The Baltic States are quickly becoming my favourite stomping ground. Here's my first visit to Latvia

Join me on a pre-Christmas jaunt to The Baltic with a first time look at the fascinating city of Riga in Latvia. I'm only just learning about this part of the world and it's quickly becoming a favourite. There is a lot of unfinished business in the region for sure, but join me on these first few steps into a magical city I'm so glad to have FINALLY discovered.
This was a flying visit to Latvia, but stay tuned for a bit of a disaster in part two where my train journey doesn't quite go to plan...
Filmed on 20th December 2022
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
THE GOPRO SAGA
A bit about the camera problems. I upgraded my GoPro, from an 8 to an 11, hoping to improve my content. Unfortunately on this, only my 2nd trip with the new camera, and for no reason at all (no settings changed) I got home to find a big chunk of my footage had no audio at all. A bit of research later and I see this is another GoPro problem, with some people losing more important footage than me. I really don't get how in 2023, GoPros can still be so damn unreliable. But I also don't get how difficult it is to find a decent alternative, and believe me, I've tried the competition as well. That being said, I still rate GoPro highly for the kind of discreet, easy filming that has shaped my channel to this point, and to be fair, they are replacing both the camera and the mediaMod. The only thing they can't seem to give me is any explanation why on earth this happened. And I know they know, but just aren't prepared to admit it! As I wait for a new GoPro11 to be delivered, I might be back to the comforts of my older edition for the next couple of videos, well, after part 2 of this Latvia trip anyway. I'll keep trying to improve my equipment and my skills, but boy would it be nice to have a camera I can rely on and trust. Right now, that's just not the case. If anyone out there can give me advice on which path to take, I'd be eternally grateful. It just feels annoying to invest hard-earned cash on a new camera, only for it to fail on its 2nd outing. And it sure made these edits a lot harder too! Thanks for reading my wee rant!!!
Hi, I’m Steve, a travel reviewer from Scotland. Join me on my adventures as I discover my own country, often visiting places for the first time, so hopefully it's as much of an eye-opener for you as it is for me! Don't expect expert opinion, just a very honest journey of discovery. Sometimes featuring my intrepid sidekick Alicja, sometimes featuring adventures beyond the borders of Scotland. Enjoy!
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/ stevemarsh
#SteveMarsh #Latvia #Riga

[@russell3733]

Steve, one of the large representative buildings you entered in Riga (House of the Black Heads, 1334) had something to do with the period of the town's history when it was a major trading city in the medieval Hanseatic League (13th to 17th century), which was organized and led by independent merchants and traders in Lübeck, Germany. You filmed a very large painting on a wall (at the 15 minute mark) in which Lübeck's old city is depicted. In fact, it was German colonists who originally established the trading and commercial connections with Riga in the 12th and 13th centuries. Due to the wealth of the city during the following four centuries (13th to 17th), many of the major buildings were inspired by northern German architecture, which you can certainly see in the city streets you walked down. Ironically, the House of the Black Heads (built originally for unmarried merchants and shipowners of the Hanseatic League) was virtually destroyed by German bombers during the Second World War. The Soviets demolished the ruins then in 1948. It was then completely rebuilt in the 1990s with public funding by the Latvians themselves. Cheers.

[@steve-marsh]

Ahhh thanks so much for putting this together, and making sense with the Lübeck painting! Really appreciate it!

[@dzhuljeta]

@@steve-marsh en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_the_Blackheads_(Riga)

[@cdjxwubcyex]

At the time of building you could physically participate in building process. Everyone could buy a brick from builders and lay it in a wall with specialist supervision of course.

[@blackbob3358]

Ta, 3733, for that. You do'nt get much change from ya man.

