Today was the last day of the Explore Baltic Republics journey. Packed up and back on the bus for the ride across the causeway through Muhu Island. We made only one stop before the ferry port, at St. Catherine’s Church. St. Catherine’s, built in 1267, supposedly had a wonderful interior but what can you do. [...]
“Travel Tips & Advice on Baltic Republics – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania”
The Baltic Republics: Hindsight is 20/20
March 7th, 2010 
Sheila Simkin 
Posted in Baltic Republics - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania 
Tags: adventure, baltics, culture, destination, estonia, event, ferry, hotels, latvia, lithuania, log, sightseeing, transportation, travel 
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Facts and Trivia About Saaremaa Island, Estonia
March 6th, 2010 Sheila Simkin - There are 35,000 people on Saaremaa Island and 15,000 in Kuressaare, the capital. – There is only one new golf course used primarily by the Finns and Swedes who come here to play golf. Snow usually falls in their countries before November while Saaremaa typically gets their first snow after November 15. – There [...]
Posted in Baltic Republics - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Tags: adventure, baltics, culture, destination, estonia, event, hotels, log, Saaremaa Island, sightseeing, transportation, travel No Comments »
Kuressaare Museums, City and Dinner in A Windmill, Saaremaa, Estonia
March 5th, 2010 Sheila Simkin Beside the multitude of medieval sights like Tall Hermann Tower, Kuressaare Castle had a series of museums with wonderful exhibits…View image…View image… that began in pre-historic times and continued through into modern day history. One area was completely devoted to life on Saaremaa Island under the Russians and Nazis. Russian forces arrived on Saaremaa Island [...]
Posted in Baltic Republics - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Tags: adventure, baltics, culture, destination, estonia, event, ferry, history, hotels, Kuressaare Castle, log, Russian forces, Saaremaa Island, sightseeing, soviet union, transportation, travel, Veski Windmill Tavern, World War II No Comments »
Kuressaare Teutonic Castle on Saaremaa Island, Estonia
March 4th, 2010 Sheila Simkin The Explore group spent one full day in Saaremaa Island beginning with a morning tour led by the owner of our Staadioni Hotell a 12-minute walk from the center of Kuressaare. A short bus ride around Kuressaare with view of migrating birds…View image, golf course (the pride and joy of small Kuressaare) utilized by Swedes [...]
Angla Windmills and Kaali Crater on Muhu and Saaremma Islands, Estonia
March 3rd, 2010 Sheila Simkin Saaremaa is Estonia’s largest island and covered in thick pine and spruce forests. It remained isolated and off limits during the Soviet era because it was both a strategic military outpost with an early-radar system and rocket base and also a possible escape route to the west. This has enabled Saaremaa to retain the culture, [...]
A Ferry Over to Muhu and Koguva Ethnographical Museum, Estonia
March 2nd, 2010 Sheila Simkin Today we drove towards the Gulf of Riga heading for Muhu and Saaremaa islands reached by a short ferry ride (video) from Virtsu on the mainland, but first a few stops. Number One at a Latvian petrol station with convenience store so those who still had Lats could get rid of them. The second in [...]
One Night in Sigulda, Latvia at Aparjods Hotel Complex
March 1st, 2010 Sheila Simkin Doesn’t it seem as if there has been no happy medium throughout the Baltics? We go from three churches in one day to three castles the next. On the drive back into Sigulda from Turaida Castle Museum Complex to spend one night, Signe told us a little about Latvian wedding customs. All the guests attend [...]
The Once Ancient Fortress of Turaida Castle, Latvia
February 28th, 2010 Sheila Simkin The entire Gauja National Park area is only 53 km/32 miles from Riga, making it an easy and popular day trip for the Latvians to visit Sigulda, Cesis/Cecis, Turaida or just enjoy nature. There is also Krimulda Manor House, first mentioned in the 15th century with an old castle ruin near the manor. Gauja National [...]
Posted in Baltic Republics - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Tags: adventure, baltics, culture, destination, event, hotels, latvia, log, sightseeing, transportation, travel, Turaida Castle No Comments »
Cesis/Cecis, Latvia Old Town Has One of The Oldest Breweries in The Baltics
February 27th, 2010 Sheila Simkin There was still time to walk through Cesis, one of the oldest towns in Latvia that owes its name to Cesis Medieval Castle. Cecis is a 13th century town with wide open cobbled streets. Riga Street led into the town center from the Castle Complex and this street has been part of Cesis since the [...]
Posted in Baltic Republics - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Tags: adventure, baltics, Cecis, Cesis, culture, destination, event, hotels, latvia, log, old brewery, sightseeing, transportation, travel No Comments »
Cesis/Cecis Medieval Castle in Latvia
February 26th, 2010 Sheila Simkin Unlike yesterday’s three church day, today would be a three castle day, all in the Sigulda area. The usual early breakfast to leave at 8:00 a.m. for the drive into Gauja National Park. Gauja National Park was Latvia’s first park and hosts some of Latvia’s most famous attractions, three of which we would visit today. [...]
Posted in Baltic Republics - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Tags: adventure, baltics, Cecis Castle, Cesis Castle, culture, destination, event, hotels, latvia, log, sightseeing, transportation, travel No Comments »
