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Neil Taylor’s guidebooks to Estonia and the Baltic Cities are published by Bradt (www.bradtguides.com)


028 TRAVEL


TAKE OFF Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) fl ies from Stansted and Air Baltic (www.airbaltic.com) from Gatwick to Riga with fares starting from £90. Ryanair fl ies to Vilnius from Luton and Stansted (£90). Flights to Tallinn are operated by easyJet (www.easyjet.com) from Gatwick starting at £70.


LATVIA WWW.LA TVIA.TRA VEL


LATVIA IS RANKED ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREENEST COUNTRIES


Neighbouring Russia and with population of 2.1 million, Latvia is ranked one of the world’s greenest countries whilst its capital, Riga, is the largest in the Baltics. Its natural beauty features pine-fringed beaches of white sand that often see it dubbed the ‘Baltic Riviera’. The country is a heavy hitter when it comes to the natural environment – evident across open spaces that take in four national parks, seven protected marine areas and more than 250 nature reserves. Latvia turns out more fashion models than almost any other country in the world (Estonia does beat it!). And the Latvians have a great love of beer. In fact, Riga even has a ‘beer spa’, while Black Balsam – a liquer of 24 different plants and


berries fermented in oak barrels is said to have cured a cold of Catherine the Great.


WHY GO? • Rundale Palace – nicknamed the ‘Baltic Versailles’.


• The seaside resort of Jurmala (20 minutes from Riga).


• From medieval castles to bungee jumping, head for Gauja National Park.


• Kuldiga is a beautiful town harking back to a quieter age.


• One of the largest in Europe, visit Riga’s central market.


• For a spot of culture head to the Latvian National Opera and Ballet.


CHECK-IN TALLINN The fi ve-star Schlossle Hotel (www. schloesslehotel.com) has rooms from £160 a night, while the Hotel St Barbara (www.stbarbara.ee) has rates starting at £100.


RIGA The luxury Grand Hotel Kempinski (www.kempinski. com) has rooms from £220 or try the Relais le Chevalier (www.lechevalier.lv) from £85.


VILNIUS The best address in town is the Kempinski Cathedral Square (www. kempinski.com) and will cost around £190 a night. Rates at the Real House Apartments (www.realhouseapartments.lt) are from £60.


PACKAGED UP • REGENT HOLIDAYS (www.regent-holidays.co.uk) offers short breaks, tailor- made itineraries, fl y-drives and group tours. A three- night city break with fl ights starts from £320, while an eight-day Classic Baltics Group Tour costs from £995 including fl ights.


• RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL (www.responsibletravel.com) has an 11-day small group Cycling in the Baltics holiday from £1,467 including fl ights.


• Other operators include BALTIC TRAVEL COMPANY (www.baltictravelcompany. com), EXODUS (www.exodus. co.uk) and EXPLORE (www. explore.co.uk). Prices are per person based on two travelling and subject to change.


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