I visited Riga, the capital of Latvia for a few days with my family as part of a summer holiday in Latvia and Estonia, and thought I’d share with you some of the things I enjoyed with my family, as well as other things that friends have recommended.

Old Town Riga

At the heart of Riga, you can wander round the cobbled medieval streets or relax in the many bars and cafes.  Start your walk  in Town Hall square and see the impressive House of the Blackheads, which was once used by merchants but is now a museum and concert hall. Then visit the free Museum of Occupation, which our whole family enjoyed, despite the unlikely subject.  You can take a virtual tour of some of the exhibits, such as the felt boots and fabric face masks worn by political prisoners to keep out the cold here. Still in the old town, take the elevator to the top of the tower of St Peter’s church for a great view of the whole of Riga.

Neighbourhood walking

A student friend recommended that for something a bit more off-beat, you could visit the Andrejsala neighbourhood of Riga which was an industrial area by the docks but now houses venues for art and music – apparently there are some great music clubs and street-art here. You can walk there in 15 minutes from the centre.

If your interests are more in Art Nouveau than industrial architecture, then take a walk up Albertas Iela or Albert Street to see beautiful art nouveau style apartment buildings in one of the most expensive residential areas of the city.

Cafes, bars and nightlife

Although we were travelling en famille, so didn’t spend that much time partying, I did ask my local friend for some recommendation and these were his favourites;

- Cuba Cafe at Jauniela St,15 for coffee and snacks in the day and cocktails and music in the evening all with a Latin American theme. Free WiFi and a chance to try out your salsa some nights.
- John Lemon Bar at Peldu, 21 is the place where arty types go for light meals, wraps, pizzas and breakfast all day.
- Just opposite at Peldu 26/28 is a popular alternative nightclub called Pulkvedim Neviens Neraksta (translated as Nobody writes to the colonel)
- For a bar with a great view of the city try the Skyline bar at Reval Hotel Latvija, although the drinks will be a bit more pricey here.

A trip to the seaside at Jurmala

Being with the family, we could’t miss a trip to the seaside. Since the 1930s the seaside resort of Jurmala  has drawn holiday makers and in the Soviet era became a popular holiday destination for Communist Party officials. It was famous for its spa treatments and healthy outdoor activities. Nowadays there are plenty of activities around the beach, restaurants and cafes and concerts in the summer. There are regular trains or buses to Jurmala from the centre of Riga and the journey takes 30-40 minutes.

And if you are travelling with children you might like to combine the trip to Jurmala with a visit to the Livu Aquapark which is just outside Riga in the direction of Jurmala. My children spent many happy hours there on the waterslides.

If you’ve been to Riga, do share your favourite things to see in the comments.

When the large food venders rolled in, I knew this was going to be a big one. Lecce features events of all shapes and sizes on a weekly basis each summer, but the biggest celebration of all is the Sant’Oronzo Festival. The streets are lined with elaborate, blazing light displays as well as food and merchandise stands of all types. The annual event takes place on the 26th of August, and marks the end of a long month of rest and relaxation for Italians. Concerts also take place in every arena in the city, many of which are outdoors. One such concert takes place at the ancient amphitheater in the center of the main piazza, and the music can be heard drifting up the streets in all directions. The event features the very best light display that I’ve ever seen.

The festival begins with a solemn parade in honor of the patron saint of Lecce, Saint Orontius of Lecce (Sant’Oronzo in Italian). Sant’Oronzo is famously attributed with saving the city from a plague in 1656, and is now honored with a statue of him which stands atop a tall pillar in Piazza Sant’Oronzo. Beginning at 7pm, the parade features a brass band, religious singing, monks and nuns dressed in traditional attire, and large gold and silver statues of saints that are carried on biers by priests and military men. This rather short, but impressive parade winds its way through the whole length of the town and back.

Several of the largest streets in Lecce are taken over by street merchants who sell trinkets, toys, cookware, and other odds and ends. The food venders are nearly as eclectic, selling everything from hot-dog and French-fry pizzas to fresh olives and pate. I chose to stay away from these areas because they were so busy. Once you get lost in one, it’s very hard to escape!

The music struck up all around the city after nightfall. My favorite performance, modern dance with accompanying music, took place in the Teatro Romano—an ancient Roman theater in the city center. The Amphiteatro Romano in Piazza Sant’Oronzo featured a complete symphony that could be heard everywhere in the massive square. I’m not sure why anyone would pay for a seat!

The most impressive element of this celebration is the massive display of lights that fill the city. The streets of light all lead to Piazza Sant’Oronzo where a towering dome of light stands nearly 25 or 30 feet high. When there are no bands playing beneath the dome, you can walk beneath it and stare into the thousands of twinkling lights for a memorable visual experience. It took the city an entire week to erect the lights, and even three weeks after the event, the lights were still up, though no longer lit at night. It seemed that the people of Lecce were simply not ready to let go of this fabulous festival.

