Latvia: Top 10 Travel Destinations

The Latvian Tourism Agency has put together a list of the top 10 travel destinations in Latvia.

A visit to the historical town of Kuldīga features at the top of the list, and rightly so. The Alekšupīte River flows through the town, directly along the walls of many buildings. Kuldīga has been called the Venice of Latvia.  The town centre is home to narrow streets, one-storey houses and has buildings preserved from the 13^th century. Just outside Kuldīga lies Europe’s widest waterfall, the Venta Waterfall, which is over 240m wide. During spring and autumn, spawning fish will try to jump over the waterfall, creating quite a spectacle.

The seaside town of Ventspils offers something a little different. Located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Ventspils is home to sandy Blue Flag Beaches, making it the perfect place for a swim. The beach is also home to basketball courts and exercise equipment meaning there is something for everyone. The old town offers narrow cobbled streets and quaint buildings, which contrast with the modern architecture. It is easy to get around Ventspils,:Mazbānītis, a small train, runs on a 2km narrow gauge railway which connects popular attractions such as the beach, Seaside Park, Adventure Park and Seaside Open Air Museum. If you’re more historically minded, you’ll love visiting the Castle of the Livonian Order, one of the oldest preserved fortresses in Latvia, located in Ventspils.

If you enjoy exploring the outdoors, Gauja National Park is perfect for you. There are more than 500 historical and cultural monuments located inside the Park, including windmills, churches, stone castles, hill forts and watermills. If you follow one of the Līgatne Nature Trails, you might see some of the native wildlife such as red deer, bears, lynx, owls, wild boars and red foxes. The nearby Līgatne secret underground bunker will delight history enthusiasts; it was built for the Soviet Latvia leaders in the event of a nuclear war.

There’s something to suit all tastes in Latvia.

Click here to read the full list. 

Latvia offers some breathtaking tourism sites

Top attractions in Romania

Are you thinking about visiting Eastern Europe? Why not Romania?

Located in South-Eastern Europe, Romania features splendid mountains, beautiful rolling hills, fertile plains, numerous rivers and lakes along with character filled cities and medieval towns.

Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, is a bustling metropolis and offers plenty to suit all tastes. The Arch of Triumph, a major landmark, was built in 1922 to honour the Romanian soldiers who fought during the First World War. Visitors can climb to the top of the structure for a panoramic view of the city via the interior staircase. Not recommended for those with a fear of heights!

If you’re into architecture, you’ll love a walk down Calea Victoriei- Bucharest’s oldest street, built in 1692. As you stroll along, you’ll see the historical Revolution Square, the vast National History Museum with over 60 valuable exhibitions, the CEC palace, and the magnificent art nouveau Cantacuzino Palace. Bucharest is also home to some beautiful parks, most notably Carol I Park, with its imposing mausoleum. If you prefer to splash the cash, many high-end stores have made their home in the Romanian market since the fall of Communism. However, Bucharest has something to suit every budget; Blvd. Magheru,Piata Romana and Piata Universitatii have a fantastic variety of shops.

No visit to Romaia would be complete without a visit to Transylvania. The area is home to some of the oldest and prettiest towns in Romania, particularly Sighisoara with its medieveal architecture, secret passageways and plethora of unique shops. The main attraction in this region is Bran Castle, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The gothic fairy tale like structure sits on the edge of a hill and is a breathtaking sight. 

The Carpathian mountain landscape is full of exquisite beauty and mystery. The Oas – Harghita range is the longest volcanic mountain chain in Europe and creates a character filled landscape. The range is also home to the only Crater Lake in Romania- Ana Lake. The National Parks protect some of the largest remaining areas of pristine forest in Europe. However, they are also home to a wide range of terrains allowing visitors to experience the best of Romania. Travellers can trek around glacial lakes, walk through serene alpine meadows covered with scores of wild flowers, climb unique rock formations, explore the Buca mud volcanoes and visit impressive caves.

For those seeking a more relaxing holiday, the Black Sea resorts in Romania are seriously worth considering. The 45 miles of fine sandy beaches are dotted with fine hotels and resorts, many with fantastic sport and entertainment facilities. If you feel like trying something a little different, the Eforie Nord and Mangalia Spas are famous world wide for their specialised mud baths! The mud is taken from the nearby hypersaline lake waters and is said to help relieve arthritis.

For more information, click here

A Romanian Castle

Unusual European Weekend Break Destinations

If you are planning a weekend break to Europe, there are plenty of fantastic destinations to choose from. But what if you want to go somewhere a little more unusual, perhaps somewhere your friends haven't all been to yet? Here are a few ideas to consider ...  Click here