Riga’s Christmas market will bewitch you! Unlike any other towns, Riga will touch your feelings with its warm and cozy atmosphere. Riga, the multicultural capital of Latvia is the gem of the Baltic States proudly standing at the mouth of the River Daugava. Located at the juncture of trading routes, Riga welcomed Russian, Polish, Swedish and Hanseatic merchants for well over 800 years. So you are next! Since olden times, Riga has been a city with rich cultural life so no wonder it was promoted to European Capital of Culture in 2014. Renown for trade and culture, Riga and its city streets will allow you to gather new impressions related to the past and present, east and west, grandiose and intimate. The Christmas market will fill you with opportunities to meet friendly local people eager to share with you the national Laima chocolate, the local smoked meat, Baltic Sea herrings as well as the national liqueur, the famous Black Balsam. Be ready to get a great taste of Latvia!
Small groups: Max. 16 guests in the group. Min. booking of 2 guests.
Day 1
Thursday: Arrival in Riga
Arrival in Riga, optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija 4*, check-in; welcome meeting, optiona l welcome dinner at hotel.
Day 2
Friday: Riga
Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds, the Freedom Monument and Riga History and Navigation Museum. The tour ends at the Old Town Hall Square where we join the bustle of the traditional Christmas Market and shop for unique gifts. The afternoon offers an optional tour to Riga Art Nouveau district and a visit to the Art Nouveau Museum. In the evening we attend a ballet or opera performance at the Latvian National Opera or the European Christmas Festival.
Day 3
Saturday: Riga
The morning offers on optional tour to Riga Motor Museum. Riga Motor Museum roots lay in the Antique Automobile Club of Latvia traditions, member enthusiasm and passion towards antique vehicles as an aesthetic value and part of cultural heritage. The optional guided shopping tour in the afternoon will take us to interior decoration and design stores, art galleries and fashion boutiques in the Old Town with the main focus on local brands and artists. En route we enjoy a warm cup of coffee with Latvian Christmas pastry at a cosy café. In the evening an optional farewell dinner at the elegant Restaurant Kalku Varti is on offer.
Day 4
Sunday: Riga Departure
Optional transfer to airport.
