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Discover Lithuania: Best Places to Visit and Local Travel Tips
Lithuania was the final stop on my journey through Finland, Estonia, and Latvia. Before my trip, I read several blogs that described Lithuania as the least impressive of the Baltic countries (compared to Estonia and Latvia). However, I found Lithuania to be far better than advertised. Among Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius, I felt Vilnius was the most vibrant and livable city for an expat. Additionally, it was the most affordable of the three. Lithuania also has a distinct Soviet influence, which reminded me of my time in Belarus years ago. Best Places to see in Vilnius 1) KBG Museum The KGB Museum in Vilnius, located in the former KGB headquarters, is a…
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Traveling Though Latvia
Latvia was the second stop on my Baltic journey. I took a bus that departed Tallinn at 8:30 AM, arriving in Riga just before 1:00 PM. As soon as I arrived, I could immediately feel the remnants of the Soviet era—locals speaking in Russian, the architecture, and the general lack of smiles. It was a sharp contrast to its neighbor, Estonia. I spent 3 days in Riga, the capital of Latvia, covering much of the city. Unlike many travel blogs that try to cram in endless recommendations for the sake of content, I’ll keep it short and simple—there’s just not much to see or do in Latvia, especially in the…
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The Ultimate Estonia Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit & Tips for Tourists
Estonia was the second stop on my journey through Finland and the Baltics. Before arriving, I knew next to nothing about the country – in fact, I couldn’t name two facts about it. I entered completely blind, unsure of what to expect. What surprised me most was how distinct Estonia felt compared to its Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Lithuania. While the latter still carry echoes of the post-Soviet era, Estonia has a more ‘Nordic’ vibe, giving it a unique cultural flavor that sets it apart. Brief History of Estonia Estonia’s history is like a rollercoaster ride of invasions, independence, and resilience. For most of its early history, it was caught…
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Discovering Lapland, Finland: The Ultimate Arctic Escape
Most people head to tropical beaches and sunny destinations when winter rolls around. After all, who wants to be shivering in the cold when you could be lounging in warm sunshine? But this year, I decided to do something different. I wanted to embrace the cold. So, I booked a trip to Finland and the Baltics. To be honest, I didn’t know much about Finland until a few years ago, when I came across an article about Lapland. It was like something straight out of a fairy tale: a land blanketed in pure snow, with Santa Claus Village, reindeer roaming the Arctic Circle, and that magical winter wonderland vibe. Needless to say, I was…
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Why Visit Bosnia & Herzegovina? Best Things to Do, See & Experience
Bosnia & Herzegovina was the last stop on my Balkan tour, and it turned out to be the perfect finale. I’ll admit—I arrived knowing almost nothing about the country. But during my journey from Montenegro, and through time spent in its museums and conversations with locals, I gained a deep respect for Bosnia & Herzegovina and its people. Bosnia & Herzegovina was once part of Yugoslavia, a multi-ethnic country that held together for much of the 20th century. When Yugoslavia broke apart in the early 1990s, Bosnia declared independence, which set off a brutal conflict from 1992 to 1995. The war left deep scars, but it also shaped the resilient…
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Ultimate Travel Guide to Kotor, Montenegro: Best Things to Do & See
Montenegro was the third stop on my Balkan trip — and it ended up being my favorite. Kotor, in particular, is the country’s showpiece. Tucked into a dramatic bay surrounded by steep mountains, it’s a mix of medieval history, postcard-perfect views, and relaxed coastal life. Whether you’re climbing fortress walls at sunrise, taking a boat out to hidden caves and islands, or winding down with dinner in the old town, Kotor has a way of slowing you down in the best possible way. I spent three days here, but I could’ve easily stayed a week. A Brief History of Kotor Kotor is an amazing old town tucked into a beautiful…
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How to Spend 48 Hours in Kosovo: A Weekend Itinerary in Europe’s Youngest Capital
Tucked in the heart of the Balkans, Kosovo is Europe’s youngest—and one of its most misunderstood—countries. Officially declaring independence from Serbia in 2008, Kosovo has since been recognized by over 100 countries, including the U.S. and most of the EU. But its status remains disputed: Serbia, along with powers like Russia and China, still sees it as a breakaway province. While borders and politics remain tense, Kosovo’s identity is crystal clear—this is an overwhelmingly Albanian nation, from its language and food to its pride and traditions. Kosovo is one of Europe’s least visited countries, attracting fewer than 300,000 visitors in 2024—a number that pales in comparison to the 4 million+…
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Best Day Trip From Stockholm
Stockholm is the city that 99% of travelers visit when coming to Sweden, and for good reason: it has the most to see and do. However, Stockholm can get old quickly; I felt that three days was more than enough to see everything it has to offer. With a few extra days remaining, I wanted to explore more of Sweden. I ended up visiting two places outside of Stockholm: Uppsala, which I found to be incredibly boring, and Sigtuna. Sigtuna is a charming, historic town located about 50 km (31 miles) northwest of Stockholm. Established in the late 10th century, it is Sweden’s oldest town, known for its well-preserved medieval…
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Day Trip to Copenhagen, Denmark
I had no plans to go Denmark during my trip to Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, but I made a last-minute decision to visit. After all, my goal is to hit every country on Earth and I was close enough. I took the earliest train (SJ train) from Stockholm and departed at 6:16 AM for the 5.5. To make the most of my day trip, I took a bus (Flixbus) back to Stockholm at 10:15 PM, which took about 9 hours. Is a day enough in Copenhagen? That depends on what type of traveler you are. Some people like to see everything a city has to offer, while others prefer to…
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The Most Beautiful Place in Norway
Norway was the second stop on my Nordic adventure, and I had high expectations coming in. Americans tend to romanticize Scandinavia and hold it in high regard compared to the rest of the world. As a child, I was led to believe that Norway was some sort of utopia—a place where crime and poverty didn’t exist and social benefits uplifted every citizen. I wanted to see this magical land for myself to find out if it was really as advertised. I spent a week in Norway and decided to explore three areas: Oslo, the Lofoten Islands, and Bergen. Oslo To be honest, I didn’t find Oslo all that exciting. There…
