This summer I traveled to the Baltic States with G Adventures. (Disclosure: I have been an ambassador for G Adventures since 2010.) The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were some of the last places in Europe I had yet to visit. I had always been intrigued by these small countries which seemed to share so much in common, yet were different places. One of the primary goals I had on the trip was to find out what made each country different and what they shared in common.
Many travel to Riga to visit the Old Town, but Latvia’s capital is more complex. This guide lists fwalking and bike tours, day trips and alternative sights.
First time in Latvia? Here’s a guide to the beautiful, romantic, fairytale town of Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the capital of Latvia. Follow this guide for the best things to do and see in Riga so you don’t miss any of the highlights!
A gastronomy adventure to Old Town, Riga with visits to FAT CAT eklērnīca, Riga Central Market, Restorāns 3, Restorāns 1221 and Neiburgs. In collaboration with The Post Office Travel Money Card.
Vecrīga, Latvia for ‘Old Riga’, is the historical city centre of Riga, the capital city of Latvia. It was established in 1201 by Bishop Albert and was granted city status in 1225, and in February 2018 I paid a visit to it for the first time.
I knew nothing of the city, the country or its cuisine before I arrived there, and the purpose of my visit was to discover what I could. I believe that exploring a destination via its gastronomy is one of the most authentic cultural experiences you can have. Food tells a story, covering history, economics and culture. Food links us all together, no matter where we come from. We all eat.
Armed with a €250 pre-paid Post Office Travel Money Card, and a hefty appetite for adventure, I headed the furthest east I’ve ever been via an Air Baltic flight.
I flew to Riga from Aberdeen, in Scotland, via Amsterdam.
There’s no denying that Thailand is trendy and Iceland is hot, but if you’re looking for a vacation destination that’s a little more out of the ordinary, TripAdvisor’s 2018 travelers choice awards brim with inspiration.
The travel website’s just-released list of “destinations on the rise” include some unexpected picks, from sunny, beachy Nerja, a resort town on Spain’s Costa del Sol, to a tropical island in Japan. There are the architectural splendors of Latvia’s Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the port city charms of Poland’s Gdansk, perched on the Baltic Sea.
The United States scored just one spot on the list: Kapaa on the island of Kauai came in at No. 2.
The rest is a globetrotting delight, with destinations from Nova Scotia to Kenya and Costa Rica. The list even includes a Croatian town not used — shocking! — as a “Game of Thrones” filming location. (At least, we think not. And IMDb agrees.)
Here’s just a taste. Find the rest, plus tips on what to see and where to stay at www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice.
The year is still new, and TripAdvisor has some interesting choices for your next big international destination for 2018.
TripAdvisor recently revealed its Travellers’ Choice Awards for destinations that are ‘on the rise’, based on booking interest and positive feedback from travelers. And there are some interesting entries in this list. From a little-known Japanese island to more than a few up-and-coming gems in Eastern Europe, you’ll find plenty of ideas here to plan out your next international trip. So let’s jump right into it and see what TripAdvisor has to advise us.
1. Ishigaki, Japan
The island of Ishigaki ranks first in TripAdvisor’s list, quite a feat for a lesser-known Japanese island. Ishigaki got high praise for its tranquil blue waters and clean beach stretches with soft white sand. The island also has dense mangrove forests and tall mountains to scale.
Despite being relatively unknown, Japan’s Ishigaki island has topped TripAdvisor’s list of the world’s top 10 trending destinations for 2018. But what else should feature on your bucket list?
The travel site has revealed its most-popular holiday spots for globe-trotters wanting something different
Ishigaki island is the favourite, despite having a low profile among competing Japanese destination points
Other must-see areas in the shortlist include Canada’s Halifax, Costa Rica’s San Jose and Croatia’s Rovinj
As global travel booms, it can be tricky to find a quiet corner of the world.
But savvy holiday-makers still discover interesting spots along the road less travelled – including a little-known Japanese island called Ishigaki, which is now deemed the coolest place to be – and be seen – this year, according to TripAdvisor.
The Japanese island tops this year’s TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for ‘Destinations on the Rise’, based on positive feedback.
