Nagoya is Japan’s manufacturing hub and the headquarters of Toyota. It’s a destination that is often overlooked by tourists, both foreign and Japanese. I’m fortunate to have family living there and have visited several times. They are always keen to show me the best their city has to offer, and I hope to pass some […]
Shopping Guide
What to Buy in Riga: The Best Latvian Souvenirs
I don’t know about you, but I like to take home souvenirs from the places I visit. This is especially true of countries that have a lot of unique handicrafts. Latvia is definitely one of those special destinations. It is filled with skilled craftspeople who turn out unique and high-quality products. If you are wondering what […]
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 […]
Winter Packing Tips for People Who Hate to Be Cold
Anyone else find packing for a trip super stressful? You want to be prepared for any situation, but airline baggage restrictions mean you can’t bring your entire wardrobe along. It’s even trickier when you need to add all your bulky winter gear. Whether you are chasing the aurora borealis in Lapland or Christmas market hopping […]
Snapshot: Cleveland’s West Side Market
Whenever I travel to a new city, I like to visit the market to get a taste of the local culture. This is easy enough in Europe and Asia, where nearly every town has a market. I’ve sampled fresh honey in Portugal, cured meats in Madrid and langos in Budapest; bahn mi in Vietnam, miso katsu […]