Bengtskär Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Scandinavia, the gateway to the Archipelago Sea. We made the 25km journey from Hanko to admire this beaut and climb to the top. The 360-degree view from the top is worth the climb. And…
Maritime Museum of Finland
Kotka, Finland – Some of the few artifacts excavated from the Vrouw Maria shipwreck (subject of our next book!). These are on display at Vellamo Maritime Center. This is our second visit to the Maritime Museum of Finland — and…
Langinkoski Lodge
Kotka, Finland – Langinkoski Lodge was once the imperial fishing lodge of Tsar Alexander III. Very modest, by tsarist standards, but I’d take it.
Raseborg Castle
Raseborg, Finland – We had a blast exploring the 15th-century Raseborg castle.
Midsummer in Finland
Kirkkonummi, Finland – For the first time, we celebrated the summer solstice, aka Midsummer in Finland. To our credit, this holiday in Finland looks very similar to the Midsummer feast we have when we’re home. Hyvää Juhannusta!
Hanko Front Museum
Hanko, Finland – We stopped at the Hanko Front Museum for a history lesson. The Hanko peninsula was the focus of the Continuation War between USSR and Finland in 1941-44. The museum is an excellent introduction to the conflict. Would-be…
Vanha Porvoo
Porvoo, Finland – Old Town in delightful Porvoo, aka Vanha Porvoo. The Finnish national poet, Johan Runeberg, is from Porvoo. Signs all over town commemorate this fact, including this one.
Riding the Lev Tolstoy
Helsinki, Finland – And… we’re in Finland! We journeyed from Moscow to Helsinki riding the Lev Tolstoy, a repeat of the overnight train journey we did three years ago. Our compartment was cozy. The twins stayed up late reading. They…
Kids in Moscow
Moscow, Russia – While in Moscow, we have had a wonderful babysitter who has taken the twins on adventures all over the city. Sometimes I wonder if those kids haven’t seen more of the city than I have on this…
Kids’ Books About Russia
Moscow, Russia — Reading enhances travel, that’s no secret. Personally, I love to read novels that are set in the place I am traveling. Russia is good for that, as the national literature is among the world’s richest. And yet,…