| Riga provides the visitor with a feast of experiences, | | | | gold stars. Bizarrely, this monument survived the |
| from buzzing nightlife and international cuisine, to its | | | | Soviet era and is now guarded by two soldiers in |
| old-fashioned streets and historical architectamicable | | | | symbolic protection of Latvia's independence. Walking |
| friendly welcoming atmosphere of the city and its | | | | round the New Town is just as awe-inspiring as Old |
| affordable accommodation make it a particularly | | | | Riga due to the magnificent Art Nouveau |
| attractive destination to backpackers seeking | | | | architecture, often credited as having the best |
| excitement without a huge price tag attached. | | | | surviving examples in Europe. Jugendstil motifs of |
| History buffs would do well to hit the streets of Old | | | | mythological creatures and nymphs decorate the |
| Riga, which weave around Cathedral Square and | | | | facades of many of the New Town's apartment |
| show-off much of the city's ancient buildings. | | | | buildings. A trip to the Latvian National Museum of Art |
| Navigating through its cobbled streets and secret | | | | is a highlight of a visit to the New Town. It is located |
| courtyards gives you the impression of having | | | | in a grandiose Neoclassical building and exhibits an |
| stepped back in time. Riga Cathedral is a | | | | impressive collection of nineteenth- and |
| roomyred-brick construction established in 1211. From | | | | twentieth-century Latvian works. |
| Cathedral Square head to Riga Castle which dates | | | | Riga has many reasonably priced cafés to |
| from the early sixteenth century and is now home to | | | | soothe the hunger pains of budget-conscious |
| both the Latvian president and the Latvian History | | | | backpackers. A highly recommended afternoon treat |
| Museum. The museum displays an assortment of | | | | is the Emihla Gustava Shokolahde, which serves a |
| iron-age artifacts and peasant life tableaux, although | | | | veritable feast of chocolate delights from truffles to |
| please be aware there is little English description. The | | | | rich hot chocolate. For evening entertainment, head |
| "Three Brothers" are close by; three attractive | | | | to Pulkvedim Neviens Neraksta. This nightclub |
| medieval houses, one of which is said to be the | | | | provides edgy music on two levels without |
| oldest in Latvia. Illustrations of Latvia's more recent | | | | pretentious clientele or expensive entry. |
| history can be found at Bastion Hill, the park which | | | | Riga is a haven for backpackers with its vast range |
| leads down to the city canal. On January 20 1991, | | | | of youth hostels and budget hotels. This means that |
| four people were killed by Soviet fire during attempts | | | | despite the large amount of accommodation on |
| to repress Latvia's independence drive. Stones | | | | offer, it is essential to reserve in advance in summer. |
| bearing the victims' names mark where they fell near | | | | Try Franks Backpackers Hostel in Old Riga which is |
| the park's entrance. | | | | clean, bright and extremely welcoming. Before you |
| You are made aware of Latvia's turbulent history on | | | | go, ensure you are covered for all eventualities by |
| entering the New Town. The modernist Freedom | | | | investing in Backpackers' Insurance. |
| Monument is heavily signified, represented by three | | | | |