As our ship sailed through the Aegean Sea to the Greek island of Patmos, my excitement began to build.  I had read quite a bit about Patmos’ rich history and natural beauty before we left for our trip, and this was one of the places I was most interested in exploring. Patmos is one of the northernmost islands in the Dodecanese chain. The most densely populated areas of the island are Chora (the capital) and Skala (the commercial port), as well as two smaller communities, Grikou and Kampos. We spent most of our time sightseeing in Chora, visiting the famous Monastery of St. John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites).

The monastery of St. John was founded in 1088, near the cave where the apostle John is believed to have written the last book of the New Testament, the Apocalypse (or revelations of John), in 95 AD. Tourists can now visit the Cave of the Apocalypse, which is part of the small monastery complex. The monastery’s church is also a sight to behold, with intricate thirteenth century frescoes, relics, and detailed icons.

Patmos’ varied landscape and temperate climate make it the perfect destination for nature lovers. Inland, there are many hills and plateaus. Along the coastline, one finds numerous coves and bays- perfect places for sitting and enjoying a bit of solitude. There are several lovely beaches located near Skala (around the harbor and within close proximity to the villages). Grikos, a former fishing village turned resort, and the nearby Sapsila Bay are also great places to catch a few rays and take a dip in the Aegean. These are livelier beach scenes, with tavernas nearby. If you’re looking for a quieter place to spend the afternoon, try Vagia or Geranou- both smaller beaches located in coves. Arguably the most beautiful beach on Patmos is Psili Amos, located on the south side of the island.

After taking in all of this culture and natural beauty, you will no doubt be hungry. Here are some of my suggestions for quality and affordable eats on Patmos:

Aigaio Café in Skala
Aigaio is located in the smaller square (near the post office) on Skala’s main street. This is the perfect place to grab breakfast, coffee, or sandwiches.

Oasis Taverna in Grikos
A charming small taverna with the usual Greek dishes and salads- be sure to try the cheese pie!

Pantelis Restaurant in Skala
This is a lovely restaurant for lunch or dinner. It is located to the right of the main square (on the side street, adjacent to the bakery). The moussaka, saganaki and tzaziki are excellent, as is the chicken and potatoes, which comes in a large portion- almost enough for two.

While Dublin pulled well over it’s weight in nightlife craic (an Irish term for fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation), I’d been told by more than one Irishman along my brief stint in the capital city, that equal, perhaps even more glory might be found a bus ride away in Galway. Galway is located on the precipice of the stunning western peninsula.

The western coastline of Ireland is truly spectacular with its dramatic, rocky seashore, hidden inlets and stunning cliffs. It is a photographer’s sanctuary and a beauty-lover’s bliss. And the jewel in the western shore’s crown is the spirited, charming town of Galway.

It should be kept in mind that the rarity of a sunny day in Ireland, perhaps even in summer, is often welcomed with ecstatic dismay, an explosion of revelry and jovial camaraderie that permeates the normally overcast streets. As Irish luck would have it, I arrived in Galway on a brilliant, sunny afternoon, and serendipity seemed to be the order of the day.

Galway is cosier, tidier and a little more ‘small town’ than Dublin, and it offers a more intimate, yet no less exciting approach to the Irish night out. You definitely want to go to Galway to unwind, charm the soul and soak up the unique west coast craic. Here, you will find rich characters with delightful stories to share, a bevy of live music and, as is staple anywhere in Ireland, a swarm of terrific pubs in which to swill pint after pint of authentic Irish brews. Immerse yourself in a variety of stouts, ales, or lagers…make that a Kilkenny, or Guinness, or perhaps the odd Black and Tan for an obligatory nightcap, if the night should happen to end.

Settling into town upon arrival, I discovered a variety of fine hostel options littered about. We checked in at ‘Kinlay House Hostel’ for a couple of nights, and later ventured on to a cosier little place in the heart of the bar district called ‘Barnacles’, located right by the impressive Spanish Arch. Both were comfortable, reasonable options with a social, friendly vibe. A collection of bars snake along the cobble-brick lined mall of Quay St, so be warned if you’re hoping to get a good night’s sleep in this nook of town.

Serendipity seemed to be in abundance for this trip, as I’d sprung into town right in time for the annual Galway Arts Festival. The town is swamped with punters and artists of all persuasions; buskers line the festive main drag - by night, multiplying tenfold and providing spontaneous, crowd-swarming entertainment. Fire breathers, tightrope walkers and chainsaw jugglers vie for performance space, setting the heart of the town ablaze (not literally) with captivating showmanship. Whether it was the influence of the arts festival or not, Galway seemed to exude a creative sensitivity and cultural panache, which frequently borders on the electric.

