A Baltic German aristocracy reigned over Estonia and Latvia from the Middle Ages until the end of the first world war. They arrived as traders and crusaders, fighting to convert the native pagans to the Christian cause. Entry into the Hanseatic League increased the wealth of these German traders and they soon dominated every aspect […]
Road Trip
Old Believer Villages of Lake Peipsi, Estonia
Old Believers first settled in Estonia in the mid 1600s. Major reforms were taking place in the Russian Orthodox church at that time, and not everyone was on board. Those strongly opposed to the reforms were dubbed “old believers” and denounced by the church. Many fled the religious persecution and sought refuge across the border […]
Getting Off the Beaten Path in Latgale, Latvia
Latgale, Latvia is a part of the Baltic region that many travelers miss. Well off the beaten path that links Riga with Vilnius and Tallinn, Latvia’s southeastern corner is a mysterious land of lakes, castle ruins, and onion domes. Lithuania, Belarus, and Russia share borders with Latgale, which was first settled by the Latgalians in the 10th […]
Two Weeks in Croatia: A Road Trip Itinerary
My two week road trip across Croatia left me reeling from the country’s staggering scenery, lovely old architecture, and friendly culture. My adventure began in Dubrovnik, where I rented a car and drove north to Rovinj on the Istrian Peninsula. All told, I explored eight towns and cities, two national parks, and six UNESCO World […]