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🏢 Soviet Architecture in the Baltic States: If It’s Ugly, the Soviets Built It
We just returned from a trip to the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. There is much to be fascinated by in this corner of the globe, but one thing – instantly and in particular – pulled my focus: Soviet architecture. The ubiquitous, drab, depressing structures that litter the Baltic states. The basic rule…
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🇱🇹 🇩🇪 Travel Day: On the Move from Vilnius to Munich & the Worst Water I Have Ever Had
Travel day today. So naturally, Ken had to go hike something. Ken got up early this morning to climb the Hill of Three Crosses – the highest point in Vilnius. He didn’t even ask me if I wanted to go. I’d be hurt if I wasn’t so relieved. So, the Hill of Three Crosses –…
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🇱🇹 Life in Lithuania Under Soviet Rule: A Walking Tour
The temperature is above freezing this morning. Happy dance!! Today’s focus: learning about life in Lithuania under Soviet rule. Our guide, Svetlana, was a teenager during the 1980s, so she has strong memories and feelings. The first feeling she shared with us: “We lived here in a prison, and we didn’t know it was a…
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🇱🇻 🇱🇹 Baltic Road Trip #2: A Castle, a Palace, and a Hill of Crosses
Road trip to Lithuania today. We’re on our way from Riga, Latvia to Vilnius, Latvia. Another new country for all of us! (This brings my country count to 39. Ken is at 34. Not that anyone is keeping track.) Pit Stop First stop – unscheduled – the castle of unknown significance. Our driver said this…
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🇱🇻 Eating Our Way Through Riga: A Latvian Food Tour
Today, we walked through the Riga Central Market on a Latvian food tour with our lovely guide, Ilze. She guided us through the market, gathering up typical Latvian foods for us to try at the end of our tour. The market is fascinating architecturally – it’s housed in five relocated German zeppelin hangars that were…
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🇱🇻 Exploring Riga: Art Nouveau & Soviet Architecture
Exploring Riga today – on a walking tour. I am so freaking cold. All of these Baltic women walking around in furs are starting to look pretty smart. You know what would be really handy? If menopausal women could summon a hot flash on demand. Sidebar: Breakfast fish (Baltic herring) is tough to face first…
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🇪🇪 🇱🇻 Baltic Road Trip: Tallinn, Estonia to Riga, Latvia
On the move again today – a Baltic road trip from Tallinn, Estonia to Riga, Latvia. And another new country for all of us! Weather update: A Last Word on Tallinn I was very impressed with Tallinn. 9/10 – would absolutely recommend/revisit. On the Road – Tallinn to Riga Stopped to stretch our legs in…
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🍷🇪🇪 What to Drink in Tallinn: A Sip-by-Sip Guide to Estonian Drinks Culture
One of my favorite things to do when we travel is to explore the local drinks situation (alcoholic and not). I could spend hours in the local grocery/wine/liquor store just studying the shelves. Ken is not as enthusiastic about this activity, so I usually send him off to climb a mountain or something. When we’re…
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🍷 Understanding German Schnaps: It’s More than a Drink. It’s Tradition.
When Americans think about schnapps, we think peach and peppermint. And poor life choices. For Germans, schnaps is more than just a drink – it’s a cultural tradition. Distilled primarily from locally grown fruits like pears, cherries, apples, and plums, German schnaps is known for its purity, craftsmanship, and regional character. Ok, and probably a…
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🇪🇪 A Taste of Tallinn: A Walking Food Tour
Still BRRRR today, but calmer winds. Quick stroll through the flower market to get my blood moving – my Estonian mittens have paid for themselves already on this trip. One of the best ways to learn about a culture is through food and drink. So whenever we visit a new country, we always try to…
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🇪🇪 Exploring Tallinn: History and Architecture Highlights
We are exploring Tallinn today. Went on a 2-1/2 hour walking history tour this am. Our guide, Jonas, is an archaeology and history teacher, originally from Iceland, but married to an Estonian. He was a phenomenal guide. It is legit FREEZING in Estonia today. 18 degrees this morning, with a ferocious wind. Super happy I…
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🇩🇪 A Perfect Day in Munich: Weißwurst, Whiskey, and Family Traditions
Bavaria ordered perfect weather for us to enjoy the day in Munich. Slept on and off and on and off and on and off for 11 hours. Much needed, if broken, sleep. Traditional Bavarian Breakfast Breakfast bar at the hotel had a traditional Bavarian breakfast – Weißwurst and pretzels, so started the day happy! Walking…