Jul 1, 2018 - State Day & 100 Yrs of Freedom in Riga

A day to use as we please. Suggestions include imbibing a lot of food (dairy products, pastries (savoury and sweet), local beer or visit Jurmala - coastal villages with long sandy beaches and the ethnographic museum of wooden architecture. Hanza Hotel. Started a little later than usual with nearly just us ie the group, for hotel breakfast. A dull, overcast and very windy, cold day (maximum 13o whilst 30o in London). Sue and I walked to the canal boat which took us out but not on to the Daugava River as it was too rough (for a reduced...

Jun 30, 2018 - Exploring Riga

Despite a third of Latvia's population being in Riga, the most important sites are in a small area best explored on foot. It's a beautiful Hanseatic city on the banks of the Daugava River with a fascinating skyline of spires, towers and weather vanes. We will visit the Freedom Monument, Gunpowder Tower, St Jacob's Church and the cathedral. Lots of restoration in recent years so gothic buildings are juxtaposed with baroque architecture together with art nouveau reflect affluence. Also a lively market with traditional produce eg smoked fish,...

Jun 29, 2018 - On to Latvia

We travel through a protestant influenced area (German legacy from the Crusaders). Following the Holy Wars in C13th in North Africa, the Knights of the Sword were sent to convert the Baltic people. Some of the most attractive scenery with lots of rivers, forests and lakes: also rich in archaelogical sites, farm land and quiet villages. Visiting ruins of C13th Order of Knight's Castle in Cesis in the Gauja National Park, as well as the gothic tower of the Church of St John (also C13th). Possible visit to Sigulda Castle, a formidable knights'...

Jun 20, 2018 - More juicy art nouveau in Jurmala, Latvia

During our awesome free walking tour of Riga, our guide highly recommended a day trip to Jurmala. (Side note: These free walking tours are quickly becoming a thing in major cities. Fran and I always inquire about them, google them, and take them whenever we can. The price is free with the expectation that a nice tip, like US$7-10pp, is appropriate if the guide is good. We've generally loved them with only one bad experience, in Transnistria, Moldova.) Train information can be readily obtained (in English) from the information center in...

Jun 16, 2018 - Rambunctious Riga

Preparing for our taxi to the airport at 4 am, I zipped up my backpack all too easily. What? I did a double take. The entire seam had ripped open between the fabric and the zipper, leaving about a five inch gap. Arg! What to do?? I managed to locate our sewing kit, and spent the next 20 minutes frantically stitching up the hole, finishing just as I heard the taxi driving up the street. Will it hold up on the plane? How will the rest of the seams bear up? I did NOT want to deal with all of this so early in the morning. Pre-coffee....

Sep 28, 2017 - Kolka - Northeast Latvia

Day 18 - Thursday 28th September Woke up early to a very misty morning which stayed that way. We set off at 8am to explore Riga wandering along the riverside promenade. We made our way to the main square to the Information office but had to wait till it opened at 9am. We were helped there by a heavily tattooed young lady who spoke excellent English. There didn't look like there was very much to see apart from a few churches & buildings of note. We headed off to the Central Market which was massive. Apart from a very large open area full of...

Sep 27, 2017 - Riga

A completely free day in Riga. Started by catching the trolleybus to the Riga Central markets which is the second largest market in Europe and housed in four Zeppelin hangars. Was blown away by the berry & mushroom selection -especially the plump, juicy raspberries at 2.50 Euro for half a kilo. Wandered back through the Old Town and then to the Art Nouveau district. Went into the Art Nouveau Museum, which has an apartment restored to how it was in 1903

Sep 27, 2017 - Riga- Capital Of Latvia

Day 17 - Wednesday 27th September Once again we were the only campers there. We haven't seen a motorhome since we left Vilnius. We were up early as usual & after a shower in the main building we spent a couple of hours wandering round the forest ski & bike trails, picking up a few geocaches along the way. Really lovely & peaceful with the early morning sun coming through the trees. The mushroom pickers would have had a field day as the ground was littered with various types. Would have picked some ourselves if we had known which were the...

Sep 26, 2017 - Tallinn to Riga

Travelled from Tallinn to Riga by luxury coach this morning. In the afternoon went on a guided tour of Riga for a couple of hours. Riga was founded in 1201 and has been occupied by a number of different nations which has influenced it's history & architecture. Tried Latvia's National drink (when in Riga...), Black Balsam - tasted like cough medicine!

Sep 22, 2017 - Northeast Latvia

Day 12 - Friday 22nd September Heavy overnight rain & thunderstorms followed by windy dawn. Up early again & on our way to Latvia, crossing the border after about 20 miles. No real difference in scenery, mostly forests. Roads appear a bit poorer than Lithuania where, in turn, the roads were a bit poorer than in Poland. Still getting 4G mobile phone signal which is making life a lot easier. No extra cost now in Europe for calls & data within contract allowance which is really great. How come these poorer countries can provide far better...

Sep 21, 2017 - Leaving Lithuania

Day 11 - Thursday 21st September Weather forecast not so good so we decided to head back into the city to see a bit more. Unfortunately the rain came earlier than forecast so we only had time to climb to the top of the big hill overlooking the city to visit the Three Crosses monument. Quite an uphill trek but we made it but then the rain came so we gave up on the sightseeing & decided to head back, pack up & move on as the rain had really set in for the day. We set off North towards Latvia & the rain persisted all day. Fairly easy route out...

Sep 1, 2017 - Riga, Latvia

Before I talk about Latvia, I will note that three months and 13 countries later I only have two stamps in my passport. Why is this? The Schengen Agreement. Had to look this one up. It's an agreement of 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other border controls. So people can move freely between countries. True, the Swedish and Norwegian customs people questioned us, but I believe that was more for customs issues like bringing in tobacco or alcohol for resale or drugs. The bus ride through both Estonia and Latvia was...