Sigulda (40 km from the hotel)
Sigulda is a town in the Vidzeme Region of Latvia, 53 km from the capital city Riga. Sigulda is situated on a picturesque stretch of the primeval Gauja river valley. Because of the reddish Devonian sandstone which forms steep rocks and caves on both banks of the river, Sigulda has been called the "Switzerland of Vidzeme".
After the restoration of Latvian independence in 1991, an emphasis was placed on conserving Sigulda's public monuments and parks as well as improving the town's tourist sector. Supported by the town council, a traditional Opera Festival takes place in an open-air music hall in the castle ruins each summer. A Town Festival is celebrated in May when cherry trees blossom, while Sigulda is known for the colors of its trees in autumn.
The Gutmanis Cave lies halfway between Sigulda Castle and Turaida Castle and has a small stream flowing from it. It is the largest cave in the Baltics, measuring 19 m deep, 12 m wide and 10 m high. From the cave it is possible to climb into the hills and take the cable car over the river valley.
Shopping centre "Alfa” (400m from the hotel)
ALFA shopping centre is one of the largest shopping centers in Europe. ALFA shopping centre is 50 000 sq.m large. There are 6 cinema halls, restaurants, beauty shops and sport club.
Latvian Ethnographic open-air museum (3 km from the hotel)
When entering the tiny Latvia of the former times that hides unobtrusively behind the pine forest at Lake Jugla, don’t strive to percieve it as a reality for it was a reality only to those who have gone long ago. But the objects, structures and households still continue to exist. You, a visitor and a stranger will be rewarded with the intimacy of these treasures of our predecessors for a while.
The collection of Latvian Ethnographic Open -Air Museum is made up of 140 000 items. At present 121 ancient buildings with more than 3000 household objects are on display in the area of 87 hectars. Almost all the sections of the population and ethnic groups as well as their social and material culture are represented there. Like households of Latvian fishermen and Russian old-orthodox, craftsmen workshops of woodworkers and smithies, Latgale potters, Vidzeme weawers and potters.
100 000 people visit the museum each year and we hope that you as one of them will enjoy the time spent here.
Riga National Zoological Garden (3.5 km)
(Riga Zoo)
Riga Zoo is a city-owned zoo in Riga, Latvia. It is located in Mežaparks, on the western bank of Ķīšezers lake. Riga Zoo houses around 3000 animals of nearly 500 species and is visited by 250-300,000 visitors annually. The zoo has an affiliate "Cīruļi" in Liepāja District, Kalvene parish, established in 1996, it has area of 1.35 km2.
After Latvia regained its independence in 1991, the zoo experienced hard times as the number of visitors, which had ranged from 250-300,000 visitors annually, was reduced to some 110,000. To attract visitors, the zoo began several development projects and worked on PR and now the number of visitors is once again about 250-300,000 annually.Several new animal houses have been built in 1990s and 2000s. In 2002, an additional 0.035 km2 of land was incorporated into the zoo.
In 2007 Riga Zoo was the unofficial meeting place of ruling parliamentary coalition of the Latvian Saeima headed by Andris Šķēle for the election of new President of Latvia - Valdis Zatlers.
Riga Motor Museum (2 km from the hotel)
Riga Motor Museum (Latvian: Rīgas motormuzejs) is the biggest antique vehicle museum in the Baltic countries. The museum is a state agency operating under the Transport Ministry. Since 1992, the museum is a member of International Association of Transport and Communication Museums (IATM–ICOM), since 1994 a member of Latvian Museum Association, since 2002 – a member of Latvian Transport Development and Education Association. The museum is located at 6 South Ezienšteina Street in the Mežciems suburb of Riga. The museum also features a café and a sports club.
The museum was founded in 1989 on an initiative from Latvia Antique Automobile club. Building was designed by the Latgyprogorstroy architect Viktors Valgums. Since 1992 it is a state museum.
Go Planet (2 from the hotel)
GO PLANET is the biggest and most modern indoor entertainment centre in the Baltic States. Here you can get whole range of positive emotions while enjoying variety of world level attractions.
GO PLANET has opened its doors to customers in November 2005. The total area of this state-of-art centre is 15 000 m2, where each fan of excitement can enjoy speed, extreme feelings and joy of the game on different attractions, and afterwards share impressions with friends while relaxing in one of the cosy bars GO PLANET.
LIDO (7 km from the hotel)
The mini-chain of cafes and restaurants LIDO has already become one of the most magnificent Latvian sights. These restaurants are not identical. Some of them are buffet, cafeteria-like places, others offer full-service sit-down dining. But all of LIDO restaurants are characterized by professional services and nice dishes.
In the LIDO restaurants you can have not only a nice dinner but observe the cooking process with your own eyes. As a rule, the interiors are made to the Latvian national style, and their main features are wooden benches, crocks, water-mills. Excellent cuisine, reasonable prices and cozy atmosphere add to the popularity of these restaurants.
The center of the LIDO Empire is situated in the country, not far from Riga. The wooden three-storey building with mill houses is one of the biggest recreation centers in Latvia. More than one thousand visitors come here every day.
The center is an ideal place for family rest. Regular concerts, theatrical performances, "Amusement Park", wonderful kids rooms are at guests' services.
