| Tips and photos for Latvia vacations and tourism, posted by real travelers and Latvia locals. Map |
 | Latvia General Tips | Tips 1 - 10 of 63 |  |
 Tourist office on ground floor
of left building by hopang
Telephone and fax numbers of Riga's Tourist Information Office are as follows:-
Telephone no: +371 6702 6072,
Fax no: +371 6702 6068
For more information regarding the city of Riga and other parts of Latvia, you may also e-mail to the following address: tourinfo@riga.lv . Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Latvia?
Read reviews about Latvia Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 by FletteMette
Latvia is the middle one of the Baltic states (Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south). Latvia is a quite small country, both in area and in number of inhabitants - the population of Latvia is about 2.3 million people, and the area is comparable to that of the Republic of Ireland.
Latvia declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, the country focused on "rejoining Europe" in the first years after regaining independence - and Latvia became a member of Nato as well as the European Union in 2004. Leave a Comment
|
 20 lats by FletteMette
The Latvian currency is the lats (Ls): 1 Lats = 100 santims. Exchange rates: 1 lats (LVL) is approx equal to 1 GBP, or 1.40 euro. Notes come in various denominations up to 500 lats (!), coins up to 2 lats. (The 500 lats - note is rarely seen, though!) Many smaller shops, taxis etc won't accept high denomination notes, due to a shortage of change.
Major credit cards are accepted by most larger shops and supermarkets, as well as most hotels and restaurants - and there are ATMs all over Riga and in other cities. (Including at Riga airport.)
There are loads of currency exchange booths in Riga, and other large towns - USD or euro will get you the best exchange rate. Leave a Comment
|
 by in4ik
Birthplace of the Latvian presidents Janis Cakste, Gustavs Zemgals, Alberts Kviesis and Karlis Ulmanis
Zemgale is the smallest of Latvia's regions and is blessed with a great number of distinctive castles and manor houses where you can see and touch history. The Bauska region in particular gives you an opportunity to travel along the path of history from the 9th century through the Medieval to the Baroque period. Bauska lies in the southeast section of Zemgale. This is where the Memele and Musa Rivers meet. On the hill between the two rivers stand the ruins of a Livonian Order Castle under restoration. During the third week of July, visitors can enjoy the Ancient Music Festival held at the castle. Another tourist attraction is Rundale Palace near Bauska. Designed in the 18th century by the world-famous architect Rastrelli, who was also the architect of St. Petersburg's Hermitage, Rundale Palace is an outstanding blend of Baroque architecture and Rococo decorative art. Not far from Bauska are three other palaces built after 1795 - Mezotne, Kaucminde and Bornsminde.
In the city of Jelgava, which lies at the edge of the Zemgale flatlands on both banks of the Lielupe River, you will want to see the Jelgava Palace, the most spectacular Baroque palace in the Baltics. This Palace was built in 1738-1772 under the supervision of Rastrelli, in what at that time was the capital of the Courland Dukedom. Since 1939 the Latvian Agriculture University has been located in the Palace. Nearby you will find Academia Petrina, a rare example of late Baroque architecture of the 18th century, which today houses the Jelgava History and Art Museum. Many other castles and manor houses testify to the old-good Golden Age of Courland Dukedom. From many of the castle mounds you can see splendid views of a gently undulating countryside. You will also want to explore Tervete, a scenic forest park imbued with legends. Tervete is known as a nature park with the oldest and tallest pine trees in Latvia. Some are as much as 250 years old and as tall as 40 meters. A museum commemorating the famous Latvian writer, Anna Brigadere (1861-1933), is also located at Tervete. Place names in the park have been inspired by literature: the Park of Sunny Moods, the Forest of Elves and the Fairy-tale Forest. Magical sculpted images of characters and contemporaries of the writer inhabit the park making this a wonderful place to visit and photograph. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
 by in4ik
Aglona, a spiritual centre for Catholic pilgrims
An amazing number of lakes: Lubans Lake, the largest lake in Latvia (82.1 km2), Dridzis Lake, the deepest lake in Latvia (63m), Daugavpils Fort, greatest 19th century fort in Latvia.
In this region, between Aglona, Kraslava and Ezernieki there are several hundred large and small lakes. This is a fisherman's paradise and a good destination for anyone who enjoys water and nature. Twenty-five kilometres from Rezekne, sheltered by hills, lay Lake Razna, the second biggest lake in the country. 45 km from Rezekne is the particularly beautiful Lake Ezezers with more bays and islands (36) than any other lake in Latvia. Other scenic areas are the Daugava River Valley between Kraslava and Daugavpils, with steep banks up to 40 meters high and Daugavas Loki, the Nature Park where many rare species of plants, protected by law, grow.
Latgale's close historic, economic and cultural links with Eastern Slavs have been the impetus for a different development pattern for the region, which has adopted various Slavic cultural elements. There is a very strong Catholic presence in Latgale. The many crucifixes seen along the roadside testify to the deep faith of the region's inhabitants. A very special place in Latgale is the Catholic spiritual centre, Aglona. At the end of the 17th century this village developed into a centre of Roman Catholicism. The Aglona Basilica and Abbey, located between Lakes Cirisa and Egles, were built between 1768 and 1800. Although both the Abbey and the Basilica were closed for many years, they were refurbished for the visit of Pope John Paul II in September 1993. This was a great occasion for everyone in Latvia. Aglona has become an international centre of pilgrimage for people celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary August 15th. The famous altar painting of the Madonna from the 17th century can be viewed during the service. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting Latvia?
