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Private tour in Riga Philip B
Accessible Riga Soviet History and Latvian Freedom Tour
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4 hours
1
Tour date
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4 hours
1
Philip B.
5.0
Guide rating
24
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28 hrs
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Welcome to Riga! I grew up in Australia in a Latvian family, and when I came to Riga 25 years ago I fell in love with the place and never left! It's a place of stunning beauty (whatever the season - there are parks galore), fascinating history (did you know the guy who invented blue jeans came from Riga?), intriguing food (try the garlic rye bread or the hemp butter), sensational beer (I'll point you towards the best brewpubs) - and it is a joy for me to share it with visitors from around the world. In my 25 years here, I've worked as a journalist, a translator and for the last six years a tour guide. So telling stories is my thing, and there are lots of amazing ones in Latvia! Let me introduce you to the romantic, medieval cobblestone streets of the Old Town, the magnificent Art Nouveau buildings on the boulevards, delightful old wooden houses, freaky Soviet structures and much, much more! Please check out my tours, and if you like I can customize one to suit you perfectly. And please let me know if I can help in any other way. Looking forward to seeing you, Philip. Licensed Riga tour guide. None.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Philip B.
Travel back to the USSR on this intriguing tour!
Overview of your Riga tour
Explore the traces left in Riga by the Evil Empire on this fascinating tour, adapted for persons with disabilities. From 1940 to 1991, Latvia was brutally occupied by the USSR. This left some lasting scars on the landscape, and some bad habits. But there were also brave acts of resistance and funny political jokes, and even some delicious foods. Join the tour for sights, sounds and tastes of a bygone era!
Your Riga tour itinerary
The tour is by vehicle, with stops at accessible sights. The tour begins in front of the Freedom Monument symbol of Latvia's struggle for independence. We then proceed to the courthouse where anti-communist freedom fighter Gunārs Astra made a defiant speech in 1983. Next we head to the site of the former Lenin statue and the Soviet-era Hotel Latvija, where we will go by glass elevator to the 26th floor for spectacular city views. Then we head to the old KGB Headquarters, where we go inside the first floor museum. We then travel by car for a glimpse of the last Lenin statue on display in Riga. Then we drive to Zolitūde, a typical communist housing estate to get a feel for how the masses lived. The tour concludes with a visit to an apartment in a typical Soviet building for tea and "proletarian" snacks. I will drive you back to your hotel or ship.
Want to customize this tour?
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Minivan
There are 2 options: 1. If you disability allows you to sit in the passenger seats of the car and fold up your wheelchair in the trunk, I will drive you in my VW Passat. Three additional passengers can be accommodated; 2. If you require a wheelchair hoist, we can take an adapted Renault minivan and driver. This is provided by difftravel.org. Six additional passengers can be accommodated. There is also a configuration for two wheelchairs with room for three more passengers. Contact me for more details.
What's included
What's not included
Meeting location
1C Eksporta iela, Rīga, 1010, Latvia
We can meet at a location suitable for you
- You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
Other details
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EnglishActivity level
Accessibility
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4 hours
1
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4 hours
1
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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- 30 days before your tour date, the remaining balance is automatically charged.