Riga, By Bus and Boat (Moderate)

Growing your own food is the Latvian way of life. You are invited to visit Riga Central Market - where people shop, meet, talk and spend their daily time. Board your bus and drive to Riga's Central Market, a UNESCO World Heritage Site . At the Central Market you will meet with a Latvian Chef for a guided walk of the Market. The market includes five pavilions each with its own category - vegetables, dairy, meat, fish and gastronomy products. Here you will see not only Latvian-grown and homemade products, but also exotic fruit and spices. You will be welcomed to taste some of the local specialties . Then continue your exploration of Riga and drive to the Old Town . A walking tour through the labyrinth of cobblestone streets will reveal the flavors of Riga. There will be plenty of architectural examples to please your eye along the way and something uniquely Latvian for your palate. Visit the mysterious alchemic laboratory of Abraham Kunze, the home of Riga Black Balsam since the 18th century. The entrance to the laboratory is hidden behind a secret door. Once inside you will be surrounded by the authentic atmosphere of a medieval alchemic laboratory which will make you believe in the reality of miracles and the secret of Riga Black Balsam. You will see the pride of Riga, Dome Cathedral , famous for one of the biggest organs in Europe. Your guided tour continues to St. Peter's Church, St. George's Church, St. John's Church, a part of the restored city wall and the medieval John's yard. You will also have an opportunity to see the medieval dwelling houses "Three Brothers," 13th century St. Jacob's Church and 14th century Riga castle which now houses the President's palace. Before heading back to the ship see the outstanding Freedom Monument (1935) which symbolizes the struggle of Latvian people for independence. Please note : Wear comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. This tour involves over 1 mile of walking and several flights of stairs. Tour is not wheelchair accessible. The sequence of stops may vary in order to avoid congestion.

Riga, Jewish Heritage of Riga ( Moderate)

Start your day with a leisurely drive along the boulevards of Riga. Riga has around 800 art nouveau buildings, the majority of which are concentrated in the central part of Riga and are recognized as UNESCO Heritage Sites. Walk through Old Riga and get acquainted with its most famous architectural monuments: 13th century St. Peter's Church, St. George's Church, St. John's Church, a part of the restored city wall and the medieval John's yard. The tour will take you to the heart of Old Riga - the Dome Square. You will see the Dome Cathedral and the famous Riga Stock Exchange building. Finally, you'll cross the River Daugava for a magnificent panoramic view of the Old Town before your tour ends back at the pier. Please note: Wear comfortable clothing and footwear. The sequence of venues visited may be different to avoid congestion. This tour involves a large amount of walking over uneven surfaces.

No additional details available for this excursion.

Your tour will take you to one of the largest and most glorious Art Nouveau places in Europe, with more than a third of the buildings of its Central District built in this style. The Art Nouveau movement reached its peak in the early 20th century, which is when the majority of Riga's Art Nouveau houses were built. Drive to Alberta Street which is considered the epitome of Art Nouveau in Riga. Each house is a different and unique construction achievement. Nowhere else in Riga will you observe such a concentration of expression and architectural fantasy. You will be invited to visit a typical Art Nouveau family apartment. This is a unique apartment which represents the true nature of Art Nouveau living - from authentic planning of the rooms and original paintings of walls to the tiniest details - stained-glass windows, kitchen tiles and even handles of doors and windows. The collection of the museum accounts for more than 500 authentic objects - original Art Nouveau furniture, tableware, needleworks, clothes and many other items of interior design on display. Your experience of Riga would not be complete without a delightful boat trip. Riga Old Town is surrounded by water as a part of the old fortification system. Now it is a beautiful water route surrounded with green parks and flowerbeds. Enjoy the tour from the new wooden boats and see the Freedom Monument, the National Opera House, Latvian State University and many other great architectural monuments. Enjoy the scenery of Riga while tasting traditional Latvian cookies and soft drinks. Please note : Wear comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. The sequence of stops may vary in order to avoid congestion.

No additional details available for this excursion.