Read reviews about Latvia Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 by in4ik
Vidzeme region is marked by contrasts. Embraced by the Baltic Sea, the Vidzeme coastline is changing dramatically from one point to the next. Within a short distance, the bustling, culturally- sophisticated seaport of Riga, Latvia's capital city, gives way to the white sand beaches and tourist attractions of Jurmala. Travelling northward, the landscape changes yet again as stones of various sizes tossed up by the tides on the Stony seaside of Vidzeme lend this part of the coastline a prehistoric, wild countenance. Travelling into the interior, you can follow the River Gauja, to visit so-called Switzerland of Latvia - Sigulda, and the Gauja National Park. En route you will see a rare combination of medieval castles, a sculpture park, legendary caves and picturesque hilly landscapes. As Latvia's downhill skiing centre and home of a world-class bobsled track, Sigulda will delight you in the winter as well as in all other seasons. While in the area, don't miss riding a cable car to enjoy spectacular views of the primeval valley. Anyone interested in history will find much to marvel at in this area.
Vidzeme is proud of its many ancient cities. Valmiera, Cesis and Limbazi once were members of the Hanseatic League. The Cesis Castle, built for Livonian knighthood in the 13th century, has been well preserved and exudes the magic of a bygone era.
Near Cesis, on a small island in a lake, you will find the 9th century ruins and restored buildings of the Araisi Lake Castle. And yet, a stone's throw away, nature beckons. The unique sandstone bluff of Zvarta on the Amata River and the Erglu Cliff are just some of many scenic spots in this region.
Should you wish to be entertained there are also many events and festivals scheduled in the cities and towns of Vidzeme, including the Valmiera Rock Festival, which attracts large crowds in the summer from Latvia and abroad. For a very special experience try the narrow-gauge railway-line Gulbene-Aluksne, the only one in Latvia that still makes its regularly scheduled run. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 by in4ik
Ventspils is the gateway to the West. A bustling ice-free port and the largest in the Baltics, Ventspils will delight you with its well-kept streets and neatly painted buildings.
There is also much to see in Liepaja. One third of the city's territory consists of the Karaosta, which was the naval base for powerful Russian warships during the Soviet Occupation. For 50 years it was a closed zone for Westerners. This and the bunkers and fortifications built during Tsarism times provide interesting viewing. Liepaja is also a musicians' city. The largest church organ in Europe can be found in St. Trinity Church where you can enjoy many concerts. Liepaja also hosts the annual rock concert "Liepajas Dzintars" (Liepaja Amber). Kurzeme has many small towns worth visiting. Talsi, the town of nine hills, offers splendid views from the banks of its two lakes. One of the most picturesque towns, Kandava is located on the shore of the Abava River. In 1996 the World Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage included Abava River Valley in a list of 100 unique and endangered areas of cultural significance. Kuldiga is considered to be the most beautiful example of a 16th-17th century town. Near this city, Ventas Rumba - wide step of rapids that create one of the widest waterfalls in Europe - this really deserves a visit! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Spring and summer (April through September) are far and away the choicest times of year to visit. These months see better weather, more daylight, fresher food and plenty of folk festivals cropping up nationwide. The weather during this period is suitable for most outdoor activities - as long as you don't mind the slushy and chilly weeks at either end. Winter weather (from November through late March) can be extreme in Latvia, but this period also sees the most theatre performances and concerts and is a skiers' dream. July and August is the peak tourist season, when hotels are often fully booked. Leave a Comment
|
 by vairabLeave a Comment
|
 by vairab
Forests cover more than 40 percent of the territory. The larger forest tracts are to be found in the northern part of the Kurzeme, along the banks of the Daugava, and in the North-east. Especially beautiful forests can be found in the Gauja National Park and Slitere Forest Reserve, where special wildlife nature reserves have been created. More then half of Latvian forests are pine-forests. Birch and fir forests are less common and mainly found in the Eastern part of Latvia.
Alongside the wild animals found in other European countries, there are also species of animals extinct in the rest of Europe, such as weasels, ermines, and squirrels. In some forests there are some beasts of prey – the wolf, lynx, even brown European bear. Due to the fact that Latvia is on the border of the Northern and Middle European fauna, there are elks, deer and wild boars roaming around. Conservation measures have resulted in an increase in the number of deer and elk, and beavers have been reintroduced. Though Latvia is a country of migratory birds, there are many rare local species, including owls, eagle owls, wood pigeons, and some species of falcons. The black stork is rarely seen, but the white stork is a common phenomenon (Latvia is even called 'the Land of the storks'). Storks and herons are found in the marshes and meadows.
Latvia distinguishes itself with a large variety of flora (approx. 7,850 plant species) and fauna (320 bird species, 69 mammal species). Latvia has the largest otter population in Europe, there are more wandering packs of wolves here than in all of North-eastern Europe combined, and there is a much greater chance of seeing the rare black stork in our forests than in any other European country. In Latvia, it is possible to see unspoiled nature Leave a Comment
|
| | |
|
95 Hotels in Riga
Book your hotel in Riga (Latvia) online. No reservation costs. Lodging Hotel
Up to 50% off Hotels at Expedia. No Expedia change or cancel fees! Latvia Hotels
Thousands Of Hotel Rooms Booked Daily. Find Your Hotel On ORBITZ! Eastern Europe Tours
National Geographic Award Winner Custom Itineraries & Private Guides Central Hotel in Riga
4* Hotel in the Heart of Riga Book Luxury Hotel From Only €70! Sponsored Links
More Latvia Travel Deals Latvia Hotels Online
Free nights, instant bookings; Live online help and local office New York Hotel
Read Reviews & Listings for Local New York Hotels at Switchboard. Newark NJ Hotel
Brand New Facility & Shuttle Bus 11 Minutes from the Newark Airport! Sponsored Links
|
