Women in Travel Summit Europe: Riga, Latvia

**This FAM trip includes a flight that will depart from the Riga Airport.**

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In less than an hour, airBaltic will deliver you to Liepāja - Latvia’s third-largest city in a prime location on the Baltic Sea coast. After a relaxing night at the 5* Promenade Hotel, enjoy breakfast with a view over the city’s historical shipping canal. On a tour of the city, you’ll get to see highlights of its Art Nouveau and wooden building collection, and get a glimpse of Peter’s Market – a popular shopping spot since 1910. Boost your energy levels with a coffee break at a beach café. The city’s skyline was recently enhanced with the addition of the Great Amber Concert Hall. The bright orange gem hosts world-famous artists and ensures a steady program of events throughout the year. Explore the building on an insiders’ tour! Inspired by their beautiful surroundings, the sea, the wind, and a jampacked cultural agenda, residents of Liepāja keep developing the city to make it an even more pleasant place to live and visit. One recent initiative is Romas Dārzs (Roman Garden) art gallery with its adjacent Art Hotel Roma breathing new life into a stylish 19th-century building and courtyard. After a busy day of exploring, you’ll convene for a meal at the trendy MO restaurant serving contemporary international cuisine.

IMPORTANT: You must apply at the link above and receive an acceptance email in order to attend this FAM trip.

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On day one you’ll hit the outdoors for some invigorating hikes along a few of Latvia’s favourite nature trails near the rivers Gauja and Amata, known for the sandstone cliffs lining their shores, and waters made for boating in spring and summer. Here, you’ll really get to feel the luxury of being alone in the wilderness. After a day of stretching your legs in the great outdoors, relax in the hot, hot heat of a traditional Latvian sauna at Dikļi Manor. A skilled sauna master will guide you through the ancient tradition of cleansing your body and soul. On day two you'll explore Sigulda, which is easily reached from Riga by train or bus making it a great add-on to Riga city breaks. Sigulda sits on the shores of the River Gauja, which you’ll cross by cable car for striking views. To get the most of your day trip, you’ll continue the journey on e-bikes, which will let you see all the top sites from the 13th century castle to the brand new and super trendy Jāņa Tirgus (Jānis Market) with street food kiosks and local produce shops. There’ll be many highlights throughout the day but shooting down the bobsleigh track is a certain contender for “most adrenaline-packed adventure”. You’ll also get to try your hand at some arts and crafts, and wander around Latvia’s most visited museum – Turaida Museum Reserve. End the day on a high note with a wine tasting in the beautiful surroundings of Krimulda Manor. You’ll be travelling by private minivan.

IMPORTANT: You must apply at the link above and receive an acceptance email in order to attend this FAM trip.

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Galleries in former industrial spaces, coffee shops and artisanal bakeries reviving old retail spaces. Creative quarters and co-working spaces popping up in previously abandoned locations. The last few years in Cēsis have seen independent businesses flourish and breathe new life into old buildings. Such creative communities call for rich cultural programmes. Cēsis has its very own purpose-built concert venue as well as an annual art festival and many other initiatives. As well as being a popular choice for culture lovers, Cēsis has won a name for itself among foodies with two of its restaurants boasting Hansa Culinary Diplomas. On the tour, you’ll experience how Latvia is advancing in line with 21st century trends, yet managing to retain its historical charm and maintain an eclectic mix of architecture from medieval castles to charming wooden architecture and cobblestone streets, which Cēsis is particularly known for.

IMPORTANT: You must apply at the link above and receive an acceptance email in order to attend this FAM trip.

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How does one repurpose a former factory to suit the needs of a demanding contemporary community? Learn from some of the best creative minds who’ve been tapping into their town’s industrial heritage to transform it into one of Latvia’s prime travel destinations among locals and international visitors. Where some people see the demise of local industry, others see potential for tourism and culture. Explore an area, which was once a bustling factory town with purpose-built housing and a community centre. While the factories have closed and some buildings still await their reawakening, the town has become a popular place for young families and people who appreciate the proximity of nature trails, cycle routes, swimming and skiing spots. This is a beautiful area with luscious green forests and sandstone cliffs lining the shores of the local rivers. On a different note, the town of Līgatne is also home to what was once a Soviet secret. The underground bunker would have served the elites in the case of nuclear warfare! You’ll be travelling by bus.

IMPORTANT: You must apply at the link above and receive an acceptance email in order to attend this FAM trip.

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Experience the life of an ancient aristocrat! This tour will lead you on a fancy journey through history via the castles and manor estates of South Latvia. A world where gilded ballrooms, manicured gardens, Instagrammable floors and windows abound. See the different approaches to maintaining this part of Latvia’s heritage. Some of the grand old buildings function as museums while others have been given a new lease of life as hotels and event venues. They provide a fabulous setting for photo shoots, weddings and other celebrations. You’ll dine at a manor house restaurant and be offered a range of interactive activities during the trip, not to mention the innumerous photo ops. You’ll be travelling by bus.

IMPORTANT: You must apply at the link above and receive an acceptance email in order to attend this FAM trip.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Latvia’s wine region was once known for the northernmost vineyard in the world. Today, winemakers are experimenting with grape varieties but producing most wines from locally grown fruit. Ever tried rhubarb or raspberry wine? This could be your first chance! More unusual flavours include birch sap and pumpkin. Inspired by the traditions of wine producers in France, California and elsewhere, Latvia’s entrepreneurial spirits are opening their wineries to visitors and setting up dedicated tasting rooms in beautiful locations such as manor estates, riverside farms and historical cellars. Enjoy west Latvia’s wine route and meet the local wine-making community! The tour will also take in the romantic town of Kuldīga with its winding cobbled streets, cute wooden buildings and an incredible red brick bridge spanning the River Venta and facing the widest waterfall in Europe. You’ll be travelling by bus.

IMPORTANT: You must apply at the link above and receive an acceptance email in order to attend this FAM trip.