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Latvia won’t be the primary vacation spot that involves thoughts whenever you consider the place to go to your subsequent journey to Europe, however this lovely and underrated nation actually must be in your radar.
I simply returned from a hosted journey to Latvia, and I used to be blown away by all that this vacation spot provided!
When you’re searching for an underrated hidden gem to your subsequent European escape, this is why you must begin planning a visit to Latvia.
Off The Overwhelmed Path
First issues first, the place precisely is Latvia? It is one of many three Baltic states in Northern Europe, situated between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south.
Roughly the scale of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, Latvia is sparsely populated with fewer than 1.9 million folks.
Probably the greatest issues about Latvia is that it is nonetheless off the crushed path, particularly for American vacationers.
You will not discover any crowds or adverse results of overtourism right here.
It is the right place to go if you wish to uncover an genuine hidden gem in Europe.
A Charming Capital Metropolis
Riga is the logical place to begin your journey to Latvia. This capital metropolis boasts a beautiful Previous City stuffed with colourful historic buildings and cobblestoned streets, whereas the encompassing neighborhoods are stuffed with examples of Twentieth-century Artwork Nouveau structure.
Nicknamed the Paris of the Baltics, Riga is a good metropolis to probe for a day or two.
There are a number of cool museums value a go to in Riga — the Riga Artwork Nouveau Heart, the Latvian Nationwide Museum of Artwork, and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia are those you must try.
One in all my favourite issues about Riga? The parks!
Between the Previous City and town middle, there are fairly just a few beautiful parks and inexperienced areas which might be beautiful to walk via.
The place must you eat in Riga? These had been a few of my favourite eating places:
- Lidojošā Varde: This cafe, whose title interprets to The Flying Frog, is a good spot to seize lunch. I beloved sitting outside on their coated terrace!
- Restaurant Neiburgs: A scrumptious and wholesome restaurant that is good for dinner.
- Gutenbergs Terase: The perfect rooftop restaurant in Riga with views over the Previous City.
You additionally should not miss Black Magic, a cocktail bar with speakeasy vibes that additionally has a scrumptious array of Latvian chocolate and confections!
As for the place to remain in Riga, I used to be hosted by Grand Poet by Semarah and located this to be the right location, only a five-minute stroll from the Previous City and throughout the road from a park and the river.
Beautiful Pure Magnificence
Latvia is a surprisingly lovely nation. After you spend a few days within the capital, you could get out of town and see extra of the countryside!
No, it does not have the spectacular mountains of Switzerland or the dramatic islands of Greece… Latvia’s nature presents extra of a quiet magnificence as a substitute.
I beloved the tranquil great thing about Gauja Nationwide Park, which encompasses the 2 well-liked vacationer locations of Sigulda and Cesis.
Kemeri Nationwide Park, which is near the seaside resort city of Jurmala, is one other distinctive pure space to go to. It is all bogs and wetlands, and there are wood boardwalks main all all through the park so you possibly can discover this distinctive ecosystem.
Escape The Warmth
I visited Latvia in late June and the climate was superb. Every single day it was within the excessive sixties or low seventies, and it was sunny more often than not, however by no means too scorching.
Summer season in Latvia is ideal as a result of you possibly can escape the warmth of Southern Europe and revel in a light, contemporary local weather as a substitute. I beloved having the ability to stroll round for hours outdoors with out breaking a sweat or worrying about getting sunburnt on a regular basis.
With a rise in scorching summertime temperatures and lethal warmth waves, many vacationers are avoiding historically well-liked locations like Italy, Greece, and Spain throughout the summer season months and searching for a cooler various as a substitute.
That is the place Latvia is good. You’ll be able to truly be outdoors and revel in nature throughout the summer season, somewhat than counting down the minutes till you might be again inside an air-conditioned room.
Tons Of Historical past
When you’re a historical past buff, otherwise you’re similar to me and revel in exploring fairytale-like castles all through Europe, Latvia will not disappoint.
One in all my favourite historic websites was Cesis Fort. This medieval citadel has not been reconstructed like many different castles have, so it preserves the true historical past of the place very properly. It dates again to the twelfth century when Latvia was a part of Livonia.
