Trip to Riga
Last week we took a trip to Riga. We stayed three nights at Hotel Gutenbergs, a charming boutique hotel in the old town. The hotel is located in historic buildings from the 1600s and 1800s, with a wonderful blend of historical atmosphere and modern comfort. One small detail we particularly appreciated was that the hotel offered free filtered water to guests. A simple but very nice service. The only complaint I have is that the beds were very hard.
The old town was beautiful with its cobbled streets. It added a lot of charm, even though it could be a bit tricky to walk on at times. Riga is full of great architecture, and it was almost impossible to walk down a street without discovering new details on the old buildings.
We visited the Laima Chocolate Museum, where we got to make our own chocolate. It was a fun experience, although it probably suits children best.
Another highlight was St. Peter's Church. We took the elevator up to the tower and enjoyed the fantastic view over the red roofs of the old town, the Daugava River, and the rest of Riga.
We also visited the Riga Central Market, which is one of the largest markets in Europe. The large market halls are located in former Zeppelin hangars, and here there is an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, cheeses, baked goods, and local specialties. It was an exciting place to stroll around and experience everyday life in Riga.
Food and drink were a chapter of their own, and we enjoyed a lot of good meals during our stay. The most special restaurant experience was undoubtedly Rozengrāls. The restaurant is located in a medieval wine cellar that can be traced back to 1293, and the atmosphere with candlelight, vaulted stone cellars, and food inspired by the Middle Ages made the visit both fascinating and memorable.
On the last day, we had planned a canal tour, but after waiting a long time for a boat that never came, we decided to make the best of the situation. We found a cozy pub instead and ended our stay with something nice in our glasses.