Independent Travel, Thoughtfully Planned
The historic part of Stockholm, Gamla Stan, is not short of fancy restaurants to match its picturesque streets. Pop into any of them and you’ll have a great gastronomical experience. But if you are looking for something totally unique in Stockholm, you should go the the quirky Pharmarium bar and restaurant.
Pharmarium – Stockholm’s Most Bizarre Cocktail Bar/RestaurantRead More
Towering over the waterfront of Kungsholmen island, Stockholm City Hall flaunts its redbrick façade and 100-meter tall bell tower topped with three crowns. Stadshuset, or Stockholm City Hall, is most likely the city’s most impressive landmark and one that you will want to visit as soon as you arrive in Stockholm. Although a relatively new building (1908-1909), Stadshuset …
Mingling With the “Nobelity” at Stadshuset, Stockholm’s Grandiose City HallRead More
The Vasa Ship Museum is one of Stockholm’s biggest attractions, and for a few good reasons. One one hand, the Vasa is the only ship from the 17th century that still exists. On the other, after laying hidden under water for 333 years, the ship was brought to life and could finally tell its tragic story. Vasa, …
There is a good reason why Riga is becoming an increasingly popular destination lately: so much to see, so many things to do. Since 1991, when Latvia regained its independence, Riga has flourished like no other city in the Baltic region. The vibrant and cosmopolitan city that that you see today has little to no resemblance to Latvia’s …
Location, location, location. Set in an Art Nouveau-style building dating from 1884, Rixwell Centra is a budget hotel right in the middle of Old Town Riga, within walking distance from all the attractions. Its proximity to a big shopping mall, museums, great restaurants, pubs and live music bars, make Rixwell Centra a great choice for a visit to Riga. So in case you …
Rixwell Centra Hotel – Good Value in the Middle of Old Town RigaRead More
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”George Santayana Some wounds should remain open forever so that people can never forget. This was my first thought as I opened the small wooden door of the Corner House in Riga – the former headquarters of the KGB secret police, also known as Cheka. The imposing structure on the corner of Brivibas and …
Dark Secrets of the Corner House – Riga’s Museum of OccupationRead More
Riga architecture is very diverse – an interesting snapshot of its tumultuous past. Riga was part of the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. It was part of the Russian Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. And it was part of the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991. The city’s architectural styles displays a …
Riga’s Architecture: Testimony to the City’s Fascinating HistoryRead More
Up in the Baltic region, on the banks of the Daugava River, lies an undiscovered treasure: Riga, Latvia’s long-enduring capital. Riga’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved and most charming historic centers in Europe, yet one of the most overlooked. But that hasn’t always been like that.
Riga Old Town – What to Visit in Latvia’s Epic CapitalRead More
Whether you have at least two or three days to spend in Florence, you shouldn’t miss the bustling food scene at Mercato Centrale. This indoor market is a great place to stop for one of the best culinary experiences in Florence. From pickled olives, the freshest fruits and veggies, to cheeses and breads, oils, wines …
Mercato Centrale Florence – the Best Place to Stop for LunchRead More