I additionally beloved visiting Rundale Palace. This 18th-century palace was constructed for the Duke of Courland (who dominated Latvia on the time) and has beautiful Rococo structure and exquisite gardens.
For more moderen historical past, I like to recommend visiting the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. This museum delves into the occupation of Latvia by the Nazis throughout World Battle II and the Soviets for 45 years after, culminating in Latvia’s independence in 1991.
Very Secure
Is Latvia secure? Sure, very! As a solo feminine traveler, I felt extremely secure the entire time I used to be in Latvia.
Latvia, together with the remainder of the Baltic international locations, is extraordinarily secure, which is without doubt one of the causes that each one three international locations are well-liked with solo vacationers.
Along with a really low crime fee, Latvia can be simple to navigate. You shouldn’t have any points getting round, whether or not you hire a automobile and drive your self, or take trains and buses.
The extent of English spoken in Latvia is sort of excessive, particularly in areas well-liked with vacationers. You additionally should have no hassle speaking whereas in Latvia.
Distinctive Tradition And Traditions
Lastly, among the finest causes to go to Latvia is to expertise the nation’s distinctive tradition and traditions.
For such a small nation that was occupied for thus lengthy throughout the Twentieth century earlier than gaining independence, I used to be amazed at how distinctive and well-preserved Latvia’s tradition and traditions are. For instance, there are tens of hundreds of recorded Latvian folks songs, lots of which date to the pagan pre-Christian period of Latvia.
It is not unusual to see Latvians sporting conventional costume for particular events, and folks track and dance are some extent of satisfaction.
I used to be in Latvia for the summer season solstice, often called līgo in Latvia. This vacation is widely known with folks songs, bonfires, flower crowns, conventional costumes, and different traditions. Participating in a summer season solstic celebration within the small city of Ligatne was an expertise I will always remember!
What To Do In Latvia
So now we have coated the why of visiting Latvia, however let’s speak about what you must truly do!
When you’re brief on time, I like to recommend basing your self in Riga. You’ll be able to simply spend a full day exploring the capital. From Riga, you possibly can simply take day journeys to the seaside resort city of Jurmala (half-hour by practice) and the charming city of Sigulda (1 hour and 10 minutes by practice.)
Nevertheless, if in case you have extra time, I like to recommend renting a automobile so you possibly can discover extra of the nation. With a few additional days, you also needs to go to Cesis (dwelling to lovely previous castles and a beautiful Gauja Nationwide Park) and Bauska (extra historic castles and palaces — Rundale Palace is a should!)
How A lot Time Do You Want?
I spent 4 full days in Latvia and this was simply sufficient time to see lots of the locations I wished to — however I simply felt as if I may spend just a few additional days seeing and doing extra!
At a minimal, I would say 4 days is an efficient period of time for Latvia.
Particularly if you’re combining a go to to Latvia with the neighboring Baltic international locations of Estonia and Lithuania, you possibly can spend round 4 days in every nation with out speeding an excessive amount of, and you’ll see extra than simply the capital cities.
Talking of which, I feel combining a go to to Latvia with the opposite Baltic international locations is a good thought. It is tremendous simple to journey between all three international locations they usually mix properly for a two-week journey.
That being stated, Latvia stands alone as a vacation spot in its personal proper, and if in case you have the time, you possibly can simply spend every week or extra simply in Latvia!
Getting To Latvia
There aren’t any nonstop flights to Latvia from america, however you possibly can simply fly to Riga from nearly any main metropolis in Europe.
When you’re combining a visit to Latvia with visits to the opposite Baltic states, you possibly can simply take a bus from Tallinn, Estonia to Riga in lower than 4.5 hours, and onward to Vilnius, Lithuania in simply over 4 hours.
In the case of getting round inside the nation, there are trains you possibly can take from Riga to some locations, however I feel it is best to have a automobile. This will provide you with most flexibility in your travels, and driving and discovering free parking are very simple to do in Latvia.
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Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the put up.
