Latvia Day Tour last part; Hiking in Gauja National Park (Sigulda)

Day trip to quickly sight-see the best marvels of Latvia

June 29, 2015

Latvia Day Tour 2nd part; Riga City Walk

How to Go to Gauja National Park;
The nearest train or bus station to access Gauja National Park is through Sigulda which is 1hr15min away from Riga, fare costs 2.2 Euro. Free Entrance except in Turaida Castle Museum, fee of 5 Euro. Photography and video taking is permitted.

0815H		ETD Riga Bus Stn			bound to Sigulda		2.2Euro
0930H		ETA Sigulda			Gauja National Park	walk
		Krimulda Ruins			Gutman's Cave	walk
		Turaida Castle Museum			fridge magnet	walk	7.0Euro
1305H		ETD Turaida			bound to Sigulda	bus	0.5Euro
1320H		ETA Sigulda			margarita pizza meal		5.4Euro
1430H		ETD Sigulda			bound to Riga	bus	2.2Euro
1545H		ETA Riga

I roam Sigulda going to Turaida through self-guided walk accompanied by a free map starting from Sigulda Bus/Train Station which is around 2km away to Gauja bridge. I passed-by the Walking Stick Park, Serpentine Road, Krimulda Castle ruins, Krimulda Manor, Gutman's Cave, Turaida Museum Reserve and how locals and other tourists hassles on the streets. Photography and video taking is allowed.

Krimulda Manor was built around 1822 in the classic style. Gutman's Cave is the biggest cave in Baltic and also the oldest tourist attraction of Latvia. This cave is unique with ancient inscriptions on the walls, which have been left there by ancient travelers. Gauja National Park was established to protect Gutman's Cave and many more impressive sandstone outcrops. It is the oldest national park in Latvia and the largest in Baltic countries. Sigulda Castle Museum was built in 1207 as castellum type fortress and later on rebuilt into convent type building.

Latvia Day Tour; Hiking in Gauja National Park (Turaida Castle Museum)

Latvia Day Tour 2nd part; Riga City Walk

Day trip to quickly sight-see the best marvels of Latvia

June 29, 2015

Latvia Day Tour 1st part; Evening Bus from Tallinn to Riga

I roam the city through self-guided walk accompanied by a downloaded map online starting from Riga Coach Station which is around 300 meters away to the Old town where I booked my stay for the night (Cheapy Hostel). I passed-by the St. Gertrude Old Church, Kronvalda Parks, St. Peter's Church, Freedom Monument, Nativity of Christ Cathedral, Vermanes Garden and how locals and other tourists hassles on the streets. Photography and video taking is allowed.

Riga is home to the largest concentration of Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) architecture in the world and is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Riga has become an increasingly popular destination for Europeans drawn by its old town, its historical importance, and its nightlife. The old town of Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Riga
 

Latvia Day Tour; Riga City Walk (Ratslaukums)

Latvia Day Tour 1st part; Evening Bus from Talinn to Riga

Day trip to quickly sight-see the best marvels of Latvia

June 29, 2015

Estonia Day Tour last part; Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments

timezone - +0300H UTC (summer time);   capital - Riga;   language - Latvian
currency - Euro; 1 EUR = 1.1 USD
visa - included in Schengen Agreement, Filipino's are required to apply 1st before travel

Latvia (Latvija) is a european state which is situated on the coast of Baltic Sea and one of the three Baltic states. Latvia is a famous ancient trading point. Latvia is the famous route from the Vikings to the Greeks’ mentioned in ancient chronicles stretched from Scandinavia through Latvian territory along the river Daugava to the Kievan Rus and Byzantine Empire.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Latvia

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT LATVIA (",)
1. Latvia has only been independent twice: for 21 years (1919-1940) and from 1991 to now. German, Polish, Swedish and Russian regimes ruled for much of its history.
2. The longest day in Latvia runs to over 17+ hours of sunlight.
3. The widest waterfall in Europe is in Latvia. ‘Ventas Rumba’ is 360ft wide- which really must be stunning to see.

Latvia Day Tour; Evening Bus from Talinn to Riga

23 Days Solo Summer Adventures in Central, Southern and Northern Europe

Germany - Liechtenstein - Slovenia - Croatia - Serbia - Bulgaria - Romania - Hungary - Slovakia - Poland - Lithuania - Estonia - Latvia - Denmark
June 10 to July 02, 2015

23 Days Solo Autumn Experience in Central Europe (Oct. 2013)

"Let the future tell the truth, and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments. The present is theirs; the future, for which I have really worked, is mine." - Nikola Tesla

Schengen Area guarantees free movement within territory of 26 countries. As of 19th of December 2011, Schengen Area consist of 26 countries (of which 22 are EU states): Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Being part of the area without controls at internal borders means that these countries no longer carry-out border checks at their internal borders and have stepped-up controls which must meet clearly defined criteria, at the external borders.

As of January 2015, valid Schengen Visa holders regardless of nationality can transit/visit European countries of (1)Albania, (2)Bosnia and Herzegovina, (3)Bulgaria, (4)Croatia, (5)Macedonia, (6)Montenegro, (7)Romania and (8)Serbia. Some of this countries provide maximum 15-days stay in any period given in the Schengen Visa duration.

My 3rd time to visit the European continent (1st visit was last October 2013 and 2nd visit was last June 2014), 43rd solo backpacking trip, total of 55 countries visited so far and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

3rd Solo Trip in Europe fridge magnet collections