Spring 2018. Amata trail.

 

One of our team passion is hiking. For all 4 seasons here in Latvia – winter, spring, summer and autumn it’s beautiful experience where you will be charmed by the untouched nature. In early spring, you will see boaters chasing extreme sensations on the rapid waters of the Amata River. Spring is also a great time for watching the fascinating bird life. Whereas in summer, the wonderfully bright green scenery offers a large diversity of plants to examine and admire! In autumn, the trail is exceptionally picturesque, clad in shades of bright red and gold. It is also the time for watching the captivating spawning of fish.

This spring we hiked Amata trail. Trail is located only on the right bank of the river Amata. Sandstone and dolomite outcrops, landscapes, diverse flora. Ainavu cliff- 46 m, the highest in Latvia. Marking- red rhombs on tree trunks, route isn’t maintained. Gauja river and it is full of rapids, the word “amada” in the lībiešu language means rapid. The trail is a wonderful place for walking and immersing yourself in the nature.  Trail Amata is located in the Gauja National Park.

 

You can choose one of the routs:

1) Amatciems – Melturi 2 h;
2) Melturi – Kārļi 3 h;
3) Kārļi – Zvārtes cliff 4 h;
4) Zvārtes cliff – Veclauču bridge 1–2 h. (this suitable for family with children)

Coordinates:

Amatciems  25.30342, 57.22543

Veclauču bridge –  25.13721, 57.26149

Zvārtes cliff 25.14279, 57.24601

Photo from – Amata.lv

 

 

 

WINTER IN BALTIC’S (LATVIA)

The winter in Latvia usually lasts from mid-December to the beginning of March. Air temperature can fluctuate from +5 degrees Celsius all the way down to -30 degrees.

A weekend in Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the perfect winter destination. There are plenty of things to do in Riga during a winter weekend. Read our blog to find out what to do in Riga,Latvia.

 

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Luge and Bobsleigh Track in Sigulda – zip down the only bobsleigh track in the Baltics at speeds of up to 80 km/h. In winter, rides are done by “vučko” or the so-called soft bob. The total length of the bobsleigh and luge Track is 1200 m, it features 16 curves, and allows for a maximum speed of 125 km/h. The track is suited for bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton competitions and training sessions. Both international and local competitions are held here every season.

Cross-country skiing -When staying in Riga, cross-country skiing is easily accessible. One does not have to venture far from the capital  – a groomed cross-country track is available across the river in Victory Park. Sigulda is also close to the Latvian capital for long distances in pristine natural surroundings. Cross-country skiing is special in Jurmala where one can enjoy wonderful landscape of frozen waters in cold winters.

Downhill ski slopes:

  • Zagarkalns – one of the most popular ski resorts in Latvia, located in Cesis by the Gauja River
  • Ozolkalns – is proud of the longest downhill ski track in Latvia
  • Milzkalns – one of the most popular places of wintertime activities in Latvia, located in Engure district

Ice fishing – enjoy the ice fishing on the frozen lake and rivers and try to catch you own fish.

Husky dog sledding – hop on a sled and let a pack of Huskies power you along through a Latvian forest,  generally the best months for husky dog sledding are January to March!

RESTAURANTS

You can treat yourself to lovely meals – Riga is perfect destination for food lovers. Thanks to a creative and enthusiastic generation of chefs, there are now numerous world-class restaurants in Latvia serving exquisite local and international cuisine.

Restaurant 3 – Taste of nature “Restaurant 3” offers to the guests menus, which display modern culinary tendencies in the world. Restaurant’s menu is made by using forest goods, natural, bio and seasonal products. They offer guests to enjoy the taste of nature and forest at the very heart of Old Riga.

 MUUSU – is a story of values developed through years of experience. We hail and pursue beauty and comfort; every detail counts. The Nordic interior – distinct lines, exposed brick, flax fabric and wood  accents in combination with metal provides an exquisite background for all that is essential – fine food and emotions. The strength of MUUSU is its chef, Kaspars Jansons. We do not hesitate to claim that he is one of the best chefs in the city. The ascetic table settings and dishes, made by Rauna Kiln, is very much like a canvas to paint on. Time-tested, stable culinary values are at the base of our menu. These are the classics of contemporary Europe, leaving space for new interpretation and seasonal accents, with respect for everything fresh and of local origin.

