Riga Soviet History and Latvian Freedom Tour

The tour begins in front of the Freedom Monument symbol of Latvia's struggle for independence and the scene of brave anti-Soviet protests. We then walk to the courthouse where anti-communist freedom fighter Gunārs Astra made a defiant speech in 1983. Next we stroll to the site of the former Lenin statue and the former Intourist Hotel Latvija. Then we head to the old KGB Headquarters, where we go inside the first floor museum. We then travel by car to a unique "Lenin museum", followed by the Academy of Science building (aka "Stalin's Birthday Cake). We will go to the observation deck for superb views of the city. 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.