Like AT Home Apartments “1765” likeathome.lv APARTMENTS Introduction to Latvia • Excursions, objects for visiting, interesting places, as well as tourism attractions that you can visit using services of our guides. • You can get short sightseeing tours around Riga and one-day tours to popular tourism destinations of Latvia. 1. Stories of Old Riga houses and streets Eight-century history of the city keeps many legends and secrets, which still live in the narrow winding streets of the Old Riga city. is walking tour is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the city in a leisurely atmosphere, to learn a lot about its inhabitants and the manners of the past, as well as to feel the unique atmosphere of the Old Riga. During excursion, you will see all main sights of the city, will go through all the way of the city development from the moment of its foundation in the beginning of the XIII century and till the time of the greatest prosperity in the beginning of the XX century. Also, you will hear interesting stories about famous people of dierent eras, who related to Riga, and among them there were soldiers, merchants, kings and emperors. In addition to the excursion, by prior arrangement, you can attend a concert of organ music in the Dome Cathedral, go up to the observation platform of St. Peter's Church, taste the famous Riga black balsam or Latvian beer from the four historical regions of Latvia. Excursion duration: 2,5-3 hours Price: 60 EUR for 2 people (for each additional person 20 EUR) In price included: guide services Main visiting objects: e Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Convent Yard, the Town Hall Square and Blackheads House, the Riga Castle, “ree Brothers”, the executioner's house and the Swedish Gate, the Powder Tower, the Large and the Small Guilds. 2. Riga — object of world heritage Historical center of Riga is a living illustration of Europe history. For centuries, Riga was the center of many historical events, the place where the East and West met and where cultural exchange took place between European nations. Riga has always been a modern city and followed all the fashion trends in the architecture and layout of the city, but at the same time preserved the integrity of urban development during expansion. e historical center of Riga has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. is walking tour is an excellent opportunity in unhurried ambiance get acquainted with the historical development of the city. e rst part of the excursion is dedicated to Old Riga, where for 650 years the whole economic, cultural and political life of the city was concentrated. Starting from the second half of the XIX century, in the shape of the city there were cardinal changes that gave the city a metropolitan gloss. is will be discussed in the second part of the tour and will be followed by a visit to the Riga Art Nouveau quarter. Excursion duration: 3,5-4 hours Price: 80 EUR for 2 people ( for each additional person 25 EUR) In price included: guide services Main visiting objects: e Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Convent Yard, the Town Hall Square and Blackheads House, the Riga Castle, “ree Brothers”, the executioner's house and the Swedish Gate, the Powder Tower, the Large and the Small Guilds, Freedom Monument, Riga Christ Cathedtral and Art Nouveau quarter. 3. Acquaintance with a noble lady Riga is oen compared to a middle-aged lady-fashionista who loves to dress up and try on dierent nery. And there is a part of truth, because Riga has many faces: in Old Riga on the narrow streets prevails the spirit of the Middle Ages; coming out of the old town you will nd yourself in the arms of the boulevards whose parks form Old Town "green collar" and blue strip binds it all together; here is the famous Riga Art Nouveau — the pearl of Riga architecture; in the le bank of river Daugava prevails wooden architecture, and from that side opens magnicent view of the city, and in the “Moscow suburb” still preserved houses of Russian merchants and sometimes it seems that life ows there somehow in a special way. is car tour is a great opportunity to see all the "faces" of Riga, and to look at Riga from a completely dierent angle. In addition to the excursion, by prior arrangement, you can visit the Art Nouveau Museum, Chocolate Museum, Central Market, National Library, National Opera, to sail through the channel by historic boat or climb on one of the observation decks where beautiful view of the city and surrounding area open. Excursion type: car tour Excursion duration: 2-2,5 hours Price: 90 EUR for 2 people ( for each additional person 25 EUR; max 4 people) In price included: guide services, transport expences Main visiting objects: Central Market and Spikeri Quarter, Kipsala Island, Art Nouveau quarter, Riga Christ Cathedral, Esplanade, Vermansky Garden, National Library, National Opera, National eater, University of Latvia. * Guide services are provided in 3 languages: Russian, English and German. ** Reservations must be done in advance (at least 2 days in advance). 