Rundale, one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Latvia, was built in 1736-1740 as a summer residence for the Duke of Courland, Ernst Johann Biron. The palace was designed by the outstanding Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the creator of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. Crystal chandeliers, silk wallpaper, rich stucco molding, sculptures, luxurious tiled fireplaces, mirrors, elegant galleries and refined colors and frescos were made by Italian artists Francesco Martini and Carlo Zucci. Now the renovated areas show the former glory of the palace. During the summer the tour includes a visit to the palace’s French regular park.
The representation rooms in the eastern wing of the palace – the Gilt Hall, the White Hall, and the Great Gallery – are open to the public. The central block accommodates the Duke's suite with reception parlours and private rooms, and the eastern block – a fully restored suite of Duchess's rooms. The Rundale Palace Museum works as a centre for research into Latvia's history, through creating collections, arranging exhibitions and producing publications. The exhibition halls display applied art, fine art and historical expositions; the palace hosts the Early Music Festival and recitals of classical music.
The regular French style park with its rose garden, the Green Theatre, ornamental parterres and the fountain, are open for the public. In summers, the park becomes the venue for the Garden Festival. A Baroque palace cannot be imagined without the French garden, an elaborate architectural framework devised of green plantings that should manifest the triumph of art over nature. The park spreads out to the south of the palace, and Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed it together with the palace building. An artificial canal runs around the park, encircling also the palace and the stables. Although Rundale's formal garden is but 10 ha large, Rastrelli has managed to fill it with an intricate maze of allées, cross paths, pergolas and bosquets.
Trip to Pärnu and Tallinn in Estonia. Pärnu is a historical beautiful resort seaside city with a small harbour in the South-Western part of Estonia. White sandy beaches, shallow waters, rich cultural scene and numerous cafés– there is plenty to see and do. Since 1996, Pärnu has been known as the Estonia’s Summer Capital. Tallinn city has been included in the List of the UNESCO.
Romantic network of crooked, preserved authentically Twenty six defence towers bear witness to the once-mighty system of defence structures. Here also lies the best-preserved medieval town hall in Northern Europe, the oldest apothecary still functioning in the world. Churches and convents, passageways and courtyards, imposing merchant’s dwelling houses, give a sense of the true medieval spirit underlying the Old Town to this day.
The tour of the Old Town starts with a driving tour around the Old Town offering a fascinating view of the medieval city. The walking tour begins in the Upper Town Toompea with a stop in front of Toompea Palace, the seat of the Estonian. Side by side with Toompea lies the medieval Lower Town. Its landmarks include the 14th and 15th century Gothic the Holy Ghost Church, the former St. Nicholas’ Church – St. Olaf’s Church numerous authentic Hanseatic merchant houses.
Guide will be there to answer all your questions as well as suggest best places for lunch (not included in the price) and take to best bargain deals for souvenirs. Total tour duration around 15 hours. Please bring you ID card/passport with you, as we are going to cross the border.
Our guides will show you some of the most important landmarks associated with the Jewish history. During this tour you will learn about the Jewish history in Latvia from 17th century until the present day.
We will visit Peitav Shul – the only working synagogue in Riga. Built in 1905 in Art Nouveau style, it was the only synagogue which survived the Nazi occupation, as it was located in the Old Town and there was a risk of damaging nearby buildings. Nowadays it is the center of Latvian Jewish community.
Other synagogues were burnt down, one of them being the Great Choral synagogue. It was located in the area we are visiting, that became the Riga Ghetto during World War II. Now you can see several memorial signs there commemorating the victims of the holocaust as well as families who helped Jewish people to survive. We will also see the memorial itself - wall supported by columns with the names of 270 people who risked their lives and saved more than 400 Jews.
Žanis Lipke alone saved more than 50 Jews by making an underground bunker in his yard – a hiding place for people smuggled out of the Jewish ghetto.
The Old Jewish Cemetery - Odd as it might sound to modern ears, Jews were not allowed to bury their dead in Riga until 1725 and even then it was on the very outskirts of Riga – today known as the Moscow Suburbs. The Old Jewish Cemetery was part of the Jewish ghetto during Nazi occupation.
Jurmala is a seaside resort situated just 20 km from Riga. The natural curative features of this place were already well known more than 150 years ago. Nowadays golden beaches, blue sea, fresh air and the unique beauty of pine forests attract tourists from all over the world. You can see wooden country houses of the beginning of the 20th century alongside with modern cottages there.
Our Jurmala Sightseeing is a tour full of contrasts: you’ll see the beautiful beach and walk the crowded pedestrian streets full with bars and cafes, stunning beaches as well as some amazing architecture and beautiful nature.
