72 Moments in Latvia
During my visit to Finland, I had the chance to attend a 72 hour post visit to Latvia due to this Blogger Experience, that I was invited to talk about YouTube videos.
Riga
Climb St. Peters Church
Sigulda
See the Central Market
If you don’t know about Latvia, it is one of the three Baltic countries, along with Estonia and Lithuania, that border Russia, Belarus and Poland.
Malpils Manor
Watch Riga out of its Bridges
Latvia has been in my bucket list. I wanted to perform all three countries in a road trip but not found the perfect opportunity. When my friends in NBE Finland, asked me that post trip I needed Latvia was immediately chosen by me. It also indicated my 68th country!
See the House of Blackheads
It was a short flight with AirBaltic from Helsinki to Riga.
AirBaltic is the official airline of Latvia and 24 countries are connected over by it. It was the ideal method to offer a flavor of what this nation has to offer you to me although I originally thought we would not have time to see Latvia in 72 hours. We visited three destinations, Riga (the capital) Sigulda and Malpils. This is everything we failed in 72 hours at Latvia in the event you contemplating moving.
Try Nearby Food and Beer in Trompete
Riga is beautiful! The center isn’t huge but it has a bunch of items do and to see. In the central marketplace, to looking several local craft beers and even climbing St. Peters church to get extraordinary views over the city.
Eat Contemporary Latvian Cuisine in Valtera
We had around 24 hours to research Riga, I’d suggest at least 48-72 in the event that you would like to experience it more in depth and in a slower rate. If you’re a photographer like I am, then you want to give yourself plenty of time to get some amazing shots.
Sigulda Medieval Castle Ruins
Here are things you must see, do and eat in Riga!
Make Baltic Jewelry
St. Peters Church is the most well-known building in Riga and in addition, it provides visitors with the very best perspective of their capital. The original Gothic tower was developed in the 15th century, but collapsed in 1666 before being rebuilt from 1690 in Baroque design.
Bobsleigh and Luge Track
It was once the wooden structure in the Earth, but in 1721 it was struck by lightning and it burned down. In 1967, the Russian Tsar Peter I commission the construction of a new tower in its place.
Cross Country Skiing
The tower is an impressive 123.25 meters in height and also contains a clock that just has one hand — a Latvian tradition. In addition, it comprises the bells that play with the folk song’Riga dimd’ five times per day as well as indicating the hours.
Latvian Sauna at Ezeri Spa Hotel
For all those of you who don’t enjoy walking up too many measures to get epic opinions, you are in luck. This tower is reachable by elevator. For that which I consider to be a must visit for anyone 19, you are taken 72 meters over Riga by them.
The church itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Riga’s Central Market is a very place to explore. It’s found a few hundred meters from the city on the banks of the river Daugava, very close to the international bus terminal and the central railway station. It is one of over 80,000 folks and the largest marketplaces in Eastern Europe shop there every day!
The marketplace’s remarkable buildings were initially built in the 1920s. Whereas the warehouses were made in an arts and entertainment center they were later transformed into the present food pavilions.
Central Market is where to go if you wish to try out a selection of homemade products but also for manufactured items, so it’s much like a modern shopping center. You can also enjoy the Night Market that is also known as the’Round the Clock’ Farmer’s Market in the event that you decide you want something to eat in the middle of the night. Shoppers can do their shopping between 5pm and 10pmand outside those hours it’s available for wholesale only.
My group and I went on to try various foods and drinks. We were with how cheap everything was really surprised. I especially liked the fish section, where there is caviar for the days!
To find the city, its best. We crossed Akmens Tilts were named by the bridge that was centre. From there we can see all sides of Riga. As you’ve got enormous chunks of ice floating in the lake during winter, it is an extra special view. If you get there during an extremely cold week that the river may be frozen.
I’d propose heading inland to find some fantastic pictures, As soon as you cross the bridge. There’s a photo opportunity at each corner. I’d suggest bringing an extra-long lens like a Canon 70 — 200 m, that I leased to acquire close because it is pretty far away.
To come back to Riga you return on Akmens Tilts, or you also cross Vansu Tilts for another angle. This may take around 2 hours while stopping for photos to perform the walk.
These are the most legendary buildings in Riga! The original buildings were constructed by German merchants in the 14th century, but then it was completely destroyed during WWII. The buildings were rebuilt between 1999 and 1995.
The construction was used a gentlemen’s club for wealthy single merchants from the Blackheads Society and their journeymen. Many of these were of warrior and they traveled across the Earth, bringing back goods that are exotic. They also had to take care of pirates and robbers so that they chose St. Maurice since their patron saint, that was traditionally exhibited wearing black knight’s armor which resulted in their name.
You can visit the House of Blackheads and visit a range of exhibits as well as things left by previous members including snuffboxes, silverware and pottery. There’s a replica of the Statue of Roland, initially in St. Peter’s Church.
Trompete means’trumpet’ in Latvian and is a music pub and restaurant that offers quality produce as well as foods. Everything is served to the sounds of jazz music along with the restaurant is well famous for its wines, whiskies and rums. It is beside the Salt Carrier’s Guild construction.
I began my meal with a game and beetroot soup, then chicken liver wrapped in bacon along with a catfish fillet to end the meal. The food has been fresh and flavorful! I tried Valmiermuizas dark beer, because I heard that Latvian beer was out of this world delicious.
Valmiermuzias is a old world kind of beer that came from the early Swedes who once occupied the area at the Livonian age. There are several styles for example even a beer cocktail that combines and a quince and the beer together, wheat beer and the dark one I tried of this beer available.
Valtera is Your Latvian restaurant that serves Modern Latvian cuisines using Latvian products.
The feel of this location echoes that, looking like an elegant country manor with the staff greeting you like you’re an old friend, instead of a first-time client.
