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In this section you will find great Latvia Luxury hotels. All-inclusive Latvia resorts. Romantic Latvia honeymoon destinations. ---Plus tons of enjoyable virtual tours and streaming videos---You will find everything here, all the insider's secrets.
Latvia vacation guide and arrangements, bicycling tours, vinyard tours, romantic Latvia honeymoons.
A country full of contrasts
Latvia is one of Europe's great "get away from it all" discoveries. With 12,310 rivers and 3,000 lakes the country has many opportunities for boating and walking and just enjoying the outdoors. There are many small medieval towns, country castles, museums and folk parks to be visited.
Check out Riga, a city that has come to life again since the end of Soviet occupation. Superb architecture, from the medieval to the Art Nouveau, an old city that rivals Prague, operas and concerts, an active artistic life, smart shops and intimate restaurants, all testify to her being once again a major European capital.
Latvia, a country on the move again
After seven centuries of foreign domination, Latvia is once again independent and transforming herself into an economically vigorous democracy, ready for the challenges of the 21st century.
SEVEN TURBULENT CENTURIES
Although the country's history goes back 3,000 years, the people who lived in the five main regions of Latgale, Zemgale, Kurzeme, the Liv land and Selija, had no central government, though they were successful traders. But "crusading" Teutonic Knights of the Sword conquered them, founding Riga in 1201. From then until World War 1 Germans, Russians, Poles and Swedes fought for control of the territory and Latvian culture was suppressed. The predominant influences were Russian and German, with a 90-year interlude of beneficent rule under King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, which ended when he was defeated by Peter the Great in 1701. The Russian Czars appointed governors, but actually ruled through the German nobility, treating Latvians as serfs.
INDEPENDENCE WON, LOST AND WON AGAIN
The end of World War 1 sparked a fiercely fought War of Independence, ending with recognition in 1920. During the inter-war years Latvia rebuilt her economy, reforming agriculture, industrialising, and extending higher education. But the outbreak of World War 2 threw her back into the old power struggle. In turn the Soviet Union and Hitler inflicted terror and mass deportations. After the war the country became a Soviet Socialist Republic. Farms were collectivised. The national flag and anthem were banned. The collapse of the Soviet Union enabled Latvia to regain independence on August 21, 1991. The cost has been high. The whole economy has to be restructured. But the rewards in enterprise, human values and freedom are there for every visitor to see.
There is plenty to do in Latvia. We have activities to suit all tastes and age groups. If you are interested in the outdoors you can walk, hunt or fish in the many lakes and rivers. Horse riding and cycling activities are also available. You could visit one of the many famous Spas. Latvia is also famous for the theatres, operas, libraries and museums.
It is possible to enter Latvia directly through the ports, airports or one of the neighbouring countries.
The capital of Latvia is Riga, which has the largest seaport with passenger facilities, railway terminal and international airport in the Baltics.
Virtuoso Latvia travel and cruise consultants: recommended by Conde Nast Traveler. |
