Karosta Prison Hostel, Liepaja, Latvia

This lodging place is a one-time prison that has kept all the trappings of its former existence. The cells are still there, the walls containing graffiti from prisoners. A museum provides information about the history of the prison and of the Communist era.

Guided tours are provided, and audio guides are available in five languages, including English and German. A show titled Behind Bars gives additional entertainment to brave visitors above the age of 12.

Rooms are simple: Cells with bunks or iron bedsteads. Not exactly plush, but what can one expect from a former prison? Be prepared, though; your cell door may just open in the middle of the night. You may hear footsteps. And you may see a specter in the hallway.