We ventured out of the centre of town one night, finding the fine ‘Roisin Dubh’ for traditional and modern live music, fine craic, not to mention excellent, creamy pints of Guinness.

But the heart is where the home is, and more often than not we spent our time extracting the vibrance of the Quay and High Street locale. Wandering towards the nearby Salmon weir bridge by the shoreline, we soaked up the rare summer sun at water’s edge, the sound of gulls, the scent of sea and the unmistakable warmth of the Irish west coast.

Down through the middle of Oxford, home of England’s oldest university, runs a north-south axis that takes you past interesting churches, towers and colleges, to a gorgeous meadow. This axis starts with a road called St Giles’, it continues with Cornmarket Street, and then changes its name to St Aldate’s. Following this thoroughfare north to south provides just as interesting a tour of Oxford as strolling around the Broad Street-High Street area .

St Giles’ (that is its full name of the road) is so wide that it has space for two churches between its traffic lanes: St Giles’ Church at its northern end and St Mary Magdalen’s at its southern end. Both are handsome, square-towered buildings that were completed in the 12th century, although St Mary Magdalen’s – which is invariably surrounded by dozens of parked bicycles belonging to students- has a Victorian Gothic interior.

The road also features two famous pubs: on the east side, the Lamb & Flag, and on the west, the Eagle and Child. At different times, each of these pubs was the location of weekly meetings of the Inklings, a writers’ group in the 30s and 40s that included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Both are owned by St John’s College, one of the dozens of colleges that make up Oxford University. St John’s, founded in 1555, is on the east side of the road, a little south of the Lamb & Flag.

St. John’s is also one of Oxford’s largest, richest and most prestigious colleges; it was the alma mater of novelist Kingsley Amis, poet Philip Larkin, and former prime minister Tony Blair.

The atmosphere changes as you cross the intersection to continue south down Cornmarket Street. This has been a commercial center for centuries and continues that tradition to this day. There are several burger restaurants, as well as Boots, a big drugstore, and HMV, a music and video shop. The street is entirely pedestrianized.

On the east side of Cornmarket Street is Oxford’s oldest building, the Church of St Michael at the Northgate (1040). The chruch property contains a tall tower which you can climb (for a small fee) to get a spectacular view of the Oxford area. Further down Cornmarket, on the western side, an unpromising passage leads to the Oxford Union, a debating club run by student volunteers who often go on to illustrious political careers. The Oxford Union sometimes hosts famous personalities as guest speakers, such as: Mother Teresa, Michael Jackson and Kermit the Frog. At the southern end of Cornmarket is Carfax, a tower that is all that remains of a 13th century church. It boasts a charming clock that chimes at the quarter-hour.

Cross another intersection and proceed to the south. The mood changes again as you encounter the noisy St Aldate’s which is the route for double-decker buses. On this street, you can’t help but notice Tom Tower, a part of Oxford’s grandest college, Christ Church (founded 1546). The 17th-century tower contains a seven-ton bell, Great Tom, which is rung 101 times each night at five minutes past nine. But that is not the college’s only claim to fame. Christ Church, nicknamed “The House”, even boasts its own cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of Oxford. The writers, Lewis Carroll and W.H Auden, are among the alumni of this college, along with a matchless thirteen former prime ministers.

While tourists are not allowed into the colleges, you can enter Christ Church’s beautiful meadow through a gate on the east side of St Aldate’s. From that entry point, the peaceful meadow extends well over 1,000 feet east and south. It often has cattle grazing at its southern flank where it is bordered by the river. You may see rowing crews practicing on the river, which is actually the Thames – yes, the river that flows through London – but is called the Isis in Oxford. Other than Christ Church, colleges that back onto the northern side of this huge open area are Merton (founded 1264) and Corpus Christi (1517). A young Kris Kristofferson was a Rhodes Scholar at Merton, allegedly making his first attempts at songwriting during that time.

If you need some refreshments during this trip, you can get good ice cream, bagels and coffee at G&D’s, which has been a celebrated Oxford institution since it was founded by students in the early 90s. Its original venue is on Little Clarendon Street, a stone’s throw northwest from St Giles’ Church, but a more accessible and spacious branch is opposite Christ Church on St Aldate’s.

Upon completing this unforgetable walking tour of historic Oxford, take some time to refresh and refuel. At the point where St Aldate’s crosses the Isis, you will find a famous pub, the Head of the River, which offers good food and beverages, and a relaxing terrace looking out over the river. Or, for a good sit-down meal, check out the steak, game and fish offerings at Brown’s, a highly regarded restaurant slightly north of St Giles’ Church on Woodstock Road.