[@Kilogramskk]

Gift shop inside to the right is also quite great :)

[@grahamhorne6956]

I'm married to a Latvian and visit Latvia regularly. The Baltics are an undiscovered gem. Addendum to your excellent video. The bus station (Autoosta) has buses that run all over the place for very cheap fares but more importantly upstairs there is a quite superb cafe and bar when you can get a full hot meal for a good price. The beaches are pristine. A bit off the beaten track is Jaunpils where there is a fabulous intact castle with a brilliant restaurant and rooming accommodation. Jaunpils Alus is a brilliant micro brewery with a bar. Rural Latvia is a real gem for wild life lovers with endless acres of pristine silver birch forest that contains elk, wolf and deer. I believe also (subject to your own research) that wild camping and wild swimming in Latvia is no problem if done responsibly. Flight options Ryanair, and from London Air Baltic.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for this Graham! So many reasons to return, thanks for sharing :)

[@lion-gc5rh]

Just been to visit, Loved Latvia ,So much so we will be visiting again ,Hopefully to see Christmas market.

[@t.c.4321]

I went to Riga with a friend. Grumpiest and most unfriendly people I have met. Up there with the Fins and the French.

[@rfw700]

I lived in Riga for 3 years. Even though I am from the UK, I would love to live there again. Thanks for the tour of Riga.

[@saritalevinthal3455]

Please don’t apologize Steve…I really appreciate the work that you do…I’m disabled and it’s a real treat to armchair travel with you…thank you

[@steve-marsh]

So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for coming along :)

[@veeezis]

It's pretty surprising seeing you impressed at our ability to handle snow while we, locals, are complaining all the time that it should be better. It's all about perspective and context, I guess. Wonderful video! Gonna look at where you took that train now.

[@adidzis]

zini, bieži vien ir nepieciešams paskatīties uz Latviju no malas, aizbraukt kaut kur uz ārzemēm, padzīvot tur, pēc tam atgriezties atpakaļ un ar svaigu aci novērtēt visu. Latvijā, tāpat kā citur pasaulē, ir daudz skaistu vietu, ir daudz kas labs, ir daudz kas tāds, ko varētu uzlabot. Britu tūristu interese par Latviju pierāda, ka mums ir ko piedāvāt, mums ir daudz kas interesants, kas pašiem kļuvis par ikdienu. Thanks to Steve for interesting video!

[@wdh47211]

This is crazy....love your videos. I'm an American on vacation in France watching a Scottish Bloke in Latvia.....crazy new year. Thanks for your content...it's the greatest. HNY to you and the Polish girl

[@evijapakalnina4373]

Very interesting to see the city through your eyes! I am Latvian, and studied in Riga for 4 years. I never appreciated central market, in fact avoided at all costs. It just felt so soviet to me, and we're not fans of all soviet stuff. Plus it felt awful "busy" for a countryside girl like me. The trains are pretty much like they were when I was a child in late 80's. They used to have wooden seating inside. That has changed a little. But they look just the same as those 30-40 years ago! Very old school. I do like them now. My husband also pointed out that they're lot more spacious than the trains in Scotland. Why do they keep running in the snow? Not sure. They always have. I think it's because they are so much higher above the ground comparing to the modern European trains. Ha! Funny! I tell people at home that Edinburgh Christmas market is great!!😆 Glad you enjoyed your stay!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for your comment Evija. I absolutely LOVED your Country and can't wait to return and travel more widely. Happy New Year!

[@crypticTV]

As I was told, they were built by Germans right? So they are not soviet.... 🤔

[@DaniRaj666]

It is cool, you should appreciate it. It is the biggest market in Baltics. And it has Russian and other ethnic imprints very strongly.

[@jackyyuen1939]

My family and I stayed at Riga just for a few days. We found that although the country is not as modern as other countries in w. Europe, most of the Latvians are sincere, friendly and helpful. I can't wait to return and visit more places in Latvia.

[@lion-gc5rh]

We visited the market and was amazed at the place, loved it. We found everyone so nice, We are from Britain and we felt safer there than we do in Britain , Walked around at night and visited a few drinking places. We are going back for sure,

[@saintuk70]

Riga is beautiful place, even better when you have a local as a tour guide. Was last there as a group of friends meeting from Sweden, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Scotland. The old town, the history, all the "invader" influence, and the diners are excellent - diner food is amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

[@briangentle5515]

Absolutely! Go to the Lido chain, talk of your eye being bigger than your stomach!