Descubra la historia, la arquitectura y la cultura que definen a la capital de Letonia en este tour a pie de Riga. Admire la hermosa arquitectura del pasado y disfrute del gran patrimonio, cultura y tradiciones de la ciudad. Desde la zona de Art Nouveau hacia la plaza de la catedral de Riga y la casa de las Cabezas Negras, deléitese con las mejores vistas de la cuidad y descubra sus tesoros ocultos.
Meeting point:“Laima” Clock next to the Monument of Freedom.
Duration:Approx. 4 hours.
Start or opening time:At 11.00 am.
End or closing time:At 3.00 pm approx.
Languages:English
During the voyage we guarantee an unforgettable view on the Old city and its’ towers, Riga castle, Riga passenger terminal, TV Tower in Zak¸usala and other pla- ces that cannot be left without notice. River boat ”Vecri¯ga” is able to host up to 150 guests.
If you wish you can catch the sun and the wind, and have a delicious cocktails on the open upper deck of the boat which is decorated in a tropical style or you can relax in our bar which is located in the lower deck of the boat. In this deck you will also find a modern style passenger saloon with panoramic window.
Walk along the narrow streets of the Medieval Old Town with our knowledgeable guides. The tour starts from the Town Hall Square- the central square of the city from 13th to 19th century. You will find out why Riga is called the capital of the decorated Christmas tree, where the key of Riga is being kept and much more.
You will have the opportunity to enjoy the architectural pearls from different centuries – from the oldest stone building in Riga dating back to 13th century to our Castle of Light – the National Library which was opened in 2014.
Pay a visit to the biggest churches in the Old Town- St. Peter’s, the Dome Cathedral and St. Jacob’s and find out why their spires are decorated with roosters instead of crosses.
Riga is also proud of its magnificent heritage of Art Nouveau architecture. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list by virtue of the outstanding quality and quantity of Art Nouveau buildings, which is unparalleled anywhere in the world. The most significant expression of Art Nouveau architecture in Riga is marked by a wide variety of individual styles.
The walk will lead you through Old Riga to the Art Nouveau district in the quiet centre of Riga which features the creations of the most controversial Art Nouveau architect Mikhail Eisenstein and where each building is worth seeing.
You will have a walk along the famous Albert Street, where Art Nouveau buildings range from richly decorated to modest, from Decorative Art Nouveau to National Romanticism. The buildings are highly decorative yet deeply functional.
Decorated with various symbols and mythological characters, each building tells us a different story. Scary lion and screaming men masks side by side with contemplative women’s faces, mysterious sphinxes, delicately carved flowers, birds and animals- it is easy to get lost in such an abundance of images. Don’t worry-our guides will help you interpret the symbolic content of the decorations and tell you a lot of myths and legends.
Walk along the narrow streets of the Medieval Old Town with our knowledgeable guides. The tour starts from the Town Hall Square- the central square of the city from 13th to 19th century. You will find out why Riga is called the capital of the decorated Christmas tree, where the key of Riga is being kept and much more.
You will have the opportunity to enjoy the architectural pearls from different centuries – from the oldest stone building in Riga dating back to 13th century to our Castle of Light – the National Library which was opened in 2014.
Pay a visit to the biggest churches in the Old Town- St. Peter’s, the Dome Cathedral and St. Jacob’s and find out why their spires are decorated with roosters instead of crosses.There are many gems hidden in these streets and with the help of our guides you can discover the secrets of Riga.
The 2-hour tour includes the tasting of our magical elixir Riga Black Balsam believed to have the power to cure all diseases and a question+answer session with the guide.
River cruise offers you a voyage with our historical canal boats „AMBER RI¯GA”, „AURORA” and „ANNABELLA” During the one hour long „Riga scenery voyage” we can inspect the popular tourism objects from a different angle. The route while traveling along the canal meats Kronvalds Park, Bastejkalns, Freedom Monument, Latvian National Opera, Shopping centre “Stockmann”, Riga International Coach Terminal and Riga Central Market. When entering the river Daugava you will be able to enjoy beautiful scenery of TV Tower in Zak¸usala, Riga castle, Riga Cathedral and other towers of the Old city. During the voyage you will also see Andrejosta and Riga passenger terminal.
Deleite su paladar en una deliciosa aventura con esta excursión de Riga a través el mejor de los mejores mercados de la ciudad, los pequeños restaurantes y los cafés. Visite el Mercado Central, pruebe las especialidades locales en algunos de los pequeños restaurantes y saboree una gran variedad de delicias en el camino. Si su visita coincide en el segundo o cuarto sábado de cada mes, incluso tendrá la oportunidad de visitar el Mercado de Slow Food de Riga. Combinando la belleza de la ciudad con una amplia gama de sabrosas especialidades, este es un tour que ningún amante de la comida se debe perder.
Meeting point:“Laima” Clock next to the Monument of Freedom.
Duration: Approx. 3 hours.
Start or opening time:At 3.00 pm.
End or closing time:At 6.00 pm approx.
Languages:English