Travel in Latvia – Hotels, Latvia Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

Latvia:

Riga is the capital of Latvia, the town is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of the river Daugava. Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states. The Historic Centre of Riga has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Latvia is located in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Though the country is located on the East Europe Plain, the vegetation here is much different from the rest of the plain. Because of the maritime influence of the Baltic Sea, the climate of Latvia is humid and temperate. The cultural influences in the country can be linked to the Baltic-Germans, pagans and Christians.

In 1935, Latvian sculptor Karlis Zale unveiled the Freedom Monument in the city of Riga. The statue is of a woman and with three stars, which represent the regional portions of Latvia; Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale. On the bottom of the monument are several sculptural groups which represent different meanings; labor, national strength, freedom, family and spiritual strength. The bottom contains relief work of historical events and the statue is known as “Milda” to locals.

Also in Riga is the House of the Blackheads. The Blackheads were a group of unmarried, foreign merchants who came together and formed a guild. The structure was erected in the first part of the 14th century and was later bombed by the Germans in World War II. Later the remains were demolished by the Soviets in 1948. Between the years of 1995 through 1999, the building and its grounds were completely reconstructed. The building is done in the Dutch-Renissance style with elaborate Gothic and German influences as well.

The Dome Cathedral was founded on St. Jacobs Day in 1211, and is the largest cathedral in the Baltics. In the past, the church has been destroyed and rebuilt so many times that it contains many different architectural styles. The most famous feature of the church is the E.F. Walker & Co., German organ with 7,000 pipes. The organ is considered to be one of the greatest musical instruments in the world and is regularly used for concerts and performances.

The Viestura Garden dates back to 1710, when Tsar Peter chose the location to be the grounds of his summer residence. The park at the time was known as, “The Park of His Majesty” and has had several different names over the course of history. The garden was the design of the French architect Zhan Le Blone, the design of this park was the inspiration for all other parks found in Latvia. The park is the home of many annual festivals and is now the best-preserved park in Latvia.

The National History Museum of Latvia was founded in 1869. The museum is the largest repository of Latvian historical items and relics. There are permanent exhibits of the Early History of Latvia, the Middle Ages, the Early Modern Era and the Modern Era. The history department has over 273,000 items such as; documents, photonegatives, church sculptures, books, memoirs and many other objects of historical importance.

Jurmala is a resort town that stretches out across the Gulf of Riga and Lielupe River. The towns reputation as a spa destination began back in the 1700's. Wealthy people and military personnel would flock to the area to rest and relax along the seaside.

For comfortable lodgings the Hotel Europa City is located in the heart of the historical district of Riga. The hotel offers guests a 1960's European dycor, a restaurant and transportation to the landmarks and various tourist attractions sprinkled throughout the city. The Reva Hotel Elizabeth is a four-star hotel in Riga. The establishment offers its guests complimentary robes, 24-hour room service, a fitness center and sauna.

The country of Latvia is picturesque with varying topography ranging from rolling hillsides to coastline. Latvia is a cozy country that has not yet experienced mass tourism, which makes for some interesting sites and venues to explore. When touring the country many people find a wide array of things to do and see, making Latvia one of the up-and-coming tourist destinations.