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The only rain to speak of during my 2 week trip to the Baltic Capitals came while waiting for the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki. During the torrential downpour, which only lasted about 2 mins, the streets were flooded and cars were hydro-planing.

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Tallinn – the place I am most excited to visit out of all my stops on this trip. This Estonian capital is the gateway between Europe and Russia and I’m hoping for a little glimpse of the architecture I would have seen had I gone to St Petersburg.

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View from Turaida Castle

Turaida castle is surrounded by the Gauja valley, lakes and a dense, lush forest. I wish I could see an aerial view of this place with the deep red brick of the castle contrasting with the green foliage and the beautiful blue sky. See? Just one more reason for me to have my own plane!

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Alberta Iela Building

Alberta Iela – I absolutely love this street, it’s an architects delight. Not that I’m an architect but even I can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of these art nouveau buildings.

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Rundale Palace was built in the 15th century and in the 1920’s some of its rooms were used as a primary school.

Preparing for my red carpet entrance, I put on the supplied little blue cover ups. My flip-flops just fall off so I’m essentially walking around barefoot in my booties. Talk about feeling completely at home in a palace! “Hmm, now how do I get to the kitchen to make  a snack?”.

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Drawbridge

The original capital of Lithuania, Trakai town was the place of residence for royalty and  nobility. Construction began in 1410 under the rule of the Grand Duke Kęstutis, and was finished 20 years later by his son Vytautas. For the commoners, the colour of the house denoted who lived inside: single females in yellow houses, single men in green houses and married couples in the brown ones.

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Mr and Mrs Vilnius

Leaving Arlanda airport and the 30,000 islands that make up the Stockholm Archipelago, we set off across the Baltic Sea. The clouds are like huge marshmallows suspended in mid-air and I never wanted to jump out of a plane as much as I do now.

Our touchdown was the smoothest landing I’ve ever experienced, I didn’t feel a thing when the wheels hit the tarmac. Anyone who knows me knows that I love bumpy flights but I have to say, this landing impressed me. Nice job, Mr Pilot!

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Stockholm at 4am

Today, the sun rose at 3:40am and I snapped this picture at 4am. Bad idea! While cool to see, it was impossible for me to fall asleep again, even with the heavy hotel drapes.