Too Square to be Hip
A narcissist's guide to travel and culture
The old Hanseatic port of Riga may be a tad run down and industrial in comparison with its contemporaries Vilnius and Tallinn, but do not be fooled, although lacking the slick facades of the former, it is actually the most interesting city in the Baltic region. This former lumber shipping port, rough and tumble, harvesting …
Exploring Merrickville Although small, this corner of the world has a lot to offer those willing to spend a day exploring it! The town is built on the south side of the Rideau River along the locks themselves. In the center of the river you will find an island where the Merrickville ruins lie today. …
Located a mere two kilometers outside the Latvian village of Salaspils is a strange sight, men made of concrete in a field of grass. This site was once home to a camp of unimaginable horrors, shielded away from the world by the thick Latvian brush, destined to be forgotten by time. Yet today, the site …
What to do In Carleton Place Eastern Side of the Mississippi River Although the historic core of this town is confined to a small geographical area, pairing it a visit with that of nearby Almonte will provide you with a great daytrip from Ottawa. It is easy to find parking along the historic main street …
The story of one of the great homes of the European nobility begins with the ambitions of a young man, before his fall from grace, and ends with the clemency of one of Russia’s greatest rulers. The history of this home is that of the treacherous German nobility at large during their years serving the …
One of the prettiest towns in Eastern Ontario, Almonte offers a charm that few places can match. My visits to the area began when I started collecting vinyl records on my weekend and I would drop by an old flee market at the town festival grounds on my weekends. I used to love coming to …
A Brief History Trakai, the Lithuanian world for glade, was once the seat of the kings of Lithuania before it fell into a long period of neglect. Today it has regained it splendour, waiting to charm visitors with its moving history and great food. Grand Duchy of Lithuania, The Teutonic Knights and the Commonwealth According …
The Rideau Lakes and the Rideau Canal The Rideau Canal is a 202km canal system connecting the Ontario cities of Kingston and Ottawa – the capital. Built for defensive and supply purposes along with fortifications such as Fort Henri in Kingston, the Rideau Canal played an important part deterring American aggression along the St. Lawrence …
Located north of Kaunas, in the heart of rural Lithuania, Šiauliai is a place of solemn reverence and pilgrimage to the Lithuanian people. Best known for its famous Kryžių Kalnas, or “the Hill of Crosses”, it is a must see destination. More then just a religious place of pilgrimage, the hill will better help you …
Exploring Manotick Manotick is a village that grew around the Long Island Locks in 1833, an attraction that will be discussed later in this post. Instead we will start in the town itself. The Village of Manotick Located on the western shore of the Rideau River, half way along the coast of Long Island, you …
