I was searching for flights for a last minute getaway from Riga, and the cheapest direct flight was to Kyiv. Until that moment, Ukraine wasn’t on my travel radar. Russia’s annexation of Crimea was big news in Latvia and the 2014 Euromaidan riots still seemed all too recent. Was it safe to visit Ukraine? Mr. […]
City Guide
A Weekend Guide to Daugavpils, Latvia
Daugavpils is Latvia’s second-largest city with a population around 90,000, fully half comprised of ethnic Russian speakers. During Soviet times, factories were set up in Daugavpils thanks to its strategic location near the borders of Belarus and Lithuania, and workers from other Soviet republics were brought in. Some factories closed with the collapse of the Soviet Union, […]
Unique Things to Do in Riga in Autumn
Autumn is a glorious time to visit Riga, Latvia. Golden leaves bedazzle the old city, which by this time has shed some of the flag-wielding tour groups and stag parties that clog the narrow alleys in summer. Early in the season, the weather is still fine enough to sip cider on sidewalk patios, albeit with a […]
A Fun Weekend in Helsinki, Finland
When discussing plans to visit the Baltic countries, folks often recommend tacking on a day trip to Helsinki. It’s certainly easy to do, given that the Finnish capital is a mere two hours from Tallinn by ferry. But I think there are enough interesting things to do to make a weekend in Helsinki worthwhile. During […]
Fun and Interesting Things to Do in Stockholm
The city of Stockholm, Sweden is spread across fourteen islands in the Baltic Sea. These islands are connected by a whopping 57 bridges, inspiring Stockholm’s nickname, the “Venice of the North.” Boats, ferries, and trams make Swedish island hopping a breeze. Good thing, too, because there are a ton of cool things to do in […]