Keen to try out regional winter activities, I found a company, Discover Latvia, that organizes dog sledding tours, and gave them a ring after a particularly snowy week in January. What better place than northern Europe to give this sport a try? And I was in luck – they had a group going out! I eagerly waited […]
Winter Travel
40 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Istanbul in Winter
When I first learned that Turkish Airlines offered direct flights between Riga and Istanbul, I started dreaming about a sunny winter getaway. The average temperature for Istanbul in January is 45F/7C, which might not seem super warm, but is an improvement over Riga’s 30F/-1C and near-constant snow cover. Istanbul is also 1,800 kilometers south of Riga, resulting […]
Partying Like a Latvian on Winter Solstice
Before ringing in the New Year, we joined in on Latvia’s winter solstice celebrations at the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, a short distance outside Riga. According to local websites, the event would be marked with singing and dancing Latvians wearing animal masks and culminate with the burning of a yule log. I knew this was not to […]
A Guide to the Charming Riga Christmas Market
Germany and Austria might have the most famous Christmas markets, but they are also the most crowded. If you are looking for an authentic European holiday experience without millions of tourists getting in the way, head to the Riga Christmas Market! You’ll be charmed by the beautiful architecture and cozy atmosphere of this historic little […]
A Magical Christmas in Tallinn, Estonia
Wooden stalls trimmed in evergreen boughs and white lights form a patchwork in Old Town Square. Shoppers bundled against the -12C temperature clutch steaming cups of Nordic glogg while perusing the colorful ornaments and winter accessories on display. Reindeer rustle quietly in their pens while awed children shove handfuls of hay between the slats. A dusting of […]