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Latvia

General Information

Capital City:
Riga
Population:
2.22 million
Area:
24,938 square miles
Language:
Latvian, Russian, English & German widely spoken
Electricity:
220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
371
Driving:
Driving is on the right. European nationals require a new European Licence i.e Pink UK licence or a International licence or Green Card
Currency:
Latvian Lats (LVL 1 = 100 Santims)

Business Hours

Bank:
1000-1800 Mon-Fri (some branches open Sat & 24hrs)
Office:
0830-1730 Mon-Fri
Shops:
0900/1000-1800/1900 Mon-Fri, 0900/1000-1800 Sat (many shops closed Sun), 0800/0900-2000/2100 (food shops some open 24 hours)
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 06 Apr : Good Friday 09 Apr : Easter Monday 01 May : Labor Day 04 May : Declaration of Independence Day 23 Jun : Ligo (Midsummer's Eve) 24 Jun : Jani (Midsummer's Day/St John's Day) 18 Nov : Latvian National Day 25 Dec : Christmas Day 26 Dec : Boxing Day 31 Dec : New Year's Eve

Business and social hints

General:
If invited to a private home, it is usual to bring flowers for the hostess
Clothing:
Lightweight cottons and linens during summer, woollen and rain clothes in spring & autumn. Warm coats and hats are required during winter
Emergency Services:
Police: 02. Fire: 01. Ambulance: 03
Hotel Classification:
Hotels in Latvia are classified by the commonly used 1- to 5-star system with ratings awarded by the Association of Latvia's Hotels and Restaurants.

Climate

Temperate climate, but with notable temperature variations. Summer is warm, spring & autumn relatively mild. Winter lasts from Dec-mid Mar, often cold with snowfall. Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.

Riga

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C -4 -3 2 10 16 21 22 21 17 11 4 -2
Minimum Temperature °C -10 -10 -7 1 6 9 11 11 8 4 -1 -7
Average Humidity (mornings) % 83 83 85 81 77 69 76 81 84 88 87 88
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 79 74 69 61 59 53 55 59 64 75 78 84
Average Rainfall 31 29 27 33 44 45 53 70 64 62 62 47

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 17 years of age or older: 1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar): a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 22� proof or 2 lit of up to 22� proof c) 4 lit of still wines d) 16 litres of beer e) Other goods to the value of EUR 430 per traveller 2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels): a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco b) 10 lit of spirits more than 22� proof, 20 lit of fortified wine up to 22� proof, 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
Contraband:
Firearms, ammunition, explosives and narcotics without special permission

Health

Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care. EHIC replaces the E111 form. <b>Please note:</b> The EHIC scheme is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will <b>not</b> cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts repatriation to the UK lost or stolen property etc. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card visit www.nhs.uk or click<a href="https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do"> here</a>

Compulsary Vaccinations
None.
Recommended Immunisations
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis A. <b>In addition:</b> Tuberculosis, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Hepatitis B & Rabies are also recommended to those travelling to Latvia frequently or intending to spend extended time here.
Risks
None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Latvia. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid for 3 months beyond the period of intended stay. Exempt: a) Nationals of Latvia may enter with passport/passport replacing documents valid on arrival. b)) Nationals of EEA Member States may enter with passports valid on arrival. c) Those residing in Latvia may enter with travel documents valid on arrival.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Latvia. 2) For an unrestricted length of stay by: a) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen". b) Holders of Identity Cards issued by Gibraltar endorsed "Validated for EU travel purposes under the authority of the United Kingdom". c) Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep of), Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland. d Irrespective of nationality, holding a residence permit issued by Monaco or a Schengen Member State. 3) For stays up to 90 days in any 6 month period by: a) Holders of British passports endorsed "British National (Overseas)" b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Overseas Territories Citizen" or "British Subject" containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the UK. c) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Bahamas, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hong Kong (SAR China passports), Honduras, Israel, Japan, Korea (South), Macao (SAR China passports), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, St. kitts-Nevis, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City & Venezuela. d) Holders of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports providing the passport includes an ID card number. e) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM) & Montenegro. f) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Serbia providing the passport is not issued by the Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava).

Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Latvian Embassy or Consulate.

Useful Contacts

Embassy

Embassy of Latvia 45 Nottingham Place London, W1U 5LY Tel: +44 20 7312 0040 Fax: +44 20 7312 0042 email: embassy.uk@mfa.gov.lv; consulate.uk@mfa.gov.lv website: www.london.mfa.gov.lv hours: 1000-1300 (Mon-Fri) visas

Airports

  • Riga International
  • Ventspils International

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For each itinerary we have created this simple guide to clearly illustrate the nature of your tour from a gentle, leisurely pace to a more lively experience.

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For each itinerary we have created this simple guide to clearly illustrate your touring experience, from the scenic delights of the world's natural wonders to city chic with included excursions and entrances, or a comfortable blend of both.

Trafalgar Tours

Trafalgar Tours:

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Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations:

Insight Vacations provides premium-class escorted tours, enabling you to stay in the very best hotels where available, enjoying enhanced meal plans and touring on luxury coaches with fewer seats resulting in extra legroom.

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Thompson's Africa:

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AAT Kings

AAT Kings:

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Brendan Vacations:

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Milestones Tours

Milestones

City and Resort Breaks that allow for a more independent holiday while still matched with Milestones' unrivalled levels of service.

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First Class:

For over 60 years, our award-winning First Class tours have been providing incredible value escorted tours, not only showing you the major sites and attractions that you would expect to see but also surprising you with exclusive Hidden Gems along the way, that only a true expert would know. Enjoy the comfort of first-class hotels, travelling by air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and restroom, included meal plans and the services of our professional Tour Directors.
From exclusive Be My Guest dining experiences to in-depth insights provided by expert local guides, our First Class tours offer an enriching travel experience where you come away with a wealth of local knowledge and a photo album packed with memories.

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Premium Class:

On a Premium Class escorted tour you'll be travelling with a smaller, more personal group of like-minded travellers (maximum 40 guests on board) on coaches featuring business-class-like legroom and spacious comfort.
And you'll be staying in superior quality hotels in the heart of every destination. We select only premium brands of major hotel groups. Your expert Tour Director will act as your 'personal concierge' throughout and will be assisted by local guides, passionate on the life and history of their own city. We include many special dining evenings such as authentic local lunches, Highlight Dinners and our unique Dine-Around experiences featuring smallgroup dining at a choice of restaurants.

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Premium Gold:

Premium Gold is an exclusive collection of deluxe tours, each celebrating the fine art of luxury travel. All of the luxury hotels exude elegance and style, with many being members of the Leading Hotels of the World or other internationally recognised upmarket hotel associations. Premium Gold itineraries are leisurely-paced with relaxed stays in the most sought-after locations and with ample free time for personal exploration.
You will delight in sumptuous, authentic dining with four-course hotel dining and superb a la carte menus in some of the best gourmet restaurants. Premium Gold features smaller group sizes on tour and includes Premium Highlight sightseeing often including private tours with VIP entrances.

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Cost Saver:

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