Snowflakes & Riga Lights: Latvian Christmas

Day 1: Arrival in Riga

Arrive at Riga Airport and transfer to the hotel. Meet your local English-speaking guide and enjoy a welcome drink. Continue with a 2-hour walking tour of Riga's Old Town, beautifully decorated for Christmas. Discover the city's highlights and finish with a tasting of two varieties of traditional Latvian Black Balsam, accompanied by a truffle, coffee and water at the atmospheric Black Magic Bar. Learn about the history of this iconic Latvian drink during an interactive visit to the bar's historic cellar.

Day 2: Riga and Āgenskalns Market

After breakfast, meet your guide and head to Āgenskalns Market. Explore its renovated historic building, lively food stalls and the meeting point of traditional market culture and modern gastronomy. Discover local flavours and learn about the market's role in Riga's culinary scene. Lunch near the market is optional. In the evening, enjoy free time and visit the Christmas Market in Dome Square.

Day 3: Optional experiences

After breakfast, choose one of two optional excursions:

Option 1: Latvian National Museum of Art and Cacao Workshop

Discover Latvian art and the impressive architecture of the National Museum of Art on a guided visit. Afterwards, enjoy a cacao workshop at a nearby café. Taste several varieties of cacao, learn about its cultural heritage and traditions, and create your own drink using ceremonial-grade cacao and organic food-grade essential oils.

Option 2: Winter Adventure in Sigulda

Discover the winter atmosphere of Sigulda and the scenic Gauja River Valley near Sigulda Castle. Enjoy a guided tour of the town and experience an exciting soft-luge ride down the Olympic-level Sigulda Bobsleigh Track (two guests per ride). The activities are arranged so they can be enjoyed even if there is no snow.

In the evening, you may visit Riga's Christmas Market in Dome Square.

Day 4: Departure

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out. The morning is free for last-minute shopping or a final stroll through the narrow streets of Riga's Old Town. Transfer to Riga Airport for departure.

Included services:

3 nights' accommodation in a proposed 4-star hotel (Neiburgs Hotel)
3 buffet breakfasts
City tax
Arrival transfer from Riga Airport to the hotel
Departure transfer from the hotel to Riga Airport
Local English-speaking guide:
Day 1: Meet & greet, transfer to the Old Town and 2-hour walking tour
Day 2: Guided visit to Āgenskalns Market
Traditional Latvian Black Balsam tasting at Black Magic Bar, including two varieties of Black Balsam, a truffle, coffee and water
Visit to Riga Christmas Market in Dome Square

Recommended travel period:

December

Excluded services:

Optional half-day excursion to the Latvian National Museum of Art and cacao workshop, including entrance tickets, guide services and workshop
Optional half-day excursion to Sigulda, including transfers, guided town tour, Sigulda Castle entrance and soft-luge ride
Lunches
Dinners (available on request, from EUR 50 per person)
Tram tickets on Day 2 (payable locally by guests)
Travel Insurance
Flight Tickets
Tips
Personal expenses

Image source: LCC Latvia Tours
Image source: LCC Latvia Tours
Image source: LCC Latvia Tours
Image source: LCC Latvia Tours
Image source: LCC Latvia Tours
Image source: LCC Latvia Tours
Image source: LCC Latvia Tours