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🌍 River Cruise Wrap-up, Part II: The Challenges and Rewards of Traveling in Eastern Europe
Last year we traveled through nine Eastern European countries – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the spring, followed by Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania on our recent Danube River cruise. And the one thing that unites all of them is a chapter that Western Europe simply doesn’t have: the Soviet Occupation Chapter. But…
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🍸 What to Drink in the Baltics: A Guide to the History of Baltic Drinks Culture
Vodka Anthropology: Drinking Habits and Traditions Under Soviet Rule in the Baltics I’ve been studying wine & spirits for over a two decades. One of the things I’m most interested in when we travel is what I call cocktail anthropology – what can you learn about a country through their cultural drinking habits and traditions.…
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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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📸 🇱🇹 Photo Essay: Lithuania
I take a lot of pictures when we travel. A LOT of pictures. Probably approaching an annoying amount of pictures. But when I post them, I try to curate. I choose the top 10-15 photos that represent the day and edit them. Because no one wants to see 113 un-edited vacation photos. No one. After our…
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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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🇱🇹 Lithuanian Food Tour: A Deep Dive into Culture, Cuisine, and Soviet-Era Stories
Again, one of the best ways to learn about a country is through its food and drink. We learned a LOT about Lithuania this afternoon! Incredible Lithuanian food tour this afternoon with our guide, Rasa. Rasa is the same age as Ken and I, so she has vivid memories of Soviet times, or as she…
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🇱🇹 A Walking Tour of Vilnius: A Snowy Morning, Fun With Flags, & A Creepy Crypt
Kicked off the day with a walking tour of Vilnius. Weather update: 20 degrees and snowing this morning. I’m wearing all the layers. Let’s go walking! Our guide, Jelena, was an absolute joy. Such an enthusiastic ambassador for Lithuania. Unlike Estonia (mostly secular), and Latvia (Lutheran), Lithuania is a deeply Catholic country. Churches everywhere. The…
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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…