Latvia ( Latvija ). A voyage to Latvia, East Europe - Rīga, Sigulda, Jūrmala, Gauja National Park...

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="destinationMapLink clearfix"><a class="pin toggleMap closed" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/latvia#" id="pinToggleMap" style="display: block;"><span class="showMapText"></span></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo718MScgWPO2rzdf6nmPpHvB0b87DbyQaUwyQrWq2itVVIzOilYB54L-8VncppRN0qHRUiJUSxrhdfRjgcXeCCd_60PYpdoloYeObcOHreiavgSguD8ZL3NNM4ecs1g_O1XEJncIu-_F/s1600/Latvia+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo718MScgWPO2rzdf6nmPpHvB0b87DbyQaUwyQrWq2itVVIzOilYB54L-8VncppRN0qHRUiJUSxrhdfRjgcXeCCd_60PYpdoloYeObcOHreiavgSguD8ZL3NNM4ecs1g_O1XEJncIu-_F/s640/Latvia+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F11PFhX1tyk/TzBCHEDEdXI/AAAAAAAACAI/lI-FIQxU2t0/s1600/Latvia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F11PFhX1tyk/TzBCHEDEdXI/AAAAAAAACAI/lI-FIQxU2t0/s320/Latvia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If you're yearning to hit <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=358537">Europe</a>'s untrodden jackpot, cash in your chips in Latvia (Latvija). Still undiscovered by the tourism masses, this sizzling Baltic sexpot is poised to become the continent's next A-list star. A country in transition, hellbent on shedding its stalwart old-Soviet image, the Latvia of today is vibrant, enigmatic and altogether mesmerising. Refreshingly unpretentious, Latvia manages to tantalise even the most jaded traveller. Many arrive expecting little and leave overwhelmed, certain they've uncovered long-buried treasure.<br /><br /><div class="mpuWrapper " id="mpuInContent"><div class="mpuInner"><div class="adContainer" id="adContainer_mpuInContent"><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/3c13/0/0/%2a/l;251609923;1-0;0;56529921;4307-300/250;45986300/46003493/1;;%7Eokv=;ctt=europe;cnty=latvia;tnm=overview;rsi=J08781_10159;rsi=J08781_10291;rsi=J08781_10287;rsi=J08781_10052;rsi=J08781_10205;rsi=J08781_10335;rsi=J08781_10337;%7Esscs=%3fhttp://www.lonelyplanet.com/newsletter/?lpaffil=emailhouse" target="_top"></a> </div></div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTzBSTu7BI0/TzBCIup0ZcI/AAAAAAAACAg/q2XkEfcJxe8/s1600/Latvia+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTzBSTu7BI0/TzBCIup0ZcI/AAAAAAAACAg/q2XkEfcJxe8/s320/Latvia+4.jpg" width="320" /></a>Bustling <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360099">Rīga</a>, with its pumping nightlife, cobbled streets and marvellous art-nouveau architecture is one of Eastern Europe's most fun cities. Away from the capital, the pace slows. Historic villages, miles from anywhere, sit frozen in time. Despite growing popularity, Latvia is still one of those places where you can embrace the unbeaten path and become an intrepid adventurer exploring virgin terrain.<br />From crumbling castles in <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360097">Sigulda</a>, to <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360098">Jūrmala</a> and its alluring resorts on the edge of the ice-blue Baltic Sea, it's very easy to just get away. Summer is an especially magical time - twilight comes near midnight and by 4am it's light again.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaFyXL_ffeE/TzBCHttGdSI/AAAAAAAACAM/2-K7V7qdiRw/s1600/Latvia+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaFyXL_ffeE/TzBCHttGdSI/AAAAAAAACAM/2-K7V7qdiRw/s200/Latvia+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FNnKDscXCDRKSzqdyiCg0zan3Ig8g6bZNfbUuWvdbTqiJNbWljXcoTMTnZWMNUKGj1beZfQctHlT_wKx-L_ODAHlY_yUNVFhXpI5nUS5XURhw17S4Iy5jCJKcll_qCP0EzH5KLg90PTq/s1600/riga-opernhaus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FNnKDscXCDRKSzqdyiCg0zan3Ig8g6bZNfbUuWvdbTqiJNbWljXcoTMTnZWMNUKGj1beZfQctHlT_wKx-L_ODAHlY_yUNVFhXpI5nUS5XURhw17S4Iy5jCJKcll_qCP0EzH5KLg90PTq/s320/riga-opernhaus.jpg" width="320" /></a>After long, dark winters, Latvians seem determined to soak up as much light as possible and the whole country exudes a frenetic, turbocharged energy. Beer gardens pop up in even the smallest villages and revellers slug pints well into the night. Its natural offerings are also a drawcard, like <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360096">Gauja National Park</a> in <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360094">Eastern Latvia</a>, a pine-scented paradise.