A country full of contrasts

Latvia is one of Europe’s great “get away from it all” discoveries. With 12,310 rivers and 3,000 lakes the country has many opportunities for boating and walking and just enjoying the outdoors. There are many small medieval towns, country castles, museums and folk parks to be visited. Check out Riga, a city that has come to life again since the end of Soviet occupation. Superb architecture, from the medieval to the Art Nouveau, an old city that rivals Prague, operas and concerts, an active artistic life, smart shops and intimate restaurants, all testify to her being once again a major European capital.   Latvian Tourism Development Agency 2000