Tour to Riga Riga, Amazing architecture and history The biggest metropolis in the Baltics, Riga is a city where centuries meet. Each century has left its mark in the city’s features. In its 800 years of turbulent history, everyone from German knights to Swedish kings and Soviet commissars have left their footprints and today this cultural heritage coexists harmoniously with the quick pace of Riga modern living. Riga is also known for its unique architecture – a city in which one can see together in one place churches that were built at the city’s very origin, the medieval buildings of the Old Town, plus unique Art Nouveau examples, as well as wooden architecture which has survived for centuries. Did you know that Riga is architecturally considered to be the Jugendstil capital of the world. Riga Old Town Suggested Itinerary Day 1 Arrival to Riga and check-in to your hotel. Free time to get to know Riga on your own. Day 2 (B, L, D) breakfast at your hotel 10:00 morning tour Charming Riga – Paris of the North #history #culture Riga is called the “Paris of the North,” and it’s easy to understand why — more than one-third of the buildings feature art nouveau architecture. The tour begins with a drive along the Riga Art Nouveau View from St Peter's district and boulevards of Riga and will give You Church Tower great chance to see closer many beautiful examples of Latvian architecture. 1 During the tour, you’ll walk along the narrow streets of the Medieval Hanseatic Old Town and enjoy the splendours of the Dome Cathedral, Big and Small Guild Houses and the Riga Castle. You will see the Town Hall Square - the central square of the city from 13th up to 19th century with its most famous building, magnificent Blackheads’ House. You will also see such famous spots as St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, Powder Tower and many others. For extra 9 euros, you can go to the top of the spiral for a fantastic view over the red roofs of old town and across the River Daugava. 13:00 Riga Food Market including tasting of Latvian traditional food #instead_of_lunch #local_tastes Curious about Latvian food? Forget potatoes and sour cabbage – Riga Central Market has much more to offer! Come and discover what Latvian food is all about, what the locals eat and where they eat it. We will show you many of the local specialties, allowing you to taste and experience them. Our two-hour Food Tasting Tour samples a range of tempting Latvian delicacies from hemp butter, smoked meats and pickled vegetables to fine Riga Central market Latvian breads, seasonal specialities and more. Everything is high quality and many of the products are unique to the region. Find out about the history of the Riga Central Market, with seasonal foods and more included. This is a taste tour so be prepared to eat foods you may not have experienced before. Afternoon free 19:00 dinner in your hotel Day 3 (B, L) Breakfast at your hotel check-out from your hotel 09:00 Ancient Treasures – Sigulda and Cesis (6 hrs) #nature #history #culture Explore the spectacular Latvian countryside and visit the best preserved medieval castles and castle ruins in Cesis and Sigulda to get to know with medieval lifestyle in Latvian territory during 12th – 16th century. Sigulda is one of the most popular tourist and leisure attractions out of Riga and a must-visit place in Latvia. Cēsis, on the other hand, is an old medieval town surrounded by beautiful nature. Sigulda is a place where the beauty of nature is an integral part of the town. It is situated on a picturesque stretch of the Gauja River Valley and is known as the "Switzerland of Vidzeme" because of the Gauja National Park reddish Devonian sandstone which forms rocks and caves on both banks of the river. The town is 2 particularly beautiful on clear autumn days because of the rich range of colors in the trees. Discover historic monuments, museums, natural objects and attractions like Turaida Medieval Castle built in 1214, the wooden church built in 1750, and a sculpture garden dedicated to Latvian folklore on Dainu Hill, Gutmanis Cave - the deepest internal erosion cave in the Baltic states, measuring 19m deep, 12m wide and 10m high, is not only a natural wonder, but also a place steeped in myths and legends. 13:00 lunch in local restaurant in Sigulda and continues to Medieval Cesis Tour continues: Magical Medieval Cesis. Cesis is one of the oldest and best-preserved medieval towns in the Baltics. Its narrow streets of the Old Town have preserved their centuries-old layout and charm visitors with creative shops and cosy cafes. The ancient treasures of the Gauja River valley are a MUST SEE for each traveler visiting Latvia The well-preserved medieval castle ruins in Cesis Cesis - city of castles teach us about the medieval lifestyle in Latvia from the 12th to the 16th century. Have a guided sightseeing walk in Cesis, visiting the old stone castle of the Livonian Order built in 1206, as well as St.John’s Church, the beautiful Castle Park and historical Town Square. 16:00 Depart for Tallinn or optionally to Riga Ca 22:00 arrival to Tallinn END OF PROGRAM Optional: Day 1 Supplement (L) 09:00 Departure from Tallinn, 10:30 Halinga car museum #interesting #something_different Absolutely brilliant collection of mainly old Soviet vehicles. Also, contains some other gems like the stunning Packard 180 and some interesting military vehicles. Every well restored car has its own story, Fantastic quality collection of which is written down on board in front of it. This mainly old Soviet vehicles. museum is suitable for everybody. 12:00 Lunch break in Pärnu, lunch in local restaurant 13:30 continue driving to Riga 16:00 arrive to Riga, check-in to your hotel 3 18:00 Black Balsam degustation in the old town at Black Magic Bar #secret_key_to_riga #relax Enjoy the late autumn evening in cosy Black Magic Bar with Riga Black balsam tasting with stories about Riga, Balsam and bartending experience with black balsam. Tasting includes: • Riga Black Balsam classic 2 cl • Riga Black Balsam Currant 2 cl • Official Cocktail of Riga (“Riga Clavis”) Black Magic Bar • Cup of coffee or tea 19:00 free time to get to know Riga on your own. Dinner independent. END OF DAY 1 (SUPPLEMENT FEE) Tour price (for min 20 persons) Hotel name (hyperlinked) Stabu Seta Residence Price in EUR per person (twin sharing) If min 20 pax 316 EUR Single Supplement 44 EUR Day 1 Supplement Tallinn – Riga 39 EUR Price includes: • Big coach through the program • Tour assistant through the program • Local guides for sightseeing • Day 2 entrance fee to St Peters Church • Day 2 Riga Food Market incl food tasting • Day 2 3 crs dinner in your hotel • Day 3 lunch in Sigulda local restaurant • Day 3 entrance fee to Sigulda Medieval Castle • Day 3 entrance fee to Turaida Castle Extra price for entrance to St Peter’s Church tower 9 EUR per person Day 1 • Day 1 entrance fee to Halinga car museum (included only in Day 1 supplement) supplement • Day 1 lunch in Pärnu local restaurant (included only in Day 1 supplement) includes • Day 1 Black Balsam tasting in Black Magic Bar (included only in Day 1 supplement) 4.