The menu is ever-changing as new products are recorded and this also makes it the sort of place you experience something different and still could visit.
We started off with trout-tartar, and a palate cleanser, followed by a bass, veal cheeks, and dessert has been their take on a cheesecake. They paired wines that were various and of the dishes together. It felt as though I was eating in a Michelin Star restaurant in Latvia. Since it’s one of the most popular restaurants in Riga I recommend you reserve your table in advance!
Sigulda is a town in Gauje National Park.
It is the largest park in Latvia and also one of the best places to experience winter activities. The park has views of the Gauja River, as well as areas and plenty of glimpses back in the past.
Sigulda made from red sandstone and is frequently known as the’Switzerland of Vidzeme’.
This is only one of the most well-known castles in Latvia. It was developed in the 13th century from the Livonian Brothers of the Sword a castellum type fortress and was shifted into a convent style for. It passed into the Livonian Order and became their Land Marshall’s home in 1432.
The home became a private residence, and it has seen renovation, even as lately as 2012 if a European Union project assisted with the job. Most of the castle is in ruins, except for the main gate, each of which may be climbed and the northern tower.
We were given a lesson in archery. The archer brought out a bow that they used throughout the 13th century to reveal how difficult it must have been to go to war. I was able to shoot off a couple somehow although it wasn’t easy to take the arrow.
Right in front of the entrance to Sigulda’s castle there is a shop . Jewellery is created by this family run firm. They utilize motifs and symbols from ancient jewellery to create their designs that are contemporary.
Some of their collections include trees and sun symbols, as well as symbols and duplicates of ancient bracelets and brooches.
They showed us the way they create and create layouts, and now it was our turn. I believed it was going to be much simpler than it was. I caught a round shaped instrument and the hammer and began going in it. It was really fun hoping to design jewellery, although after a few minutes I realized I wasn’t made for this.
This is in fact an activity I thought about doing for a little while, ever since I watched the film Cool Runnings. I had to go to a destination with a track. The track has been available and it’s one of the few tracks.
The track is 1200 meters and contains 16 curves. In addition to the bobsleigh, there is also a summertime bob — a bobsleigh on brakes and it is also used for skeleton contests. Luge contests are held annually and an ice start estacode was added in 2008.
You are able to opt to go to a bobsled or you could go to a sled that doesn’t hit the speeds. I made the decision to perform the bobsled, I was seeking to feel that the legitimate g-force. Before putting to the sled if anyone has neck issues they asked, and blessed I really don’t. The journey was amazing! It was certain adrenaline although it lasted about 1 second.
I love skiing! It’s in fact one of my favourite activities in the world. But cross-country ski a little different. Since its terrain is ideal for this, latvia is renowned for its cross-country ski, but they have slopes in some specific regions of the country. We seen Sigulda Sports and Activity Leisure Centre.
Activity Leisure Centre and sigulda Sports has a refrigerated ski trail that opens in autumn. It is 1.25 m long and 4 m wide with the maximum vertical ascent being 11m.
The heating system usually means that there is always a coating of snow, regardless of the weather conditions. It can also be used for Nordic walking along with other activities in addition to this cross-country skiing.
I would suggest getting a teacher for a hour to teach the fundamentals to you, When you have never done ski. I dropped a bunch of times and didn’t do this. You are able to hire ski gear in the center and there are instructor services to employ. There are shower and numerous sauna facilities in the service construction.
Therefore I believed sauna would be similar, I experienced a classic sauna upward in the Kuusamo area in Finland along with Ruka but it was different. Obviously, the basics will be the same — then go over to a icy pond to cool down your body and get really sexy in a sauna.
Fundamentally Latvians taking the heating procedure to an additional level! Latvians have an incredible means of getting sexy, by using a herb master push steam on the human body with herbs and leaves. It made absolute sense when they did it now although it sounded strange to me.
The procedure went like this: We went to the sauna for so long as we can we piled off for a little. The herb master fanned steam on my body and took me straight back in After I was prepared. It got really hot really. After I could not take it anymore, he chased me out.
Once you walk out you don’t feel chilly in the negative degree temperature. My body was on fire, and the only thing that could heal it was to head in the ice. I went in for the fifth time on this excursion, and it felt really good!
After 30 seconds in the ice, I made outside and was escorted into a seat which I could put on. The herb master allow you to set there for 10 + minutes and covers you with tons of blankets.
It’s a out of body experience unlike any other! A natural high that they say is very good for your wellbeing, and I believe it is because after I was done I felt really relaxed.
Malpils is a little city about 20-minutes driveway south of Sigulda, 1-hour and from Riga. We had the chance. This manor dates back to 1720 and is.
Upon our arrival we discovered that we would be cooking our lunch with the head chef Aija Gabr?ne who is the top chef in the country. The best chef award was won by her.
Every member of my group has been assigned another task to prepare the food including marinating venison, making poached eggs, as well as making shapes.
Once we completed preparing the meals, we headed to dinner at which we had a dinner with wine pairing. Also although amazing wines tried from all over the world had the chance to try out some beers!
It felt as though I was in the center of a manor that has been off the beaten path in a Michelin Star restaurant!
The following evening we had a tour of the manor to see all the rooms and also to learn more. I fell in love with this location. Home, chef and the team was way over my expectations.
Following 72 hours in Latvia, it had me begging for more. If you wish to find the country 10, I believe you want. This way you do and can see things in the in the west and east end of the country ranging to wineries breweries as well as the lakes and scenery
I wish to thank LIAA, NBE AirBaltic and also Finland for hosting me during this 72 hours! Due for BorrowLenses, Victorinox and my spouses Nobis for joining me for this journey! Also a huge thanks to my best travel buddies, Jerry Michael, Rebecca, Celina and Elena for making my trip special.
