Location: Riga
Day 1 - 1 Jul 2019
Riga International Bus Terminal
Content: We started our trip from Riga, one of the most prominent spots in Latvia. It was connecting more than 20 cities around the country. Travelling to Sigulda from Riga was an easy task, we found both trains and buses leave every hour roughly. Both the railway station and bus station are just next to each other. We opt for a bus journey, one-way ticket cost less than €3. The bus station was located on the banks of the River Gauja, an excellent location.
Location: Sigulda
Day 1 - 1 Jul 2019
Spa Hotel Ezeri
Content: We checked into Spa Hotel Ezeri which was a great choice. The location as well as its ambience was great and impressive. They provided lovely accommodation along with tasty foods. The staff welcomed us and granted us a comfortable room with a king-size bed and a small balcony. The entire property is filled with a peaceful atmosphere and charming aesthetic. We had dinner at the onsite restaurant, the tomato cream soup with basil pesto and a toasted baguette. Each dish was flavourful and fresh, really loved their service.
Location: Sigulda
Day 2 - 2 Jul 2019
Spa Hotel Ezeri
Content: We started our day with a buffet-style breakfast. They supplied a wide variety of dishes which includes pastries, yogurt, eggs, and more. The taste was excellent.
Gauja National Park
Content: We set our way to one of the largest national park in Latvia. It was basically known for its gorgeous nature and its tracks across the river valley. We started with Cecili Nature Trail and then made our way to the Amata Hiking Trail. The hiking through the woods made our day most remarkable. Along the way we met up with unique collections of rock formation, including cliffs and caves. We could explore the fresh air and nature. Small bridges and massive hills on the way added glory of the place. We passed through open meadows full of long grass. For the break, we spotted a small beautiful hut with a picnic table. We enjoyed hike the forest by exploring nature's beauty.
Zvarte Rock Visitor Center
Content: We ended our hike with an immense lunch from Zvarte Rock Visitor Center. The lunch was perfect for the day with a lot of choices. We started with soup and salads. For the main course, we had pork that was delicious and tender.
Spa Hotel Ezeri
Content: By evening we ended our day with a traditional Latvian sauna ritual. Absolutely Spa Hotel Ezeri was the perfect place to experience the sauna. From the room, we made our way down to the tiny huts with two shelters next to a pond. We found some sauna masters, very professional and kind. In between the process, they offered tea and a snack tray with dices fruits and cheese. Then they marinated us with salt scrub that was the beginning of the second cycle. Many strange things have happened somewhere customized by the master. Some stages were very strange and out of our comfort zone but in the end, it was an amazing experience.
Location: Sigulda
Day 3 - 3 Jul 2019
Sigulda cable car
Content: We started our morning with a healthy breakfast and headed to explore the first adventure of the day. We took a cable car ride to cross the Gauja River. It was the most attractive way to experience the Ariel view of the valley. It was easy to find a car approximately every half an hour for a reasonable price.
Sigulda Castle
Content: After the cable car ride, we hopped off our smart bikes. The smart bikes were the best way to review the Sigulda region, we used them to encounter Sigulda Castle. It was a beautiful place packed with ruins and a garden. The view from the top of the Castle’s southern and northern towers was extraordinary. Each ruin and stone walls addressed its history.
Walking stick craft shop
Content: Around the castle, we found a small and beautiful craft shop. We met a lady who explained and guided us to make mini walking sticks. The shop was beautifully decorated with tiny gift items. The lady described very politely to bend the wood into a candy cane-shaped model. From tiny fridge magnets to full-sized usable walking sticks are available for a reasonable price.
Bobsleigh and Luge Track
Content: We were very excited to experience bobsleigh and luge track. The panoramic view of the river Gauja valley was mind-blowing. No words to explain about what we experience there. We walked along with all the turns of the track to explore the structures.
Jana Market
Content: Then we moved to Jana Market, many shops under a single roof. We found many restaurants, shops, bakeries, etc, very lively atmosphere. We had our lunch from a restaurant and wandered around the market.
Gutman’s Cave
Content: We stopped at Gutman’s Cave, the oldest tourist destination in the region. It was a natural cave with carvings and writings on the rocks. When we walked towards the entrance, we could find many signatures engraved in the rocks.
Viesnica un restorans Aparjods
Content: Good service, nice and clean place, but food could be better. Idea of their cuisine is really good, but realization... not the restaurant, maybe bistro. We took fish, but it was like canned food. Fast food from local supermarket nearby building.
Location: Sigulda
Day 4 - 4 Jul 2019
Turaida Museum Reserve
Content: Next, we stopped at Turaida Museum Reserve that very informative and interesting. We started to stroll from the Church on Church Hill, along the way we saw many interesting contemporary sculptures. We learned the story of the Rose of Turaida Memorial and walked around Folk Song Garden. Then we entered a museum inside the Turaida Stone Castle which showcased the entire history of the place. Then we started to climb up the tower, the view was amazing. It was the best option to get a sight of the impressive castle and landscapes.
Krimulda Manor
Content: To end our whirlwind adventure in Gauja National Park and Sigulda, we stopped at Krimulda Manor. The Krimulda Manor house was constructed in the 19th century, and one of the buildings in the historic center is home to a winery. So, of course, a winery tour was in order. We can’t think of a better way to kick off a trip to Latvia than this adventure in Gauja National Park. It was an absolute blast and so much fun to explore the beautiful nature that Latvia has to offer.