Latvia might reside in the deep, dark depths of Eastern Europe but this is the year for this ugly duckling to turn into a swan. It may not be a hugely popular destination at the moment but it certainly should be. Latvia, with its modest but alluring Baltic cities and gorgeous scenery is vastly underrated, yet it’s sure to attract the attention it deserves soon enough. With that in mind, here are 5 reasons to visit Latvia soon. Be one of the first to uncover the beauty of this destination before the crowds arrive!
1. Latvia seamlessly blends old and new.
This country has a huge amount of history and there is no better example of the country’s past than in the capital city of Riga. It is here in Riga’s Old Town, among the paint pot coloured buildings traditional of this Baltic country, that you can get a glimpse into the past. Historic churches dating back hundreds of years stand tall and proud on street corners. The Art Nouveau District which encompasses 800 buildings all enlisted on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a stunning sight for sore eyes. Meanwhile however, the present day has firmly made its stamp. There are plenty of new restaurants, modern museums, bustling shopping centres and multiplex cinemas too!
2. Latvia has something to offer visitors throughout the seasons.
At this time of the year, people are either jetting off in search of winter sunshine or hitting the slopes. Whilst Latvia won’t deliver on the first point, it certainly can on the latter. There are around 20 ski resorts in Latvia which may come as a surprise to many, especially as it isn’t widely regarded as a skiing destination. I can’t attempt to pretend that it will be quite as glamorous as skiing in Switzerland or France and there certainly aren’t any mountains. Don’t let that put you off though. Skiing in Latvia is still extremely enjoyable and can be undertaken on the hills or you might prefer to go cross country skiing! The terrain is varied, providing both gentle slopes for beginners but also more challenging pistes for improvers! Plus, you will still find great facilities, wonderful views and certainly no shortage of the white powder! For an inexpensive skiing break in uncrowded resorts, Latvia is certainly a fine choice. Why not put it to the test this winter?
3. There are plenty of attractions to enjoy in summer too.
During the summer, temperatures in Latvia can climb as high as 30°c and with plenty of attractions to enjoy in the summer too, it’s a great time of year to plan a trip here. The coastline, spanning 330 miles, boasts excellent sandy beaches perfect for days spent swimming, sunbathing and relaxing. In comparison to the crowd filled beaches of Spain, Portugal and Cyprus, Latvia’s offerings are refreshingly empty. Due to its location, you can enjoy long days and light evenings allowing you plenty of time to soak up all it has to offer. Stop by at one of the many festivals and events too; the festival of Jāņi which celebrates the summer solstice is one to truly kick things off in style!
4. Latvia now has the Euro.
The start of the New Year was an exciting time for Latvia, for this marked the date that the country adopted the Euro as its currency. Emerging as the fastest growing EU economy in the wake of the economic crisis, this shift is likely to increase the popularity of this country not only for UK visitors but for holidaymakers throughout the Eurozone. Latvian Lats have been replaced by the Euro which should see the country decrease its dependency on neighbouring Russia and encourage further growth across the country. As a visitor, it means you’ll get more bang for your buck too so this is a great time to visit!
5. Latvia is an outdoor adventurer’s playground.
Much of Europe is blessed with beautiful scenery and untouched natural beauty and Latvia is no different. It’s widespread across the country; nearly half of county is blanketed by forests in fact! Interestingly, it was voted as the most beautiful country in the world in 2012 and whilst I would never usually rate the Daily Mail on anything, this time I will cut them some slack. In a stroke of genius, they actually reported something accurately for once! Perhaps it’s because the results were crowd sourced by actual travellers and clearly, they know what they’re talking about. Lush meadows, craggy ravines and thick, burly forests interspersed with wild flowers and the gentle trickle of rivers and streams create a heavenly environment for walking and hiking! If this is your cup of tea, you definitely will not be disappointed with Latvia’s offerings both inside and outside of its national parks.
Here are my 5 reasons to visit Latvia soon. Get in there before you have to share the streets and natural beauty with hoards of others; you don’t have long by my estimation!
