Latvia,

country:	Latvia
departures:	Departures arrange to suit your requirements at any time throughout the year
price:	From £595 (11 days) including flights from UK. This trip can be tailor made to suit your requirements and can depart when you wish
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

the amazing things you'll be doing

Latvia is located on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, and is the middle country of the Baltic States. It is roughly the same size as Ireland and is home to 2.4 million people. It is probably the most culturally diverse of the three Baltic States, with nearly half its population of Russian origin. The capital of Latvia is Riga. It is the largest and liveliest of the Baltic cities with a population of 800,000. It boasts a remarkable legacy of Gothic, Baroque and Classical architecture, not to mention the biggest collection of Art Nouveau or "Jugendstil" architecture in the world. The old town, dating back to 1201, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its narrow, cobblestone streets wind through beautifully restored buildings and historic passageways within the fortress walls.

Riga is by no means Latvia's only place of interest. Latvia is blessed with over 300 miles of beautiful coastline, which varies from white sand dunes to a rocky shore. The coastline is dotted with fishing villages where you can get freshly smoked fish and enjoy the traditional atmosphere. There are beach resorts for relaxing and water sports and spa facilities for health and beauty treatments. The country side is sparsely populated, but there are several picturesque medieval towns which serve as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding national parks.

Latvia has four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures can reach 30C, ideal for water sports and beaches. Autumn is very colourful, air is crisp and cool at night. Winter is cold and snowy, ideal for winter sports and Christmas markets. Spring is full of blossoms and the days are very long, as mid-summer approaches.

We recommend an 11 day, 10 night itinerary that allows you to experience the history and atmosphere of Riga, actively enjoy the beauty of the unspoiled countryside and relax by the coast at a sea side resort. Featured activities can include: cycling, horseback riding, sailing, canoeing, wind surfing, fishing, walking, nature trails, wildlife, ice skating, cross country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding for beginners, architecture, art, music festivals (folk, jazz, rock, classic, opera), health spas, history.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1-3:	Fly from the UK to Riga in the morning. Flight time approximately 2 hrs 30 min. Explore the historic Old Town. Opportunities for guided sightseeing tours (in English), 3 nights accommodation in centrally located hotel.
Day 4-7:	Collect/hire car. Drive 60km outside of Riga for your four night stay at Birinu Palace, from where you can explore the surroundings of the Gauja National Park.
Day 8-10:	Drive to Jurmala. Three nights stay and relaxation at the sea side resort town with excellent beaches, fragrant pine forests and great spa treatment opportunities.
Day 11:	Drop off car and return to the UK in the evening. Flight time approximately 2 hrs. 30 min.

how this holiday makes a difference

We offer accommodation owned and operated by locals. Our country and coastal holidays use bed and breakfasts and guest houses operated by local families and encourage activities that promote the visiting of farms and purchasing local crafts and organic produce.

Our palace and manor house tour provides accommodation in historical sites, where the proceeds go toward preservation and restoration of historical landmarks.Your tailored trip to Latvia features a four night stay at Birinu Palace, which was built in 1860 and is known for its Neo-Gothic style, architecture, ornate wood carvings, balconies, oak stairways, and its vast park and terraces.

When Latvia first gained independence in 1918, after centuries of Russian, German and Swedish occupation, the government began a large scale renovation project and used the palace as a rehabilitation centre for patients with respiratory and heart disease. During Soviet occupation (1944 – 1991) the palace was used for relaxation by the communist party, but today it has again been opened to the general public as a hotel and relaxation centre.

Visitors can enjoy the palaces many parks on foot, bicycle, horse drawn carriage (sleigh in winter) and kids can ride ponies. The grounds include a beautiful lake, perfect for a ride on a water bike (no motor boats allowed) and a historic mill, which operated for over 100 years and has finally been given a rest. It now houses some traditional Latvian saunas and a café that serves herbal teas and drinks.Birinu Palace has become an enjoyable retreat for locals and tourists alike. The palace and its grounds maintain the traditions of music and nature that are the centre of Latvian culture, which foreign occupiers never managed to erase.

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