[@steve-marsh]

So glad you've had the pleasure of this wonderful city!

[@grahamthetraveller]

I work with a Polish lad and he says everything runs as normal because there weather is completely reliable every year when it's Summer it's very warm but in the winter it snows a lot and is very cold so they can plan in advance and have all the infrastructure and everything runs smoothly

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

Another great video. When you showed that building (Academy of Sciences) and mentioned it looked like the one in Warsaw, you were right. These buildings were given to the people as a gift from the USSR - basically a way to keep them on side. I've only been to Riga once, and that was in 1994 - just three years after independence. It's changed a wee bit since then! Thanks for showing us around.

[@BoneyMB]

Gift? Are you kidding?

[@murringo9]

It's a fascinating story about these buildings. There's one in Bucharest too, and they match the 7 so called 'Stalin high rises' in Moscow, built to mark the end of WW2 and to represent Stalin's empire building in architectural terms. There were meant to be 8, but the last one was cancelled by Khrushchev after Stalin's death as he thought they were too ostentatious!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Scott! Hey, get yourself back over there, would love to see your take on the Baltics :)

[@ronasaurus74]

The Riga locals say that the best view of Riga, is from this building, because you cannot see the building, from the building....it is an ugly scar, and painful reminder of the Soviet era.

[@projektiron7105]

I visit Latvia 3 times a year, due to luckily being married to a beautiful Latvian woman. I am SO glad people experience the country I have been luckily enough to explore and a culture I have adopted as my own. So my son can celebrate his British and Lativan heritage alike. I also noticed in your vid to Ludza, you eat the soljanka and the like. Try Skabenu Zupa next, with maize zupa for dessert. Ala Pagrabs is great for traditonal beers, atmosphere and food too! PRIEKA!

[@nicolaanderson7499]

I visited Riga in November and absolutely loved it! Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories!

[@steve-marsh]

So glad I've finally found this Baltic gem! I'll be back!

[@Chief_Brody]

Wonderful memories? It was a month ago.

[@vittoriamosconi5979]

Thank you so so much for this video. I lived in Latvia in February-March 2022, my first experience abroad... I've seen Riga so much times ❤️ this truly warmed my heart especially the view from the top of St. Peter's church. I remember my first day in Riga I was sadly walking through these unknown streets, I decided to take the same elevator and the view was exactly the same with the same weather! Thank you for this one ❤️❤️ love from Italy

[@steve-marsh]

Hey thanks so much and I'm glad I was able to share some very familiar sights with you :)

[@oskarsjurans8023]

Greetings from Riga! Thanks for your positive experience you share. Visited Edinburgh 2 years ago, was greatly impressed. Do not ever say Edinburgh is not so cool!

[@awatt1404]

Very interesting, thank you Steve. Also it is very heartening to see the support for Ukraine with flags in the market, in the streets and on the tramways! Happy New Year!

[@peterrisbergs7156]

The biggest drawback to winter visits to Latvia is the short days. Sunrise 9AM sunset 4PM. I was there from Sept 15-Oct 19. The days were three hours shorter when I left than when I arrived.

[@steve-marsh]

Good point!

[@adidzis]

oh yes, but on the other hand - in the winter you can enjoy the DARKNESS. 🥸😉

[@BruceFraserJr]

Visited Riga a few years ago. Loved the Old Town and the friendly people.

[@sabii_sabee]

i am very surprised you said friendly people because people here are quite mean because of the economical state of our country ! Especially people in Riga are awful (sorry to people i haven't met yet and are from Riga)

[@Alice_in_wonder]

@@sabii_sabee Disagree. I'm a Latvian living in Scotland. I visit my family there once a year. and never once had any issues. The GP's nurses made sure that my blood tests were completed 5 days earlier than necessary, without any extra cost, the bus station workers helped with the baggage, even tho they were busy, the waitress at the restaurant helped with charging my phone and we had a great laugh, we received a discount on a kebab simply for being nice. In Rimi, even though I only needed to buy a drink, a boy allowed me to move ahead of the line etc etc. Always wondered where are all those mean people? I mean- of course there are some angry, loud, nasty ones, but its life, and a lot of Latvians are hard workers who are just trying to survive. Does it makes them mean? Absolutely not. And i guess the reaction you get from others depends on your communication with them, right? Just sayin'. Always nice to be nice 👍

[@adidzis]

@@sabii_sabee if someone is mean then we are mean and nasty too, if you're nice then we are nice and friendly too. This is it.

