Visit a rural farm and tour the fields with the owners, who will be quite willing to discuss how farming and life has changed since Latvia’s independence from the Soviet Union. During the Soviet era, collective farming was practiced, in which government-owned farms banded together to grow crops. When Latvia gained its independence in 1991, farms could be privately owned again. The farm that you will visit grows an abundance of raspberries and strawberries, as the conditions in this part of Latvia are quite favorable for both crops. Growing berries became even more widespread following the Soviet era because the farmers could directly reap the benefits. You may have the opportunity to pick some berries (if available) in the fields and enjoy homemade seasonal pie while lingering over a cup of tea with the owners of the farm. Feel free to ask them about their lives before and after Soviet rule. It is sure to be an eye-opening experience. Gain an understanding of how farming has changed since Soviet rule ended in 1991. Tour a berry farm with the owners and learn more about its challenges and development. Enjoy some berries (if available) and homemade seasonal pie and a cup of tea with the owners as they discuss post-Soviet rural life.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of how farming has changed since Soviet rule ended in 1991.
• our a berry farm with the owners and pick your own raspberries and strawberries.
• Enjoy the berries and a cup of tea with the owners as they discuss post-Soviet rural life.

Head to the picturesque town of Sigulda, located about 30 miles from Riga. During the drive you will enjoy the forest scenery and views of the River Gauja valley. Sigulda is often called the Latvian Switzerland and is well known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Latvia. Visit the 13th century Turaida Castle and the fortification tower, where you can enjoy the picturesque landscape from a bird's-eye view. By the Turaida church under an old linden tree, you will find the grave of a young girl - the Rose of Turaida - the heroine of a true love story from the 17th century. Visit the sculpture park dedicated to Latvian folklore. You will also stop for a look of the renovated ruins of the 13th century Sigulda Castle and the 19th century Kropotkin’s Manor House. With a long history of battles that severely damaged the castle, it suffered great damage during the centuries. After years of renovations, it offers a perfect venue where to hold many events and impressive views of the Gauja River Valley. Along the way, you will stop for a short visit of the Gutmana cave; the object of many legends. Its name derives from the German words for gut mann, as the cave was home to a good man who healed locals with the waters of a nearby spring. When you return to Riga, have a short photo stop at the Town Hall Square in Riga Old Town before driving back to the ship.
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This tour introduces you to the cultural and national diversity of Riga, which has always been a multi-national city. Jewish heritage occupies a very important role in the history of Riga. During your tour, you will become acquainted with the most important sites and memorial places. Visit the site of the former Great Synagogue, which was built in 1868 and was the biggest and most beautiful synagogue in Riga. However, on July 4, 1941 it was deliberately burned down, with hundreds of Jewish refugees from Lithuania and local Latvian Jews inside. On July 4, 1988 a memorial was established and now a large, gray stone with the inscription Magen David stands on the site of the former place of worship. Drive past the Jewish Hospital Bikur Holim, which was built in 1924. People of different nationalities were and still treated here. Stop for a visit to the Old Jewish Cemetery, which was used from 1725 until 1941. These grounds were within the territory of the Jewish ghetto and became a vast communal grave for many Jewish people killed in 1941. After World War II, many tombstones were stolen, the cemetery was destroyed and turned into a park. Years later a memorial stone was erected here as a reminder of what once was. The stone bears an inscription in Hebrew and English that reads: Here was situated the Old Jewish Cemetery. Head to the outskirts of Riga to a memorial place in Rumbula. During the Nazi regime thousands of Jewish people from all over Europe were massacred here. In the late 1960s a tombstone was placed here in honor of the victims of the Nazi terror. On your return to the city center you will have a chance to visit the New Ghetto Museum and the only synagogue in Riga that still functions; built in 1905 and located in the Old Town.

