Exceptional Experiences in Latvia

Checking what's on my computer I found this list of exceptional experiences in Latvia that was made many months ago for some other website... But it never got published anywhere, so I'm giving myself the green traffic light to share this list with you. Some adrenaline, some adventures, some childhood dreams that can become reality. Take a look at this list and let me know if there is something you can add!

1) Spending a night in a jail

In 2009 The Ghost Hunters International team announced: the Karosta jail in Liepāja is one of the most haunted places in the world. This KGB prison, where more than 150 people got shot, is one of the most unusual hotels you can find around the world. Entering this place every visitor becomes a prisoner, and staying overnight there you will get a real prisoners cell. It should be noted that this place is not recommended for emotionally sensitive people.

2) Flying with no belts, ropes or parachutes

In 1979 Jean St. Germain, Canadian-French inventor, built the first vertical wind tunnel, and last 30 years  ‘Aerodium’ in Latvia has been working to develop this invention and make flying real for any person with no special previous training. In Sigulda you can fly without safety belts and rubbers, no ropes and no parachutes – just jump into the vertical wind tunnel to enjoy adrenaline and taste of freedom.

3) Song and Dance Festival where thousands are singing like one

Since 1873 Song and Dance Festival in Latvia has been significant event which brings together more than 20 000 performers - singers and dancers in Riga – all dressed in traditional costumes from all parts of Latvia. The festival is held in summer once per 5 years taking over the streets of Riga, concert halls and even the public transport. The next festival will take place in 2018.

4) Midsummer’s Night

The pagan tradition of celebrating the summer solstice is absolutely alive in Latvia. 23rd of June people are getting to the countryside to make bonfires at night, to drink beer and jump over the fire, to decorate themselves with flowers, to sing and dance, to look for magical ferns in dark woods at night and run naked around meadows staying awake until the sunrise.

5) Park of modern arts

Pedvāle Open-Air Art Museum is the area of 200 ha full of original and surprising sculptures, installations and art objects created in workshops for specific place using mostly locally available materials. Be ready to spend your day in meadows, forests and hills on the banks of the river Abava observing wildlife and interaction between the nature and modern art where every step in the trail can bring new surprises.

6) Bobsleigh for speed lovers

1420 meters long bobsled track where high-level competitions are held is available also for non-professionals to enjoy adrenaline when bob curves down in landslides with a speed of 100kph. Accompanied by athletes, visitors can enjoy winter bob, summer bob on wheels or special tourist bobs in the track built in 1986 and regularly bringing here bobsled professionals from several countries for their trainings.

7) The Secret Soviet bunker

2000 sq m large bunker 9 m underground has been a secret since it was created in 1980-ies. It is located in Līgatne, and the veil of secrecy has been removed only in 2003. Soviet memorabilia, projections of what would happen in case of a nuclear war, telecommunication unit for communication with Moscow Kremlin and more original features you can see there now. For brave visitors there is a possibility to participate at the reality game.

8) Latvian Sauna

Traditional Latvian sauna is a real trip into the world of power of nature: right herbs and branches of trees into sauna open the world of aromas and natural healing, jumping into the water of pond or lake (even in winter) right after sweating in the temperature of up to 100° C strengthens body, and a massage with leaves and herbs (which looks more like hitting a person) removes the stress better than any spa.

9) Off-road driving with Russian military cars

Off-road park in Saldus district near the lake gives the adventure of off-road driving through forests and rivers in Russian military jeeps in the former military landfill Zante. There are special tracks for several difficulty levels, and after the training and orientation rides groups are also invited to challenge everyone's driving skills in a competition.

  

10) Lonely beaches and naturally blue cows 

Western part of Latvia – Kurzeme offers to enjoy beautiful, quiet, lonely beaches on the Baltic Sea – for hiking, bird watching, nude swimming or being alone with the wild nature.  This part of Latvia is also the only place to see naturally blue cows. The secret of this natural color is nothing else than the water of the sea.

 

The Land That Sings = Best Enjoyed Slowly

8 years the official logo of Latvia told that this is THE LAND THAT SINGS. And it’s totally true. Latvians really are good singers, maybe because of going to sauna or eating a lot of mushrooms, maybe it’s because of our Midsummer’s  night which is still kept full of rituals and magic, but singing is something we are proud of. We have song and dance festival once per 5 years where thousands of people are singing Latvian folk songs and the songs of Latvian composers in the same voice, where thousands of people are dancing in the same rythm. 

Now our official logo has changed and it says – BEST ENJOYED SLOWLY. No, it doesn’t mean that Latvians are slow. It’s just better for you to stay here longer and see more. For example, Riga is not only bars, pubs and clubs of the Old Town (Historical Centre), well it’s important part of Riga and I am shure you will find for yourself every kind of place to have a good entertainment specially for your taste. But you can also find here big amount of interesting museums, high quality concerts, nice churches, Art Noveau achitecture, parks, gardens... Ok, I guess you know it, I’ll try to inform you about special places here. And – it’s worth it to cross the borders of the capital city to meet wonderfull things you will find only in Latvia – blue cows, flying people... No, I am not joking.

There is a song of our most famous band „Brainstorm” – „Welcome to my country” – full of peace and harmony the countryside and small towns in Latvia can give to you. There is white sand beaches, castles, manors and palaces, but what I love the most (and I defenitely advice to try is) Latvian sauna. There is no better spa, massage or any other more enjoyable procedure for your health and beauty. Don’t miss going to Latvian Sauna in the countryside! It’s something great and there is nothing more I personally miss the most if I haven’t been in a countryside or even in my country for longer time. Relax, take all the flowers and leafs with you into the sauna to get powers from them, use honey and salt, jump into the pound, river or lake and get back to sauna again. You will never feel cleaner, lighter and more relaxed than after sauna. I guess Latvia is really best enjoyed slowly.

What about Riga? It’s THE CITY OF INSPIRATION!