Ferma – At restaurant “Ferma” you can try local products – wild venison, Baltic salmon, shrimp grown in Latvia, dry aged beef from Latvia, as well as Latvia’s Culinary Heritage. Restaurant “Ferma” is a long-awaited project by chef Maris Astics. Restaurant is in the Quiet Centre of Riga which gives a chance to enjoy a meal with a view of the Viesturs Garden park.

Vincents Restaurant – since it opened in 1994, Vincents has become the prime destination for all those passionate about good food and fine wine. Vincents is located in one of the most picturesque parts of Riga, surrounded by Art Nouveau buildings. The modern interior forms the backdrop for chef Aleksandrs Nasikailovs’ inspired & constantly evolving cuisine. A gourmet’s grotto & celebrity haunt. The guest book at Vincents is a cornucopia of praise from President George W. Bush, brothers Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, Paco Rabane, Pierre Cardin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Montseratt Caballe, Maija Pliseckaya, Nikita Mihalkov, Jose Carreras, and Elton John – to name a few.

MUSEUMS

Discover the most interesting museums to visit when in Riga.

Latvian National Museum of Art -The collection of the largest art museum in Latvia comprises more than 52 thousand works by Baltic and Russian painters and sculptors.

Riga Art Nouveau Centre – Rīga is one of the few European cities where Art Nouveau architecture, art and design objects have survived in great numbers. It is even called “the metropolis of Art Nouveau”. There are 800 Art Nouveau buildings in Rīga, mostly located in the city’s centre – particularly on Alberta Street. Riga Art Nouveau Centre can also be found on this street, in the former apartment of the renowned Latvian architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns, who lived and worked here till 1907 and designed this beautiful building.

Riga Motor Museum -Visit Riga Motor Museum to see the largest and most diverse collection of antique motor vehicles in the Baltics and listen to exciting stories about them. The museum exhibition has been created as a story about unique motor vehicles, prominent persons and the most important historical events in the automotive world. Innumerable interactive elements have been installed throughout Riga Motor Museum, which will draw the attention of any child.

 Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum – One of the oldest and largest open-air museums in Europe is located on the banks of Lake Jugla, just a 30 minute drive from downtown Riga. This museum is unique when compared to similar museums around the world with the fact that it began to collect its exhibitions before the war, and thus many of its exhibition objects are in very good condition. 118 historical buildings from all four of Latvia’s provinces – Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Zemgale and Latgale, have been put on display at the museum. The buildings range in age, and most of them were originally constructed between the 17th century up all the way up until the 1930s.

Aldaris beer museum and brewery – Aldaris beer museum is the most up-to-date museum of beer in the Baltics and the very first one in Latvia. The museum offers its guests to discover the diversity and charm of beers brewed in Latvia and elsewhere, the secrets of brewing, and also to try hand at brewing. It also displays the collection of historic exhibits related to beer and relies on state-of-the art technologies to better introduce its visitors to the four basic elements of beer – water, hops, malt and yeast.

The Corner House – a project by the Occupation Museum, provides the opportunity for the wider public to gain insight into the former KGB, or ‘Cheka’, headquarters in Riga by preparing an exhibition on the institution’s operation in Latvia and a tour of the building. Visitors are able to view jail cells, dungeons, strolling areas, the lift for the interrogated and office workspace. It is a revelation for the young generation and foreign tourists as well as a memorial for those who suffered within these walls.

kim? Contemporary Art Centre was founded in 2009. The name of kim? is an abbreviation of an insistent question “what is art?” (“kas ir māksla?” in Latvian). The organization is offering a certain range of activities such as exhibitions, lectures, discussions and other events related to recent art, theory and social issues. kim? supports the development of emerging Latvian artists, theoreticians and curators and collaborations between art professionals and thinkers of other spheres aiming to provide a responsive context to their work and to make critical practices accessible to a wider audience.

