• Official Name: Republic of Latvia
    Established: 6 July 1253 (Kingdom of Lithuania), 16 February 1918 (Independence from Russia)
    Population: 1,907,675 (2020 estimate)
    Religion: 34.3% Lutheranism, 25.1% Catholicism, 16.9% Eastern Orthodox, 3.7% Other Christian
    Language(s): Latvian
    Capital: Riga
    Order of Visit: Twenty-Fifth
    First Visit: 18 July 2006
    Last Visit: 19 July 2006
    Duration: 2 Days
    Visit Highlights: Museum of Occupation, The Baltic Sea
    Places Visited: Riga
    Latvia Journal Entry  

    (more…)

  • Official Name: Republic of Lithuania
    Established: 6 July 1253 (Kingdom of Lithuania), 16 February 1918 (Independence from Russia)
    Population: 2,795,334 (2020 estimate)
    Religion: 93% Christianity
    Language(s): Lithuanian, Polish, Russian
    Capital: Vilnius
    Order of Visit: Twenty-Fourth
    First Visit: 17 July 2006
    Last Visit: 18 July 2006
    Duration: 2 Days
    Visit Highlights: Vilnius – Gediminas Square, St Peter and St Paul Church.  Trakai – Trakai Castle. The sad but impressive Hill of Crosses.
    Places Visited: Trakai, Vilnius
    Lithuania Journal Entry

    (more…)

  • Official Name: Republic of Belarus
    Established: 25 March 1918 (Independence from Russia)
    Population: 9,408,400 (2020 estimate)
    Religion: 48.3% Orthodox Christian, 41.1% atheist, 7.1% is Catholic
    Language(s): Belarusian, Russian
    Capital: Minsk
    Order of Visit: Twenty-Third   
    First Visit: 16 July 2006
    Last Visit: 17 July 2006
    Duration: 2 Days
    Visit Highlights: Dour and gloomy Minsk
    Places Visited: Minsk
    Belarus Journal Entry  

    (more…)

  • Official Name: Russian Federation
    Established: Duchy of Moscow (1283), Monarchy abolished (1917), Russian Federation (1991)
    Population: 146,748,590 (2020 estimate)
    Religion: 70% Russian Orthodoxy, 15% No religion, 10% Islam
    Language(s): Russian 
    Capital: Moscow
    Order of Visit: Twenty-First   
    First Visit: 09 July 2006
    Last Visit: 16 July 2006
    Duration: 8 Days
    Visit Highlights: 
    St Petersburg; Peter and Paul Fortress, Pushkin Palace (Summer Palace), Petredvoert (Tsar Peter the Great’s summer residence), ballet performance – Swan Lake, Yusupov’s Palace, St Isaac’s Square and Cathedral, the amazing Hermitage and it’s art collection.  
    Novgorod; Millennium Monument, Kremlin Fort and St Sophia Cathedral.  
    Moscow: Metro Rail system (really it is stunning), Red Square, Peter the Great Statue, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, St Basil’s Cathedral (very colourful), Borodino Panorama Exhibition, The Kremlin (in particular Kremlin Armoury Chamber), Russian White House
    Places Visited: Novgorod, Moscow, St Petersburg
    Russia Journal Entry  

    (more…)

  • Official Name: Kingdom of Spain
    Established: January 1479 (First constitution 19 March 1812)
    Population: 47,431,256 (2020 estimate)
    Religion: 61% Roman Catholic, 35% No religion
    Language(s): Spanish 
    Capital: Madrid
    Order of Visit: Twenty    
    First Visit: 28 June 2006
    Last Visit: 26 October 2012
    Duration: 12 Days
    Visit Highlights:
    Barcelona
    – Bustling Las Ramas, Placa de Catalunya (beautiful fountain), Borri Gothic sector,  tapas bars, flamenco dancing (2006). 
    Madrid
    – The crazy Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, excellent Museo Nacional Del Prado, bullfighting, flamenco dancing (2012).
    Burgos – the amazing Cathedral.  San Sebastian – beautiful beaches and tapas bars.   
    Segovia – Alcazar (castle), Cathedral and ancient and magnificent Aqueduct. 
    Avila – the walled city.
    Places Visited: Avila, Barcelona, Burgos, Madrid, San Sebastián, Segovia
    Spain Journal Entries  

    (more…)