Overview
Riga, a marriage of gracious old-world character and the liberated tempress, is a city of contrasts.
Travel first to the Art Nouveau District, a flamboyant area of the city and a favorite. Your drive around here will send you backwards to a wild time in Riga's history, where facades of buildings have nude nymphs, majestic lions, goblins and images of a period of expressive movement which started in Paris. This area survived the war and many of the buildings are under renovation, a wonderful thing to witness. Your guide will speak of the Jugendstil period that flourished here.
Close by you will find Old Town. Riga straddles the Daugava River, with Old Town resting on its eastern flank. Old Town's skyline is dominated by three steeples - St. Peter's, Dome Cathedral and St. Jacob's. Parks and boulevards form a wide band that borders Old Town. Your initial look at Old Town will see the contrasts of the old buildings and the new casinos. Your initial look at Old Town will show the contrasts of the old and new buildings.
Some of the famous structures you will pass includes the Latvian National Opera House and the Freedom Monument. Your walking portion of the tour will begin here, at the canal, and during your stroll you will see the Sena Riga, its original name from 1201.
Next you will head to the pedestrian Kalku Street, with Livu Square and it's medieval buildings, Konventhof Quarter and the famous St. Peter's Church. This is the centrepiece of the skyline and the gothic building is thought to be about 800 years old. Nearby see the House of the Blackheads, originally built in 1344 to house the Blackhead's guild of unmarried foreign merchants. The area south of St. Peter's Church is full of 17th century warehouses which survived the war.
Off the Livu Square, near the busiest entrance to Old Town, beer gardens fill the area. Overlooking the square is the Great Guild House and nearby is the Dome Cathedral, the Baltic's largest and one you will enter for spectacular views. One of its claims to fame is its 6768-pipe organ, which was the world's largest when the cathedral was completed in 1884. The original foundation was laid in 1211.
You will conclude your time in Riga's Old Town with free time for lunch at Kalku Varti or another local restaurant. With some of the best reviewed chefs in the Baltic you will introduce your taste buds to contemporary Latvian Cuisine at its finest. With all the ingredients coming from local farmers you won't find a more authentic or satisfying meal in the area.
After lunch you will head to the Riga Open Air Museum. Here you will put yourself in the shoes of Latvian farmers, craftsmen and fishermen from centuries ago. With 118 buildings from all historical districts of Latvia this 100 hectares museum plays host to a variety of Latvian celebrations and festivals that draw people in time and time again. With possible opportunities to forge your own jewelry or walk to the famous Jugla lake you will be amazed as your thoughts on Latvia past and present come full circle.
- Your admissions are not included.
Riga Open Air Museum: 8 Euros per person
Lunch at Kalku Varti: Approximately $32 per person
- Food, beverages, and gratuities are not included in your tour.
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 08:00 AM, duration: 6 hours
- 09:00 AM, duration: 6 hours
- 12:00 PM, duration: 6 hours
