Latvia Archives - Nordic and Baltic DMC

Riga

nbadmin — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:46:20 +0000

Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia, located on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Riga on the Baltic Sea. The city has a population of over 700,000 people and is known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and lively culture.

Riga’s Old Town is a particularly fascinating area to explore, with a mix of architectural styles that reflect the city’s history. The Gothic spires of the Riga Cathedral and St. Peter’s Church dominate the skyline, while the colorful facades of the Art Nouveau buildings are a visual feast. The Old Town is also home to several museums, including the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, which tells the story of the country’s experience under Soviet and Nazi rule.

One of the most iconic symbols of Riga is the Freedom Monument, a 42-meter-tall statue that stands in the center of the city. The monument, which was erected in 1935, is dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who fell in the Latvian War of Independence.

Riga’s central market is also worth a visit, it is one of the largest markets in Europe, with several halls selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts.

Riga is also famous for its wooden architecture, which is unique in Europe. Visitors can find a large number of wooden buildings, mostly dating back to the 19th century. They are mainly located in the central districts of Riga, and can be seen in the form of houses, apartment buildings, and many other structures.

Riga is also a great destination for foodies, with a wide range of restaurants serving traditional Latvian cuisine as well as international dishes. Many of the city’s restaurants are located in the Old Town, where you can sample dishes such as smoked fish, black bread, and sweet pastries.

In addition to the above, Riga also offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors. The city is surrounded by beautiful nature, with many parks, gardens and forests. You can take a stroll along the banks of the Daugava River, or take a boat trip to explore the Gulf of Riga. The nearby Jurmala beach town is also a popular destination for those looking to enjoy the Baltic Sea.

Overall, Riga has something to offer for everyone whether you are interested in history, culture, food, or nature. With its rich heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant atmosphere, Riga is a destination that should not be missed.

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Latvia

nbadmin — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:32:56 +0000

Latvia is a small country located in Northern Europe, bordered by Estonia, Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania. It is known for its picturesque landscapes, rich culture, and historical significance.

For nature lovers, Latvia is a paradise. The country is home to a diverse range of landscapes, from the rolling hills of the Latgale region, to the pristine beaches of the Baltic Sea, and the dense forests of the Vidzeme region. The country is also home to several national parks, including Gauja National Park, which is known for its limestone cliffs and picturesque valleys, and the Slītere National Park, which is home to a variety of bird species and other wildlife.

Latvia is also a cultural hub. The country has a rich history, with many ancient castles and fortifications, such as the Rundale Palace, the Turaida Castle, and the Old Guild of Riga, which is one of the oldest and best-preserved buildings in the city. The country is also home to many museums, including the Latvian War Museum, which provides an in-depth look at the country’s past, and the Latvian National Museum of Art, which features works by some of the country’s most renowned artists.

Latvia is also known for its lively festivals and events. The country is home to many traditional festivals, such as the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, which is held every five years and is one of the largest cultural events in Europe, and the Riga Opera Festival, which is held in the summer and features performances by world-renowned opera singers.

For foodies, Latvia offers a diverse culinary scene, with traditional dishes such as Rupjmaize (black bread) and Sklandrausis (potato and meat pie) and a wide variety of seafood from the Baltic sea. And in the cities, international cuisine options are also available.

All in all, Latvia is a country that offers something for everyone – from nature lovers to culture buffs, history enthusiasts, and foodies. And as a DMC, we are here to help you plan the perfect trip and make the most of your time in this beautiful country.

Some of the most popular places to see in Latvia include:

Riga: The capital city of Latvia is a must-see destination for any visitor. It is home to a variety of historical and cultural attractions, including the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Riga Cathedral, which is one of the largest religious buildings in the Baltic States. Read More About Riga

Gauja National Park: This national park is located in the Vidzeme region and is known for its limestone cliffs and picturesque valleys. It is home to a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and canoeing.

