<\/span><\/h2>\nThe Old Town of Vilnius is a wonder. It encompasses pastel-colored baroque houses, cobbled streets and churches situated in relaxed courtyards. There is a mix of influences between Polish, Jewish and Russian culture and the city comes alive in the summer.<\/span><\/p>\nThe first stop on any list of what to see in the Baltics should involve gazing at the architecture. Cathedral Square is the perfect place to do this in Vilnius. Vilnius Cathedral is spectacular and is the geographical center of the city. The square surrounding it is the perfect place to people-watch as people come and go from the church. There is also a magic tile, which when found, has the power to grant a wish (only if you spin on it clockwise). Just behind the square is Gediminas Hill, which houses a castle. This castle dates from the 13th century and is also the birthplace of Vilnius. The views from the top are marvelous and can be reached by hiking or funicular.<\/span><\/p>\nOne of the most beautiful churches to see in the Baltics is that of St. Anne\u00b4s. It is a perfect example of the Gothic style and once so impressed Napoleon, he wanted to remove it to France. St. Casimir\u00b4s is also worth visiting as it is the oldest baroque church in Vilnius and is quite striking. <\/span><\/p>\nBefore leaving Vilnius, visit the Gates of Dawn. This is an entry built into the old town walls and is a magnificent glimpse into the past of Vilnius. There is a painting of Madonna which is reputed to perform miracles as well as a pretty little chapel.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/span>Riga, Latvia<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nRiga is an up and coming city. It is extremely relaxed, picturesque and has a charming historical center. Riga is also famous for having the highest concentration of art nouveau architecture in Europe. This is worth keeping an eye open for and certainly makes it one of the best sights to see in the Baltics. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nRiga Cathedral is unique in the fact that it has three distinct styles, Roman, Baroque and Gothic. It is also the largest cathedral to see in the Baltics. The Riga History museum is located inside the monastery, which has some interesting artifacts about the history of the city. <\/span><\/p>\nAnother legendary place to see in the Baltics is the Cat House. This is an art nouveau building which is covered in black cats. The cats were built to show the consternation of a local merchant towards the guild, and the building is now symbolic of Riga.<\/span><\/p>\nSt. Peter\u00b4s church can be seen all around Riga and is one of the oldest churches to see in the Baltics. There is also a viewing platform which gives a fantastic viewpoint around the city, and the church itself often houses art exhibitions. <\/span><\/p>\nIf you are more interested in the modern history of Latvia, the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia is worth taking the time to visit. This portrays both the Nazi and Soviet occupations and it has many artifacts relating to the genocides that took place throughout the country. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n