Baltic Lights & Nordic Nights
A picture of a fire burning next to water to represent Nordic Nights
Editorโs note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.
Welcome back, wanderlust souls and curious minds, and to those just boarding, a warm yellow from the Around the World journey. This series is a quick exploration of every nation on Earth, six countries at a time. Itโs a chance to see the world not as distant names on a map, but living stories bound by culture, color, and connection.
Todayโs chapter, โBaltic Lights & Nordic Nights,โ carries us to Europeโs northern edge, where sea meets snow, and silence feels almost scared. From frozen nights to shining seas, these countries embody the quiet strength of resilience and renewal.
Picture fire flickering beside icy water, and thatโs the spirit of this region. Through Bulgariaโs mountain warmth, Croatiaโs coastal glow, Czechiaโs timeless charm, Denmarkโs Nordic calm, Estoniaโs digital dreams, and Finlandโs northern light, we step into lands where nature and culture share the same heartbeat.
Before we take flight to visit Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, and Finland, take a look at the adventure guide here. Then, grab your bag and letโs go.
My hand-drawn flag of Bulgaria
BULGARIA
Official name: The Republic of Bulgaria
Pronunciation: buhl-geh-ree-uh
Capital: Sofia
Official language: Bulgarian
Location: In Southeastern Europe on the peninsula in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: North Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Turkey, and Greece
Most known for: Rose oil production. So much so, thereโs an annual Rose Festival that celebrates the the harvest. For further information, check out Easy Bulgarian Travelโs webpage โGuide to the Rose Festivalโ
Fun fact: Oldest country in Europe to have never changed its name
Recent news article: Bulgaria to convert to euro as of 2026 (Euro|topic, 2025)
My knowledge: I know very little about Bulgaria
My hand-drawn flag of Croatia
CROATIA
Official name: The Republic of Croatia
Pronunciation: krow-ay-shuh
Capital: Zagreb
Official language: Croatian
Location: Southeastern Europe in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Most known for: Historic sites, such as Dubrovnik walls. For more information on the matter, check out Public Books โA Peek Behind the old townโs walls: Dubrovnik, Croatiaโ
Fun fact: The Dalmatian dog breed is named after the Dalmatian coastline of Croatia
Recent news article: Building Boom Strengthens Croatiaโs Economy (Connecting the Region, 2025)
My knowledge: Iโm not familiar with Croatia
My hand-drawn flag of Czech Republic
CZECH REPUBLIC
Official name: The Czech Republic
Pronunciation: cheh-kee-uh
Capital: Prague
Official language: Czech
Location: Is in Central Europe in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Austria, Germany, and Poland
Most known for: Gothic architecture
Fun fact: Czechia has more castles per square kilometer than any other country
Recent news article: Babวs Who? Women crack glass ceiling in Czech election (Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas, 2025)
My knowledge: Relatively unfamiliar with Czechia
My hand-drawn flag of Denmark
DENMARK
Official name: The Kingdom of Denmark
Pronunciation: den-maark
Capital: Copenhagen
Official language: Danish
Location: Northern Europe on a peninsula in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Germany and Sweden
Most known for: Legos were invented in Denmark
Fun fact: There are more bicycles than cars
Recent news article: Denmark: Age restriction for social media (indeksonline, 2025)
My knowledge: Aside from Copenhagen, the name, and location, Iโm not too familiar
My hand-drawn flag of Estonia
ESTONIA
Official name: Republic of Estonia
Pronunciation: uh-stow-nee-uh
Capital: Tallinn
Official language: Estonian
Location: Northern Europe along Baltic Sea in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Russia and Latvia
Most known for: Digital society, including e-governance
Fun fact: First country to allow citizens to vote online
Recent news article: Hail Estonia! Wait. What? La Jolla (The Escondido Grapevine, 2025)
My knowledge: Other than the location and name of the country, Iโm unfamiliar with Estonia
My hand-drawn flag of Finland
FINLAND
Official name: The Republic of Finland
Pronunciation: fin-luhnd
Capital: Helsinki
Official language: Finnish and Swedish
Location: In Northern Europe in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Sweden and Russia
Most known for: Being happiest country in the world
Fun fact: Has more lakes than any other country & more saunas than cars
Recent news article: Finland awards state medals to 48 fathers for first time (News from Finland Helsinki Times, 2025)
My knowledge: I donโt know a lot about Finland
In this corner of Europe, light and shadow share the same sky. From Finlandโs calm determination to Croatiaโs coastal rhythm, and Czechiaโs quiet artistry to Estoniaโs modern spark, these nations prove that strength doesnโt always roar. Sometimes, it hums.
Your turn: Have you ever visited a place that taught you how to adapt, or how to glow through your own winter?
As a signature of my blog, Iโd like to end this post with a suggestion to โPass on kindness.โ Thereโs no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someoneโs life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
