Rundale Palace was the lavish summer residence of the Dukes of Courland. The Duchy existed from 1561 until 1795 and was located in the western half of Latvia. Its original seat of power was located in Bauska until the castle and manor house were destroyed during the Great Northern War. The new palace was built […]
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Relaxing by the Baltic Sea in Jurmala, Latvia
Summer weather in Latvia can be surprisingly warm given its Northern European location. Come July, locals flock to the Baltic Sea shore in droves. One of Latvia’s best beaches, Jurmala, features thirty-two kilometers of pristine white sand and tranquil blue water. What began as a collection of humble farming villages has become the premier beach […]
Riga by Water: A Sunset Cruise Down the Daugava
One of the things that has most surprised me about life in Riga is the reality of the long summer days. In the U.S., we’re taught to seek protection during the “peak sun” hours of 11 am – 3 pm; here that period is probably twice as long. The sun is blazing well before I get up […]
Riga, Latvia: First Impressions
It’s been two weeks since I moved to Riga, Latvia and some days it still feels like a dream. The place is mind-boggling gorgeous and almost defies description. Riga’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a medieval beauty filled with candy-colored buildings and a maze of narrow, winding lanes. Beer gardens are set up […]
7 Reasons You Should Visit Cleveland Right Now
Cleveland, Ohio has a bit of a bad rap. In 1969, the heavily polluted Cuyahoga River running through downtown Cleveland caught fire and Time Magazine published a photo of the flames engulfing a ship. This was followed by a major economic recession in the 1970s and 1980s. The factories closed, unemployment rates soared and there […]