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZLlsah05_mXvX-9C69YghSbjARuLtl2F_Ik1ZKIxRZiM0O-4OdhVquTR5D-hhOwM04RjOb5HHIuK5ABsrswtb4UewWJRprEewkcXDuVOP4_EODxnejlDHOqMyetYguGFOy2n9yGTOqhM/s1600/Latvia+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZLlsah05_mXvX-9C69YghSbjARuLtl2F_Ik1ZKIxRZiM0O-4OdhVquTR5D-hhOwM04RjOb5HHIuK5ABsrswtb4UewWJRprEewkcXDuVOP4_EODxnejlDHOqMyetYguGFOy2n9yGTOqhM/s400/Latvia+13.jpg" width="300" /></a>It's hard to believe this tiny, vivacious nation shed its Russian stranglehold less than two decades ago because, despite years of intense suffering under Soviet and Nazi occupations, Latvia has a serenity and charm rarely found elsewhere in <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=358537">Europe</a>. <br />This is Latvia's moment. Visit before everyone else does.<br /><br /><b></b><a class="pin toggleMap closed" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/latvia#" id="pinToggleMap" style="display: block;"><span class="showMapText">Show in Lonely Planet</span></a><br /><div class="relatedLinks clearfix"><h3 class="themeHeading"> More about Latvia </h3><ul><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvVuaYdRy74/TzBCJds7SaI/AAAAAAAACAk/tTKK9P9SlB0/s1600/Latvia+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvVuaYdRy74/TzBCJds7SaI/AAAAAAAACAk/tTKK9P9SlB0/s400/Latvia+5.jpg" width="400" /></a><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/latvia/places">Places in Latvia <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/latvia/transport/getting-there-away">Getting there & around <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/latvia/practical-information/money-costs">Practical information <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/latvia/history">History <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/latvia/travel-tips-and-articles">Tips & articles <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com/latvia/">Hotels</a></li></ul></div><div class="relatedLinks clearfix"><h3 class="themeHeading"> Make it happen</h3><ul><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/shopSearch?q=latvia">Shop for travel guides</a></li><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com/latvia/">Search hotels</a></li><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bookings/flights.do">Cheap flights</a></li><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bookings/insurance.do">Travel insurance</a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVWpfjcKwYisPb7D0PfQ0bWT5oJAbF4ZdYjhXyiv0F80saUpekfCkO41i0o3bbTBmJAs-Yg5ANs18tYa3Ue8awKwUOakD09eKd-ke6mayr7mtP0gDcFWclpfLYlloyy3-Yjoa84quOkgl/s1600/riga-sunrise-susan-frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVWpfjcKwYisPb7D0PfQ0bWT5oJAbF4ZdYjhXyiv0F80saUpekfCkO41i0o3bbTBmJAs-Yg5ANs18tYa3Ue8awKwUOakD09eKd-ke6mayr7mtP0gDcFWclpfLYlloyy3-Yjoa84quOkgl/s640/riga-sunrise-susan-frost.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy7i30968dYWonkzKWgC0Cj1XUXCQfQIoH9i8m5jGf65fk-zYgqIj6S5WCcvSXxJjwKBzz7wHFzZdZROYbiG550olyyIV4e5-qGdevMcDEublKCR5NcEUbbB4Q5gWoQUiAGUReIMxi2_6/s1600/Latvia+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy7i30968dYWonkzKWgC0Cj1XUXCQfQIoH9i8m5jGf65fk-zYgqIj6S5WCcvSXxJjwKBzz7wHFzZdZROYbiG550olyyIV4e5-qGdevMcDEublKCR5NcEUbbB4Q5gWoQUiAGUReIMxi2_6/s640/Latvia+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><ul></ul></div></div>

Latvia ( Latvija ). A voyage to Latvia, East Europe - Rīga, Sigulda, Jūrmala, Gauja National Park...

If you're yearning to hit Europe 's untrodden jackpot, cash in your chips in Latvia (Latvija). Still undiscovered by the t...

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