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Guide to Riga, Latvia
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Riga
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Riga
Unnoticed by many, or even most of the world's travelers, Riga, Latvia's capital city, is an unquestionably beautiful city where cobblestones seem more abundant than tarmac and its historic segment is one giant Unesco World Heritage site. Walk through the Old Town to catch glimpses of centuries old marks upon the skyline; castle turrets are king and the churches placed in the area seem brooding and uninviting. In fact, it may all seem a bit brooding and uninviting, especially when the sun is in hiding. That is until you interact with the locals. Decades ago you could justify the notion that Latvia's capital was a dark, bleak center of the melancholy and woes of its people, but things have changed since the fall of the Soviet empire. Touching a portion of the Gulf of Riga, the city is where nearly all vessels come once they've entered the Daugava River, and while some visitors tend to stay close to the water, more and more have been seeping into the avenues and alleyways to discover just what has been overlooked by so many. Some take Riga to be an ordinary capital of an ex-Soviet nation. Others - the larger percentage it seems today - have grown to love the intricacies of its architectural gems and have become more fond of it as a complete meal since the awards began arriving for the cuisine served at restaurants around town. Now, we're sure that all the above-mentioned seems fitted for the title of 'world-class destination', but don't let us do all the convincing. Book a flight and see Riga for yourself!
When to go:
Sharing in the climate patterns of northern Europe, Riga and the greater Latvian countryside are wrought with white in the wintertime and presents beautiful, warm conditions in summer. Riga's position along the Daugava and close proximity to the Baltic Sea allows it a cool atmosphere even if a heat wave finds its way to the region. Springs and autumns tend to be chilly, however, below-freezing temperatures are not seen until November.
Getting there and around:
At times the schedule at Riga's airport appears to hold more connections to European cities than those to the east, but nonetheless, the numbers are great and flights are frequent to/from the Latvian capital. Daily non-stop connection(s) from London are available, and delays seem far less frequent than in years past. Buses and taxis are the top most-utilized transit vehicles in Riga, and are also the method of choice for transport to and from the airport. Pretty much a self-explanatory list of rules to follow: buses are cheaper but slower, and taxis are faster but pricier. Keeping a hold on funds for more important things than getting around may seem like the ideal path to take, and buses will serve most travelers well. But what to do when you find yourself out on the town past midnight? Hail a cab? Precisely.
Attractions:
We've always been ardent supporters of activities involving aquatics of some sort or another, and boating around the confines of the Gulf of Riga is a splendid way to pass the hours, but what if the city of Riga, shows visitors an even better time? Pass from the modern city to the Old Town and you'll be awestruck immediately. The buildings in the area are not so much grandiose as they are vaults of character and stories. Imagine a Gothic Venice where vehicles rarely have space to roam and you have Riga. St Peter's Church often dominates most tourists' sights to see.
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