Laima chocolate museum – is the biggest and most well-known producer of chocolate and sweets in the Baltic, where chocolate is made with cocoa beans without using semi-prepared products. The method was introduced in 1870 by factory founder Teodors Rigerts. The Laima chocolate museum welcomes, treats and inspires its visitors. Laima tells, shows and involves! The mastery LAIMA is known for since 1870 is full of love and affection, resulting in chocolate without equal in the world.  Life is full of secrets. One of them is how to make chocolate. In the Laima chocolate museum visitors will discover the secrets of making chocolate, find out how cocoa beans are used to make Laima’s chocolate and other delicacies and become true confectioners by making their own chocolate bar.

THE SONG AND DANCE CELEBRATION 2018

Date:30 June to 8 July 2018

Place: Riga, Latvia

 

Tickets – https://www.dziesmusvetki.lv/en/tickets/

 

Today is a big day for song … Fanfares will play! And the flags of the Song and Dance Celebrations of 1873 and 2018 will fly, divided and united by 145 years. But the feelings are unchanging-pride in our people, our country, our traditions. Even through the most difficult periods of history, the Latvian people have come together, united in our joy of music, song, and dance. The Song and Dance Celebration-an unforgettable amatuer artisitc phenomenon with a century-and-a-half of tradition.

 

The XXVI Latvian Song and XVI Dance Celebration 2018
The XXVI Latvian Song and XVI Dance Celebration will take place in Riga from 30 June to 8 July 2018 in the spirit of the Latvian Centenary. The Celebration week is the culmination of what the organisers—the Latvian National Center for Culture—and the amateur ensembles have been preparing for since the XXV Latvian Song and XV Dance Celebration.

During Celebration week, Riga will host 40 000 participants from 118 Latvian municipalities, and from many other countries where Latvians continue to uphold and develop the traditions of the Song and Dance Celebration. For seven days they will take part in more than 54 events—choirs, dance ensembles, brass bands, kokle players, folk musicians, vocal ensembles, folklore ensembles, and others will perform in various events, the Latvian folk costume exhibition, the Latvian applied art exhibition, and amateur theatre performances. 500 000 celebration-goers (roughly ¼ of the Latvian population—1,96 million) will be able to attend (ticketed and free) events.

The Main Events
The XXVI Latvian Song and XVI Dance Celebration will open on 1 July 2018 with the traditional sacred music concert at the Riga Cathedral, followed by the Celebration Procession throughout the streets of Riga. Participants showing off their rich folk costumes will walk a route that takes several hours through the streets of Riga. The procession will conclude with a special opening event dedicated to the participants.

The most anticipated events are the great dance performance Māra’s Country and the closing concert Following the Starry Path. Approximately 17 000 dancers in the Daugava Stadium will tell the rich history of Latvia through music, energy, movement, rhythm, color, and the patterns created by the steps of their folk dances.

Celebration week culminates in the closing concert Following the Starry Path, in which the voices of 12 000 singers on the Mežaparks Open-air Stage will enchant their listeners in three hour concert of the most outstanding Latvian professional choral music. As the prepared concert ends, audience members will be invited to add their voices, and the Nighttime Sing-along will continue until sunrise.

The Venues
The Song and Dance Celebration will take place throughout the city of Riga. The venues will be transformed with special scenographic solutions, ambitious stages will be built, and large screens will be set up in urban areas so that audiences can fully enjoy the Celebrations. The main choir and dance events will be held at the historical venues—the Mežaparks Open-air Stage and the Daugava Stadium. Both venues are currently undergoing reconstruction so that they will be ready to receive both participants and spectators of the Song and Dance Celebration in their new forms in 2018.

 

More info  and Text & Photos – www.dziesmusvetki.lv

Clothing. Produced in Latvia! In this blog you can find coolest clothing- made in Latvia!

Nóló

Nóló has high level of experience and rich traditions in the production of women’s clothing. Most of Nóló garments are entirely produced in Latvia in our own modern factory in Riga, however some styles are outsourced for production to the other units based in European Union.

