Overview:
Get the best of both worlds in Latvia by combining a city break in Riga with a relaxing country holiday. Explore the Old Town of Riga on foot, taking in the fabulous architecture and trendy shops and restaurants.
Then head off to the country side and explore the forests, hills and rivers by boat, on horseback, foot or bike. Quietly paddle along on the Gauja River and you'll come across beaver dams, sandstone cliffs and deer.
Package price from £795 per person based on availability and two people sharing a standard twin or double room.
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Departure |
All year
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Daily |
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Riga
Depart the UK and arrive at Riga airport. A private car will drive you to your 4-star hotel in the city centre, where you'll have a chance to do a bit of exploring in the Old Town.
Day 2: Riga Sightseeing
Take a guided sightseeing tour of Riga and its wonderful Old Town, and learn about the city's rich history. Take a break from history lessons and visit LIDO recreation centre, one of the biggest log buildings in Europe. It's the place where Latvian culture and old cooking traditions go hand in hand. You'll be able to enjoy traditional Latvian food and get a real taste of Latvia! There is also a special play area for kids.
Day 3-6: Latvian Countryside - Cesis or Marciena
Take the train from Riga and enjoy the scenery on your trip to Cesis, a beautiful, historic town (55 miles from Riga) or Madona (85 miles from Riga). Check in to your hotel or guest house. Rental cars or a private transfer by car can also be arranged.
Here are some suggested activities for your stay at Cesis. We can book most activities in advance for you, but if you want more flexibility, you can book them through your hotel or the local tourist centre.
- Take a guided sightseeing walk in Cesis and visit the old stone castle of the Livonian Order, as well as the cathedral, castle park, and many historic squares of the town. Enjoy the stories about the medieval history of the town.
- Enjoy horseback ridding on scenic trails for very affordable prices.
- Take a guided raft trip down the Gauja River and view the scenic landscapes and unspoiled nature of the Gauja Valley.
- Take a guided walk through one of the many nature trails in Gauja National Park.
- Picnic in the flowery meadows or on the banks of the river.
Here are some suggested activities for your stay in Madona.
- Enjoy year round relaxation at Marciena Manor spa facilities and fitness hall: different body care procedures that use only natural products or bio cosmetics, massages, real country sauna and hot tub outside on the terrace.
- In summer you'll be able to play croquet, mini golf, volleyball, badminton, explore nature trails, do Nordic walking, cycling, rowing a boat, fishing and swimming in the lake. Children have a playground with swings and a doll house.
- In winter you can rent skates for the ice skating rink, hockey sticks, skis (there is a 3 km track at the Manor or in nearby Madona city there is a 10 km international level lighted cross country skiing track), sledges, play billiard, table hockey, novuss (koroona), swim in the pool, and you can always sit at the fireplace and enjoy white winter scenery outside the window.
- Downhill skiing with equipment hire at Gaizinkalns and Lido Hill.
Day 7: Return to the capital
Return to Riga by train (or private car) and check into a centrally located 4-star hotel. Evening in Riga at your leisure.
Day 8: Departure from Riga
Private transfer to Riga airport and depart for UK.
Package Includes:
- Direct flights from London or other UK airport to Riga
- Private airport transfers in Riga
- 3 nights accommodation in centrally located 4* hotel in Riga such as Hotel Gutenbergs
- 4 nights accommodation in 3* Hotel Kolonna in Cesis or Marciena Manor in Madona region
- Breakfast at the hotels
- All taxes
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Car Rental
You can rent a car, as long as you have a valid EU or international driver's license. Most cars will have manual transmission.
Transportation
Railway mostly serves domestic routes and is used as an easy and quick way to get from the capital to major cities of the country. There are some international routes, like to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but time spent on the way will be quite long.
Buses are one of the most convenient ways to travel between the Baltic States. Eurolines will get you between Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. One way tickets will cost £ 15 - £ 20 and approximate travel time is 5 hours between the cities. Ticket reservations in advance are recommended.
Taxis are the quickest and most convenient way of travelling round the city. You'll find them located close to the main hotels. Usually it's quite easy to catch a taxi on the street, however, it's much better and safer to order one by phone. Taxi costs in all of the Baltic countries and Poland are approximately the same and a ride in the centre of the city will cost you approx £ 5 - £ 7. Taxis in Finland and Russia are considerably more expensive. It is always a good idea to get your hotel to book a taxi for you and ask approximately how much the trip will cost before you get in.
We would not recommend you to take public transportation within the city, as it's usually crowded and it may cause you unnecessary anxiety about where to stop.