Latvia — Destination Guide: Overview

The enchanting land of Latvia is a delight to explore, dotted with fairy-tale castles and elegant old manor houses. Its landscapes are thick with forests that are home to an abundance of wildlife, with expansive lakes, dramatic ravines and fertile valleys, and with wild sandy beaches backed by enormous dunes. Latvia also has an intriguing history and heritage owing to its pagan past, its conversion to Christianity by German traders, and its 50 years as a Russian republic, but most of all, due to its strategic location on the ancient trading routes between Scandinavia, Russia and the Byzantine Empire. Latvia's beautiful amber was once more ...

The enchanting land of Latvia is a delight to explore, dotted with fairy-tale castles and elegant old manor houses. Its landscapes are thick with forests that are home to an abundance of wildlife, with expansive lakes, dramatic ravines and fertile valleys, and with wild sandy beaches backed by enormous dunes. Latvia also has an intriguing history and heritage owing to its pagan past, its conversion to Christianity by German traders, and its 50 years as a Russian republic, but most of all, due to its strategic location on the ancient trading routes between Scandinavia, Russia and the Byzantine Empire. Latvia's beautiful amber was once more precious than gold, coveted as far back as Hellenistic Greece and the Roman Empire, remaining a popular and exotic souvenir to this day. Rich in artistic and cultural traditions, the country's performing arts scene is vibrant and the Latvian calendar boasts myriad festivals. Easter is a wonderful time to visit when every town across the country hosts some kind of festive celebration, providing a wonderful opportunity to try the hearty peasant-style Latvian cuisine.

About the Expert

Lara Dunston and Terry Carter have traveled to over 60 countries and written more than 40 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, DK, Rough Guides, Footprint, and others on destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and South America.