Every year, my wife and I take our kids abroad. As the kids get older, we’ve been able to start embarking on trips that really keep us on our toes. After a few years of staying in the same place for longer, we’ve started to move around more when we travel, which requires some quick adaptations to languages and customs with each new place we explore. Back in April we took a family road trip through the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, and brought my dad along for what was a wonderful and adventurous ride.

The Baltic region is located in Northeastern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea, Russia, Poland and Belarus. Its proximity to mainland Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia infuses the region with unique influences, which comes out strongly in the local languages, food and social customs. The landscape is largely farmland or forest, with pristine lakes and rivers and a long coastline along the beautiful Baltic Sea. Historic towns, like Tallinn, Estonia, are from medieval times and recent restoration efforts make you feel like you’re stepping into a storybook!

Truthfully, I wasn’t very familiar with the region before we visited, which made for a wonderful learning experience for us all. The histories of these three nations vary, of course, but all involve a complex layering of cultural developments, conflicts and recovery. Today they are increasingly popular for tourism, but as we were visiting in the off-season we were often by ourselves in many places.

Our itinerary took us from Klaipeda, Lithuania, through to Sigulda, Latvia, (in Gauja National Park) to Tallinn, Estonia. Here is a sampling of the images I took in the Baltics from my more dedicated photography sessions (the rest can be viewed on my Stock site).

Meghan J. Ward running on a beach on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania. Photo: Paul Zizka

Cormorant at the Cormorant and Heron colony near Juodrantė, Lithuania. Photo: Paul Zizka

Palanga Beach, Lithuania. Photo: Paul Zizka

Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, Lithuania. Photo: Paul Zizka

Dobele Castle Ruins, Dobele, Latvia. Photo: Paul Zizka

Sunset over Sigulda, Latvia. Photo: Paul Zizka

Tea-coloured Amata River, Gauja National Park, Latvia. Photo: Paul Zizka

Turaida Castle Museum, Sigulda, Latvia. Photo: Paul Zizka

Peaceful morning at the Gulf of Riga, Veczemju klintis, Latvia. Photo: Paul Zizka

Meghan J. Ward at Veczemju klintis, Latvia. Photo: Paul Zizka

Kids playing at Veczemju klintis, Latvia. Photo: Paul Zizka

Blue hour over the medieval city of Tallinn, Estonia. Photo: Paul Zizka

Spooky scene in the Danish King’s Garden, Tallinn, Estonia. Photo: Paul Zizka

Late-night flower stands. Tallinn, Estonia. Photo: Paul Zizka

All of these images are available as custom limited edition prints.