Riga

·         There are certain local rules and traditions applicable in every country, make sure you adhere to it.

·         Do not indulge in any fight or brawl with any individual.

·         Do not flaunt your valuables in a public space.

·         Make sure you are always alert and active.

·         Gather enough information about every destination you are traveling to.

·         Avoid undertaking a hike to an unknown destination.

·         Do not leave your valuables or cash in the hotel room.

·         Keep away from the touts.

·         Do not get involved in drugs of any forms.

·         If you come across any foreigner in torn clothes or anyone who seems suspicious to you, make sure you avoid eye contact and try and get away from that situation.

·         In case ever need any help, be gentle and seek help from the locals.

·         To better interact with the locals, it is important for you to learn few words from the local language. 

·         Always take a room in the hotel that is known and famous.

·         Make sure your hotel is not located in any shady area.

·         Do not click pictures in an area that forbids you from taking pictures.

·         Do not film or shoot any area without legal permissions from the authority. 

The legal age for drinking in Riga is 18 years. 

Situated in the center of Riga on Freedom Boulevard near the old town of Riga. The Freedom Monument is a memorial built to honor soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence. The monument stands 42 meters tall and it was open to the public in 1935. It is built using granite, travertine, and copper. People here consider it as an important symbol of the freedom, independence, and sovereignty of Latvia. Every year people gather to mark the tribute to soldiers killed in the war of Independence. It also serves as a point of public gathering during official ceremonies. Such monuments make Riga an ideal place to spend your holidays.

Formerly known as Vermanes, Latvian garden is the oldest public garden in Riga city. The garden is spread across 12 hectares of land and was initially inaugurated as Wöhrmann Park on 8 June 1817. The garden has exotic trees, a rose garden, and restaurant. You will also find flower parterres, exotic trees and bushes such as honey Locust, Japanese angelica tree, Copper beech and even Fernleaf European beech. Another kind of trees that are found here include American maple, Black Locust and Japanese bigleaf among several others.

St. James's Cathedral, also known by locals as Cathedral Basilica of St. James is the Roman Catholic cathedral located directly opposite the House of the Livonian Noble Corporation. It was dedicated to St. James the great in 1225. The cathedral is a part of the Old Riga UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was not originally built as a cathedral but at the beginning of the 15th century, the church was transformed into a basilica. It also became the second German-language Lutheran church in Riga in 1522. St. James cathedral is one of the most beautiful places to see in Riga.

Centrs is a district in Riga where you can find historic monuments, churches, and museums. Visit Freedom monument, one of the most popular tourist places in Riga. The monument is a tribute to soldiers who died during Latvia's war of Independence. At Alberta and Elizabetes streets, you will find various building based on Art Nouveau architectural design. Nearby is a Kobe clock gifted by Kobe city to mark the Independence celebrations. Learn about Latvia's war of independence and Latvia’s culture by visiting some of the museums that include Museum Jews in Latvia, National Museum of art and KGB building among others. Other places to visit in Centrs are Riga orthodox cathedral and St. Gertrude Old Church.

If you love to explore historical buildings and marvels of architecture in different cities of the world, the Blackheads House will be the perfect addition to your must visit places. It was built in the year 1344 and the intention of building it was to make it a veritable fraternity house. However, the Soviets had destroyed it and an exact replica of the same was built in the year 2001 which was coincidentally the 800th birthday of Riga. At times, it is also the temporary home of the President of Latvia and at those times, tourists are not allowed to fully explore the house.

This is one of the most recommended places to visit in Riga by travel agents as well as local tour guides. It is the same place where the Russian tzar army used to keep their weapons during the war. There is a fleet of massive wooden stairs right at the back of the hall which look magnificent. You can see that the hall boasts of modern architecture which look simple yet has a funky element to it, a combination very difficult to find. People fascinated by good architecture will love the exhibition hall. 

Riga is a wonderful place where you can indulge in several adventurous sports activities and has best time of your life. Local tours and travels company organizes these popular activities that include bobsledding, AK-47 shooting, bungee jumping from a cable car and scenic flights. They also offer you other great activities like canoeing, kayaking, go-karting, golfing, paintball, husky dog sledding, indoor skydiving and driving a 4x4 off-road.

You can participate in various beach activities with your friends and families at some of the popular beaches in Riga. Kipsala Island across the Shroud Bridge from the city center and Lucavsalas atp?tas parks across Karla Ulmana, east of the city center are two different beaches where you indulge in fun sports. Play beach volleyball with your friends or build a sand castle with your kids. One can also take part in watersports activities like snorkeling, jet-skiing, scuba diving, swimming and also canoeing.

Riga offers its visitors with a variety of products to choose from. Buy items like amber, wool mittens and socks in the central mark from little stands. Small Christmas market is set up during Christmas season in the main square of the old town which has lots of festive fares and hot wine to offer. Riga Market is the most famous market in Latvia where you can avail fresh food and it is also a good place especially during summer where you can buy fresh local fruit and vegetables. Central Market is an excellent place to buy fresh meat, dairy and the occasional counterfeit goods, and souvenirs.

Riga is the most vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers delicious dishes, both local and international cuisines. Lots of potato, beef, fish and pork is used in Latvian cuisine. There are many foreign cuisines and sushi restaurants where you can taste fusion dishes. You can also try a variety of soups including borscht and the very popular Latvian cold beetroot soup, chicken breasts, fish and red meat. Blinis is another specialty here. Also, there are a various cafeteria that serves a different type of coffees so if you are a coffee lover, you can make the most out of your stay by tasting varieties of coffee here.

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