Latvia Top Things To Do
The windswept beach at Cape Kolka, part of the Slitere National Park (www.slitere.gov.lv), is a breathtaking spot where the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga crash together. It's also a good place for a bracing walk.
Skyline Bar
The 26th- floor Skyline Bar at the Revel Hotel Latvia (www.revalhotels.com) offers epic 360° views over Riga. The same dramatic views can be seen from the toilets. An extensive cocktail lists complements the vistas.
Spas
Spa holidays are all the rage in Latvia, and no more so in Jurmala (www.jurmala.lv). The ever-growing number of spa hotels in this Baltic resort are backed up by a seemingly endless sandy beach. Indulge in an aromatherapy massage or something a bit more unusual like a salt chamber.
Hiking
The country's national parks and protected areas boast myriad hiking trails. Gauja National Park (www.gnp.gov.lv) is the country's biggest. Covering an area of nearly 94 sq km (36 sq miles) around the River Gauja, it features caves, rocks and dense woods.
Birdwatching
Latvia's wetlands and traditionally cultivated farmland attract significant populations of interesting and uncommon birds, including the corncrake, now rare in other parts of Europe. Local operators can arrange birdwatching trips. For more information, contact the Latvian Ornithological Society (www.lob.lv).
Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia (www.muzeji.lv), established in 1924, is one of the oldest in Europe. It boasts historical dwellings, workers' homesteads, a tavern and windmills, gathered here from all over Latvia. Masters of 18 different crafts demonstrate their work.
Fly High
The cable car from Sigulda to Krimulda provides a birds-eye view of the Gauja River Gorge. Krimulda also has a ruined castle.
Get wet
The winding Gauja River offers plenty of opportunities for watersports, from white-water kayaking to river rafting. Anyone seeking an extended watery adventure can stay at one of the national park's 23 campsites (www.gnp.gov.lv).
Stay in the land of the Blue Lakes
It is possible to rent log cabins amidst the Latgale forest. Some properties are located next to lakes where the hearty can take a swim, while others have their own saunas. For further details contact the Latvian Country Tourism Association (see Accommodation Information)
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