[@exileinderby51]

Really loving this trip so far and Riga old town looks amazing and the view from the church tower was out of this world. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much :) Haha part 2 doesn't quite go to plan, not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing :D

[@B41DY]

@@steve-marsh Sometimes the best plan is " see what happens". some epic video content and a Happy new year from Swansea South Wales !!!!!!!!!

[@jimhamilton8775]

Fantastic video Steve. Enjoyed every moment. As a retired railwayman I get excited by trains also. Snow should never be a problem to the UK railways having availablity to snow ploughs. Years ago frozen points could be a problem but these days almost every point has automatic heating to keep them clear.

[@steve-marsh]

Top info Jim, cheers for that mate! Keen to get out and find some more of these exotic locos!

[@pulchralutetia]

Great video. I went through the Baltic states in early June 2017. When I started in Vilnius it was 30C but by the time I got to Helsinki it was 7C (during the day)! Easy to forget how far north the Baltic states are. Vilnius, Riga and Talinn are very different places and all worth a visit. Riga is the biggest and feels more like a city than the other two. The Art Nouveau buildings on Alberta iela (Albert Street) and elsewhere in the city are fantastic.

[@steve-marsh]

I totally forgot about the Art Nouveau buildings and kicking myself about it :D

[@seatrout61]

You have really incentivised me to go and have a go at some of your visits...never done it before, thanks Steve!!

[@djmark143]

I have been in Riga myself.. I love the baltic states, lovely nice people and a lot to discover there.. Sound video again Steve.. And a happy new year to yous and the missus.. 😊🙂

[@kierstenwatts3179]

You can't beat Eastern Europe and European countries at Christmas. They are amazing. Happy new year to you Steve 🎉

[@merryannmac8096]

I've just been to Riga in my Christmas pajamas. Very, very chilly! Thanks, Steve for a wonderful tour. Today is New Year's Eve and I want you and Alicja to have a peaceful new year, and fun adventures. Merry Ann from Minnesota.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha love it Merry Ann! All the best for new Year from us both when it comes! :)

[@no_soy_rubio]

I love Riga, I'd rate it higher than Tallinn, feels more authentic. Love all the bars that look so unassuming from outside and you go down some stairs and they're cavernous inside. If you're still there I'd recommend a restaurant called 'viduslaiku restorans Lasite' - a bit touristy but you can get an amazing medieval banquet - quail, deer and catfish were the options I took 😋

[@steve-marsh]

Wow - I need to go back! (any excuse) :)

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Such a fascinating video. A city of contrasts. Looks quite gritty in the depth of winter, tempered by what looks like a quaint Old Town and its perfect Christmas market. I am with you, those old trains look fabulous. 👏👏👍😀

[@daltongalloway]

19:58 I immediately recognized this was a Bob Dylan song from the harmonica and how they were singing the song. Such a random song to hear there! Very cool that his music is listened to by people over there!

[@maggienificent]

Way to go, now you've made me want to visit Riga!! I always assumed that places that have cold, snowy conditions like this all the time have the equipment on hand to deal with it, whereas places where this weather isn't as normal wouldn't spend the money to have all the equipment. I am a bit longing for that weather though.. it should look like that here in Ottawa, but instead it's about 10 degrees and rainy, completely unseasonal and gross!

