October 29th, Day 1
Vilnius - Riga
08:00-10:35 Tranfer from Vilnius hotel to airport
10:35-11:25 Flight from Vilnius
11:25 Arrival in Riga
11:50-12:45 Transfer from airport to hotel
12:45-13:00 Meet at the hotel reception to walk to the lunch
13:00-14:00 Lunch at "3 Prir" restaurant
14:00-14:20 Transfer
14:20-15:00 Museum of Art Nouveau.
Riga is one of the few European cities, which remained very rich Art Nouveau architecture, art and design objects.. The authentic interior of 1903 has been renovated in the museum.
15:00-15:30 Transfer
15:30-16:15 “Laima” chocolate museum.
“Laima” is the biggest and most well-known producer of chocolate and sweets in the Baltic, where chocolate is made with cocoa beans without using semi-prepared products. The method was introduced in 1870 by factory founder Teodors Rigerts.
16:15-16:30 Coffee break and introduction of street Miera (Peace), here flourishes creative Quarter, consisting of cafes, boutiques and other creative initiatives. Here there is a lively atmosphere and at the same time peace.
16:30-17:00 Transfer
17:00-17:30 Introduction of new Wellton Hotel Riga.
17:30-18:30 Guided walking tour of Riga Old Town.
Riga - second oldest Baltic Hanseatic City: Jāņa and Convention fences, Town Hall Square, Blackheads House, Riga Cathedral, the Exchange, the city's defensive remnants, etc.
18:30-19:00 St Peter’s Church and tower for city views.
19:00-19:30 Latvian design shop "Pienene".
19:30-21:00 Dinner at restaurant "Muusu".
The Nordic interior – clean lines, raw brick walls, linen fabrics and wood in combination with metal is an exquisite background for that which is essential – the food and our emotions.
October 30th, Day 2
Southern Latvia (Zemgale region)
08:30-10:00 Transfer from hotel
10:00-11:00 Visit to Laima ceramics.
Laima is ceramist who has received a degree in Contemporary Crafts from Falmouth University in 2013 where she gained experience in working with clay, wood, metal and glass. Today she has set up a studio in Rundāle creating hand-thrown tableware from porcelain and reduction wood-fired earthenware.
11:00-11:15 Transfer
11:15-12:30 Visit of Rundāle Palace.
Referred to as the ‘Versailles of Latvia’, the palace was designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli of St Petersburg’s Winter Palace fame. Most of the interior decorations were created between 1765 and 1768 when a sculptor from Berlin Johann Michael Graff, and Italian painters from St. Petersburg Francesco Martini and Carlo Zucchi worked at the palace. You will see the representation rooms in the eastern wing of the palace – the Gilt Hall, the White Hall, and the Great Gallery.
12:30-13:30 Lunch at Rundāle Palace restaurant.
13:30-14:00 Transfer
14:00-15:00 Visit of recreation Complex Miķelis - Farmers ranch.
In 19th century and the end of the 20th century the first half of Latvia was an agrarian country, the majority of the population lived in rural areas and engaged in farming. In Miķelis there is Farmstead where you can see farmers and rural artisans living and working conditions in the 20th century first side in Zemgale. Recreation complex exhibites also the widest private and household car collection in Baltic’s.
15:00-15:30 Transfer to Bauska
15:30-16:30 Visit of Bauska Castle.
A striking example of 15th-17th century military architecture in Latvia, programm: courtiers free entertainment - games, board games, " Dutch " pipes, that time fashion, dressing procedures, manners, dance and music.
16:30-17:00 Coffee break
17:00-18:30 Transfer to Riga
18:30 Arrival to hotel in Riga
19:00 Meet at the hotel reception to walk for dinner.
19:15-21:00 Dinner at "Valtera" restaurant.
Valter's Restaurant is the first in Latvia which boasts a contemporary Latvian cuisine based only on Latvian rural products such as milk, vegetables, meat, fish, fruit and game coming from local farms.
October 31th, Day 3
Departures from Riga according to individual schedules.
Further daytime activities are a subject to discussion individually.
