Midsummer Holidays in Latvia
Day 1
Arrival in Riga
Arrival in Riga, optional transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Ridzene*****, check-in; welcome meeting
Optional welcome dinner at hotel.
Overnight stay in Riga
Optional welcome dinner at hotel.
Overnight stay in Riga
Day 2
Riga
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning guided tour to the traditional open-air Green Market located in the heart of Old Town at the Dome Square, cheerful Līgo! atmosphere and local products and handcraft from all over Latvia will be displayed on long tables and stalls. Light linen clothing and aprons, lace hats and shirts, amber jewelry and wooden spoons - all that is needed for Līgo! Vendors will offer impressive flower bunches full of sweet-scent local flowers and plants, as well as crowns made of oak leaves to be presented to every Jānis, who celebrates his name day at Midsummer Solstice. Latvian traditional cheese made of caraway or other spices, tasty goat cheese, glazed bacon-filled pies, golden honey, freshly-smoked meat, sausages and fish will also be on sale. In the afternoon optional sightseeing tour “Wooden Riga” a story filled with history, memories and great examples of wooden architecture situated in different parts in Riga like Pardaugava, fishermen’s houses of former fisherman`s village Kipsala, Maskavas District so called “Maskachka” and romantic wooden structures of Grīziņkalns.
Overnight stay in Riga.
In the morning guided tour to the traditional open-air Green Market located in the heart of Old Town at the Dome Square, cheerful Līgo! atmosphere and local products and handcraft from all over Latvia will be displayed on long tables and stalls. Light linen clothing and aprons, lace hats and shirts, amber jewelry and wooden spoons - all that is needed for Līgo! Vendors will offer impressive flower bunches full of sweet-scent local flowers and plants, as well as crowns made of oak leaves to be presented to every Jānis, who celebrates his name day at Midsummer Solstice. Latvian traditional cheese made of caraway or other spices, tasty goat cheese, glazed bacon-filled pies, golden honey, freshly-smoked meat, sausages and fish will also be on sale. In the afternoon optional sightseeing tour “Wooden Riga” a story filled with history, memories and great examples of wooden architecture situated in different parts in Riga like Pardaugava, fishermen’s houses of former fisherman`s village Kipsala, Maskavas District so called “Maskachka” and romantic wooden structures of Grīziņkalns.
Overnight stay in Riga.
Day 3
Riga
Breakfast at the hotel.
The optional excursion of this day takes us along the lower Daugava coastal line. Right before Ligo! one becomes closer to nature and its belief that herbs obtain magic power during the shortest night, by visiting a small natural herb cosmetics production in Kegums get an impression of numerous different herbs and its healing and therapeutic qualities, and try some too. Products created here are inspired by pine forests and folk music of Latvia –essential oils, mixtures of herbs, flower extracts and other products made from herbs picked in local forests by hand in different times of year, when each of herb has its time, later to explore more of natural secrets common in Latvia, you will have a possibility to try birch made vine at Libertu vinery. Birch tree is one of the most common trees in Latvia and its juices have been a well-known for centuries by its positive influence on health.
Overnight stay in Riga.
The optional excursion of this day takes us along the lower Daugava coastal line. Right before Ligo! one becomes closer to nature and its belief that herbs obtain magic power during the shortest night, by visiting a small natural herb cosmetics production in Kegums get an impression of numerous different herbs and its healing and therapeutic qualities, and try some too. Products created here are inspired by pine forests and folk music of Latvia –essential oils, mixtures of herbs, flower extracts and other products made from herbs picked in local forests by hand in different times of year, when each of herb has its time, later to explore more of natural secrets common in Latvia, you will have a possibility to try birch made vine at Libertu vinery. Birch tree is one of the most common trees in Latvia and its juices have been a well-known for centuries by its positive influence on health.
Overnight stay in Riga.
