Riga, Latvia
As we spent the beautiful, bright, crisp morning cruising toward Riga, David Barnes, Ron Suny, and Rodney Minott led a panel discussion about the Baltic’s complex political history leading up to the European Union.
Following lunch, it was time to explore the cosmopolitan city of Riga. Founded in 1201, Riga became one of the prominent Hanseatic city ports between Holland and St. Petersburg. Many of the red-brick fortifications and multi-storied merchant- and store-houses of this period survive in Old Town. The newer part of the city has beautiful parks, a large produce market housed in three buildings originally planned as Zeppelin hangers, and streets lined with linden, birch and oak trees.
We also saw the old, decaying KGB building, which led our guide to tell the joke: What is the tallest building in Riga? Answer: The KGB building. Why? Answer: From the top you can see Siberia. A chilling reminder of the Soviet era.
During the 1930s, Riga was the West’s major post for listening into “the Russian bear” to the east. The city was teaming with a mix of diplomats, traders, and intriguers—earning it the accolade of “the Paris of the east.” Today, this bustling city of 800,000 residents attracts tourists and business interests from around the world.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was an organ recital in St. Mary’s Cathedral, also known as the Dom. The massive 7,618-pipe organ came to life, and we listened enthralled to Bach and other pieces.
As we were finishing our tour of this fascinating city, we happened upon a wedding party crossing the main square. The newlyweds suddenly became an impromptu photo shoot as Lindblad guests transformed into paparazzi.
As we spent the beautiful, bright, crisp morning cruising toward Riga, David Barnes, Ron Suny, and Rodney Minott led a panel discussion about the Baltic’s complex political history leading up to the European Union.
Following lunch, it was time to explore the cosmopolitan city of Riga. Founded in 1201, Riga became one of the prominent Hanseatic city ports between Holland and St. Petersburg. Many of the red-brick fortifications and multi-storied merchant- and store-houses of this period survive in Old Town. The newer part of the city has beautiful parks, a large produce market housed in three buildings originally planned as Zeppelin hangers, and streets lined with linden, birch and oak trees.
We also saw the old, decaying KGB building, which led our guide to tell the joke: What is the tallest building in Riga? Answer: The KGB building. Why? Answer: From the top you can see Siberia. A chilling reminder of the Soviet era.
During the 1930s, Riga was the West’s major post for listening into “the Russian bear” to the east. The city was teaming with a mix of diplomats, traders, and intriguers—earning it the accolade of “the Paris of the east.” Today, this bustling city of 800,000 residents attracts tourists and business interests from around the world.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was an organ recital in St. Mary’s Cathedral, also known as the Dom. The massive 7,618-pipe organ came to life, and we listened enthralled to Bach and other pieces.
As we were finishing our tour of this fascinating city, we happened upon a wedding party crossing the main square. The newlyweds suddenly became an impromptu photo shoot as Lindblad guests transformed into paparazzi.