[@steve-marsh]

Oh no, that's not sounding like nice weather! Riga is wonderful, Vilnius next on my Wishlist

[@ihavegreeneyes14]

@@steve-marsh as a Lithuanian currently living in Scotland, I'm really looking forward to your videos from Vilnius :) You can also take a train to Kaunas, Trakai and Klaipėda from Vilnius, which all have a lot of beautiful sights

[@sandrajack9703]

Have not posted before, but have so enjoyed your travels this past year. All the best to you and Alicja for 2023 and look forward to more adventures with you both. 🙂

[@steve-marsh]

Hey thanks so much Sandra! :)

[@lindaansonejansone4612]

Nice to see you here. I live in Riga all my life and I love it. Sometimes I forget how it is to see my city trough tourist eyes ❤️

[@steve-marsh]

Wonderful place! And can't wait to return in summer for a comparison :)

[@janinehawkins9565]

My word that market is fabulous, far more natural and less commercial. Your vlogs are fantastic. Keep up the outstanding work. Lang may yer lum reek 👌

[@petergoddard1960]

Another interesting video, Steve. I'm bloody freezing now and it's warm in the house! Wishing you both a very happy '23, packed full of adventures for us all to enjoy!

[@steve-marsh]

Haha cheers Peter! All the best mate!

[@barbaram5214]

Really interesting and I love seeing Riga in winter. Steve, you have such a wonderful way of presenting the places that you visit. Happy New Year!

[@delmiller4184]

Looks like an interesting city Steve. It would be good to see it again in another season. Great video. Thanks for showing us around.

[@stuartjgarland]

Thanks for another great video to bring 2022 to an end

[@oskarsmaurers3613]

Thank you for your amazing videos and positivity. Thank you for letting more people see my home country :)

[@Oldfaithful61]

Wonderful to see how so much of the old town has survived half a century of Soviet occupation and has now been restored back to its old glory. Thanks for taking us along !

[@OKMmike]

Hi Steve, Rather you than me. The coldness was coming through perfectly, absolutely freezing. Good luck.

[@ne372ne]

Great review Steve, don’t know how you managed to pack so much into a short day. How you managed not to get lost in the Old Town baffles me. It took me several visits to orientate myself. I’ve been in Rīga for the last week and it’s hardly stopped raining the whole time, so much for a break from the scottish weather. You might find a summer trip well worth it particularly during a song festival. It’s very colourful.

[@steve-marsh]

Oof hard luck with the weather!!! I’d love a wee comparison visit in summer!

[@JordanJMcQueen]

Great video as always Steve. Never been to Latvia but after your video it's certainly on my list!

[@Geordie77]

I've waited until New Year's Eve to watch your latest video. Absolutely worth the wait. I love visiting markets and got to say your tour was grand. Thank you for your 2022 videos, looking forward to your 2023 uploads. Inspirational

[@elliebeep27]

Looks like an amazing city but oh so cold! Keep warm! Thanks for showing us around!

[@cheesegoddess1]

this is beautiful!!!

[@adrianellis6902]

Wonderful Steve, thanks mate.

[@geoffmphotography9444]

Really interesting. Thanks Steve.

[@simontye179]

Fun & interesting. Thanks.

[@robbiephillipstravelsofple4790]

Loved the video Steve it’s always good to see places I have never been high lighted by your fantastic videos. Looking forward to the next one

[@rleggatt9468]

Another fantastic video Steve. Riga looks an amazing city to explore. Looking forward to more of the same in 2023. Happy New Year to you and Alicja. All the best for 2023.

[@markgray4928]

What a great video as always Steve

[@mcallisterk]

Cracking video Steve can't wait for the next part.

[@sarimento1]

Wonderful video, Steve!!

[@AquaRedX]

So good content. Thank you very much for making video like this.

[@JLIN103M]

Brilliant Steve Thanks

[@simonwhitlock9189]

Wonderful to see this city and the view from the tower,thanks Steve and best wishes and stay safe,cheers.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Simon! All the best mate!

[@t-dawg5813]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@mikestephens5622]

Aye, they really know how to celebrate Christmas, and deal with snow over there. Sparkling icy music for the snow scenes, and marvellous how you managed to keep talking, despite freezing temps. Happy New Year to you both!

[@steve-marsh]

Haha seriously difficult to even talk at times :D Cheers Mike, all the best from us both!

[@truebrit3578]

Thanks for all the great videos in 2022

[@steve-marsh]

Hey thanks so much, Happy New Year!