Day 4
Riga
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning join the full day optional excursion of two most beautiful castles in Latvian region Zemgale, including excursion to Rundale Palace ensembles, one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo architecture in Latvia, was built between 1736 and 1740 as a summer residence for Ernst Johann Biron, Duke of Courland and a favorite of the Russian Empress Anna Ioannovna, designed by the Russian court architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Further sightseeing of this day leads to Mežotne Palace - one of the brightest examples of classicism architecture in Latvia, in the distant past Mežotne was a stronghold of ancient Semigallians, but the history of the Mežotne manor dates back to the era of Duke Jacob in the middle of the 17th century. The present building of Mežotne Palace was constructed from 1797 to 1802 according to the design of Italian architect Giaccomo Quarenghi.
Overnight stay in Riga.
In the morning join the full day optional excursion of two most beautiful castles in Latvian region Zemgale, including excursion to Rundale Palace ensembles, one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo architecture in Latvia, was built between 1736 and 1740 as a summer residence for Ernst Johann Biron, Duke of Courland and a favorite of the Russian Empress Anna Ioannovna, designed by the Russian court architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Further sightseeing of this day leads to Mežotne Palace - one of the brightest examples of classicism architecture in Latvia, in the distant past Mežotne was a stronghold of ancient Semigallians, but the history of the Mežotne manor dates back to the era of Duke Jacob in the middle of the 17th century. The present building of Mežotne Palace was constructed from 1797 to 1802 according to the design of Italian architect Giaccomo Quarenghi.
Overnight stay in Riga.
Day 5
Riga
Breakfast at the hotel.
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 and the Freedom Monument. The tour ends at the Riga Central Market situated in 5 pavilions which roofing was actually constructed using old zeppelin hangars. Afternoon at disposal to enjoy more of the Līgo! spirit in the Old Town. In the evening attend Latvian National Theatre for most famous traditional play Skroderdienas Silmacos.
Overnight stay in 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 and the Freedom Monument. The tour ends at the Riga Central Market situated in 5 pavilions which roofing was actually constructed using old zeppelin hangars. Afternoon at disposal to enjoy more of the Līgo! spirit in the Old Town. In the evening attend Latvian National Theatre for most famous traditional play Skroderdienas Silmacos.
Overnight stay in Riga.
Day 6
Riga
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, optional visit to Riga Art Nouveaux district is offered including the Art Nouveaux museum. In the afternoon optional visit to fisherman village Ragaciems to taste recently smoked fish from fresh catch with local dark bread and beer and on the way back enjoy leisure time on the beach or stroll along the promenade in the vibrant Latvian sea resort Jurmala. Back in Riga in the evening you have a great opportunity to experience real Midsummer and Ligo! spirit you may join the shortest night celebration at Dzeguzkalns - one of the parks over the bridge. The celebration features various Līgo! rituals like garland making, fortune-telling, jumping over bonfires, singing Līgo! songs and dancing Līgo! dances until dawn.
Overnight stay in Riga.
In the morning, optional visit to Riga Art Nouveaux district is offered including the Art Nouveaux museum. In the afternoon optional visit to fisherman village Ragaciems to taste recently smoked fish from fresh catch with local dark bread and beer and on the way back enjoy leisure time on the beach or stroll along the promenade in the vibrant Latvian sea resort Jurmala. Back in Riga in the evening you have a great opportunity to experience real Midsummer and Ligo! spirit you may join the shortest night celebration at Dzeguzkalns - one of the parks over the bridge. The celebration features various Līgo! rituals like garland making, fortune-telling, jumping over bonfires, singing Līgo! songs and dancing Līgo! dances until dawn.
Overnight stay in Riga.
Day 7
Riga
Breakfast at the hotel.
The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida, and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. In the afternoon optional visit to Ethnographical Open Air Museum is offered, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. In the evening an optional farewell dinner at the elegant Restaurant La Boheme is on offer.
Overnight stay in Riga.
The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida, and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. In the afternoon optional visit to Ethnographical Open Air Museum is offered, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. In the evening an optional farewell dinner at the elegant Restaurant La Boheme is on offer.
Overnight stay in Riga.
Day 8
Departure from Riga
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out and transfer to Riga airport.
Check out and transfer to Riga airport.