The serenity and easy charm of Latvia belie centuries of suffering. The country has been conquered and reconquered so many times that the year 2008 was only the 39th year of Latvian independence—ever. These days, Latvia’s vibrant capital, Rīga, is under siege by a new force: tourism. Cheap flights have brought so many Western visitors that Rīga’s Old Town can feel like one big British bachelor party on summer weekends. You don’t have to wander far from the beaten path, however, to discover the allure of Rīga’s art nouveau elegance and student nightlife, its stunning seacoast, and the wild beauty of its Gaujas Valley National Park.
Facts And Figures Official Name : Republic of Latvia. Capital : Rīga. Major Cities : Daugavpils, Rēzekne. Population : 2,245,000. Time Zone : GMT ...more
For more info on opportunities across Europe, see Beyond Tourism, . American Field Service (AFS), 71 W. 23rd St., 17th fl., New York, NY 10010, USA (☎ www.afs.org). Offers summer-, semester-, and ...more
Rīga (pop. 750,000) is the center of Latvia’s cultural and economic life, fusing a fascinating mix of Russian and Latvian influences. Medieval church spires dominate the Old Town, founded in ...more
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For 50 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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