Become familiar with the diversity of architectural styles that make Riga such an architecturally rich city. Historic importance of authentic Old Riga with its charming medieval atmosphere and current renaissance of old buildings with successfully implemented restoration projects reveal Riga in its real beauty. It is estimated that Riga overall possesses the largest collection of German Art Nouveau architecture in the world. Take a walk through the main Art Nouveau street – Alberta street. During this part of your tour, enjoy the opportunity to admire various unforgettable examples of Art Nouveau buildings. Drive along the boulevards, parks and charming green sports of Riga. View Art Nouveau buildings, Latvian National Museum of Art, the Monument of Freedom erected in 1935 on the donations of citizens of Latvia, Latvian University, National Opera and other remarkable buildings. Discover the historical Old Riga on foot and acquaint yourself with the churches, renovated buildings, where the architecture of medieval times and that of the 17th-19th centuries dominate. Look at the Blackheads’ House, St. Peter’s Church and others. Walk to Livu Square where you will have a chance to admire buildings such as the Theatre of Russian Drama, Big and Small Guild Houses and wonderful buildings of Art Nouveau architecture. During the tour you will visit the State Latvian Museum of Art. The impressive building itself is a national architectural monument. After an extensive restoration and reconstruction, the Latvian National Museum of Art was opened to visitors on May 4, 2016. The new permanent exhibition, housed in the 2nd and 3rd floor of museum’s historic building, with more than 500 works of art, focuses on the different development periods of Latvian art.

Riga, the capital of Latvia, was founded more than 800 years ago and has now grown into the most cosmopolitan city in the Baltic States. Founded in 1201 during the Middle Ages, Riga was developed into a Hanseatic city, and by the 18-th and 19-th century had grown into one of Europe’s leading ports and industrial centers. As a cosmopolitan city Riga was once revered as “the Paris of the North''. Years of independence and becoming a member of the European Union have brought great changes and development to the city and to the country itself. Enjoy a short ride along Riga's boulevards, parks and charming green spots. During this part of the tour you will have the opportunity to admire several memorable examples of Art Nouveau buildings, as well as the Latvian National Museum of Art, the Freedom Monument erected in 1935 on donations from the citizens of Latvia, Latvian University, National Opera House and other notable buildings. Discover the historical Old Riga on foot and acquaint yourself with the churches, renovated buildings, and glorious Dome Cathedral – a masterpiece of architecture, which you will have a chance to visit. Foundations for the cathedral were laid in 1211. Large restoration works from the late 19th to early 20th centuries gave it its present look. It is considered the largest Medieval church in Latvia and the Baltic States. The Dome, the tallest of all spires at the time, is famous for its magnificent organ, constructed in 1883, with more than 6,000 pipes. Continue your walk to the Town Hall Square, where you will see House of Blackhead’s, Roland Monument, St. Peter’s church. Stop at the Livu Square and listen to a story about the Cat House, Small and Large Guild Houses.

Jurmala is a resort town west of Riga, with white sand beaches stretching nearly 20 miles and sandwiched between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River. While Latvia was a part of the Soviet Union, Jurmala was a favorite holiday-resort and beloved tourist destination for high-level Communist Party officials. Although many amenities such as beach-houses and concrete hotels remain, some have fallen into disrepair, Jurmala remains a tourist attraction with its long white-sand beach facing the Gulf of Riga and romantic wooden houses built in the Art Nouveau style. The town is well-known for its natural treasures – the mild climate, sea, healthy air, curative mud and mineral water. The allure of Jurmala lies in its almost 20-mile long white sand beach, large pine forests and the natural border of the city – the river Lielupe. A drive of about 30 minutes will take you to Jurmala, where after a short panoramic drive you will pass the Dzintari Concert Hall, built in 1960, where the popular festivals are held in the summer, and the railroad station. Take a walk around town and learn about the most distinguishing architectural feature in Jurmala - the prevalence of wooden houses dating from the 19th and first half of the 20th century. Most of the buildings were built by Baltic German and Latvian architects. The architecture of Jurmala typically falls into classicism, national romanticism, and modern styles. The town has an official list of 414 historical buildings under the protection of the state. There is plenty to do in town; the long, main pedestrian street offers an opportunity to people watch and an assortment of friendly cafes and restaurants as well as shops and green areas. Head to the beach and experience the freshness of the Jurmala sea-side. Perhaps you will want to use your free time to dip your toes in the water and take a walk along the shore.

Make yourself comfortable and get ready for the photo highlights of the Latvian capital. Drive through the streets of Riga where you can enjoy the medieval architecture and examples of the Art Nouveau style, as well as see the city's modern architecture and lifestyle. Pass by the Old Town of Riga, with panoramas outlined by many church spires. You will see the 14th century Powder Tower, which is the only remaining tower of the former city defense wall and you will then make a stop at the City Hall Square for a great photo opportunity. A stop at the Freedom Monument will give you the chance to take a memorable photo of this symbol of Latvian independence, which was erected in 1935 and was again at the heart of the Latvian independence movement in the late 1980s. Cross the River Daugava for a magnificent panoramic view of the Old Town. Don't miss this postcard view for your photo album of the journey.