-
·
🇮🇹 Erice, Sicily: Cats, Granita, and a Sweater?
Today’s activity: exploring the historic mountain village of Erice, which is located on the top of Mount Erice in Sicily. Ken just asked me: did you climb up that mountain? Sometimes, I think he doesn’t even know me. Did I climb a mountain?!? Please. I got on an air conditioned bus to the top. Weather…
-
·
🇮🇹 A Food Tour of Naples: There’s Something Wrong With This Water
I’ve said it before, and I’ll continue to say it: one of the best ways to learn about a place is through their food and drink. You can explore a place all you want, but without a guide, you aren’t likely to zero in on the true local flavors and experiences. To this end, I…
-
·
🇮🇹 Shopping in Rome & Cruise Embarkation
Weather report from Rome: Had some time to kill before our transfer to the cruise port. So we got up super early and did wind sprints up and down the Spanish steps. Just kidding. We went shopping in Rome. Anna and I both loooovvve perfumes – we always try to find the ones we can’t…
-
·
🍸 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.…
-
·
🏢 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…
-
·
📸 🇱🇹 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…
-
·
🇩🇪 Our Last Day in Munich: Comfort Shopping
Last day in Munich. Today’s goal was to hunt down all the Munich things we “need” to take home with us. 1. A janker (traditional Bavarian jacket) for E. (A great place to buy high quality traditional clothing in Munich is Lodenfrey.) 2. A traditional Bavarian jacket for me. 3. Bonus jacket for me because…
-
·
🇱🇹 🇩🇪 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 –…
-
·
🇱🇹 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…
-
·
🇱🇹 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…
-
·
🇱🇹 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…
-
·
📸 🇱🇻 Photo Essay: Latvia
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…