Riga
Latvia’s capital Riga offers plenty of entertainment for every kind of tourist. For historically diligent visitors museums await at every corner. Music lovers can attend opera, ballet and concerts. Scholarly types can visit the biggest Baltic library aptly named the Castle of Light. Gourmet aficionados can try varieties of cuisines in establishments from budget friendly market halls to high-end restaurants. Underground (and overground) bars cater to casual and professional drinkers tempting them with low prices and live music. But I found Riga to be best for the casual stroller. Its art nouveau architecture makes every street a highlight with buildings so intricate in detail you can spend hours tracing decorations and chasing rooftop cats and wolves. A medieval house here, a contemporary castle there - it’s never boring. Churches and cathedrals of various religious inclinations are sprinkled at every corner and treat you to their characteristic shapes of different styles. And best of all - all buildings look as if they were freshly painted a week ago - clean and sparkling vivid colours surround you at any time. If you want to see it all from above, try St. Peter’s panoramic viewing platform with its 360 degree city views. It’s especially charming on Fridays and Saturdays when it's open until 10 p.m. and you can watch night Riga from above. For a special end to your evening, pair the visit with a church concert when available or a drink at The Sinners bar behind the church.
