Country Holidays

Self-drive tours

Special Winter package   


Latvia (6 days)

This itinerary allows to enjoy the Latvian winter at its best. Start with bustling city of Riga with its Christmas market, decorations, shopping facilities, many cultural events and museums.
Then head out to the countryside where one can enjoy winter pleasures at the skiing/sledging slopes. After active day relax at the spa hotel as well as try out healthy Latvian sauna ritual. For sightseeing visit Sigulda medieval Castle ruines, Turaida Castle and  taste home-made wine at the Krimulda manor. Local wild animals easily can be observed at the Ligatne Nature Trails but enjoy a ride in horse-driven sledge at the nearby farm.


General information:
  • Route: Riga – Sigulda - Krimulda - Sigulda - Ligatne  - Riga
  • Individual
  • Hire car
  • Length of the route: ~180 km
  • 6 days
  • valid until the 31.03.2012

1st day / Arrival in Rīga
Arrival in Riga.
Check-in at the hotel and collect map and detailed itinerary from the hotel's reception.

Overnight at the cosy, centrally located hotel  in Rīga.

2nd day / Rīga
Breakfast.
Sightseeing in Riga.
  • Attractions: medieval Old Town and Art Nouvea district, Christmas market, attractive museums, various concerts and workshops depending of the date.
Overnight in Riga.
3rd day / Rīga - Sigulda  - Turaida - Sigulda (~65 km, 100% asphalt)
Breakfast.
Pick up the hired car.
Sites and attractions en route:
  • Castle ruins, caves and hilly landscapes at Sigulda
  • The Livonian Order castle at the Turaida museum reserve. There is an observation tower and a sculpture garden on the banks of the Gauja river. Also working estate support buildings (smithy, stables etc.)
  • Options for winter sport activities:
    - a ride with bob at the Olympic Bobsled Centre
    - downhill skiing/camera rides at the Sigulda Town’s Skiikng Slop
  • Special warming ginger spa package at the hotel including ginger pearl baths, relaxing massage with ginger butter and aromatic ginger tea after massage. Unlimited access to the sauna center: Sauna and Turkish steam bath; heated and cold pools with massage devices;  contrast pool for the wellbeing of your feet; outdoor pool
Overnight in Sigulda.

4th day / Sigulda - Krimulda - Sigulda (~25 km, 100% asphalt)
Breakfast.
Sites and attractions for the day:
  • Krimulda Church, one of the oldest churches in Latvia
  • Krimulda castle ruins and beautiful views across the ancient valley of Gauja
  • Krimulda Manor with tasting of the Manor’ s homemade wine made from different berries and Charlotte biscuits. Stories about the life in the Krimulda Manor.
  • Traditional Latvian sauna ritual at the Velnalas pirts. It takes about 3-4 hours, includes professional bathmen, switching with birch twigs, scrub masks, cooling at the icy water and relaxing with some herbal tea at the end.
Overnight in Sigulda.

5th day / Sigulda - Ligatne  - Riga (~100 km, 100% asphalt)
Breakfast.
Optional spa treatments or winter sport activities.

Sites and attractions for the day:
  • The Līgatne nature park, where local wild animals can be observed in enclosers at their natural inhabitat. There are: brown bears, lynx, elks, wild boars, deers etc. 
  • Picturesque historic Ligatne village
  • Option to have a guided excursion at the Soviet Bunker . It used to be the top secret place underground where Soviet goverment would retreat in case of Nuclear war.
  • Visit the farm nearby for a ride in horse -driven sledge. Here you can also cook your own sausages on the bone fire outdoors.
Overnight in Riga.

6th day
Breakfast.
Departure
Package price: from 310.00 EUR*
*Minimum number of persons - 2.
*A price of the tour can change in case the planned guest houses/hotels are fully booked and we have to choose other accommodation sites.
*Prices may change due to changes in national tax legislation or other independent reasons.

Services included in the package price:
  • 5 overnights with breakfast in hotels (double or TWIN room with WC, shower)
  • spa package as per the itinerary
  • Latvian sauna ritual
  • wine tasting at the Krimulda Manor
  • ride in horse-driven sledge
  • Maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Extra costs not included in the package price:
    • Hired car
    • Single supplement per person: from 140.00 EUR
    • Additional night in Rīga: from 45.00 EUR (DBL/ night)
    • Entrance tickets to attractions and sites
Information & booking - tel: +371 67617600, e-mail: lauku@celotajs.lv