Top Riga Region hotels
You should go to St. Peter's Cathedral, where you can have a good idea about the size and the beauty of the city... The church was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1209. Its wooden tower, the highest in Europe at the time it was built, has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. In 1973 it was rebuilt and topped with an iron spire.
What a nice surprise to find the city of Riga in such nice conditions. The old town (Vecriga) is very well conserved and widely restored, with brilliant example of Jugendstile architecture; the moder part of the city is very well kept and dominated by just a few tall buildings (two of them the typical 'signatures' of the former Soviet empire: the Tower of the Academy and the Hotel Latvija). Vecriga is full of cafeterias and small cosy restaurants: maybe the number is a bit more than it was necessary, all the same there's no bad taste in them and the image they give is well balanced and quite peculiar.
Purvitis led us into the temple of Latvian nature with birch trunk columns, a marble white snow floor and a blue ceiling - the sky. (Uga Skulme) Vilhems Purvitis' "Spring Waters (Maestozo)" is one of his most famous works, where the master's most recognised theme is wonderfully reflected - the first awakenings of early spring. The balanced, harmonious combination of water, forest and earth demonstrate the pinnacle of Purvitis' painting achievement. Purvitis always attempted to portray nature realistically. Baltic German doctor and friend of the artist, Roderich von Engelhardt concluded, that unlike the previous generation of Baltic landscape painters who executed idealistic, romanticized views, "Purvitis has only melting snow, flowing water, budding birches in the early morning, the gold of autumn leaves and blue forests. No-one asks where it is, as everyone knows - it is our homeland"....
Daugava (357 km in Latvia) is this big river which divides the capital of the Baltic in two parts. The inhabitants are about 800.000. Riga is the biggest city in the three baltic countries (Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania). Another big river is Gaujia, the largest one (460 km).
House of Blackheads - it dates back to when German trademen travelled frequenntly around the Baltics during the Middle Ages and the house was like a fraternity house for these tradesmen Dancing around in the park on Vermanez Darz, watching a basketball match and passersby giggling at me. I do the same back home anyway, so I'm quite used to it :) Finding manky condoms under my bed - that will definitely stay with me for life! Watching Ireland beat Holland in soccer in Dickens bar and getting chatted up by English and Norwegian sailors all night :)
This isn't really a 'must do', but if you are looking for cheap internet, go to 'elik interneta kafe' in the old town. There are 2 locations:Caka iela 26andKalku iela 11 By the way, the beers are extremely cheap there too!
When you are in Riga the absolutely must is Lido krasta restaurant ... If Paul Bunyon built a log cabin in Latvia it would look like this! Mr. Kirsons of the Lido Empire has outdone himself with the biggest buffet of home cookin' this country has ever seen. Enter the tremendous cellar and discover another restaurant with two bars which serve beer brewed on the premises. Take tram N°7 or 9 to the Dzervju stop and walk about 10 minutes in the direction of the huge windmill. It is definetly worth to see...
You can walk and have a wonderful time exploring the labyrinth streets of Riga's Old Town, admire the Churches and buildings everywhere, majority from the 13th century, like the Cat House, it was named after the two cats perched on the roof. I was much impressed the House of Blackheads, the beautiful Gothic building was first mentioned in 1334, but it has now been rebuilt for the Riga's 800th anniversary, it is the real beauty!
To wonder around Old Riga center which architecture is the proud of all Riga citezens. All Riga citizen very proud for famous and biggest in Europe Organ Cathederal-Dome Cathederal there You can listen to it a have a great pleasure!
Tourist Office Patricia LTD were most helpful people. They provided me with a low cost B&B room and lots of free advice. They also have apartments to rent by the day, week or longer. http://www.rigalatvia.net The lovely women! WOW if I was only a Romeo!
Best Eastern Centra Hotel Riga Riga
7 Reviews and 252 Opinions We had an opportunity to travel somewhere with my husband for two nights. As we have 3 small kids,...
Reval Hotel Ridzene Riga
6 Reviews and 116 Opinions This year - hotel Ridzene again. The main hotel's advantage is its very quiet location in the very...
Albert Hotel Riga
4 Reviews and 407 Opinions Despite no plausable connection with the late great Mr Einstein The Albert Hotel is a shrine to the...
Reviews and photos of Riga Region attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Riga Region sightseeing.
Q: Sveiki! I need an advice. my departure from Riga airport at 11.30, but bus arrived (internetional, from belarus) only at 8.10....
A: You should have no problem. Yes, traffic can be bad, but by 0900 it seems to clear out. I used Municipal bus and as I recall, it took about 30 minutes from the stop near...
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