Day 1: Riga
Arrival in Riga, meeting by the guide and transfer to the hotel, check in at centrally located luxury hotel
Free time in Riga
Overnight in Riga
Day 2: Old Riga
Breakfast at the hotel
Old Riga sightseeing tour with English speaking guide
This tour will give you chance to get acquainted with Riga Old Town and its most famous architectural monuments: the Freedom Monument - the symbol of Latvia's independence and strength, 13th century St.Peter's Church, St.George's Church, St. John's Church, a part of restored city wall and the medieval John's yard. You will walk to the heart of Old Riga - the Dome Square - Dome Cathedral and learn about the famous 19th century organ - one of the biggest organs in Europe.
During the tour you also will see the medieval dwelling houses "Three Brothers", 13th century St.Jacob's Church, 14th century Riga Castle, Convent Yard, The Philharmonic Square, the Saeima building, Jacob's Barracks, the Powder Tower and Smilsu street, the Swedish Gate (inspired numerous myths and legends) and the Latvian National Opera.
Organ Music Concert at the Dome Cathedral
Riga Cathedral organ is considered to be one of the world's most valuable historic organs. It was built in 1883- 1884 by a famous German organ building company E. F. Walcker & Co.
Listening to the magnificence and beauty of Riga Cathedral Organ with its excellent acoustic qualities is an incredible and unsurpassed experience. It touches and thrills all the listeners and leaves a truly lasting impression on everybody. It keeps inviting to Riga music lovers from all over the world.
Lunch at the medieval restaurant in Old Riga
The restaurants premises were mentioned in the scripts in 1293 as the most ancient wine-vault and festival place of the Riga City Council.
Afternoon at your leisure
Overnight in Riga
Day 3: Sigulda and Cesis
Breakfast at the hotel
Sigulda and Cesis sightseeing tour with English speaking guide
Sigulda is one of the most picturesque towns in Latvia in the Gauja River valley, situated in the Gauja National Park and is known as the most popular tourist and leisure destination as well as famous winter sport resort in Latvia because of its bobsleigh track and the down-hill skiing routes. During Sigulda tour you will see Sigulda Medieval Castle of Livonian Order, the New Castle of Sigulda (Kropotkin Palace), Turaida Medieval Castle, Krimulda Medieval Castle, Gutmana cave, Krimulda Manor and other historical and natural objects.
Lunch at the Sigulda restaurant
In the second part of the excursion you will take a walk along Cesis tiny streets, get a taste of the medieval town, see St. John’s Church - the largest church in northern Latvia, Council House, Trader’s House, Harmony House and the Princesses House, as well as discover the magic of the Livs and Rose Squares. The guide will introduce you to the Cesis Castle complex and will show you the Castle Park that adjoins the Old Town where will see the Nut clan – Cesis oldest resident, - and its Castle mound.
Overnight in Riga
Day 4: Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle
Breakfast at the hotel
Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle sightseeing tour with English speaking guide
Rundale Palace is one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo art in Latvia. It was built between 1736 and 1740 as a summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann of Courland. The Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed Rundale Palace and supervised construction work. The major part of the interior was made in the period between 1765 and 1768.
Lunch at Rundale Palace restaurant
In the second part of the sightseeing tour we will visit Bauska Castle which first written records date back to 1443 when the Order of Livonia built a fortress at the confluence of the rivers Musa and Memele. At the end of the 16th century Gothard Kettler, the first Duke of Courland, transformed the fortress into a fortified residence. In the 17th and 18th centuries a fortification was built around the castle. In 1706, during the Northern War, the castle was blown up and partly destroyed by the Russian army. In 1973 reconstruction work started on the Duke's residence. At present the ramparts around the castle, the ruins of the Order's Castle and the sightseeing platform in the central tower are accesible to the public.
Overnight in Riga
Day 5: Riga
Breakfast at the hotel
Free time in Riga, transfer to the airport
We are looking forward to welcome you in Riga again!
E-pasts:
info@grandbaltics.com
Tālrunis:
+371 67554600
Skype:
grandbaltics
http://www.grandbaltics.com/latvia-tour.html