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 […]
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Autumn in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
There are places in this world with natural landscapes so stunning that they don’t seem real even when you are standing in them. Plitvice Lakes National Park in central Croatia is one of those magical places. Crystal clear water flows through a series of interconnected lakes that were formed through thousands of years of erosion and […]
Kutna Hora and its Church of Bones
With a full week to spend in Prague, I had plenty of time for a day trip to see more of the Czech Republic. My destination of choice was the Kutna Hora Bone Church, an unusual attraction famous for its skeletal decorations. Creepy as it might sound, I found the macabre display to be surprisingly […]
Sigulda, Latvia: Medieval Castles and Autumn Leaves
Sigulda is a small town tucked within Latvia’s verdant Gauja National Park. Come autumn, this 92,000-hectare nature preserve turns into a golden wonderland that attracts leaf peepers from far and wide. I’ve often heard the area described as the “New England of Latvia.” But Latvia has something the U.S. lacks: 800-year-old castle ruins. As stunning as the […]
A Perfect Fall Day in Bennington, Vermont
For a small shire town, Bennington, Vermont is packed with interesting things to do. This is thanks in part to its storied past. Founded in 1749, Bennington was the first town in what would eventually become the State of Vermont. (Hence the town slogan, “Vermont Begins Here!”) At the time, however, America was a set […]
Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
Cruising Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway should be on every traveler’s wish list. The road winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southwestern corner of the state, offering breathtaking vistas at nearly every turn. Autumn is an especially good time to visit, as foliage blankets the mountainside in vivid shades of yellow and orange. The […]
A Weekend Guide to Tartu, Estonia
Tartu, Estonia is a hidden gem of Northern Europe. Located two and a half hours southeast of Tallinn, this university town is often overlooked by tourists. But there are tons of fun things to do in Tartu! The Estonian National Museum is worth the drive alone, as it showcases the best of the country’s rich […]