Nóló manufactory is located near Riga city centre and currently employs more than 30 people. The factory is equipped with the newest technologies and sewing machines that provides the best possible quality for our production. There are also textile printing machineries, professional embroidery machines and photo studio at the factory.

One Wolf

“One Wolf” is a high street fashion label founded in 2012 by Latvian fashion designer Agnese Narņicka. Its unisex, ready-to-wear collections blend functionality with wit, intelligence, and asceticism, portraying the designer’s reflections about the savage aesthetics of a contemporary urbanite.

Experiments with constructions and silhouettes are an intrinsic proposition of the brand, thus breaking conventions of genders and clothing, while mixing up opposing details and contrary styles of classical, casual, and sporty garments.

Raw denim and stone washed jeans stand out as the iconic product of the label, featuring brave lines, distinctive cutting techniques, and clever external details, such as pockets, seams, darts, pleats, and buttons. In the collections, the sets of garments for a modern city dweller include sweaters, cardigans, parkas, hoodies, tunics, t-shirts, and shirts.

QooQoo

Presenting ready-to-wear fashion collections twice a year, QooQoo encompasses simple shapes and playful mood of the pieces. Creator and designer Alyona Bauska is bringing out the desire to create clothing for people, who seek individuality in the everyday and are courageous to infuse some irony in their looks.

QooQoo utilizes aspects of locally made fashion – clothes are made with respect to people and the environment. Fabrics are made in Europe and garments are sewn in Latvia, EU, under fair working conditions.

All fabric prints are made using water based colors. Most of the garments are easy to care for – we guarantee, that prints will not be washed out easily.

 

HEBE

Founded in one of the most beautiful cities in the world – Riga, HEBE is a label that emphasizes what is most important in kidswear: fun, imagination, comfort and quality.HEBE was created with a belief in not only designing great clothing but also making the world a better place. Caring about ethical production cycle, social and environmental responsibility, we will never compromise our values and are proud to be well received by media, parents and most importantly – kids. With ever–changing designs and illustrations on HEBE clothing, the essence remains the same – only the best for our children!

HEBE offers comfy and playful design clothing of excellent quality, produced with the utmost care and love for boys and girls, aged 0 to 12. Tops, sweaters, leggings, skirts, dresses, bodysuits and other beautiful creations are characterised by HEBE signature prints – hand drawn illustrations. Produced in a variety of sizes, our clothing does not wear out and can be passed on to the next generations or shared among siblings. Matching great quality fabrics with tailoring, executed by professionals, results in a product that can live through your children’s childhood with minimal signs of wear.

HEBE HOME line features visually harmonious and cosy bedding, sleepwear and design toys in matching aesthetics and unique, enlivening prints, embellished with meticulously embroidered details. All garments and HEBE HOME line products consist of 90% GOTS certified organic cotton.

Amoralle

 

 

The creator of the fashion label Amoralle Inese Ozola originally based in Riga (Latvia) is one of the most profitable legwear, lingerie and nightwear designers in Northern Europe.

In 2008 Inese Ozola launched her own fashion house. A signature style of feminine, body silhouette underlying tailoring, royal luxury and natural confidence was immediately apparent in her first collection. Complimeted by Vogue, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and other fashion industry representatives for a high quality and world-class feeling, Amoralle label has gained an international recognition.

During nine years of the label existence under the leadership of Inese Ozola, company’s sales each year double, making Amoralle one of the most profitable lingerie and loungewear brands in Northern Europe.

Amoralle label’s success has been recognised by a number of awards including the JCI TOYP Inspiration Award 2016 in the category for “Business, Economic, and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment”, “Treasures of Latvia 2016”, “Export and Innovation Award 2015”, “Brand Name of the Year 2015”, “The Most Daring Brand 2015”, Latvian Fashion Award “Designer of the Year 2013” and others.

Since the foundation, Amoralle creates two seasonal collections a year that are presented at local and international fashion events in a form of high-class spectacular shows.

