In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.
Arrive in Riga
Upon arrival meet your tour manager and transfer into the heart of the city and your hotel. After check-in, enjoy your first evening in the Baltic States’ largest city. A host of cafés, bars and restaurants caters to all tastes and pockets, and the lights of the festive shops and stores bring colour and warmth to the crisp, wintry air.
As this is a short break, we don’t include checked-in hold luggage but do include the airline’s base-level hand luggage so you can choose how much luggage you want to add on when you check in for your flight.
Some airlines include a bag under the seat as their base luggage, others include overhead cabin bags – it varies from airline to airline – and there are always different options to increase the allowance. You may wish to add a hold bag if you anticipate buying lots of gifts at the Christmas markets or consider booking one hold bag between two people. The choice is yours, as we know everyone has different needs.
Included tour of Riga
A guided tour will lift the veil on Riga’s fascinating past and will showcase the sights of one of Europe’s most rapidly growing cities. Set on the bank of the Daugava River, the city boasts several ultra-modern buildings around its walled central core. The lovingly reconstructed Dutch-influenced ‘House of the Blackheads’, several large churches, Riga Castle with its museums, the towering Freedom Monument and two magnificent cathedrals add to the attraction, which is crowned by the Art Nouveau glories of UNESCO-listed Quiet Centre district and restored Town Hall Square, site of the wonderful Christmas market, with its traditional wares and warming foodstuffs.
Spend another evening exploring this vibrant city.
Optional Gauja National Park excursion
Discover more of the city today, or join the optional excursion, journeying into the beautiful landscape of the Gauja National Park, a forested, alpine refuge. Keep an eye out as you pass through these sprawling woodland landscapes and you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of its breath-taking native wildlife. Later on, you'll have the chance to tour the Turaida Museum Reserve which chronicles Latvian history and culture.
End your final full day in this wonderful city by having dinner in one of Riga’s many fine restaurants.
Return home
Transfer back to the airport for the return flight after a wonderful few festive days.