Sigulda: This small town is located in the Gauja River Valley and is known for its beautiful landscapes and historical sites, including the Turaida Castle and the Sigulda New Castle.

Jūrmala: This seaside town is located on the Baltic Sea coast and is known for its beautiful beaches and spas. It is a popular destination for those looking to relax and rejuvenate.

Cēsis: This small town is located in the Vidzeme region and is known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town and the Cēsis Castle, which dates back to the 13th century.

Liepaja: This city is located on the western coast of Latvia and is known for its beautiful beaches and historic architecture. Visitors can also explore the Karosta, a neighborhood of Liepaja which has a history of being a military base and was used during Soviet times.

Daugavpils: This city is the second largest city in Latvia, located in the Latgale region it has a strong Russian influence. Visitors can see the Daugavpils Fortress, and the Mark Rothko Art Centre.

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Disconnect from the network to connect to nature.

nbadmin — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 08:12:45 +0000

You may wonder, are the Baltic countries the right place to relax from the busy days? If you are looking for a quiet place to slow down and enjoy nature, travelling thousands of kilometres among the green forests, blooming meadows, blue lakes, and banging waves of the sea, yes, the Baltic is the right choice.

Mysterious bogs, scenic cliffs, sandy beaches, and numerous hiking trails are perfect holiday spots. What can be better to spend your holiday in a leisurely atmosphere surrounded by wild nature?

Bogs

The bogs have a very high added value, which they create for the environment, formed since the Ice Age, the flora and fauna of the bogs are rich in unique and protected plants. When visiting the bog, you have to be extremely careful and gentle.

Today, bogs also serve as tourist attractions conveniently equipped with wooden walking trails and observation towers.

Collect the vitaminized berries, swim in the bog lakes, attend the bird watching or have a relaxing walk trail.

The bogs are also famous for their breathtaking views, which have a particularly mystical atmosphere in the early morning, so paddling at sunrise has become a very popular activity due to its unique experience.

The Baltic Sea

one of the youngest seas in the world, however at its bottom is the world’s richest collection of ancient ships, which has survived to the present day, due to the small amount of salt contained in the water. The Baltic Sea washes 9 countries. The diversity of the coastline, in places richly covered with rocky and wild shores and at times beautiful, picturesque cliffs, replaced by soft beach sand. Walks through the pine forests, breathing fresh air and sunbathing on the blue flag beaches, which are well-maintained and friendly for vacationers.

Forests and meadows

Baltics are quite a flat country, and its territory is richly covered by forest and meadows. These oxygen manufacturers rank it to the top of the world’s greenest countries.

Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have an abundant number of national parks and trails which you can enjoy on foot or by bike. Tons of oxygen at your disposal are guaranteed.

4 seasons

There are 4 seasons in the Baltic states, but Estonians claim even 5th. Flooding season, which appearing between winter and spring by melting snow, arising increases the level of the water in local rivers and unable to cope with an increasing amount of water by flooding nearby lands.

You always can find something special in every season.

May to September is the perfect time to enjoy the summertime in Baltics, with deep green colours and pleasantly warm weather.

From the End of September until the end of October the Golden season of Autumn painting nature in a brown, red, and yellow colour pallet making a special and fairytale-like atmosphere, as well-beloved by locals.

From November to February you can enjoy spa treatments in the best hotels, walk-thru medieval cobblestone streets and shopping in local markets warming yourself with a pleasant sip of Mulled wine.

The post Disconnect from the network to connect to nature. appeared first on Nordic and Baltic DMC.

Baltic Adventure

nbadmin — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 22:22:57 +0000

Estonia – Latvia – Lithuania

The Baltic States are perfect for those who are looking for adventure! There are many things you can take out of your bucket list, such as bungee jumping, zipline, kayaking, rally driving, or even bobsleighing. Everyone who loves adrenaline rushing through their veins should look more into the Baltic States and these wonderful adventurous activities, which also introduce you to the Baltic’s culture and traditions.

