Latvia : The Bradt Travel Guide

by Stephen Baister and Chris Patrick

• ISBN13: 9781898323907
• ISBN10: 1898323909
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-06-01
• 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.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION	1	(72)
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	(3)
Arts	40	(11)
Practical Information	51	(22)
When to go	51	(1)
Getting there	51	(1)
Getting there	51	(5)
Getting around	56	(2)
Red tape	58	(2)
Money	60	(1)
Health and safety	60	(2)
Language	62	(1)
Accommodation	62	(1)
Food and drink	62	(5)
What to take	67	(1)
Media and communications	68	(2)
Useful addresses	70	(3)
PART TWO THE COUNTRY	73	(162)
Riga	75	(64)
History	76	(6)
Getting around	82	(3)
Hotels	85	(7)
Eating out	92	(4)
Bars	96	(1)
Entertainment	97	(3)
Shopping	100	(3)
Places of worship	103	(1)
Money and post	103	(2)
Old Twon	105	(16)
New Town	121	(7)
By the Daugava river	128	(1)
Other places of interest	129	(3)
On the outskirts	132	(1)
Museums	133	(4)
Riga 800	137	(2)
Near Rga	139	(8)
Jurmala	139	(6)
Salaspils	145	(1)
Other places near Riga	146	(1)
Vidzeme	147	(34)
Main attractions	147	(1)
History	147	(2)
Getting around	149	(1)
Sigulda and Turaida, Cesis, the Gauja	150	(20)
Between Riga and Estonia: the Gulf of Riga	170	(5)
Southern Vidzeme: Madona, Piebalga, Aluksne	175	(6)
Kurzeme	181	(26)
Main attractions	181	(1)
History	182	(1)
A trip around Kurzeme	182	(25)
Zemgale	207	(12)
Main attractions	207	(1)
History	208	(1)
A trip around Zemgale	208	(1)
Riga to Bauska	209	(3)
Bauska to Rundale	212	(1)
Rundale to Jelgava	213	(6)
Latgale and the Daugava River Valley	219	(16)
Main attractions	219	(1)
History	219	(1)
A trip around Latgale	220	(1)
Riga to Daugavpils	221	(14)
Appendix 1 Language	235	(5)
Appendix 2 Place Names	240	(2)
Appendix 3 Further Information	242	(3)
Index	245