Overview

Latvia is a small country on the coast of the Baltic Sea and has an ancient history and ethnicity. Riga is the capital and also the largest city of Latvia. It boasts of diverse and beautiful scenery. Latvia has survived multiple wars, including WWII, and has only emerged stronger every time. Latvia was originally an ancient trading post. It serviced many ships and conducted some of the larger trades of the time. Latvia is a member of the United Nations, the European Union, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Activities & Attractions

It is said that to taste the bread and milk products of Latvia, is like one tasted a small piece of heaven itself. Beer is also quite popular and many individuals from the surrounding lands travel to Latvia just to sample this delicious drink. Apart from eating and drinking, the tourist highlights of Latvia are the serene Gulf of Riga and the wild Baltic Sea. Both of the gulf and the sea have seemingly vast and infinite beaches that are sandy and often secluded. The capital city offers a lot of excitement for the shooters. You get to choose from a variety of guns. There are also plenty of games including the Riga gokarting, crazy dirt buggy racing, river kayaking, rafting, and bungee jumping to keep you completely occupied and thrilled.

The Latvia Ethnographic Open Air Museum is an interesting tourist spot. An interesting architectural view is the House of Blackheads, located in the Town Hall Square, and once hosted a brotherhood of merchants. For a magnificent view, you can visit the Skyline Bar in the Reva Hotel.

Lodging

There are many hotels throughout Latvia which are available in a range of prices. You can expect excellent service and comfort at each one of them. The youth hostels and small venues available here are quite inexpensive. Reservations can usually be done online, but certain areas surrounding the country may require you to contact them in person or at least call them ahead of time. You can sample some of the best cuisines in the restaurants like the Rossini, the Skyline Bar on top of the Reval Hotel, and the Raganis Kekis.

Transportation

Depending upon your personal preference, you can travel to Latvia and also within the country by plane, car, bicycle, taxi, train, or bus. There are numerous internal domestic flights between Riga, Bauska, Jurmala, and other major cities in Latvia. You can obtain a rental car at the Riga International Airport and rent it for as long you like before returning to the same location. Bicycles are an enjoyable way to travel, but it is advisable to be cautious, especially during the rush hours.

If you prefer going by train or bus, prices are moderate and they provide access to most of the cities and the surrounding countryside. In addition, you can also rent out a small boat or take a ferry if you wish to travel to any of the islands.