What kind of title is that, right?
Just me up to my regular nonsense on a long weekend.
During the Victoria Day Long Weekend I went on a solo jaunt from Toronto to Finland, Latvia and Lithuania. These were countries #77, #78 and #79 for me!!! (stay tuned for when #80 happens in September)
If you want to know how much this trip cost – click here.
Friday, May 15th
I actually flew the night of the 14th and it got me to Keflavik airport (Iceland) first in the morning. This was an absolute calamity, I need you all to know this. It is imperative you know this.
For being the Icelandair hub, this was waaaay too unorganized. It took almost 90 minutes for everyone to get through security for their connecting flights.
My plane waited an extra 30 min for all of us to get there so we could continue on to Helsinki, my actual destination. Keflavik airport is mutton dressed as lamb. I already hated this airport for how much shit cost when I was here in 2017, but again? AGAIN YOU SUCK? What is the purpose of 100 kiosks if none of them work?
Having four or five massive planes from North America arriving at the same time when the security is unable to handle that is bullshit. All of us were late for our connecting flights. Starting the trip stressed, not awesome.
I did make it to my Helsinki flight though. Yay Finland, finally!
Make sure you have Bolt downloaded if you are planning to visit any of the cities I did in this trip, much cheaper than Uber.
My ride from the airport to my first hotel, Scandic Helsinki Aviapolis.
I chose all my hotels to be closer to the airports, instead of the centers of the city. Due to my time constraints, figured it speedier to be near my arrival and departure points.
This hotel was nice and close to the airport, the staff was really nice and it was very quiet. I took a nap immediately. Naps are always needed.
Post-nap, I took a 15 minute Bolt into central Helsinki to visit Oodi Library.
Structurally it is quite the marvel from the outside, and inside it felt super warm and welcoming. I liked the way all the books were arranged, and anyone could walk in. There was even a balcony you could sit outside and read your book on, and, a cafe on site as well. Loved it.
After Oodi, I walked around and got my steps. Seeing all kinds of statues and buildings.
The route to Senate Square had a lot to see.
When you do get to Senate Square, take the stairs up and you will have a nice little view of the square. It was a little overcast as you can see from the photos, but cool nonetheless.
All that travel, napping and walking had me super hungry. I made a reservation at Ravintola KarlJohan before heading to Europe.
Trust me, I knew what I was going to order a while ago.
To start, I had french fries and garlic mayonnaise as well as the gorgonzola gratinated garlic snails. THE SNAILS DISH? Wowzers. Must get.
For my main, I had the pike Wallenberg with potato puree and wild garlic sauce, this was good. Not my favourite, but good. And for dessert I had a meadowsweet panna cotta, yummy!
Did some more walking around after dinner. Eventually I made it back to Senate Square when the sky was looking beautiful. Thought I would wait around for the sunset, until it got to damn near 11pm and the sun was still not down. That time of year, I guess.
Bolt back to the hotel to sleep before my next adventure.
Saturday, May 16th
Had a really good sleep and woke up to go to breakfast at the hotel. They had a decent spread, but my favourite part was the juice faucet. I drank the heck out of all the juices available to me.
Found out the hotel I was staying in had a free shuttle to the airport, took advantage of that.
I made sure all of my flights were around that noon-2pm time, I was not trying to wake up early any of the days. It was a great decision for me, for a tight schedule, I never felt tired.
Also, let’s talk about Helsinki airport.
Unlike that nonsense at Keflavik airport, this place is a beacon of joy and organization. Just how I like my airports.
After Singapore airport, this has now become my second favourite airport I’ve ever been to. They have everything, lots of space, food and again, super organized.
Time to fly to Riga, Latvia.
I landed in Riga and walked six minutes to my next stay – Sky High Hotel Airport.
If you see the photos below, you can literally see the airport from in front of the hotel. I loved the proximity.
From the outside I was slightly worried, it was giving human trafficking.
But inside? So cute and so clean. Made the right decision with this one.
No naps today, took a shower and got into a Bolt to central Riga.
For some nourishment, my first stop was Mikla bakery. I had seen it on TikTok and never in my life can I turn down an opportunity for delicious pastries.
They did not disappoint, especially the cinnamon bun filled with coconut cream I got and a thick hot chocolate.
Hopped in another Bolt, and headed across the bridge to The National Library of Latvia.
When you arrive at this library, you can go in on a visitor day pass, but you have to use coat check or leave your items in a locker. I was more than happy to do so, less things to carry around.
Not sure that writing about this library would do it justice. The photos will tell the story better. Just know, leave at least an hour to walk around the entire place and take photos of the books behind the glass. Breathtaking.
From the library I decided to walk back into town, over the bridge.
Saw some major sites in central Riga like; The House of the Blackheads, Monument to the Latvian Riflemen and The Three Brothers.
