Nestled amid rolling hills next to the Baltic Sea, Tallinn, Estonia is about as picturesque as it gets. The medieval old town is ringed by its original walls and watchtowers, providing postcard-perfect vistas at nearly every turn. But quaint cobblestones and colorful architecture aside, are there enough things to do in Tallinn to keep you […]
Destinations
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 […]
Rundale Palace: The Versailles of Latvia
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 […]