Riga – A little-known gem of the Baltic….

I’m off to Riga…..

Where?

Riga….

Where?

Latvia….

Where?

You get the idea….this was my first-ever trip to the old Soviet Union, and a good chance to see what one of the lesser-known Baltic capital cities is all about.  I spent 2 days there, and had plenty to see, so if you’re making a 1-day visit on a ship, there should be something for everyone!

The old town centre is a colourful mix of churches, bars and cafes…churches here are all about the steeple, being tall and narrow, which makes their’ appearance very impressive.  If you wander around the cobbled streets, you’ll find a wide range of bars and restaurants, including the occasional ‘medieval-style’ cellar bar.  There’s nothing much to see over the other side of the river, and the suburbs are a drab throwback to the grey concrete buildings of the Soviet era.

Just at the edge of the old town is the Radisson hotel, with its Sky Bar, giving you a panoramic view of the city, so it’s well worth a visit, and a beer or coffee….

Stroll a few minutes further out of town, and you can visit the old KGB headquarters, which has been turned into a museum.

Another historical place of interest is Salaspils, a short cab ride out of the city, where a world war 2 concentration camp was located.  The statues tastefully placed there today are a haunting reminder of the suffering endured by so many people not that long ago.  Just a couple of miles from there is the Jewish memorial to thousands of people who had to dig their’ own mass grave and were then shot at the side, so they all fell in together.  Horrific, but definitely a place to pay your respects.

If you visit by air, you may also appreciate the collection of old MiG jets and helicopters located just outside the main airport terminal…I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the MiG 25 – one of the fastest jets ever built.

Thank you Riga, what an amazingly varied experience you gave me….