I Explored 9 Countries In 2025: This Trendy City That Feels Like Paris Was The Biggest Surprise
Let’s not child ourselves — some cities carry synthetic nicknames that do not dwell as much as the hype.
What number of ‘Venices’ can there actually be?
Simply because there is a scenic canal splitting a timeless townscape, declaring it is a Venice dupe hardly ever conjures the identical romance as the actual deal.
The identical could be mentioned for Milan (Italy’s ‘New York’) and Madeira (Portugal’s ‘Hawaii’) amongst a laundry record of others…
Positive, they’re unbelievable in their very own proper, however is there a must slap a moniker on all of them?
It doesn’t matter what the suitable reply could also be, I had the pleasure of exploring 9 nations in 2025 and there is one metropolis dubbed the ‘Paris of the Baltics‘ that shocked me most.
Paris is a tough title to dwell as much as — some would say inconceivable. However this pleasant capital takes one of the best of France’s famend magnificence and oozes its personal appeal and architectural aptitude, creating one among Europe’s trendiest cities to go to — with good motive.
Why Riga, Latvia Left Such A Lasting Impression
For comparability’s sake, these are all 9 nations I visited in 2025:
Whereas Estonia utterly blew my thoughts, my girlfriend and I felt we knew what we have been signing up for in Lord Farquaad territory.
Neighboring Latvia, alternatively, was an sudden shock and one we did not need to finish.
Sure, Christmas is over, however for those who’re the sort that goals of market-hopping through the holidays, Riga needs to be #1 in your wishlist.
Do not get me mistaken, as you’ll be able to see above, we had an unforgettable time indulging in Christmas market after Christmas market from Helsinki to Prague, however Riga’s particularly felt plucked from an Outdated World fairytale as distributors have been draped to the gills in Hanseatic-inspired wool cloaks and all the things from pig snouts to steaming stews have been effervescent in iron cauldrons.
However for the reason that holidays are over, we can’t flip again the clock to Christmas an excessive amount of. Simply preserve it in your radar for subsequent 12 months…
There’s way over meets the attention in Riga, whilst engaging as it might be to spend all of your time devouring sausage and throwing again countless cups of mulled wine, making an attempt to get pleasure from Mariah Carey for the 14th time.
The reality is, Riga does emanate Paris vibes.
No, there is not any Eiffel Tower and some locals have been certainly as curt as Paris’s status (you already know who you might be, girl!), however with rows of Artwork Nouveau overload, grand avenues, leafy parks, and sidewalk cafe tradition that carries on even in a light-weight drizzle, there is not any doubt you will really feel tinges of Paris all through the town — all with out crowds or excessive costs.
It is really a delight to discover its cobbled back-alleys and vibrant boulevards in rain, sleet, snow, or sunshine.
Europe’s Largest Market Is A Should-Go to
Who would’ve thought Europe’s largest market can be smack dab within the Baltics?
Riga Central Market is a must-visit, whether or not you are a foodie or not, or for those who want someplace heat indoors to flee the winter chills.
Comprised of greater than 3,000 commerce stands throughout its indoor pavilions and out of doors areas, there’s one thing for everybody.
Whereas it is inconceivable to go hungry right here, there are giant areas for memento buying too.
However in case you are a foodie like me and like to eat native quite than see if American quick meals is simply as unhealthy abroad, Riga Central Market is simply the place not solely to pattern Latvian delicacies, however virtually all of Europe.
Irrespective of for those who’re into canned fish from Portugal, a slice of Jamón Ibérico from Spain, or 3 bowls of olives from the Med (do not choose me!), it will possibly all be discovered proper right here.
To our shock, Jap European delicacies was actually good too. We particularly favored fruit-filled dumplings and beef goulash, and nothing here will drain your bank account like the actual Paris.
Seaside Bliss Or Christmas Cheer: Go to Now Earlier than It is Too Late!
Right here at Travel Off Path, we really feel it is our job to get forward of the sport. It is clear the cat is out of the bag for a lot of locations throughout Europe, not simply the icons, which is why I found such “hidden gems” on the time, like Ohrid, North Macedonia and Bratislava, Slovakia earlier than they hit their stride.
However that is the place Riga at the moment sits — proper in that candy spot of being stylish, however not fairly a family title.
Nevertheless, Riga is unquestionably gaining popularity. A brand new report claims extra vacationers are discovering Riga by each which means doable, whether or not it is cruises, ferries, buses, and naturally flights.
Meaning 2026 is the proper time to embrace Riga earlier than it turns into too common, particularly because it’s surprisingly a year-round vacation spot.
It is true, Riga is a seashore vacation spot since little-known coastal gem Jurmala is a stone’s throw away by public transit.
Might to September see each day highs between 65 – 75 levels, making for nice seashore days, however there’s nothing mistaken with bundling up and having fun with Riga’s winter wonderland vibes both, particularly Doma Sq.’s Christmas market that we’ll positively go to once more.
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