For the past five years, the Latvian capital has been home to “Staro Riga,” a festival of lights akin to those held in European cities like Berlin, Ghent and Lyon. This year, the festival coincided with the city’s reign as the European Capital of Culture, and from what I’ve gathered, Riga pulled out all the […]
Latvia
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 […]
Happy Birthday Riga: Celebrating at the Riga City Festival
Founded in 1201 by Albert von Buxthoeven, the German crusader who brought the Christian faith to the Baltics, this resilient capital has managed to maintain its unique Latvian culture while adapting to outside influences. This is evident by the remarkable mix of architectural styles, cuisines and languages found on its streets. As an American, I […]
A Beach Weekend in Liepaja, Latvia
Situated along the Baltic Sea about 50 kilometers north of the Lithuanian border, Liepaja is the western-most city in Latvia. It is also the third largest city in Latvia, with a population of around 75,000. Liepaja is perhaps most famous (in the Baltics, anyway) for its long stretch of white sand beach which is even less […]
Touring Karosta Prison in Liepaja, Latvia
Picture this: It’s 1910 and you are a sailor in the Russian navy stationed at a Baltic port in Liepaja, Latvia. You and some buddies go out for a drink and get into a fight with some rowdy locals. The next morning, you are arrested by your commanding officer and sentenced to three days in jail for your […]