| Duration: | 5 Day(s) - 4 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Event Tours |
Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia invites us to welcome the Spring Solstice together, better known as Easter. You will enjoy different workshops, traditional games and pastimes, traditional music and rites, and a traditional Latvian crafts Easter fair. Various traditions are associated with Easter. While many are no longer practiced, Latvians still remember the superstitions and rituals of their ancestors.
Swinging is a Latvian Easter tradition that encourages the rising of the sun. The idea is to swing as high as possible, which also helps to repel insects. In the past, people built the swings from scratch, but today any type of swing works for this custom. Beliefs and rituals associated with swinging could be quite complex, with the type of tree the swing was hung from being important, as well as the burning of the swing one week after Easter so that witches couldn’t use it to their evil advantage.
Men who hung the swing or gave women a push on the swing were gifted with Easter eggs, baked goods, or other foodstuffs.
Day 1: RIGA
Arrive at Riga Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check in. Depending on your arrival time, you can walk around the city.
OVERNIGHT: Riga
Day 2: RIGA; Optional Trip to SIGULDA (50 km from Riga)
Walking tour of Riga. You will enjoy the beauty of the ancient Hanseatic city: the picturesque streets of the Old Town, the Dome Cathedral, the Church of St. Peter, the old Guild Houses, the Swedish Gate, St. Jacob’s Church, the Parliament House, and Old Riga Castle. Organ concert (piccolo, 20 minutes) in the Dom Cathedral.
Afternoon optional trip to Sigulda.
Relax in the Latvian spring weather at Gauja National Park, the largest park in Latvia and full of stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and historic landmarks: Turaida Castle with its 100-foot-tall defense tower, a history museum, the beautiful Gauja River Valley, and the view from Eagle Cliffs.
Return to Riga.
OVERNIGHT: Riga
Day 3: RIGA
Easter breakfast at the hotel. Morning worship at the Cathedral or another church in Riga.
Full day for Easter activities in Riga. Visit the Easter Fair in Riga’s Old Town district. Here you will find singing, dancing, concerts, craft demonstrations, workshops, and much more.
OVERNIGHT: Riga
Day 4: RIGA – Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
Tour the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum located just outside the Riga city limits on the shores of Lake Juglas.
The Easter Celebration at the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia is an event that allows you to experience a variety of Latvian traditions. The extensive cultural program includes performances by different Latvian folk bands, traditional games, and rites that combine the spirit of ancient and modern times.
Easter at the museum represents the intertwining of folklore with modern and Christian traditions.
The activities program offers a wide range of creative workshops adapted to the Open-Air Museum environment.
OVERNIGHT: Riga
Day 5: RIGA
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Riga Airport.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
• 4 overnights at a centrally located 3-star hotel in Riga – Hotel Konventa Sēta
• Riga Old Town guided walking tour (3 hours)
• Piccolo organ concert at Dom Cathedral (20 minutes)
• Trip to the Open-Air Museum of Latvia with English-speaking guide escort (10:00–16:00)
• Entrance fees: Dom Cathedral, Open-Air Museum of Latvia
• Transfers: Riga Airport – hotel – Riga Airport
OPTIONAL:
Latvian dinner (3-course menu, coffee/tea, table water) at the restaurant “Key to Riga” or similar in Riga.
Excursion to Sigulda (4 hours from Riga).
The price includes transport, a guide, and an entrance ticket to Turaida Castle.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
Price valid for a minimum of 2 persons.
