marwamorgan

I'm leaving for Riga to spend 5 days in a study there and then I'll be able to stay for more 5-6 days. I don't know where to go there. Do you have any suggestions? Do you think I can go to other cities outside Latvia as well during that short time?

I'll also stay in Istanbul for 5 hours on my way to Riga and 12 hours on my way back for a connecting flight, any suggestions for where to go in that short time?

SloJan2

You will be able to visit Tallin which is 4 hours N by bus of Riga. The bus is inexpensive and business class. Four hours south is Vilnius, also nice. If you choose only one, I prefer Tallin which I found charming.

While you are in Riga, you can go over to Jurmala also. There is some decent restaurants there and wonderful running trails along the beach, but in the pine forest.

Some of our favorite restaurants in Riga were:
Fabrika - on Kipsala Island
Vincents - but spendy
36 Linija - on the beach in Jurmala
Red Fred is fun and casual
Vanille

Riga is a lovely city, full of art nouveau buildings.

marwamorgan

Thank you so much SloJan2 !

mohan

Yes, Jurmala is quite nice.

For restaurant in Riga, I really like Domini Canes right in front of the St. Peters church. it looks upscale but everything was really reasonably price. You need to make reservation if you want to sit outside which is much nicer on a warm day.

marwamorgan

Thanks Mohan!

I have a question about the weather...how it's going to be in April? Is it snowy or rainy? Do I have to get like coats and warm jackets or just jersies and swaetshirts would be fine?

SloJan2

Who knows? Right now it is -18! Seriously though, it will probably be 40s (F) and showers. I think you will need a proper coat, though not a parka.

SloJan2

Marwam, I take it back. I just looked at some old pics from that time of year and it was about 60 in the day and 40s at night. We were dressed in layers, and my children were wearing their fleece with a long sleeved T underneath. Blue skies in my pics too! The leaves had just budded out.

marwamorgan

Thanks SIoJan! it's about 30 Celsius here in Egypt those days So I think I'll need a coat anyways, but I'm glad it probably won't be rainy