Renaissance & Riveras
A photo of an hillside to represent a rivera for this post “Renaissance & Rivers”
Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.
Welcome, seasoned travelers, new explorers, and everyone in between. Today is another chapter of the Around the World Series. A journey designed to help us all become a little more familiar with the world at large. With six quick overviews at a time, we explore the name of the country to the flag as well as the location in order to spark curiosity and expand global perspective.
Today’s destination? “Renaissance & Riveras.”
Where cobblestone streets lead to masterpieces and river valleys hide modern gems, this post traces beauty, resilience, and legacy across countries that often surprise.
So, let’s step into the warmth of Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, and Luxembourg, and see what stories they carry.
My hand-drawn flag of Italy
ITALY
Official name: Italian Republic
Pronunciation: i-tuh-lee
Capital: Rome
Official language: Italian
Location: Southern Europe on a peninsula in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Monaco, France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Vatican City, and Croatia
Most known for: History, such as Ancient Rome
Fun fact: There are more than 500 types of pasta
Recent news article: Inside Italy’s most exclusive visitor attraction and its fight against mass tourism (Trisha Thomas, 2025)
My knowledge: I know some about Italy
My hand-drawn flag of Kosovo
KOSOVO
Official name: Republic of Kosovo
Pronunciation: kow-suh-vow
Capital: Pristina
Official language: Albania and Serbian
Location: Southeastern Europe in the Northen Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia
Most known for: Its natural landscapes, such as Rugova and Sharr Mountains
Fun fact: Has a national anthem without lyrics
Recent news article: UNICEF marks 30 years in Kosovo (UNICEF, 2025)
My knowledge: I’m not familiar with Kosovo
My hand-drawn flag of Latvia
LATVIA
Official name: The Republic of Latvia
Pronunciation: lat-vee-uh
Capital: Riga
Official language: Latvian
Location: In Northern Europe along the Baltic Sea in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia
Most known for: Folk traditions
Fun fact: Latvian tailor, Jãkobs Jude’s, invented jeans
Recent news article: People view light show during light festival “Staro Rigo 2025” in Latvia (Xinhua, 2025)
My knowledge: Aside from the country’s location and name, I’m not too familiar
My hand-drawn flag of Liechtenstein
LIECHTENSTEIN
Official name: Principality of Liechtenstein
Pronunciation: lik-tuhn-stine
Capital: Vaduz
Official language: German
Location: Central Europe in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Switzerland and Austria
Most known for: It’s alpine scenery
Fun fact: Largest producer of false teeth
Recent news article: Steves: A visit to little, little Liechtensteins (Rick Steves, 2025)
My knowledge: Not too much
My hand-drawn flag of Lithuania
LITHUANIA
Official name: Republic of Lithuania
Pronunciation: li-thuh-way-nee-uh
Capital: Vilnius
Official language: Lithuania
Location: Northeastern Europe in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Poland, Russia, Latvia, and Belarus
Most known for: Natural beauty
Fun fact: Celebrates two Independence Day’s. One on February 16th and another on March 11th
Recent news article: Lithuania may open two border crossings with Belarus by November 30th (Belsat, 2025)
My knowledge: I’m not too familiar
My hand-drawn flag of Luxembourg
LUXEMBOURG
Official name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Pronunciation: luhk-suhm-brg
Capital: Luxembourg City
Official language: Luxembourgish, French, and Germany
Location: Western Europe in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: France, Belgium, and Germany
Most known for: Historic old city and castles
Fun fact: Only remaining Grand Duchy in the world. According to the Oxford Language Dictionary, a grand duchy is a state or territory ruled by a great duke or duchess
Recent news article: Giant slide and Advent calendar house among new attractions at Winterlights 2025 (Antony Speciale, 2025)
My knowledge: I’m not very familiar with Luxembourg
As we wrap up this leg of our journey through “Renaissance & Riveras,” one thing becomes clear: not all influence in loud, and not all beauty is grand. From Italy to Luxembourg, these countries prove that meaning often lives in the details. The kind you have to slow down to notice.
Travel lesson? Don’t underestimate the small steps on your ternary as they often hold the biggest perspective shifts.
If any of these countries sparked your curiosity, dive into the full post to discover more. and stay ready, the next flight in our Around the World series takes off in just two days. And if you’ve lived in, visited, or were raised in any of these countries, comment down below. I’d love to know more about your experience.
See the world differently, one post at a time.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s 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 someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
