Oman travel blog
Stories, tips and inspiration for your Oman adventure
How to plan a Baltic capitals 7-day road trip in 2026
A complete 2026 planning guide for a 7-day Baltic capitals road trip: two routes, real distances, car rental advice, and what to skip to avoid driving burnout.
Riga shoulder season: October honest itinerary
Honest Riga itinerary for October shoulder season: what's open, what closes early, the autumn light on Art Nouveau and a realistic 3-day plan.
Riga vs Stockholm vs Helsinki: Baltic vs Nordic weekend
Honest comparison of Riga vs Stockholm vs Helsinki for a weekend break: costs, Old Town character, flight connections, food scene and our verdict.
Cēsis Old Town: the Baltic town that charmed us
Honest review of Cesis old town: the medieval castle, cobblestone streets, craft beer stop and why this small Latvian town charmed us on a day trip.
Latvian food I loved and the one I didn't: 2026 edition
Latvian food in Riga in 2026: the dark bread that spoiled all others, the Central Market smoked fish, and one traditional dish I couldn't finish.
Why Rundāle Palace is the Versailles no one talks about
Rundāle Palace was designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, cost €12 to enter in 2026, and sees a fraction of Versailles' crowds. We went and it's extraordinary.
Riga with a toddler: what worked, what didn't in 2026
Honest guide to Riga with a toddler in 2026: what worked at the markets and zoo, what didn't with cobblestones and crowds, and a family itinerary.
Tallinn or Riga: which Baltic capital for a summer weekend?
Honest comparison of Tallinn vs Riga for a summer weekend: crowds, costs, Old Town character, nightlife and which city suits different travellers.
Riga midsummer Jāņi festival 2026: survival guide
Survival guide to Riga's Janis Midsummer festival 2026: where to celebrate, transport tips, what to wear and how to experience it properly.
I took a Soviet walking tour in Riga: honest review
Personal review of Riga's Soviet history walking tour: KGB headquarters, deportation sites, the guide quality, real prices and honest verdict.
Riga craft beer: the 3 breweries worth the detour in 2026
The 3 Riga craft beer breweries worth a detour in 2026: honest reviews of Labietis, Uzavas and Malduguns, what to order and how to reach each.
Jūrmala off-season: why May might be the best month to go
Why May is one of the best months for a Jurmala day trip from Riga: pine forest walks, empty beaches, cafe openings and honest weather expectations.
Riga airport transfer 2026: Bus 22 vs Bolt vs private — which to choose
The honest 2026 comparison of every Riga airport transfer option: Bus 22 cost and route, Bolt pricing, private transfers, and which is right for your situation.
The honest cost of a weekend in Riga: spring 2026 edition
Real costs for a Riga weekend in spring 2026: hotel, food, transport, activities. Three budget levels with actual prices, not aspirational estimates.
The Art Nouveau walking route I tested in March 2026
Personal review of Riga's Art Nouveau walking route tested in March: what the buildings look like in winter light and what made it worthwhile.
Riga public transport explained 2026: tickets, routes, and what actually works
Riga public transport explained for 2026: trams, trolleybuses, buses, how to buy tickets, avoid fines and get from the airport without a taxi.
Is Riga still a stag party magnet in 2026? The honest truth
The honest truth about Riga and stag parties in 2026: how the scene has changed since the 2010s and the real impact on regular tourists.
The 2026 guide to using Bolt in the Baltics
How Bolt works in Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius in 2026: download, pricing, surge, airport runs, and why it's vastly better than street taxis.
Riga: card vs cash in 2026 — what you actually need
Latvia uses euros. Most places in Riga take cards. But you still need some cash. Here's the honest 2026 breakdown of where card fails and when cash matters.
Riga in January 2026: what actually opens (and what doesn't)
The honest picture of Riga in January 2026: opening hours, attraction closures, what winter is actually like, and whether it's worth going.
Christmas in Riga 2025 vs 2019: honest comparison
Honest comparison of Christmas in Riga 2025 vs 2019: what's changed at the markets, crowds, prices and whether Riga still feels magical in December.
Riga restaurants 2025 update: what closed, what opened, what's worth going to
Riga restaurant update 2025/2026: which places closed, which opened, and our honest picks for where locals actually eat in the city centre.
Gauja National Park: 3 hikes tested in summer
Three tested Gauja National Park hikes: Gūtmaņala loop, Sigulda ridge trail, Cēsis canyon walk. Honest time and difficulty ratings for summer hiking.
We visited the Mark Rothko Art Center in Daugavpils — here's what we found
Honest review of the Mark Rothko Art Centre in Daugavpils: the paintings, the city, the journey from Riga and whether the round trip is worth it.
Winter in Riga: 7 days with temperatures of minus 10
Honest account of 7 days in Riga in winter at minus 10C: what stayed open, how to dress, the Christmas markets and why we'd go back in the cold.
Kuldīga and Europe's widest waterfall: honest review
Honest review of Kuldiga and Ventas Rumba, Europe's widest waterfall: what we expected vs what we found, UNESCO old town, and day trip tips.
Riga day trips ranked: the honest verdict after 7 visits
All the main day trips from Riga ranked by value, ease, and actual experience after visiting them across multiple seasons. With real times and costs.
I finally tried the Latvian sauna — and this is what happened
First-time Latvian pirts sauna near Riga: the birch branches, cold plunge, silence, and why it's nothing like a Finnish sauna.
48 hours in Riga as a couple: what we did, what we'd skip, what we'd do twice
Honest 48-hour Riga itinerary for couples: Art Nouveau walks, Central Market, a canal cruise, restaurant picks and how to pace two full days.
First time in Riga: 7 things I wish I'd known before going
Honest reflections from a first Riga trip: airport transfer mistakes, restaurant traps, hidden gems, and things no guidebook mentions.