Discover the Baltic Gems: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania From Finland, it was a short ferry across the Baltic Sea to Tallinn, Estonia. I’d never been to this part of the world, famous for its medieval and more recently Soviet Bloc history, and described by travel guides as Europe's best-kept secret. We spent a month backpacking around the three nations with eyes wide open. It was early May, Spring had arrived, and we seemed to have the place all to ourselves.... Continue Reading →

May 22, 2025 0

Exploring Rovaniemi: The Real North Pole Experience

With Santa One Scandinavian attraction that caught my interest was Rovaniemi, Finland. It was sold as the real “North Pole” where Santa Claus did his magic. Located on the Arctic Circle in the far north of Finland, I’m thinking why not, and that there had to be more to this country than the letdown of... Continue Reading →

April 25, 2025 0

Explore Norway: A Journey on the Hurtigruten Cruise

Bergen Warf A Bucket List Item for sure, the truth is I’d never visited Norway. Norway equals Fjords, Fjords means a boat, so we sprung for the famous Hurtigruten Cruise experience. This was a 14-day, 32-port marathon that received rave reviews. Norway and Hurtigruten are not known for being cheap; however, as luck would have... Continue Reading →

April 24, 2025 0

Prague’s Old Town: History vs. Modern Tourism

Another “One and Done” ... ...Prague Old Town Square... Of course, Prague is a legitimate vacation destination. This historical Central European cultural hub, with all its intact splendors of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is an easy and hospitable city to visit. It was home to the Habsburgs, Sigmund Freud, Mozart, and the original Budweiser Beer. However, behind... Continue Reading →

May 13, 2024 0

Krakow and Wroclaw: Poland’s Historic Gems

...The Weight of the Past ... ...Krakow Central Square.... Poland, or “Polska” as locally known, is the highlight of our 2024 European Campaign. While rich in culture and tradition, Poland’s lengthy history of war and occupation weighed on my travel experience. My Poland was 3 weeks spent in Kraków and Wroclaw, two southern cities that played... Continue Reading →

May 5, 2024 0

Exploring the Hidden Gems of the Western Balkans

(Photo above: Albanian Flag)..... It won't be long before most of these countries in the western Balkans are as overrun by tourists as Western Europe. While certainly not as polished as the West, crowds are smaller, the food is better, and the locals still get excited meeting Americans. Europe started in this part of the... Continue Reading →

April 18, 2024 0

Explore Ohrid City: Culture and Nature by Europe’s Deepest Lake

(Photo Above; Church of St. John the Theologian, Ohrid.....) While I’d advise travelers to pass on the capital Skopje, you shouldn't miss gorgeous Lake Ohrid on North Macedonia’s western border with Albania. Advertised as one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes, its pristine water comes from the surrounding snowcapped Albanian Alps, and vistas on a clear... Continue Reading →

April 1, 2024 0

Plovdiv, Bulgaria – A Charming Little Bit of Everything

(Photo above; Hindliyan House, Plovdiv)..... I’d never heard of Plovdiv until a month before our visit and thought Bulgaria was just another Soviet backwater. In truth, Plovdiv was fascinating, vibrant, and an altogether enjoyable stop in the Balkans. Billed as Europe’s oldest continuously settled city, it’s a working mix of physical landmarks spanning Alexander the... Continue Reading →

March 31, 2024 0

Firenze-A Month in Florence, Tuscany, and Roma

(Photo above; Santa Maria del Fiore)... Having overindulged in South America, Katia and I pointed our travels towards Europe this winter/spring, and what more prominent European location than the Italian province of Tuscany. Florence, with its Renaissance charm, is spectacular, however, there’s just no getting around the tourist hordes even in February. Don't be misled... Continue Reading →

March 5, 2024 0

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