11 June 2026 It’s a little unsettling to look back across the map of my travels. Not because of how many places I’ve been, but how easily some of them blur at the edges. I revisit them through old photos Read more
My journey to Sweden began at Tallinn’s Bussijaam, where I boarded Bus No. 2 to the airport. True to Estonia’s reputation for efficiency, it departed and arrived exactly on schedule. Buying a ticket was a small adventure in itself. There were no ticket offices or machines in sight, so I simply tapped my credit card on the bus, received a reassuring green light, and took a seat, trusting that the system somehow knew I had paid despite providing no ticket or receipt.
What an amazing exploration as I traveled through the Baltic countries of Lithuania (Vilnius, Kaunas, Siauliai) Latvia (Riga) and Estonia (Tallinn). Some experiences a repeat performance from my 2009 trip, other stops were new. Eleven days crammed with history, culture, cuisine and tasty ales.
Tallinn has a way of blending centuries together. On this cool June day, the heavy scent of lilacs drifted through the parks and streets while Old Town seemed transformed into a medieval fair, with costumed performers, market stalls, and crowds gathering beneath ancient towers and walls.
Pinky swear: it seems the hardest part of visiting the Baltic states involves remembering that Riga sits in Latvia and Tallinn sits in Estonia. Don’t know why this becomes such a challenge for me. Previously, I traveled to both cities – I should know this geographical fact by now.
Riga invites one to walk without much of a plan, guided less by a map than by whatever catches the eye above street level or just around the corner. Architecture alone would be reason enough – it’s centuries stacked in stone, brick, and ornament.
Statues appear in the middle of squares as if mid-conversation, walls quietly host bursts of modern color and commentary, and rooftops sprout cats with attitude. Strolling becomes a slow drift through styles, stories, and small surprises, best enjoyed slowly.
Today finds me entering the harbor of Riga with its skyline of church spires and bridges. No one is in the terminal and I am unaware I am an illegal alien without a Visa. I ride a bus to city center,and walk to my little B&B Hotel Circus.
Not much English but I understand the landlady wants my Visa; she understands I don’t have one. But, I get my little room. Almost a cell and like being locked in, reminding me Latvia was Communist not long ago. I immediately walked to the old city square….”