Tour Highlights:

Guided city tours of Vilnius – Riga – Tallinn
Sea Kayaking around Estonian islands, Rally driving and shooting experiences in Tallinn
Zip line/Bungee jumping, Skydiving experience and Bobsleighing in Sigulda
SUP’ing in Trakai, Hot Air Balloon flight in Vilnius
Guided Lahemaa, Gauja and Trakai national park tours

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Hunting the Baltic Flavors

nbadmin — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 09:11:58 +0000

There are many ways to feel the Baltic specialities on the tip of your tongue.

Here are a few of them. We are warning you, this may be dangerously tasty!

Why Baltic cuisine taste so good?:

– The way from the farmers to the restaurant table is very short, you may eat for your lunch freshly collected vegetables and fruits. Many local hotels and restaurants as well have self-grown greens and of course, fresh-baked bread.

– New generation of chefs is creative. Educated in all the corners of top European restaurants they are coming back to their homeland to share their knowledge and blend it with the love of the local food.

– Popularity of great restaurants spreading very rapidly and you can find a great meal with peace of mind away from the capital.

Gourmet experience – a very fast-growing and popular way to catch the tastes during your visit is to look up if any of the popular festivals are happening around. As well, one of the ways is to attend the restaurant weeks, during this time you will find restaurants’ special offers, delicious dinners, or lunches where top chefs will blow away your imagination and surprise you with the new way of serving local goodies.

Food workshops – Traveling at Baltics you certainly should taste traditional food. The best way to do it is to take a part in a workshop or tasting tour. Local chocolate producers, marzipan masters, ice cream creators, or bread bakers, and even medieval meals. You may personally assist or try your hands-on cooking process and learn the secret ingredients of the local specialities.

Local markets – a very popular way to bring the best of the local food to a table. The place where farmers and producers bring together countryside extravaganzas. Visiting the market is favoured among locals. If you love to buzz into the local atmosphere, stop by and taste traditional cheese, smoked fish, and homemade cake.

Beverages – Taste a glass of chilled cider made from the apples grown nearby, learn roots of beer brewing traditions or wine crafts made of berries and birch sap, served with carefully picked snacks. Enchant a unique day in the countryside, which in addition to fantastic flavours will leave an unforgettable aftertaste.

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Why Visit the Baltic Countries?

nbadmin — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 07:14:18 +0000

Estonia – Latvia – Lithuania

Three countries on the shores of the Baltic Sea – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania may be surprisingly contrasting, but all three are united by their common history going back many centuries, and the joint struggle for independence. To fully experience the Baltic flavor, one should visit all three.

Each of the Baltic capital cities has a distinct and individual charm.
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia has the most protected old city in Europe and offers its visitors to experience the spirit of the Medieval Ages, omnipresent in the cobblestone streets and buildings.

The capital of Latvia is Riga. Thanks to its multiple extraordinarily beautiful art nouveau buildings, it is considered the European art nouveau metropolis.

Baroque, the most prominent architectural style in predominantly Catholic Lithuania, is at its utmost in the capital city of Vilnius, whose features are unimaginable without sacred baroque architecture.

Why Visit the Baltic Countries?

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are one of the best places to travel to if you are looking to escape from the crowdedness of other European countries. From Vilnius in Lithuania, Riga in Latvia, and Tallinn in Estonia, the Baltic countries prove that fairy tales really do come true with a perfect mix between untouched nature, fascinating culture, and splendid castles.

Besides, all three Baltic countries are members of the Schengen Area; therefore you will be free to move from one country to the other without any internal border controls. Also, the same time zone, same currency (Euro), safe environment, and friendly population where most of them speak English makes this destination very attractive to any traveler.

