The country with daisy as national flower

If you're longing for a getaway that will give you that tingle of discovering something new and untried, something exciting and magical, you need not travel outside mainstream Europe. You need only look towards this trendy, European-feeling nation of 2.3 million people. It offers you an adventure you will never forget.

Latvia - It is a place where the emerging generation of national, economic, social and cultural leaders has real reasons to be optimistic about its future. A future where Latvia is free to preserve, enhance and protect its very special place in the world.

In Latvia you will find primordial wilderness areas characteristic of Scandinavia, a rich cultural heritage comparable to Central Europe and a countryside of pastoral serenity.

Unfortunately, in the 20th century Latvia suffered through two world wars, and from 1940 until 1991 it was occupied and isolated behind the Iron Curtain by the Soviet Union. As a result, Latvia has been relegated to a "blank spot" on modern European and world tourist maps. Today, this largely unknown land is waiting to be discovered, ready to be revealed as the colourful mosaic that is Latvia.

Even though Latvia is a small country, during one trip it is simply impossible to see everything that it has to offer. That is why choose your preferred destination! You want to see the medieval castle in Cēsis or look at the rapids of the River Gauja, or maybe you prefer fun by the sea in the towns of Liepāja and Ventspils? Maybe you want to spend time in the capital of Latvia - Riga, to see Old Town’s architectural monuments and savour traditional Latvian beer in one of the numerous pubs?

VIDZEME: North Latvia

Vidzeme is famous with it’s prettiness of nature, various heritage of culture of past and ethnic traditions. In Vidzeme is possible to enjoy scenic beauty of lakes and rivers, to be delighted about natural landscapes of forests, meadows, valleys and hills. Almost in every even smallest town of Vidzeme you’ll feel breath of history - castle ruins and the manor houses. Unforgettable relaxation will be gained from slow walking along the Vidzeme’s strands where are sandy beaches, stony creeks and even sandstone cliffs and caves.

Cēsis is one of the most picturesque medieval towns in Latvia. It attracts visitors by its cultural life and wide possibilities for active recreation. In 2006 Cesis will celebrate its 800 anniversary. Hiking or bike tours along winding roads, silent forest tracks and riverbanks provide an opportunity to visit places which cannot be reached by car. The picturesque sandstone cliffs on the banks of the Gauja, the Brasla and the Amata greet the water tourists. Castle of the Livonian Order - Latvia’s most impressive and best preserved complex of castle ruins, and the most popular sight in Cēsis.

Switzerland of Vidzeme – Sigulda. Sigulda and its surroundings is the most popular tourist area where you can enjoy a rare combination of medieval castles, picturesque hilly landscapes (with a river running amidst sandy caves), a sculpture park and flowers that are already extinct in most countries of Europe. Sigulda is attractive in all seasons. It is the centre of downhill skiing in the winter. In summer, it is a popular place for boating. You must visit the Gauja National Park where several walking and cycling trails are made. Among the "must" sights would be the Sigulda Castle Ruins, the medieval Turaida Castle, panoramic Painters' Hill, the Gutmana Cave. Both banks of the Gauja primeval valley are connected by a cable car in Sigulda. Here you can enjoy a ride on the cable car 40 meters above the valley. Well-known European bobsled route is situated in Sigulda. The Gauja National Park is particularly beautiful in the golden autumn.

LATGALE: East Latvia

What is Latgale? It’s an ancient part of Latvia, almost a quarter of the whole country, where one third of the population of Latvija lives. One hundred and fifty castle mounds in Latgale still show where the region’s fortified castles stood, where the aristocratic landlords and local rulers held sway in prosperity and wealth. Latgale is rightly called the Land of Blue lakes or land of lakes. Latgale is characterized by crucifixes at the road sides, steeples of white churches over coniferous forests, manor-houses and castles. Aglona basilica, the world famous catholic religious centre attracts thousands of people from different countries to celebrate the Ascension of the Virgin Mary. You will also find ceramics made by local potters – jugs, pots, vases, plates and candlesticks, glittering glaze in warm earthtone shades – a traditional part of crafts.

ZEMGALE: South Latvia

A large number of nature objects is concentrated in Zemgale - parks, secular trees, castle mounds, different geological phenomena like karst areas. One of the most uncharacteristic objects of Zemgale plain is Tērvete Nature Park - an area of hills, dells and pinewoods. The impressive castle mounds of ancient Zemgalians have been preserved, and the jewellery and other objects found in ancient graves can be seen. The most beautiful and richest Latvian castles and manor houses are located in this region. The Rundāle Palace is one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo art in Latvia, built between 1736 and 1740 as a summer residence of the Duke of Courland Ernst Johann Biron.

KURZEME: West Latvia

Kurzeme – God's blessed land! These words always remind about rustle of the Baltic sea and the dunes, rich towns, dark woods, Ventspils castle, Kuldīga waterfall, Liepāja amber, Slītere dry pine forests, Zvārde moors and so called Kurzeme Switzerland, this name given by Rainis and Aspazija – the most famous Latvian poet and poetess.

Ventspils lies in north-western Latvia on the shores of the Baltic Sea where the Venta River joins the sea. You can see the Castle of the Livonian Order and several churches in the town. The beautiful, clean beach and surrounding forests are perfect for relaxation. At the Ventspils Open-Air Museum of Maritime Fishing you can see fishermen's houses, fishing boats and tools. There is also a windmill and a narrow gauge railway engine running in the territory of the museum.

If you want to enjoy a holiday in the City of the sea, wind and music, you should head for Liepāja, where one can admire buildings of varied architectural styles and ages. Liepāja is famous for its large scale music and art festivals, its own symphonic orchestra, organ, army port prisons, motor races.

Riga: The Paris of the Baltics

Riga is the Sleeping Beauty of Europe. Fortunately she did not have to sleep for more than 50 years. Now she – the Grand Lady - has woken up, shaken off her dust and got back the colours and unique beauty of her youth. The Central part of Riga was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List as: 1) one of the world largest and best preserved assemblages of the Art Nouveau buildings, 2) a city with architecture that reflects various periods of city history from 1201 to the present day, 3) a city with a unique collection of wooden architecture in the central city area. Riga has hundreds of ways for enticing visitors – its rich history, architecture, spacious gardens and parks, museums, art galleries and world-class opera…and daily treats like a walk in the enormous colorful central market or going to a cosy café, club or pub… Impossible not to be loved in Riga, because of its given inspiration to everyone – both for them which are delighted with ancient and which craves for new impressions.