Lauma

Women’s longing for feeling attractive is fundamental and eternal, and thus advantageous for a lasting business. However, this fact is now realized and exploited increasingly; competition is growing, and it becomes ever harder to maintain individual features on the global market. A modern lingerie producer should be refined, unique, and able to deal with a large scale. A business, which is based on beauty and understanding of women’s desires, is dynamic, sophisticated and responsible. We love it!

Katya Shehurina ( Katya Katya)

All of our vintage inspired wedding gowns are skillfully made under the watchful eye of Katya Shehurina in her Riga studio in Latvia. We only use the finest of materials of modern and vintage inspired French laces, Italian Silks and handmade embellished detailing using Swarovski elements.

Want that extra special dress that no one else will have? We offer a bespoke service where you and Katya will together design your dream gown. Bespoke Starts from £3500.

In a hurry? We can make your gown in 6-8 weeks using our ‘Express Service’ of 20% on the gowns price.

For our brides far in advance with more than 10 months before the wedding day, we offer an ‘Early Love Bird Special’ discount of 10% off your gowns original price. With the flexibility of colour, you can change the look of your gown from morning to evening with the simple change of a slip. Ask us about colours!

Love the top but love the skirt from that other dress? Want Long sleeves instead of short? Or you want that V-neck closed? No Problem! We love mixing and matching and encourage our brides to be creative and make their gown truly theirs. All we say is that with every design change you want to make your gown your own, we charge an additional 10%. Our gowns range from £1400 – £3100

 ZIB*

The idea behind the ZIB* brand is to add a little bit of art to everyday apparel. All ZIB* clothing is handmade with great care at our cozy workshop in Riga, that’s why the production process usually takes 3 – 7 working days. We offer to make adjustments to the size and length of clothing. Contact us and we will always try to help!

ZIB* offers comfortable and original jersey clothing as well as bright accessories. All ZIB* prints are based on our drawings and paintings, therefore each item is unique and different by its color tone or paint drops on the fabric.

Batiko

The one you see walking down the street grabbing the attentionof everyone and owning her style. Designed with love in beautifulcity of Riga, Latvia. Clothes are sexy enough to make every woman feel confident and feminine. Our inspiration are people which are free-spirited, bohemian and dreamers! Big part of our designs take one-of-a-kind pieces that are hand dyed. Add a little bohemian chic to your wardrobe

Anna Led

Designer Anna Ledskalnina is originally from Riga. She graduated from the Academy of Technology and Design in St. Petersburg, as well as studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Riga. She mastered the art of tailoring with famous craftsmen in private Riga ateliers.
In 2000 she launched first collection and created the brand ANNA LED. The first handmade collections were created in the style of Baltic Folk using homespun materials – linen, rustic wool and authentic handmade lace. She received Grand Prix for the best debut at the competition of young designers from the Paris pret-a-porter federation (France) in 2003.
An important milestone in her upbringing, as a tailor of distinct individuality, was practice in London in the Vivienne Westwood Studio „Royal Academy Of Art” in 2005.

In 2015, the fashion museum of Alexander Vasilyev acquired and incorporated in its exposition dress by Anna Led from the collection of 2005, made from Orenburg down shawls. According to annual reviews of Baltic Fashion Federation and press, Anna Led has won the title of Best designer of Latvia several times. Collections of Anna Led have been part of numerous art projects and missions in Moscow, Tokyo, London, Paris. Studio atelier and showroom by Anna Led was opened in 2014 in Berga Bazaar – the most fashionable quarter in Riga , which has become a must-visit touristic hot spotin Riga.
Studio Anna Led presents pret-a-porter collections twice a year, – Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer. The brand is represented in the multi-brand boutiques and online stores.

Coo Culte

 

Autumn Riga Restaurant week  (09.10.17 -15.10.17) – during this special week, Riga’s restaurants open their doors to all gourmands willing to treat themselves to an array of delicious tastes for an especially affordable price of 15–20 euros for a three-course meal. For the entire week, all the city’s residents and guests have the chance to enjoy the season’s best foods prepared by experienced and innovative chefs who give each meal a modern and sophisticated twist.

 

More info LiveRiga.com: link

Праздник Риги 2017

18.08.2017
19.08.2017
20.08.2017

В этом году праздник посвящен Риге как городу садов и парков. Во время праздника горожан и гостей латвийской столицы приглашают на садовый праздник и в центре, и в пригородах.