[@richardharibo]

Thanks once again Steve, I used to be a travel agent for 16 years and your videos inspire me to travel once again. Seeing Scotland again is on the cards for the end of 2023 plus a European trip in August. Favourite KZbinr 🙂

[@jackyyuen1939]

we'd been to Riga 3 years ago and stayed at a hotel not far from the Central Market. Almost every day we did some shopping there. The old town is amazing . thank you again for this great video.

[@ryanwilliams2437]

Another awesome video mate!! Love how much of a regular person vibe your videos give off

[@michaelsaayman2802]

Hi Steve. Thank you for a year of adventurous travels. Wishing you a Happy and prosperous New Year and look forward to travels in 2023. Regards from a hot and sunny South Africa

[@steve-marsh]

And a Happy New Year to you too Michael!

[@Timstravels01]

Riga is a beautiful city and it was great seeing the sights we wandered around back in November. I can’t wait to see how your train journey goes. Fabulous work as always mate.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers mate! It all gets worse from here :D Happy New Year when it comes! :)

[@Snowmentears]

thanks Steve, I miss home so much and these simple walkthrus really bring me home.. :)

[@marutakelers1856]

Hi Steve, Thanks for the video! I'm a first generation American of Latvian descent. I love seeing my parents' country through the eyes of visitors. There's a youtuber called Justin Eastern Europe from London who lives in Riga now. I bet he could show you around on your next visit. I think it would be great if you visited in late spring, in summer, for the Solstice, and in early autumn to see the seasonal changes.

[@katesterly547]

Another wonderful video! And this time you didn't point us down anywhere to where I felt like I was going to go falling. The architecture there is absolutely fantastic and I love the markets. I don't know how the food tastes but it certainly does look good. I want to wish you and Alicja a Merry Christmas or if this gets back to you after that then Happy New Year and if it's after that then have a great 2023. Be well, stay safe, love from Texas.

[@PaulGodfrey]

Great video and happy 2023 to you and Alicia. Looking forward to part two.

[@steve-marsh]

And to you Paul! Cheers mate! :)

[@robbojax2025]

Really enjoyed part one. Looking forward to part two

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers mate, part 2 doesn't quite go to plan, but pulling a wee video together anyway :D

[@Traveller69]

Always wanted to go to Riga and it reminds me of Poznan in Poland which I visited during Euro2012...what I can remember that is! 😄🍻 Great example of a Christmas Market done well as we discussed a couple of weeks ago regarding Edinburgh's shortcomings.. Happy New Year to you both. 🎉

[@cybergal99]

Great informative video! Thanks Steve!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Ann!

[@janisbriedis4955]

Super! After many years in England I can see fresh video from my home city.

[@myrabenson1603]

What a wonderful winter journey even if it was cold the weather suited that country gave it

[@davidmcardle9875]

you are so much fun, love your vids x

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much David! :)

[@christinehodge3608]

Good video, so interesting and the Old buildings,

[@jamesmitchell3422]

Great video thoroughly enjoyed it.J

[@mlwtennessee322]

Fascinating. As per always, this was some excellent work!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers!

[@72lukey1]

Interesting but scary adventure thank you for sharing your experience with us

[@flyingchilders]

Great video Steve, brave man going there in winter but very interesting, looking forward to part 2

[@lauraautry6992]

Really enjoyed watching this video.I have really never heard much about this country so nice to see it .

[@locmelis.lauris]

Great content, thank you!

[@steve-marsh]

Glad you liked it! Thank you!

[@ScottishT]

Can't wait to watch.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Tony :)

[@ScottishT]

@@steve-marsh Looked fantastic Steve, Latvia is very picturesque. I wish I knew why trains didn't run over here in that weather. Thinking it's old infrastructure.

[@michaelstaunton1632]

Wishing you a happy new year & thanks for all the great videos in 2022 fair play to ya 👍👍👍

[@steve-marsh]

And to you Michael! Cheers!

