Latvia Travel
Latvia is a nation of northeastern Europe and the middle of the 3 Baltic states (a term given to the countries in northeastern Europe situated on the Baltic Sea, namely Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia). Latvia, which was inhabited and annexed by the U.S.S.R. in June 1940, became independent on August 21, 1991. Latvia joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in 2004. Like its Baltic neighbors, Latvia quickly shifted towards adopting a free market policy since the early 1990s. The capital and the largest city is Riga.
Through this series of articles, I intend to share our stories and experiences of traveling across Latvia with our fellow photography and travel enthusiasts. I hope they help you plan your travels across this beautiful country!
With a strong pagan and Christian streak, Latvians commemorate Christmas (or the Winter Solstice) with zest and fervor. And since the world's very first ever Christmas Tree was put up in Riga back in 1510, Latvia has as much right to the title of ‘The Home of Christmas’ as the North Pole. At Riga, even if it's not a white Christmas, you can easily enter the seasonal spirit by simply following the aroma of gingerbread and mulled red wine and charming stalls selling hand-knitted shawls, mittens, socks, fragrant candle lights, artisanal spoons, and other woodwork in the Christmas Markets in the center of the Old Town. And don't forget to give yourself some rest from shopping with authentic delicacies like grey peas and bacon, best on a chilling winter day.