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Midsummer Holiday in Latvia

5 Days / 1 location in Latvia

The Ligo festival, dedicated to the shortest night of the year when the nature and fertility are praised, has been celebrated in Latvia since ancient times. Bonfires, beer and cheese, flower crowns and singing are part and parcel of the festival. Celebration of the traditional Latvian pagan Līgo! festivity at the shortest night of the year dates back centuries, and its main idea is to praise the nature and fertility. Bonfires, beer, caraway cheese, flower crowns, and Līgo! songs are the key features of the festival. Nowadays, you do not have to go to the countryside to greet the sunrise the following day — Jani Day. A large-scale celebration will take place in the Old Riga, by the Daugava River.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Riga
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Ridzene
Meals: Dinner

Arrival in Riga, private car transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Ridzene*****, check-in; welcome meeting with welcome dinner at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

 
Day 2     Riga
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Ridzene
Meals: Breakfast

Riga, founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles.The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, and the Large and Small Guilds. The tour ends at the Riga Central Market which has basically turned into the traditional Green Market during this time of year. Cheerful Ligo! atmosphere and local products and handcraft from all over Latvia will be displayed on long tables and stalls. Light linen clothing and aprons, lace hats and shirts, amber jewelry and wooden spoons - all that is needed for Lago! Vendors will offer impressive flower bunches full of sweet-scent local flowers and plants, as well as crowns made of oak leaves to be presented to every Jānis, who celebrates his name day at Midsummer Solstice. Latvian traditional cheese made of caraway or other spices, tasty goat cheese, glazed bacon-filled pies, golden honey, freshly-smoked meat, sausages and fish will also be on sale. Afternoon at disposal to enjoy more of the Līgo! spirit in the Old Town. In the evening attend Latvian National Theatre for most famous traditional play Skroderdienas Silmacos.

 
Day 3     Riga
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Ridzene
Meals: Breakfast

In the morning a visit to Riga Art Nouveaux district including the Art Nouveaux museum. In the afternoon you will visit the fisherman village Ragaciems to taste recently smoked fish from fresh catch with local dark bread and beer and on the way back enjoy leisure time on the beach or stroll along the promenade in the vibrant Latvian sea resort Jurmala. Back in Riga in the evening you have a great opportunity to experience real Midsummer and Ligo! spirit you may join the shortest night celebration at Dzeguzkalns - one of the parks over the bridge. The celebration features various Līgo rituals like garland making, fortune-telling, jumping over bonfires, singing Līgo songs and dancing Līgo dances until dawn.

 
Day 4     Riga
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Ridzene
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

The tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida, and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights Sword before we return to Riga. In the afternoon a visit to Ethnographical Open Air Museum is offered, a spacious exposition of 18th century country life. In the evening a farewell dinner at the elegant Restaurant La Boheme

 
Day 5     Riga
Meals: Breakfast

Private car transfer to airport.

 

Notes

A longer version of this tour is possible. Please inquire.

Price Includes
Transfer Airport - Hotel- Airport
Hotel Accommodations With Breakfast
Sightseeing and Entrances Per Itinerary
Portage at Hotels
Price Does Not Include
 Air
VIA-1269
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