Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn, Estonia is a relic of a bygone era. It was built in 1718 by Peter the Great, founding czar of the Russian Empire. The palace’s salmon pink facade, accented with slate blue doors and a green copper roof, was designed in the same ornate style as the buildings of Petersburg, the Empire’s […]
Europe
Why You Need to Visit Narva Castle in Estonia
Two stone behemoths have faced off for centuries as countless battles were waged over a very contentious border. Narva Castle towers over the Estonian side, while Ivangorod Fortress sprawls across the Russian bank. Between them runs the Narva River, which connects Lake Peipsi to the Gulf of Finland. Historically, whoever controlled the Narva River also […]
Old Believer Villages of Lake Peipsi, Estonia
Old Believers first settled in Estonia in the mid 1600s. Major reforms were taking place in the Russian Orthodox church at that time, and not everyone was on board. Those strongly opposed to the reforms were dubbed “old believers” and denounced by the church. Many fled the religious persecution and sought refuge across the border […]
The Ultimate Riga, Latvia Museum Guide
Do you like to go to museums when you travel? I often seek them out in an effort to dig deeper into the cultures of the places I visit. What major historical events shaped the current society? Who were the best local artists and what did they create? Museums help me answer these questions, plus […]
Mostar and Pocitelj: Two Can’t-Miss Towns of Bosnia and Herzegovina
As captivated as I was by Sarajevo, I was delighted when the friends I was visiting suggested a road trip. We headed south for Mostar and Pocitelj, two gems of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). While it’s possible to visit both as a day trip from Sarajevo (or Dubrovnik, Croatia, which is equally close), we opted to […]