Oslo, Norway has come a long way since its founding during the Middle Ages. Much of medieval Oslo was destroyed by fire, and the city that grew up in its place stands at the forefront of modern Scandinavian art and design. Some might even say Oslo is too modern, but I felt the Norwegian capital […]
City Guide
15 Fun & Unique Things to Do in Paris
When visiting Paris, you probably have all the iconic attractions and museums on your itinerary. But a big part of the city’s charm lies in its exceptional activities . Where else can you track down Jim Morrison’s grave or watch the cancan performed in the dance hall where it was born? This guide features some […]
Searching for Beauty in Jelgava, Latvia
The story of Jelgava, Latvia is heartbreaking. Founded in 1265 by the Livonians, the city grew prosperous and by the 16th century was the seat of the Duchy of Courland. The nobility built fine mansions and churches, and the city’s beauty was said to rival that of Riga. But in 1944 tragedy struck. Jelgava had the misfortune […]
72 Hours in Brussels, Belgium
A winter trip to Brussels wasn’t in my original Europe travel plan. Having previously spent a few days in the Belgian capital in 2007, I wanted to focus on other new-to-me destinations, preferably farther south. But search as I might, flights to Barcelona just didn’t match up with my travel dates. So I took a […]
Discovering Kuldiga: The Cutest Town in Latvia
My latest effort to see as much of Latvia as possible took me to charming little Kuldiga, a perfectly preserved medieval town in the western part of the country. Kuldiga’s castle might be long gone, but the rest of the city is virtually unchanged, from its street layout to its centuries-old wooden buildings with red clay […]