A change in latitude, does wonders to my attitude.

"Voir Malte et mourir " a saying... Numerous peoples have occupied these islands (Phonenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, French and English ) leaving behind a rich cultural heritage. Large temples were built as early as prehistoric times, it was however under the Order of the Knights of Saint John that Malta developed culturally and artistically. In 1530 Emperor Charles V gave the Maltese islands to the Knights of Saint John. Attacked by the Turks in 1547 and 1551, the knights were obliged to build numerous fortifications. Grand churches, palaces were also built and art went through a revival. The eight pointed cross is known as the Maltese Cross. It is this fortified city island that St Paul was shipwrecked in 60AD as told in the Acts of the Apostles. Against this backdrop of a wealth of history was how I discovered the wonder of Malta. Situated in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta consists of two main islands, Malta and Gozo as well as Comino and three sm...

City of Riga Sacry Cats on roofs Day 1: I poured over the city map and mentally walk the trail. One lesson: move outdoors fast, as night falls rather quickly in winter. It gets dark by 3pm. The old town is actually small and can be completed in half a day. The streets of Riga are still paved with cobblestones and I marvelled at the Latvian women's agility to balance on needle-pointed stilettos on these pavements! ( It is true that one can tell the tourists from the locals by the type of shoes they wear. ) In the evening, I made reservations at Rozengral, a medieval themed restaurant serving cuisine of the middle ages. The restaurant is set in an ancient wine cellar, circa 13th century. Food was flavor full and featured a lot of mushrooms, pulses, lentils, berries: the sort of ingredients one would find in the forest? Pork is also very much part of the Latvian diet. Day 2: Is this a Medieval meal ? This is bread paradise. Baked fresh and loaded with...