Introduction
The tour of Latvia should be started with Riga; its vibrant coastal capital marked by photogenic castles, music festivals and spectacular river valleys. The best time to visit Latvia is between spring and summer (April through September). This time is also suitable for most of the outdoor activities. In the winters from November through late March, one can see the theatre performances, concerts and Latvia becomes a skier's paradise.

The city of Riga has 19th - century parks and wide boulevards. The Freedom Monument made in 1935, is the principle landmark in Riga. The synagogue, Jewish Museum and Motor Museum are the major tourist attractions in Riga. Bauska has a gigantic castle built between 1443 and 1456. An Italian Baroque specialist, Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who created many of St Petersburg's finest buildings, designed the 18th-century Rundale Palace in Bauska.

Jurmala in Latvia has beaches, dunes, woodlands, museums, galleries, restaurants, pubs and inns. The historic town of Latvia; Kuldiga has a 17th-century town hall; an 18th-century granary; Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox and Lutheran churches; a water mill built in 1807; a sculpture garden, and a regional museum.

Sigulda also popular as the 'Switzerland of Latvia', its environs amidst the Gauja Valley boast a string of medieval castles and legend-laden caves. Sigulda is also a health resort as well as winter sports centre. The Silguda castle and the Gauja national park are not to be missed by the tourists. Aglona Basilica is Latvia's most important Roman Catholic shrine and pilgrimage destination.

The Gauja valley is a center for winter sports. Riga has an outdoor ice skating rink operative during extreme winters when temperatures fall below -3°C (27°F). Canoeing is very popular on the Gauja, Salaca and Abava rivers, also including the Latgale lakes region. The horse riding in Gauja National Park and the guided bird-watching tours are the unforgettable trips.