1. Livonian Switzerland Crusaders that arrived in the XIII century on the territory of modern Latvia, named these lands in honour of the natives — "Land of Livs" or Livonia. Over time, there were no Livs, but the memory of them still lives in national ornaments and clothing, traditions and toponyms. Surroundings of Sigulda in the XIII century were densely populated. Here, on the steep banks of the river Gauja, Livs erected three wooden castles, which in case of danger should serve as a refuge for local inhabitants. As of now Sigulda city consists of three historical parts — Sigulda, Krimulda and Turaida. is road trip is an excellent opportunity in unhurried ambiance get acquainted with the most picturesque city of Latvia — Sigulda. e excursion day will begin in the morning, and you will spend the whole day on fresh air, surrounded by picturesque landscapes, hear a lot about castles and their inhabitants, and learn about the culture and customs of natives. Excursion type: car tour Excursion duration: 6-7 hours Price: 140 EUR for 2 people ( for each additional person 40 EUR; max 4 people) In price included: guide services, transport expences Main visiting objects: Sigulda medieval castle, Turaida museum-park with exposition visit in medieval castle, the amber workshop. 2. Zemgale Castles and Palaces Although the medieval period in Latvia did not last long, it laid a solid foundation for the further development of the region. Around the stone castles began to form settlements, which grew and became small towns. Ex-knights became wealthy gentlemen owning lands and settlements. eir wealth grew, and needs also grew. And on the spot of stone castles, magnicent manors and palaces begin to appear, where the interiors are arranged according to the latest "peep" of fashion. is road trip is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the period that replaced the Middle Ages and visit the magnicent palaces of the local aristocracy, including the Latvian Baroque pearl — the Rundale Palace and Park Ensemble. is palace built famous architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli for Ernst Johann Biron — the favorite to the Russian Empress Anna Ivanovna. Name Biron is connected not only with Courland (one of the historical regions of Latvia), but also with the history of Russia. With all the mysteries and customs of the XVIII century you will learn during this tour. In addition to the tour, by prior arrangement, in Bauska city you can see the ruins of a medieval castle, as well as climb to the towers observation deck and go to Jelgava city where you can visit the tomb of the Courland Dukes. In the summer season in the park of the Rundale Palace there are blooming roses — one of the largest collections in the Baltic States, and also holding the "Baroque Days", when you can attend concerts of Baroque music. In the little town Mezotne you can visit the palace, where interior is restored in the style of classicism. Excursion type: car tour Excursion duration: 8-9 hours Price: 180 EUR for 2 people ( for each additional person 45 EUR; max 4 people) In price included: guide services transport expences Main visiting objects: Bauska medieval castle, Rundale palace and park ensemble, Mezotne palace and Jelgava palace. 3. To Lielvarde's Lachplesis Lachplesis is the hero of the Latvian national legends that was struling with the foreign conquerors, but Lielvarde is a place where this legend was born. At the same time, Lielvarde is one of the oldest settlements in Latvia, where history records have been preserved. is road trip is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with historical and cultural richness of Latvian people. During the excursion, you will visit the peasant farm, where you will take a part in baking traditional Latvian rye bread, as well as try local milk products and cheeses. While your bread will be baked, you will get acquainted with the historical and cultural heritage of Lielvarde, visit the local museum, where you will learn the secrets of making Lielvarde belts. During the excursion day you will visit Koknese city, where one of the most picturesque ruins of the medieval castle of Latvia is located. In addition to the tour, by prior arrangement, you can order a degustation of local cider, and in the summer season ride on a replica of a real Viking boat and inspect the ruins of the Koknese Castle from the water. Excursion type: car tour Excursion duration: 6-7 hours Price: 170 EUR for 2 people ( for each additional person 40 EUR; max 4 people) In price included: guide services, transport expences Main visiting objects: Lielvarde medieval castle, Koknese medieval castle, Garden of Destiny.