LATVIA 

The love for opera in Latvia goes back to 1837 when world-famous composer Richard Wagner lived in Riga while the history of Latvian National Opera House goes back to 1863 when opera house was constructed as German City Theater.
Today Latvian National Opera House is home for opera, ballet, and orchestra. The season runs from September till June and has more than 200 performances among them there are around 6 new productions every year. The cornerstones of the repertoire are world famous classical opera and ballet performances while art lovers are surprised by successful modern productions on regular bases. Latvian performers like Elina Garanca, Kristine Opolais, Marina Rebeka, Ineses Galante, Egils Silins and others are active participants on the international stages abroad and many of them have been starting their careers here in Latvian National Opera House.

PROGRAM FOR 2023

DAY 1, 14TH OF JUNE: RIGA

Arrival in Riga, the capital of Latvia. Have a private transfer to the hotel and check-in. Have a free afternoon to rest and explore the city on your own.

19:00 visit Latvian National Opera for the ballet performance SERENADE. CARMINA BURANA.

Overnight in Riga.

DAY 2, 15TH OF JUNE: RIGA

Have breakfast at the hotel. Have a private guided walking tour through Riga Old Town (2hrs) and see the most remarkable sights like Dom Square with impressive Dom Cathedral. Stroll by the dwelling houses called the Three Brothers, which are preserved from 15th, 17th and 18th centuries. See the fortification walls with the Swedish Gate and the Powder Tower. Pass by Riga Castle the official residence of the Latvian President. Visit Town Hall Square with the Blackheads House built as a center for unmarried foreign merchants. See the St. Peter’s Church as proof of the great wealth of local citizens during the Middle Ages. The guide will introduce you to the intriguing story of the Cat House. The tour will pass the Latvian National Opera House and Freedom Monument – the symbol of independent Latvia.

Have a private guided walk to the Art Nouveau district (1,5-2hrs). Riga is like a museum of architecture, covering periods from Gothic to Classicism. But the real treasure of the city is the largest and best-preserved collection of Art Nouveau buildings in the world. This fact was acknowledged by UNESCO in 1997 and today the center of Riga is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Riga is sometimes called "the capital" of Art Nouveau thanks its heritage of 800 Art Nouveau buildings.

19:00 visit Latvian National Opera for the operetta DIE LUSTIGE WITWE by Franz Lehar.

Overnight in Riga.

DAY 3, 16TH OF JUNE: RIGA - RUNDALE - RIGA

Have breakfast at the hotel. Have a private tour to an outstanding masterpiece of Baroque architecture in the Baltic states - Rundale Palace and Garden (6hrs).

Rundale is one of the most visited sights in Latvia. Rundale Palace, once the summer residence of the Duke of Courland Ernst Johann Biron, is one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo art in Latvia. Built from 1736 to 1740 the palace was designed by outstanding Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the creator of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. The splendid interior of the palace dazzled contemporaries. Crystal chandeliers, silk wallpaper, sculptures, luxuriously tiled fireplaces, mirrors, elegant galleries, and refined colors and frescos were made by Italian artists Francesco Martini and Carlo Zucci.

The selection of plants for the Rundale Palace Park is based on information obtained from 18th-century garden descriptions and books on Baroque gardens. The park of Rundale Palace is an essential part of the palace complex; it has retained its original layout without any significant changes. The garden was created between 1736 and 1740, at the same time as the palace was constructed. The park was not affected by modernization in the 19th century when formal gardens were transformed into landscape gardens. Cartography and inventory carried out in 1974 revealed that in the 19th-century trees in the park were still planted according to Rastrelli’s design.

19:00 visit Latvian National Opera for ballet VIY. THE NIGHTS OF HORROR by Olexander Rodin.

Overnight in Riga.

DAY 4, 17TH OF JUNE: RIGA - GAUJA NATIONAL PARK - TURAIDA- SIGULDA - RIGA

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Have a private transfer to Gauja National Park, Turaida and Sigulda for the private tour (6hrs). Sigulda is a place where the beauty of nature is an integral part of the town. It is situated on a picturesque stretch of the Gauja River Valley and is known as the "Switzerland of Vidzeme" because of the reddish Devonian sandstone which forms rocks and caves on both banks of the river.  Discover historic monuments, museums, natural objects and attractions like Sigulda Livonian castle ruins, Turaida Medieval Castle built in 1214, the wooden church built in 1750, and a sculpture garden dedicated to Latvian folklore on Dainu Hill. Visit Gutmanis Cave the deepest internal erosion cave in the Baltic states which is not only a natural wonder but also a place where the famous legend about the Rose of Turaida has arisen.

Enjoy late afternoon in Riga. 

Overnight in Riga.

DAY 5, 18TH OF JUNE: RIGA

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Riga Central Market (1,5hrs)

Visiting Riga Central Market – one of the Europe's largest markets covering 72 000m2, built from five zeppelin hangers left over from the First World War. Since beginning Riga Central Market was built with 24 freezers, many elevators and laboratories. Taste typical Latvian food and drinks like local cheese, smoked chicken, pickled cucumbers and cabbages etc.

Continue to Jurmala (4hrs) - the most famous sea side resort in the Baltic States. 

Drive to Jurmala - a famous seaside resort situated only 20 km from Riga. The natural curative features of this place were already well known more than 150 years ago. Nowadays endless golden beaches, Baltic Sea, salubrious air and the unique beauty of pine forests attract tourists. Jurmala is a cozy European town composed of houses plunged into the parks and forests. Here you can come across wooden country houses from beginning of the 20th century as well as modern cottages. 

Surrounded by pine trees, the wooden cottages of Jurmala are unique monuments of cultural heritage; in which Classicism, Art Nouveau, National Romanticism and Functionalism harmoniously co-exist. This place is a must for those who are planning to visit Latvia in spring or summer.

19:00 visit Latvian National Opera for the opera ADRIANA LECOUVREUR by Francesco Cilea

Overnight in Riga.

DAY 6, 19TH OF JUNE: RIGA 

Have breakfast at the hotel. Check out and have a private transfer to airport and departure. 
 

Package price includes the following services:
Accommodation in centrally located hotels for 5 nights on twin sharing basis;
Breakfast 5 times during the stay;
Private arrival and departure transfers in Riga;
All transfers as per program;
Services of certified English speaking local guide for sightseeing tours;
Entrance fees in Turaida Castle, Sigulda Livonian castle ruins, Rundale Palace;
Food tasting at Riga Central market;
All applicable taxes and service fee;
Assistance 24/7 during travel

Package price does not include:
Riga Opera Festival tickets (tickets are upon availability, our team will be glad to assist with the purchase);
Any expenses of personal nature - phone calls, laundry, mini bar etc.
Any airline tickets;
Travel insurance
Costs incurred in case of hospitalization or evacuation etc.
Tips and porter charges
Any other services not specified above.

Payment terms and conditions:
100% 36 days before arrival

Cancellation rules:
Till 30 days before arrival 10% non-refundable
29-16 days before arrival 50% non-refundable
Less than 15 days before arrival - 100% non-refundable

*Prices might increase if there is a special event (large scale conference, a concert of world-famous superstar etc.) in any of the destinations and majority of hotels are booked out.