Made sure to buy lots of souvenirs. This was one of the moments I regretted only coming with a personal item. Riga is souvenir heaven.
Of course, time for some more food.
Tonight’s reservation was at a place called Milda.
Make sure you get every single lemonade available on the menu, they are all good. Period.
The starter I had was the homemade deer dumplings, I had really looked forward to tasting them and they didn’t disappoint. A very large appetizer.
For my main course I had a duck breast with potato puree, spinach salad, apple jam and buckwheat popcorn. Have to say, another 10/10 dish, really filling.
To end the meal, I got cheesecake with sea buckthorns and this was not my favourite. Did not enjoy this at all, sadly.
Post-dinner I wanted to spend more time walking and eventually got to the Art Nouveau district of Riga.
Some very nice buildings here, if you like fancy pants architecture, make sure you stop by this area.
Unfortunately for me, Riga was also overcast and it began raining hard. It was time to call it a night and head back to my hotel – next adventure awaits.
Sunday, May 17th
Woke up and had breakfast at the hotel. LOVED their breakfast. It was an older lady in the kitchen making a hearty breakfast for all the diners. Hit the spot.
At around noon I finally made the six minute walk back to Riga and went to the Primeclass Lounge there.
Unlimited ice cream, yes, had me at unlimited ice cream.
Then I hopped on my flight to my final destination – Vilnius, Lithuania.
The flight from Riga to Vilnius was short and again, the Bolt from hotel to my next hotel was also speedy.
Loop Hotel Vilnius was my accommodation here.
Out of all three hotels, this one looked really fun and chic. I wish I had spent more time in here, but again, tight schedule.
Showered and took a Bolt into central Vilnius straight to Vilnius Cathedral.
Stunning. That is the lone word I can use to describe this place. Spent a good 45 minutes walking inside of the cathedral and around it. Also lit a candle and said a little prayer for my friends and family. Great start to Vilnius.
From the cathedral, I made the walk over to the Church of St. Anne and Bernardine Complex.
This church was beautiful as well, and it was all things made of wood inside. Worth the visit.
Walking distance from St. Anne’s is a place named Užupis. Definitely read up on this small area that is a part of Vilnius, fascinating history.
I spent some time walking around the area and read their constitution AT LENGTH in English. They have it posted in about 20 languages, so there is something for everyone.
My favourite one was #3 – ‘everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation.’
Final dinner reservation of the trip was at a place named Lokys.
For my starter I got the crawfish, very good.
The main course was what I was really excited about, it was the LOKYS HOUSE REGALE, which included venison and boar meat roast, beaver meat stew and game sausage. The beaver was not good and I didn’t like the game sausage, but the venison? Oh yes. I’d get just that again.
Chose to go with a carrot cake and ice cream for my dessert, sadly, also not my favourite. It was just OK.
Even though it was like 8pm I went walking around trying to see if any spa would take me for a massage, they wouldn’t. That’s OK. But during that search I happened to get lost and ended up at this cool fortress with a beautiful view over Vilnius.
To make things EVEN COOLER, I heard some oontz oontz music while at the fortress and walked down a hill to find a random party in a park? DJ and everything. I swear I’m the luckiest lost person in the world because that was a super cool happenstance.
Since I was in a really happy mood after finding that view and party, I wanted to try my hand at some more sweets – disappointing dinner dessert notwithstanding.
This place caught my eye because there was a chocolate covered cheesecake in the photo. I chose to get that (think Basque cheesecake with chocolate dip) as well as an Earl Gray tart.
The tart was good, but that dipped cheesecake? I could have EASILY eaten four slices of that delight. Big yummy.
To end my night I walked by the Cathedral from earlier, and my luck continued as there was a trio playing music outside and the music was ABBA. I need you all to know, I listen to ABBA nonstop and this was the most perfect end to my time in Vilnius.
Monday morning I flew back to Toronto.
The path was Vilnius – Helsinki – Keflavik – Toronto.
No complaints about Vilnius and Helsinki, but Keflavik was garbage AGAIN. This time I had a two hour layover so at least I wasn’t scared I’d miss my flight, but still another stupid long wait with dozens of kiosks that don’t operate.
The funny thing is, everyone told me this itinerary sounded exhausting. It honestly wasn’t. Between airport hotels, midday flights and only trying to see a handful of things in each city, I never felt rushed or tired.
I liked all three of the new cities I visited, but I think Vilnius wins it for me. It may also have a slightly higher vote because it was the only one of the three that had perfect sunshine and no overcast all day. Weather makes everything better.
Also, I would 10000% do three countries in a long weekend again.
I loved everything about this trip and because they were smaller cities that I could walk to see everything, perfect. Highly recommend all of you try it one day.
Until the next trip…..
- Mirna