In 1764, a Prussian duke by the name of Peter August built a hunting lodge on the grounds of a 17th century manor house outside the town of Valmiera, Latvia, then part of the Russian Empire. Duke Peter August, who was Field Marshall of the Russian Imperial Army, was given the land by Emperor Peter […]
Winter Travel
Cesis, Latvia: A Must See Fairytale Town
“This is the land of Narnia,” said the Faun, “where we are now; all that lies between the lamppost and the great castle of Cair Paravel on the eastern sea.” My favorite book growing up was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. The story is about four precocious British children who […]
An Enchanted Christmas in Vilnius, Lithuania
The Vilnius Christmas tree lighting has become one of the most revered holiday events in the Baltics thanks to the city’s over-the-top illuminations. The year I took the bus down from Riga, the fantastic fir was decked out with windows, lanterns, green garland, and enough lights to be seen from space. It looked like an elf’s […]
Top 15 Things to Do in Riga, Latvia this Winter
While Latvia’s summer feels all too brief, the winter months can seem endless. Daylight hours drastically diminish and the temperature plunges, making it tempting just to stay in with Netflix and hot cocoa. Thankfully Riga provides loads of fun reasons to get out of the house, and I’m not even counting the festive Christmas markets (which […]
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 […]