Во время праздника культурные мероприятия пройдут в Верманском саду, в саду Домского собора, в саду Зунда, на Дзегужкалнсе, в парке Аркадия, парке Зиемельблазма и во многих других местах столицы. Театрализованные представления и концертные программы будут посвящены Риге как зеленому городу, ее истории и сегодняшнему дню, с особым вниманием к наиболее ярким страницам благоустройства города. Ярким и веселым праздник сделают ярмарки, на которых свои изделия представят латвийские крестьяне и ремесленники.

Text & photo – LiveRiga.com

Stadtfest Riga 2017

18.08.2017
19.08.2017
20.08.2017

In diesem Jahr ist das Motto des Stadtfests “Riga – Stadt der Gärten und Parks” und lädt anlässlich des Geburtstags der Stadt zu Gartenfesten im Zentrum und in den Vorstädten ein.

Während des Festivals finden Open-Air-Kulturevents im Vērmanes dārzs, Doma dārzs (Domgarten), Zunda dārzs (Zunda Garten), Dzegužkalna parks (Dzegužkalns-Park), Arkādijas parks (Arkādija-Park), im Park des Kulturschlosses Ziemeļblāzma und anderorts statt. Bei Aufführungen und Konzertprogrammen wird die Geschichte der grünen Stadt Riga mit ihren Parks und Gärten erzählt. Außerdem gibt es verschiedene Märkte, auf denen lettische Bauern und Kunsthandwerker ihre Ware anbieten.

Text & photo – Liveriga.com

Riga City Festival 2017

18.08.2017
19.08.2017
20.08.2017

 

This year’s Riga City Festival is dedicated to Riga’s parks and gardens, inviting all city residents and guests for garden festivities in the city center, as well as in the suburbs.

During the festival, various outdoor cultural events will be held in Vērmane Park, Cathedral Gardeb, Zunda Garden, Dzegužkalns Park, Arkādija Park, Ziemeļblāzma Park and elsewhere. The extensive program of theatrical events and concerts will acquaint festival goers about the capital’s parks and gardens, their history and what they look like today. As usual, various outdoor fairs will also be organized, where Latvian farmers and craftsmen will offer their products.

Text -LiveRiga.com

Foto -google.com

Līgo market (22 of June)

Place: Dome Square

To properly prepare for the annual Midsummer of Līgo! festival, a traditional market will once again be organized on Riga’s Dome Square, where farmers and craftsmen from all over Latvia will offer flower bunches and garlands, oak leaf crowns, traditional teas and honey from Latvia’s aromatic summer fields, country bread, cheeses, warm pastries, smoked meat and other goodies necessary to properly celebrate the merry festival. Furthermore, Latvia’s best craftsmen will also be on hand, offering a wide range of items – wickerwork, clay dishes, linen tablecloths and bed covers, knitted items, wooden spoons, as well as traditional jewelry made of amber and silver. Meanwhile, traditional musical and dance collectives from Riga will maintain a merry festival atmosphere throughout the day!

 

Text source: LiveRiga.com

Photo source: Google.com

24.04.2017 – 30.04.2017

Sigulda Restaurant Week, guests are invited to enjoy three-course meals from a selection of nine restaurants in Sigulda and the surrounding area. Each restaurant will offer meal sets for two prices – 15 and 20 euros.

Five Sigulda restaurants will be welcoming food lovers throughout the week – Aparjods, Garšas Frekvence, Fazenda, Sigulda and Gadalaiki, as well as another four restaurants in the surrounding area – Kungu Rija, Bīriņi Palace Restaurant, Mālpils Manor Restaurant, and Rāmkalni Restaurant.

The meal offers at the restaurants will be published on Sigulda social-networks and by the restaurants themselves from April 18. We kindly recommend those who wish to enjoy a meal at one of the participating Sigulda Restaurant Week restaurants to book a table ahead of time.

Text & Photos – http://www.rigagauja.lv/en/9230-sigulda-restaurant-week-1