Riga city break - Latvian Midsummer festival experience
guaranteed escorted tour

Riga city break - Latvian Midsummer festival experience

  • 6 days / 5 nights
  • Latvia
  • Riga - Jurmala - Garkalne - Gauja National park - Riga
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Program

DAY 1: (JUNE 20th) ARRIVAL RIGA

Arrival in Riga, optional transfer to the hotel Konventa Sēta ***or similar, check-in, welcome meeting with your tour leader in hotel lobby.

DAY 2: (JUNE 21th) MIDSUMMER CELEBRATION

This is the time when the day is the longest and the night is the shortest of the year. We go for the traditional Midsummer celebration with the locals. We learn to sing traditional songs and dance traditional dances. The celebration can last till the sunrise if you have the will to do so. We enjoy the house owner’s hospitality and join them for a home-made dinner.

A very important part of the local culture is the sauna. To take a break from singing and dancing, we offer an optional local sauna ritual to restore the balance of our mind and body. The local sauna master will involve you in the traditional sauna ritual. We stay overnight at a countryside guest house with sauna access and enjoy the tranquility that brings Latvian forest.

DAY 3: (JUNE 22th) OPEN-AIR MUSEUM – RIGA

In the morning we will make a visit to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-air Museum. During the tour we will learn about the Latvian farmer’s life. We will have a degustation (light lunch) of local food like cottage cheese, house made bread and honey. Return to Riga and check-in hotel Konventa Sēta*** or similar.

In the afternoon we will have the possibility to make an optional visit to a local household named “Carpenter’s workshop”. Here we get to know typical Latvian trees, work along with experienced craftsmen, try out traditional toys and games. As well as enjoy a very special tea recipe brewed in a bonfire house.

In the evening we offer an optional dinner on the ship Rīgas Pērle with evening cruise to sunset. You will have the possibility to enjoy the evening admiring the sunset on the river Daugava.

DAY 4: (JUNE 23th) RIGA – SIGULDA

Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. During Riga walking tour we will see the Art Nouveau most famous buildings on the streets of Alberta and Elizabeth. TheOld Town with Riga’s Castle and the Three Brothers houses, which were built between the late 1400s and mid-1600s and are the oldest dwellings in the city. At lunchtime we make a visit to the Riga Central Market. To try, such as smoked meats, pickled vegetables, Latvian bread, seasonal treats, and more. The market opened in 1930 and it consists of five former Zeppelin airship hangars and is one of the largest covered markets in Europe.

After we will continue to Sigulda, where we will stay overnight in hotel Sigulda***

Everyone is welcomed to the St.John’s night celebration in Sigulda Livonian Order castle and continue to enjoy the magic of Midsummer night open-air party next to a large bonfire.

DAY 5: (JUNE 24th) GAUJA NATIONAL PARK – SIGULDA – RIGA

We enjoy a slow start of the day and continue with an optional visit to the Gauja National park and town of Sigulda. Gauja National park is the largest and oldest National park in Latvia. To enjoy picturesque views over the river Gauja Valley we take a cable car. We continue to the Gutmans Cave to listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida. Enroute to Riga we make a stop at two highlights of the National park – the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and the Castle of the Knights of the Sword.

Before returning to Riga, we will enjoy the silence of nature. We offer an optional local herbal tea workshop in which the local herbal tea traditions are explained by a medicine man. We create our own herbal tea and have house made traditional lunch. Late afternoon we will arrive to Riga, check-in hotel Konventa Sēta*** or similar.

DAY 6: (JUNE 25th) DEPARTURE

Departure day, optional transfer to the airport

Package Price Per Person
  • EUR 720.00 (double occupancy)
  • EUR 320.00 (single supplement)
Optional Activities
  • 5 h Herbal tea workshop and meditation – EUR 50.00 pp
  • Sauna ritual –EUR 60.00 pp
  • Carpenter’s workshop– EUR 45.00 pp
  • Gauja National Park tour – EUR 45.00 pp
Optional Transfers
  • Transfer airport to Hotel : EUR 35.0 for private car (1-3 persons), EUR 55.00 for private van (4-7 persons)
  • Transfer Hotel to airport: EUR 35.00 for private car (1-3 persons), EUR 55.00 for private van (4-7 persons)
Optional Meals
  • Dinner on the ship Rīgas Pērle with evening cruise to sunset – EUR 40.00 pp
Tour information
  • Group size: 2 – 12 persons

Note:

Due to very changeable weather, layering is key to enjoying your trip to the Baltics and rain protection is a must-have

Services included

  • 4 overnights at centraly located hotel Konventa Sēta*** or similar with breakfast buffet
  • 1 overnight at a cozy guest house with sauna access and breakfast
  • Private car or minivan throughout the itinerary
  • Welcome meeting
  • English/ German speaking tour guide during the program
  • Riga old town and Art Nouveau walking tour
  • Latvian open-air museum and Central Market food degustation
  • Entrances: Open – air museum
  • Home-made dinner at the guest house on 21th June
  • Traditional midsummer festival celebration
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Tour map

What travelers say about us

Artur Iwański
Artur Iwański
2023-05-03
A very good and interesting guide. Customized trips - which is very useful. If you want to get to know Latvia (which is worth it!) there is no one better. Highly recommended.
Giovanni Paolo Palamara
Giovanni Paolo Palamara
2023-01-07
Very interesting trip. Definitely worth it!
Eddie Mantle
Eddie Mantle
2022-12-05
Very professional. Valdis, guided a group of 8 around Mangasala, Riga, giving us a fascinating insight into the military history there. Looking forward to the next tour.
Zijian Hua
Zijian Hua
2022-11-02
Valdis is an experienced guide, a local from Riga. He has a wealth of knowledge and is always able to tell you interesting history along the way. The route plan of the hiking is also reasonable. In autumn, the fallen leaves near Sigulda are also very beautiful. If you are planning to do an outdoor hike in Latvia too, then don't hesitate to join a walking group organized by Valdis.
bllhmn
bllhmn
2022-10-31
I took the tour in Lilaste. The train ride was very relaxing. The lakes and coast were amazing. It is great exercise and a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
John B
John B
2022-10-30
Great hike at Lilaste. Friendly tour guide. Definitely looking forward to the next hike. Highly recommended for those who want a short break from the daily routine.
Rachel Pamplin
Rachel Pamplin
2022-10-18
I enjoyed I enjoyed my tour of Cesis: Medieval Heritage and Natural Treasures! I loved being able to do a little of many things. Exploring the old city, touring a medieval castle, and a walk through a national park. The scenery was amazing and my guide was knowledgeable and helpful! As a single female, I felt safe the entire time and and would recommend to others!

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Baltic Nature Travel
Baltic Nature Travel
Baltic Nature Travel