Friday 5 March 2010

Travel in Riga, Latvia

WHY RIGA
The most elegant of the Baltic capitals, the Old Town lanes around Elizabetes Street are lines with stunning art nouveau architecture - just walking around feels like being in a museum. Stay with the architecture theme by visiting Riga’s cathedral - the biggest in the Baltics and home to one of the largest church organs in Europe. £1 will buy you approx 00.81 lati.

EXPLORE RIGA
Riga is the kind of city that’s made for long walks punctuated by stops in cosy cafès for hot chocolate and wedges of cake. Fortunately there are plenty of these - try Emihla Gustava Shokolkade (Marijas 13) or Cadets de Gascogue (Basteja 8). Coffee and cake will set you back around £2. For something stronger, head to the Balsam Bar (Doma Laukams 2) where cocktails are made using the famous Latvian Black Balsam liqueur as a base.

SHOP IN RIGA
The best bargains are to be found at the vast central market, where food and vegetables are sold inside four giant Zeppelin hangars, with a general market spread around outside.

STAY IN RIGA
The centrally located (and oddly named) Man-Tess hotel has comfortable doubles from £75 a night.

GETTING THERE
Ryanair flies from Stansted to Riga from £62 rtn. On Expedia you can book hotels, flights and car hire.

The old town of Riga, in Latvia.

1 comment:

  1. Is this what the Weepies mean in the song "Riga Girls"? That picture is awesome, sigh.

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