How we froze in Riga, gained weight in Vilnius and fell in love with the speed of the Baltic Internet

Lithuania or Latvia? Riga or Vilnius, in the absence of understanding and distinguishing between these two countries – I decided to visit both.

The New Year itself shines and brings new New Year’s resolutions; ours was to welcome it in the Baltic countries. One of the reasons that definitely attracted me is the language, specifically the one used in Lithuania, because it is one of the oldest languages ​​in the world. We bought the tickets back in September to avoid New Year’s price inflation, and the flight was on the route Ljubljana – Riga, Riga – Vilnius, and back. If return tickets are taken a month in advance, they can be less than 100 euros.

And right before the flight, we went to Kranj, located 15 minutes from the airport. The flight lasts about two hours, and after that, an unusual winter adventure begins.

Riga, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

Riga, is cold in itself, both in temperature and in the mentality of the inhabitants. What sets it apart from the average is its beautiful architecture and interesting international cuisine, but also a selection of museums and cafes. When we talk about prices, they are roughly in line with Croatian prices, so a little more than one donated kidney is enough for a decent lunch and a drink.

Riga is known for the largest city market, and what delighted me was the Christmas market in the square, where for the price of 7 to 10 euros you can get something interesting to drink, such as brewed beer, brandy, or cocktails. Our choice of food was paella, which was as good as in Mallorca, but also homemade blood sausage with a side of sauerkraut – a fantasy.

Riga, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

I recommend that you walk through Vecrīga, the old city center also known as Old Riga, to the Freedom Monument, go to the “House of Black Heads“, St. Peter’s Church, the Art Nouveau District, the city cathedral, but also to sweeten yourself with alcoholic Black Balm.

We were also delighted with the selection of sweets and snacks at the Rimmi market, where Baltija ice cream, vegan sweets, Gotina candies, and Rasens chocolate milk are ideal helpers in gaining “extra kilos“. I liked the fact that every price includes a flag of the country of origin on the product. Don’t miss the kirša – cherry beer, as well as the Belgian cafes located in the strict part of the center.

After Riga, we decided to take plane tickets to Vilnius and visit another Baltic country. The flight between the two countries takes 40 minutes, and from the airport to the center you will need a full 25 minutes. The hotel can be found at a price of 60 euros with breakfast included, which this time, in the case of choosing Hotel Rinno, did not exactly turn out to be the most luxurious table that we Balkans are used to.

Now, an era is starting, what to see in Vilnius? The Museum of Occupation and the Struggle for Freedom, the Užupis district, which is a bit reminiscent of Novi Sad’s creative district, Trakai Castle, which is about 40 minutes by car from the city center, Kuršių nerija, Kaunas, Kryžių kalnas, Palanga, Druskininkai, the Museum of Genocide Victims, stop by the fortress ( the funicular is 3 euros in both directions), and you can, like us, visit the famous Lukiškės prison, where some of the scenes from the famous Netflix series Stranger Things were filmed.

Of the food, I was most delighted with the soups, but we also tried Georgian food, maybe I would have liked the Baltic food more if it had not been so sweetened, that is, everything seemed quite sweet to me. Auksta, smoked herring, sprats, cutlets, gray peas, cold table dishes, putras, i.e. porridge made from vegetable grains with the addition of lard, smoked meat or fish, and fermented dairy products are an indispensable part of this trip.

Be sure to try the šakotis, which is served with sour milk or coffee. They say that there are about 30 eggs in a cake, so I wonder who is allowed to look the hen in the eye after that?

Legend has it that Lithuania is among the best in the world in terms of internet coverage and speed, and I’m sure that Adria.fun, as well as its editorial team, is among the best recommendations and travelogues!