Easy to travel: same currency, connected with high way, each city have its own airport, located in Schengen

You can travel by air between Baltic capitals
You can take a comfortable bus ride
Travel by car is comfortable and all baltic capitals are connected with highway

Distance between Baltic capitals	distance km	travel time
from Riga to Tallinn	about 308 km	around 4.5h
from Vilnius to Riga	about 288 km	around 4 h
from Vilnius to Tallinn	about 600 km	around 9h

Unique UNESCO heritage Old towns

Fascinating countryside’s

Perfect for those who want to escape from crowded cities

Well developed 3*,4*,5* hotels

Various restaurants

Each country have its own language

Each country have its own story to tell

Each country is independent

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The last pagans of Europe

nbadmin — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 07:20:04 +0000

By the 12th century, Christianity had become the hegemonic religion in Europe. This power was due, in part, to the consecration of Christian worship as the official religion of the Roman Empire (c. 390-391) – a cult inherited by the new Germanic kingdoms (with the exception of Britain) – and to the missionaries’ effort to evangelize and expand the boundaries of Christendom. The non-Romanized regions fell one after the other into the Christian orbit: in 960 the Danes, in 967 the Poles, in 990 the Swedes, in 1000 the Hungarians, in 1015 the Norwegians, etc. The pagan cult was slowly being uprooted, although it did not disappear until the Catholic Reformation.

The recently converted political elite understood the usefulness of Christianity as a tool to expand the border of their states. In the immense river plain that constitutes the region that borders the Baltic Sea, numerous peoples coexisted, among which the Lithuanian people stand out. The Lithuanians were integrated into clans ruled by a military leader, a duke. However, the Lithuanians were not the only people in the region that maintained their pagan rites: Prussians, Latvians, Estonians, Livonians, Semigallians, or Curonians, among others, maintained their cults despite the efforts of Christian missionaries.

The reason for this opposition to conversion is to be understood as a fierce struggle to avoid being engulfed by neighboring states. Lithuanians, among others, reject Christianity not because they despise its doctrine or ritual, but because they are aware that accepting baptism would mean bowing down to a foreign power. Thus Christ appears alongside other divine natives in the popular imagination such as Perkunas (his main divinity) or Teliavelis (divinity that ruled nature, death, and the economy).

Your fears are justified. Only eight years elapsed between the founding of Lübeck by Henry the Lion of Saxony (c. 1159) and the founding of the Estonian bishopric by Fulco (c. 1167). The successors of Bishop Fulco of Estonia will abandon the miter to take up the sword and expand Catholicism militarily. Meanwhile, the avid German merchants from their bases in Lübeck and Visby – allied with the archbishopric of Hamburg-Bremen – established trading posts in the pagan territory from which to expand militarily and economically. This policy had its successes since it was possible to establish a fort in the Baltic territory at the mouth of the Daugava River. Aware of the news, Innocent proclaimed crusades in defense of the Christian faith and against the pagans: in 1198, 1199, 1204, 1206, and 1216-1218. In 1199 he gave his approval to the plan of Prince Philip of Swabia and the bishop of the newly founded Riga, Alberto von Buxhoevden to try to connect the newly converted Estonia and the eastern part of the Empire. Philip invaded the land of the Lithuanians from the Daugava River with 500 crusaders. It was a success.

Felipe, seeing the success of the company, organizes the Fratres militia Christi Livoniae known as the Brothers of the Sword. This order was intended to be a mobile force with which to harass the Baltic populations. This order was later twinned with the Teutonic Order. The non-unity of the Lithuanian clans was taken advantage of by the Germans to absorb them one by one. These newly converted peoples acted as a striking force against the still pagan peoples. The aforementioned foreign agents were joined by the conquests of the Danish King Valdemar II (c. 1219) and the Swedish King John I (c. 1220), who broke the last resistance of the Estonians in Saaremaa (c. 1227).

