Easter In Riga Tour (4* Hotels)

The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia invites us to welcome together the Spring Solstice, better known as Easter. You will enjoy different workshops, traditional games and pastimes, traditional music and rites, and traditional Latvian crafts at the Easter fair. Various traditions are associated with Easter.

While many are no longer practiced, Latvians 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 the swing 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 the arrival time, you can walk around the city.

OVERNIGHT: Riga

Day 2: RIGA; An Optional Trip to Sigulda (50 km from Riga)

Walking tour of Riga. You will enjoy the beauty of the ancient Hanseatic City: 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 min) 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 terrain, diverse wildlife, and historic landmarks: Turaida Castle, a 100-foot-tall defense tower, a history museum, the beautiful Gauja River Valley, and the view from Eagles’ Cliffs. Return to Riga

OVERNIGHT: Riga

Day 3: RIGA

Easter breakfast at the hotel. Morning worship at the Cathedral or other churches in Riga. Full day for Easter activities in Riga. See the “Easter fair” in Riga’s Old Town district. Here, you will find singing, dancing, concerts, craft demonstrations and 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 and on the shores of Lake Juglas. Easter Celebration at the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia is an event that allows you to experience a variety of traditions in Latvia, an extensive cultural program with a performance of different Latvian folk bands, traditional games, and rites combining the spirit of ancient and modern times. Easter at the Museum represents the intertwining of folklore, modern, and Christian traditions.

The activities program offers a wide range of different, 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 x overnights at a centrally located 4-star hotel in Riga, Hotel Konventa Seta

Riga Old Town guided walking tour (3 hours)

Piccolo organ concert at Dom Cathedral ( 20 min)

Trip to the Open Air Museum of Latvia with an English-speaking guide escort ( 10h-16 h)

Entrances: Dom Cathedral, Open Air Museum of Latvia

Transfer Riga airport - Hotel – Riga airport

OPTIONAL:

1. Latvian dinner (3-course menu, coffee/tea, table water) at the restaurant “Key to Riga ”or similar in Riga.

2. Excursion to Sigulda. (4 hours from Riga ).

The price includes transport, a guide, and an entrance ticket to Turaida Castle.