![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2012-07-01.jpg "Tallinn from above")
Tallinn can be compared to Dubrovnik – as far as the number of tourists is concerned. When I visited the Old Town for the first time three days ago, it was that crowded that I almost turned around again. Continue reading Tourist Crush in Tallinn
Trip: Baltics 2012
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/baltics2012.jpg "Käsmu Peninsula")
Bay and Bog
In the meantime, I have arrived in Tallinn, the last stop of my trip through the Baltics. From there, I went on two day trips to the quite diverse, and very beautiful Lahemaa-Nationalpark. Continue reading Bay and Bog
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-27.jpg "Kuressaare Episcopal Castle")
In the Soviet Military Area
In Soviet times, the island of Saaremaa was a military area to which access was restricted even for Estonians. Today, no signs of that remain – other than lots of untouched nature. Continue reading In the Soviet Military Area
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-26.jpg "Kuninga")
Stop-Over in Pärnu
During a four-hour layover in Pärnu, I had a short stroll through this nice seaside town. Continue reading Stop-Over in Pärnu
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-25.jpg "Sandstone Cliff at Gauja River")
Rainy, Cloudy, Go!
This weekend, I had to plan around the rainy periods. In the end, however, I had enough time for exploring Gauja National Park with its both attractions: river and castles. Continue reading Rainy, Cloudy, Go!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-24.jpg "Midsummer Fire")
Jāņi, the Midsummer Celebration
In the night from June 23 to June 24, all of Latvia celebrates the summer solstice – a very interesting celebration! Continue reading Jāņi, the Midsummer Celebration
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-22.jpg "Old Town")
Riga, or: Art Nouveau and Wood
My third capital on this trip – sightseeing is slowly getting hard work! Therefore, I chose a rather relaxed itinerary. Nonetheless, I have seen a bit of the city. Continue reading Riga, or: Art Nouveau and Wood
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-20.jpg "Dinaburg")
Daugava River Bends
The train going from Lithuania to Latvia stops in Daugavpils, which in turn is close to the nature park "Daugavas Loki". Therefore, I went on a short visit. Continue reading Daugava River Bends
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-19.jpg "View from atop Ladakalnis")
The Aukštaitija Bicycle Chain Massacre
My last stop in Lithuania was Aukštaitija National Park, which boasts more than 100 lakes that are mostly interconnected by small streams. Therefore, the best way to explore this region is by an (overnight) canoe trip. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time for that, so I simply rented a bike. Continue reading The Aukštaitija Bicycle Chain Massacre
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-17.jpg "Trakai Island Castle")
Vilnius without a Cold
As I got rid of my cold, I had time to explore Vilnius and its surroundings a bit. Today, I went on a half-day trip to Trakai. Continue reading Vilnius without a Cold
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-16.jpg "Grūda")
A Day in the Lithuanian Countryside
Today, I left Vilnius behind and went on a day trip to Dzūkija National Park. There, I went on a hike through the forest, passing by the meanders of the stream Grūda, wading through grass, and enjoying the unspoilt nature. Continue reading A Day in the Lithuanian Countryside
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-14.jpg "Nagliai Dune")
Today’s Special Combo: Forest, Sand, and Sea!
Today's excursion to the Curonia Spit was a very memorable one: The mixture of more sand dunes, which are over 50 meters high, and dense forest makes this area rather unique (at least in my experience). Continue reading Today’s Special Combo: Forest, Sand, and Sea!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-13.jpg "Hill of Crosses")
Lithuanian Pilgrimage
On my way to the coast, I stopped in Šiauliai which is close to a very unique sight: the Hill of Crosses. Continue reading Lithuanian Pilgrimage
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-12.jpg "Vilnius")
Vilnius with a Cold
As I obviously caught a cold while cycling in the rain, I had two rather uneventful days, and did not see a lot of Vilnius: I just did a short two-hour stroll through the city – which is very short even for me. Continue reading Vilnius with a Cold
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-10.jpg "Branicki Palace")
Polish Versailles?
On my way from Bialowieża National Park to Lithuania, I stopped for a night in Bialystok. Continue reading Polish Versailles?
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-09.jpg "Bialowieża National Park")
The Last Primeval Forest in Europe
The last two days I spent in Bialowieża which is home to the (allegedly) last primeval forest in all of Europe. I do not know whether this is true or not, but it is definitely a very beautiful region. Continue reading The Last Primeval Forest in Europe
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-06-07.jpg "Plac Zamkowy")
Warsaw in Football Fever?
Today, I spent some hours in Warsaw on my way to my final destination. Even though the opening of the European Soccer Championship will be tomorrow, the city was not too crowded. In fact, at some points you would not even have noticed the upcoming competition. Continue reading Warsaw in Football Fever?