occupation museum......also explore the old city and take in all the art nouveau facades. They are amazing. You should be able to find a map that lists the main buildings.  While enjoying beauty, be sure to look left and right before arching your neck to take them in.....when tourists are spotted, opportunistic, polyglot beggars will approach. 

Posted Jul 04, 2011

check out the occupation museum

Posted Jul 01, 2011

Yes, check out the sobering Occupation museum and learn about the deportations to Russian gulags.There is plenty to do in 2 days, look online or get your hands on this great little booklet, www.inyourpocket.com  brilliant information on all subjects, accommodation, transport and what to see. There is a large hotel with a restuarant on the top floor that provides great views of the city, also visit Bikernieki Forrest, where between 1941 - 1944 Nazi's executed Jews and others. The old town is easy to stroll around and you can visit the Russian memorial as well.

Posted Jul 02, 2011

The art nouveau buildings are around Elizabetes iela and Alberta iela, North of the old town. Back towards the old town also on Elizabetes iela is Vincents Restaurant, which is the best restaurant in town. The chef Martins Ritins is the founder of the Latvian Slow Food movement and has an-ever changing menu of organic and local specialties. If you have a bit of money to spend for the hotel, then the Hotel Bergs is by far the best in town. If you wanna spend less, The Old City Boutique Hotel in the Old Town is really good value for money and has Raddison-style rooms. The chocolatier in the Hotel Bergs complex is also highly recommended for a vast variety of hand-rolled truffles, like blueberry or even cannabis. The old town is great for a wander, there are some church towers you can climb such as the one at Dome Square for views of the area. Riga old town is chock-full of bars due to the British market for cheap boozing, but there are a few special places like the laid back Pharmacy Bar (Krogs Aptieka) at Mazā Miesnieku 1, near the medieval "Three Brothers" buildings North of Dome Sq. The main market South of the Old Town is composed of three former WWI zeppelin hangars and outdoor stalls, and sells all the best of the bountiful Latvian harvest. Fish and berry fruits are especially delicious (perfect timing now for the berries) in Latvia. You may notice that there are a great deal of Russian Latvians (from the USSR days), and you will hear Russian spoken often, especially by cab drivers. There's a 24-hour flower market run by these Russo-Lats on Terbatas iela by the park, in case it's 3AM and you need some roses. The 19th century "new town" is not without it's charms, Galerija Istaba for a quiet dinner or lunch and Osiris for lunch are top spots along Krisjana Barona iela. The park bordering the two areas is great for a canal-side stroll.

Posted Jul 07, 2011

The Occupation Museum is a must, even though it isn't  a happy place. The market is in the old Zeppelin hangars is a fun place to go and even a very cheap place to get some snacks or a small meal. Take a small boat ride from the park in the late afternoon and enjoy the sunset. Get a public transit pass, makes it easy to get around. And finally, walk the neighborhoods. The art nouveau buildings are fantastic. We stayed at the Clarion Hotel and enjoyed a great deal on www.hotels.com and enjoyed included breakfast and full dinner nightly.

Posted Jul 18, 2011