Latvia, 3rd; The Bradt Travel Guide

by Stephen Baister and Chris Patrick

• ISBN13: 9781841620480
• ISBN10: 1841620483
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2002-07-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

This thorough overview covers the history, architecture, folklore, customs, language, and cuisine of this fascinating country. The highlights of Riga are featured along with a guide to rural Latvia.

Author Biography

Co-authors Stephen Baister and Chris Patrick both live in Surrey, England. Stephen is a barrister and Chris is the director of the Europe-Japan Centre

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION	1	(70)
The Country	3	(10)
Geography	3	(2)
Natural history	5	(6)
Environmental issues	11	(2)
History and Economy	13	(16)
History	13	(13)
Economy	26	(3)
People and Culture	29	(22)
Ethnicity	29	(2)
Religion	31	(2)
Language	33	(2)
National customs	35	(2)
Traditional Latvian holidays and events	37	(2)
Arts	39	(12)
Practical Information	51	(20)
When to go	51	(1)
Getting there	51	(3)
Getting around	54	(3)
Red tape	57	(1)
Money	58	(1)
Health and safety	59	(1)
Costs	59	(1)
Language	60	(1)
Accommodation	60	(1)
Food and drink	61	(5)
What to take	66	(1)
Media and communications	66	(2)
Doing business in Lativa	68	(1)
Other practicalities	68	(1)
Useful addresses	68	(3)
PART TWO THE COUNTRY	71	(162)
Riga	73	(62)
History	74	(6)
Getting around	80	(2)
Accommodation	82	(7)
Eating out	89	(3)
Bars	92	(1)
Entertainment	93	(3)
Shopping	96	(3)
Places of worship	99	(1)
Money and post	99	(2)
Old Town	101	(16)
New Town	117	(7)
By the Daugava river	124	(1)
Other places of interest	125	(3)
On the outskirts	128	(1)
Museums	129	(6)
Near Riga	135	(10)
Jurmala	135	(7)
Salaspils	142	(1)
Other places near Riga	143	(2)
Vidzeme	145	(34)
Main attractions	145	(1)
History	145	(1)
Getting around	146	(1)
Sigulda and Turaida, Cesis, the Gauja	147	(21)
Between Riga and Estonia: the Gulf of Riga	168	(5)
Southern Vidzeme: Madona, Piebalga, Aluksne	173	(6)
Kurzeme	179	(26)
Main attractions	179	(1)
History	179	(1)
A trip around Kurzeme	180	(25)
Zemgale	205	(12)
Main attractions	205	(1)
History	205	(2)
A trip around Zemgale	207	(1)
Riga to Bauska	207	(3)
Bauska to Rundale	210	(2)
Rundale to Jelgava	212	(5)
Latgale and the Daugava River Valley	217	(16)
Main attractions	217	(1)
History	217	(1)
A trip around Latgale	218	(1)
Riga to Daugavpils	219	(14)
Appendix 1 Language	233	(6)
Appendix 2 Place Names	239	(2)
Appendix 3 Further Information	241	(4)
Index	245

Excerpts

'So why go to Latvia? Perhaps the main reason for most people would be to see the capital, Riga. Of the three Baltic capitals, Riga is the largest and the most cosmopolitan. Its Old Town area is picturesque, well restored and contains many historic churches and museums. Whether walking around the cobbled streets, viewing the many art nouveau buildings, or eating at one of the many good restaurants and cafés, just being in Riga is a pleasure. For visitors with more time to spare, a number of interesting day trips can be made from Riga. The historic towns of Cesis, Sigulda and Bauska, with castles dating from the middle ages, the seaside towns of Jurmala overlooking the Gulf of Riga, and the palace of Rundale, built by the architect of St Petersburg's Winter Palace, are all within easy reach of the capital.'

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Excerpted from Latvia: The Bradt Travel Guide by Stephen Baister, Chris Patrick
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