Western Europe

I concluded writing about my Baltics road trip last year, and then realised I’d completely forgotten to write a review of one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at during the trip. So to right that wrong, I’m back in Vilnius again! Better later than never. Anyone who follows this blog knows I’m quite […]

Istanbul. It hits you like a train. There’s chaos everywhere, it’s busy everywhere, there are noises and smells and music everywhere. There are people talking, and shouting and gesticulating round every corner. There are car horns and calls to prayers and street vendors echoing in to the streets. This city is amazing, unlike anywhere I’ve […]

You have one day. You land in Tallinn, grab a rental car, and drive east. Forty minutes later, you hit the edge of Lahemaa National Park — Estonia’s oldest and largest national park, established in 1971. The question isn’t whether you’ll see something beautiful. It’s whether you’ll waste time on the wrong trails or miss […]

Tallinn’s Old Town gets 4.5 million visitors a year. Most of them walk the same three streets, eat at the same overpriced restaurants, and leave wondering what the fuss was about. That’s a failure of planning, not of the city. The Old Town is a compact 1.9 square kilometers of genuinely preserved medieval fabric — […]

You’ve booked a flight to Tallinn. Someone mentioned Tartu is “cute” and “worth a day trip.” But is it actually fun? Or just another small university town with a few old buildings and overpriced cafes? I spent a week in Tartu specifically to answer that question. I walked every street. I ate the weird fermented […]

Fermentation is one of humanity’s oldest food preservation techniques, yet it has seen a remarkable resurgence in modern kitchens. Beyond the tangy flavors and probiotic benefits, home fermentation offers a profound connection to the food we eat. This guide will walk you through the essentials, from beginner-friendly projects to advanced techniques, ensuring you can confidently […]

You land in Riga on a Friday evening. Saturday morning you wake up jet-lagged, grab a coffee, and stare at a map. Where do you start? The Old Town? The Central Market? The Art Nouveau district? You have 48 hours. Every wrong turn costs you an hour you don’t have. This itinerary is built on […]

Kaunas is the kind of city that rewards a slow morning and comfortable shoes. You can see its core in one day without rushing, and you’ll spend less than €40 total — including meals, museums, and a funicular ride. Here’s exactly how. Why Kaunas Deserves a Day of Your Baltic Trip Most travelers skip straight […]