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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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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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How to Spend a Layover in Brussels, Belgium
I had no intentions of visiting Brussels, but with only an hour to deboard the plane, retrieve my luggage, and recheck it, the chances of catching my flight to Washington D.C. were slim. And, as expected, I missed my flight (first time ever too!) With the next flight leaving the following day, I had a full 24 hours to explore. Suddenly, missing my flight didn’t seem so bad after all. I booked a room at the Marriott and took an Uber into the city, which was only 30 minutes away. Aside from chocolate and beer, I knew nothing about Belgium, so my expectations were low. With Belgium being such a…
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How to Get to Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is one of the most iconic places in Bulgaria and one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country. Travelers often book group tours through their hotel, but I recommend you travel here by yourself if you’re looking to save money. Here’s how to get to Rila Monastery and what to expect. There is a 1 daily bus at 10:20 from the West bus station (Ovcha Kupel). The bus arrives at 1:00 and departs again for Sofia at 3:00. The bus costs 22 Bulgaria Lira one way. Halfway to Rila you’ll make a stop for about an hour or so in a small town. There is nothing to…
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Free Tour in Plovdiv
Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in the world and my favorite in Bulgaria. From Sofia Central Bus Station, I purchased a bus ticket for $10 lev. Plovdiv is a chill city and seems more like a place for backpackers. Like Sofia, there is also a free tour in Plovdiv, which I took advantage of. Here’s what to expect. Free Plovdiv Tour Departure Time: Every day at 11am and 6pm (May to Sept) 2pm (from October to April) Meeting Place: Municipality building on Plovdiv’s main street Duration: 2 hours The tour guide was pretty unenthusiastic, but the actual sites were incredible. Compared to the capital Sofia, Plovdiv was more vibrant…
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Free Tours in Sofia
Of all countries, my first European adventure was Bulgaria, a country 99% of the world couldn’t pinpoint on a map if their life depended on it. I didn’t know much about Bulgaria other than it was in Eastern Europe and was known for yogurt. When I checked in my hotel, I stumbled across a brochure for two free tours in Sofia. The “Free Sofia Tour” and “Balkan Bites Tour.” Seeing how I didn’t have any plans, I figure I’d take advantage. Free Sofia City Tour Departure Time: November-March 11 AM and 6PM. Three times a day 10 AM/11 AM/6PM the rest of the year. Meeting Place: Palace of Justice Duration: 2 hours. Here…
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How to Get from Istanbul to Bulgaria
Getting from Istanbul to Bulgaria is quite simple, cheap, and convenient. From Otagar international coach terminal (Aksaray metro stop) in Istanbul you can purchase your ticket. There are several companies, but I went with Metro, which is probably your best bet. A one way ticket costs 75 Turkish Lira ($21 as of 2016) and leaves several times a day. I opted for the bus departing at 10:30 PM. I purchased the ticket in the morning and was able to leave my luggage at the station. The Journey to Bulgaria The bus itself was pretty nice, but a little too cold for me. Definitely bring a jacket regardless of the season. When…
