“The universe is full of magical things . . .” – Eden Philpotts
By now you may have guessed we're not a "typical tourist” company focused on emptying your pockets by hustling you from one predictable tourist trap to another, always ending with "shopping opportunities" (although you will find many priceless treasures!).
Rather than shopping your way through a special place--or just checking off another "bucket list" item--a Baltics and Beyond tour enables you to savor the magic of different cultures, people and landscapes through breathtaking environments (both natural and built), interesting conversations, great food, art, music and other cultural opportunities, all carefully curated and presented with intelligent and engaging commentary by people who truly know what they're talking about. As an added bonus, you'll enjoy the companionship of other like-minded travelers while possibly making life-long friends along the way!
Rather than shopping your way through a special place--or just checking off another "bucket list" item--a Baltics and Beyond tour enables you to savor the magic of different cultures, people and landscapes through breathtaking environments (both natural and built), interesting conversations, great food, art, music and other cultural opportunities, all carefully curated and presented with intelligent and engaging commentary by people who truly know what they're talking about. As an added bonus, you'll enjoy the companionship of other like-minded travelers while possibly making life-long friends along the way!
Meet Your Tour Coordinator: Peter Kalnin
I was born in Minneapolis in 1963 and grew up in Oregon. My parents came to America as refugees from the Republic of Latvia, which lost its independence during WWII, and at home they spoke Latvian with me. My grandmother also lived with us, and gave me a vivid sense of a lost European world nothing like the Portland suburbs. I studied history and German as an undergraduate, and received a master’s in history at the University of Chicago. After that I worked as an insurance claims examiner, and for the past 20 years I have been a teacher, mostly of high school German in Minnesota, but also English as a Second Language and primary grade German at an international school near Berlin. I have also maintained an active involvement in the Minnesota Latvian community, singing in choirs and ensembles as well as teaching Saturday school to children and adult learners of Latvian. With my own two daughters now grown, independent, and living in different parts of the U.S., I took advantage of an opportunity to live and work in Riga, the capital of Latvia, beginning in October 2021. My favorite part of teaching German was bringing my students on three-week visits with our partner school in Cologne, Germany, and seeing them discover life being lived in a different world.
“For my part I know nothing with certainty, but the sight of stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh Like Peter, I grew up in a home with a parent from Latvia. I personally discovered Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia during the 1990s and have returned multiple times to experience this beautiful, creative and unique part of Europe. Launching Baltics and Beyond Travel in 2018 was the next logical step for me because I wanted other Americans to see, experience and understand this little known part of Europe. I think of the Baltic countries as three glimmering hidden pearls, just waiting to be discovered and savored. Our tours will help you to do just that--no matter if you join a pre-arranged Baltics and Beyond tour, or work with us to create and lead a customized tour for your family or friends. Baltics and Beyond tours are ideal for teachers, book clubs, painting societies, history buffs, church groups, choirs, queer folks, and other groups and individuals seeking exciting cultural and historical experiences in awe-inspiring locations with costs that don't require bank loans. We are eager to work with groups – and individuals and couples of course! – to put together the perfect tour for you or to register you to join one of our thoughtfully curated existing tours. We look forward to seeing you soon! Cindy Bielke Owner and Founder Baltics and Beyond Travel |