The alarm at these events caused the union of the Lithuanian peoples between the Neris, the Nemunas and the Merkys in the figure of Duke Mindaugas. Mindaugas agreed to be baptized in 1253 (crowning himself “King of Lithuania”) to win the support of the Baltic military orders and face the invasion of Lithuania by an alliance promoted by his relatives, between the Archbishopric of Riga and the Slavs of Galizia. . Once the war was over, he expelled the Christian clergy. Moved by the success of the war, they united the unconquered pagan peoples and led them against the crusader forces at Durbe (c. 1260), reaping a resounding success. However, the capture of Konigsberg (c. 1262) and his assassination (c. 1263) turned his previous successes into a storm surge. The Teutons advanced to the current Lithuanian border, subjugating the Baltic peoples of present-day Poland: the Curonians in 1267, the Prussians in 1274, and the Semigalians in 1290.

The period between 1290 and 1383 is a boom period for Lithuania as a state. It supposes the triumph over its traditional enemies. However, the price paid by Lithuanians is very high. From 1290 the pagan practices began to decline significantly and towards 1316 paganism only survived in some nuclei. There is the fact that it survives with more force in the Court than among the people. Traditional beliefs are the banner used by Lithuanian leaders to ensure their independence and justify their policies.

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Summer Solstice Celebration

nbadmin — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 23:11:46 +0000

Summer Solstice Celebration

LATVIA

Over the centuries, the summer solstice has strongly associated with feasts and pagan rituals as well as with fertility, growth, and light. The old traditions are still alive and each year thousands of people in the Baltic States are going to the countryside to celebrate the longest day and the shortest night of the year.
Join for festivity and the double celebration – on 21st of June when locals are celebrating the astronomical summer solstice by old traditions and rituals like making wildflower wreaths, decorating homes, making bonfires, singing traditional songs, foretelling the future and looking for the fern flower, and on 23rd of June – when joyful celebrations called “Līgo” with more modern singing is taking the place in Riga on the river bank of Daugava River near President`s Castle.
Discover the beauty of nature, ancient traditions and the true spirit of Latvia.

Tour Highlights:

Celebrations according to ancient traditions in the countryside on 21st of June
Making wildflower wreaths
Foretelling the future
Looking for the fern flower
Tasting midsummer cheese and enjoying local beer
Joyful celebrations on 23rd of June at Riga
Songs and dances
Riga Sightseeing with traditional market area in Dome Square
Jurmala Sightseeing
Sigulda Sightseeing

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Baltic History

nbadmin — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 22:49:25 +0000

History

The origins of the Baltic capitals date back to the 13th-14th centuries, and the magnificent old towns of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius are UNESCO-protected hidden treasures of European medieval architecture. Step 700 years back in time and take a walking tour with private guide around these charming old towns’ atmospheric lanes. Arrange for special visits to some of the medieval landmarks, such as the Gediminas Castle in Vilnius, the Dome Cathedral in Riga and the Medieval Town Hall in Tallinn.

Tour Highlights:

Guided city tours of Vilnius – Riga – Tallinn
Visit to Trakai, Sigulda and Turaida castles
Visit to Rundale and Kadriorg Palaces
Visit to Estonian Open Air museum and Turaida museum reserve
Visit to KGB museum in Riga
3 countries and 7 cities

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Taste of Baltic Cuisine

nbadmin — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 22:29:44 +0000

Lithuania-Latvia-Estonia

Try some of the Baltic countries’ culinary extravaganzas! Taste genuine Tallinn marzipan at the oldest marzipan café in Europe with a cup of gourmet coffee. Visit the old pavilions of Riga Central Market, the largest covered market in Europe and sample traditional Latvian food: black breads, cheeses and fish specialties, or visit one of the many boutique confectionaries in the Old Town. And enter a genuine tavern in Vilnius to enjoy traditional Lithuanian beer snacks accompanied by a pint of chilled black beer.

Tour Highlights:

Guided city tours of Vilnius – Riga – Tallinn
Visit oldest marzipan café in Europe with a cup of gourmet coffee in Tallinn
Visit the old pavilions of Riga Central Market, the largest covered market in Europe
Tasting traditional cheese and enjoying local beer
Visit the homegrown berry and fruit wine makers in Sigulda
Suggestions of selected best restaurants in every city

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