[@ervinvonhimmel]

A lovely video! I always wander why people choose this hotel :) For £60 per night, actually cheaper, for about £30-40 you can rent a nice, refurbished and clean one bed apartment on Airbnb and closer than Victoria Hotel to the Old Town. I believe, outside Moscow there only two this kind of Stalin buildings were built, one in Warsaw, one in Riga and 7 in Moscow. A new High Speed railway is being built Rail Baltica with European gauge 1435mm, it would connect Warsaw-Kaunas-Vilnius-RigaAirport-Riga-Tallinn and a construction of a new train station in Riga just a part of it, should be ready in Riga by 2026-27 and by 2030 in Tallinn, the whole area will be rebuilt therefore, including the market. In the city, you showed Old City Canal, this is actually not a river and was men-made, it was a part of the city fortification reconstructed in the late 1850s. Basically, everything inside that canal is in Old Town. You actually on time travelling with this old electric train, because all electric trains will be replaced in 2023, there are 32 modern trains are bought, but some old diesel trains will be in service for long distances to other far cities something like by 2030, so people will have a chance to admire them too :)

[@laacisbezgalvas]

I believe he said 16, not 60. Viktorija is one of the cheapest "3 star" hotels you can find on booking sites. And with current heating bills, they are probably making a loss during winter period. Still better than a hostel as you get your own room and it's somewhat central.

[@dacezagare9000]

Thank you!Nice video about our beautiful Riga.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@davidhoag8077]

Great video! Perfect balance of commentary and imagery. Immersive! Feels like I got to go there. :)

[@coolbreeze99]

Great video, Steve. I really enjoyed it. Nice selection of background music, too.

[@lornamackenzie2694]

Omg i love that christmas market.

[@steve-marsh]

Oh me too - truly magical!

[@raydavies7328]

Flippin' brilliant, an excellent feel for the place without the frostbite, thank you so much again....flippin' brilliant!!

[@steve-marsh]

Glad you enjoyed it Ray! Happy New Year to you!

[@raydavies7328]

Thank you Steve and the same to yourself and your lovely wife!

[@urla3333]

Love to see people exploring my Home town Riga🔥🔥🔥

[@ingaborlowski1536]

Wonderful video, I look forward to the next one. My favorite parts were the Christmas Market, yes to local stalls; the old town; the view atop the spire; the market; and “Steve’s Notes” at the end. Fantastic idea to add at the end of your videos. Happy Hogmanay 🎊 🥂

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Inga! Oh the next part doesnt go so smoothly :D Happy Hogmanay!

[@ve2vfd]

I had the pleasure of visiting Riga and her cousin Tallinn a few summers ago and really enjoyed them both. Beautiful and tons of fun.

[@steve-marsh]

Totally agree! Happy New Year!

[@grahamlaidlaw7164]

they obviously have the right kind of snow, great video , cheers

[@wuuhans]

Great video Lad

[@TXMEDRGR]

What a great trip to a place few of us have visited, I love this type of video. I hope it was fun for you, thanks for bringing us along.

[@steve-marsh]

Really enjoyed it (even though it does go a bit awry in the next video) :D

[@TXMEDRGR]

@@steve-marsh I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

[@GreatCityAttractions]

Great video Steve - Riga looks a most interesting city.

[@ingelaimite1766]

I like how positive you are :)))

[@johntaggart1176]

Yet another excellent trip blog from you Steve, Riga looks like a very interesting place to explore both in winter and summer, thanks again for a look into areas of Europe that some of us know little about, Happy New Year to you and yours.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers John! Aye would love to go back and see the contrast in warmer months :) Aw the best for New Year!

[@dazzlingdaz187]

Looks like a beautiful place. I suspect its a lot busier in the Summer. Can't wait to see where you end up on that train!

[@matthewgodwin8308]

Happy New Year in 2023 for you Steve and your family, hope its a good one for you.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Matthew! You too! Aw the best for 2023!

[@alvinhugosson6911]

beautiful Riga!

[@allanmorton6022]

Snowy streets like we used to get in Scotland. Wonderful old town like most baltic cities as ussr kept them and mostly built ugly building on the outskirts. Thanks for braving the cold for us and great to see cheap integrated public transport!! Happy New Year to you and Alicja - saw another great jumper for her in that xmas market! Allan