep even the most discerning traveler busy for at least a week. From museums and a royal palace to cheese shops and the Red Light District, there are some very unique and interesting things […]
How to Visit the Kinderdijk Windmills from Amsterdam
No image is more iconically Dutch than the windmill. (Well, except maybe the tulip.) For centuries its sails have harnessed the power of wind to help manufacture items as varied as paper, mustard, and chalk. Saw mills were particularly important in early shipbuilding when a large naval fleet was a key to economic success. Later, […]