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 […]
Museums
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 […]
Top 7 Things to Do in Prague
I recently made my second trip to Prague and fell in love all over again. It’s hard to believe a city so beautiful actually exists in real life. Throughout its 1,100-year history, Prague has been influenced by major European powers, including the Holy Roman Empire and the Hapsburg monarchy, which each left its unique cultural stamp on […]
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 […]
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 […]