Riga → Sigulda, into the Gauja Valley
Morning POV from Riga, peeling off the highway and into the forested approach to Sigulda.
Daiga
Thanks for stopping by. I am a licensed tour operator in Europe, and I run Barefoot Baltic together with my small team of tour leaders and drivers. We are proud to be a women-led company and welcoming of guests from diverse backgrounds.
I am married into an Indian family, visit India often and have a registered office there. I am particularly experienced at hosting Indian guests in Europe - visa requirements, food preferences, safety of solo travellers, etc.
My multi-day routes are private tours for groups of 5 or more. They do not run on set dates; I arrange the route around your group. The day excursions from Riga are public join-in tours, so you may share the van with travellers from other countries.
Happy travelling!
Now Booking
European multi-day road trips and day excursions from Riga for travellers planning from India.
Private tours
These routes are arranged around your group. There are no set departure dates. Message Daiga with your group size and preferred month, and she will tell you what is workable.

Private tour, 5+ guests
Riga, Rundāle, Sigulda, the coast, Liepāja and Kuldīga over eight days, arranged for your private group.

Private tour, 5+ guests
Three old towns, the Gauja Valley and the Hill of Crosses across nine days, arranged for your private group.

Private tour, 5+ guests
Five countries on one Schengen visa, Helsinki to Warsaw, with a Tallink ferry crossing, arranged for your private group.
Join-in day excursions
Book seats on a public day excursion from Riga. You may share the van and the table with travellers from other countries.

Join-in day excursion
A full day out. Three medieval castles, the Gauja Valley, a bread-maker visit, and a food and drinks tasting in the van. A women-led tour with live commentary.

Join-in day excursion
Ten hours from Riga to Rundāle Palace, Bauska Castle, and the Great Ķemeri Bog. Live commentary, plus a Latvian tasting on the van. Drinks, snacks and sweets, each with its story.

Join-in shore excursion
A six-hour shore excursion from the Riga cruise port. Group capped at 12, licensed official Riga guide, entry fees and taxes included.
What Our Guests Say
"We had a wonderful family experience exploring Latvia with Diaga, whom we discovered through Google while planning our trip to Riga. The two days of tours she arranged were truly memorable and gave us a fantastic taste of Latvia’s natural beauty, history, and local culture.
On the first day, we joined the Sigulda group tour, visiting beautiful scenic spots and impressive castles. The itinerary was thoughtfully curated and included lovely opportunities to explore local bakeries and enjoy authentic Latvian food at local restaurants.
On the second day, we visited Rundāle Palace and explored the Ķemeri bog boardwalk. Walking along the trails and boardwalk was a unique and peaceful experience, allowing us to appreciate the incredible natural beauty that Latvia has to offer.
A special mention to Diaga for her exceptional customer service and dedication. Although no other bookings came in for our Rundale tour on day 2, she still honoured our reservation and provided us with a private tour. We truly appreciated this thoughtful gesture, which made the experience even more special for our family.
Both tours were conducted in a comfortable, modern minibus, and Diaga carefully selected restaurants on both days to give us an authentic local dining experience.
Overall, everything was well organised, comfortable, and thoughtfully planned. Diaga’s personal attention, flexibility, and passion for showcasing Latvia made our trip memorable. We would highly recommend her tours to anyone visiting Riga who wants to discover the beautiful sights, culture, and hidden gems of Latvia. Thank you, Diaga, for making our family trip so special!"
Review on Google
"We had a brilliant day with Daiga and Sofija doing the '3 castles' tour. It was a really well planned day, including the walk around the town of Cesis, with bakery, and a very well chosen lunch spot. As well as the tours around the castles Daiga added a lot of other background info (Latvian history, food etc) as we travelled between locations. Her English is excellent which was great for us Brits, and she has a lovely sense of humour. For Turaida , Sofija took over guiding duties and did a great job. Thanks for a wonderful, educational and fun day."
Review on Google
"Actually did two tours. Daiga was on top of everything with planning and guidance. She shared information in an entertaining way. There were never any boring moments.
I highly recommend using her guide service."
Review on Google
"Really enjoyed the Cēsis/Sigulda/Turaida group tour. Daiga was very responsive since the initial contact. She was also very informative and provided lots of information about the history of Latvia and the castles during the tour, and more. The itinerary was thoughtfully designed and very efficient. We visited 3 castles and the towns in a single day with an easy pace, and still had time for a sitdown lunch, bread tasting and a mini Riga Black Balsams picnic. So delightful. These places are the must see places if visiting Latvia and this tour is the best way to do it. Highly recommended."
Review on Google
"We had a wonderful day tour with Daiga and our driver, Evgeny (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly!), visiting Sigulda, Cēsis, and Gauja National Park.
Evgeny was incredibly kind and attentive throughout the day. He helped us in and out of the van at every stop and always made sure to open and close the doors for us and made us feel like VIPs.
Daiga was a fantastic guide. She took us to three different castles and shared the history behind each of them, along with lots of interesting information about Latvia and Riga more generally.
One of the highlights was stopping at a small local bakery for a bread tasting. We had the chance to try several different types of Latvian bread, including the famous dark rye bread, which was a really fun and authentic experience.
Toward the end of the tour, we also visited a beautiful outdoor sculpture park, where Daiga even taught us a traditional Latvian folk dance. It was such a memorable and unexpected way to finish the day.
Overall, we had a wonderful experience and I would absolutely book another tour with Daiga the next time I visit Latvia. I highly recommend this tour to anyone staying in Riga who wants to get out of the city for a day and experience more of Latvia’s history, culture, and beautiful countryside."
Review on Google
"This tour covered lots of ground, taking in Sigulda, Cesis and the Gauja Valley. Both Daiga and Sophia, our guides, were charming, very knowledgeable, and very sensitive to our needs and capabilities. They answered all our queries and gave us the right level of detail. I would strongly recommend this company to give you a fascinating insight into some of the important sights, culture and history of Latvia."
Review on Google
"Esperienza da fare assolutamente se venite in Lettonia e non volete stare tutto il tempo in città, esplorando ciò che il paese ha da offrire dal punto storico e naturalistico!.
Daiga (la guida) è una persona fantastica e molto brava a trasmettere ciò che prova per il suo paese.
Se avete una giornata libera e non volete passarla a Riga dovete fare a tutti i costi questo piccolo tour !."
Review on Google
"Abbiamo fatto un bellissimo tour dei castelli medievali della Valle di Gauja. Daiga, la guida, è stata fantastica, non solo preparata ma anche molto gentile, simpatica e dinamica. Per pochi euro ed una giornata intera partite da Riga e vedrete vari luoghi mozzafiato difficili da raggiungere da soli. Esperienza da fare assolutamente!
Grazie Daiga ci vediamo al prossimo tour in Lettonia!"
Review on Google
"Esperienza interessante, con guide preparate e cordiali che ci hanno accompagnato durante tutto il tour in giornata.
Durante il viaggio si acquisisce una buona conoscenza generale del Paese, della sua storia e delle sue tradizioni.
Molto piacevole anche la degustazione del liquore locale e dei dolci che ci sono stati offerti."
Review on Google
"Der Tagesausflug mit Barefoot Baltic in die Lettische Schweiz (Gauja NP) war eine willkommene Abwechslung zum Stadt Trubel Rigas. Da Barefoot Baltic noch neu am Markt ist wurde die Tour trotzdessen das wir nur zu zweit waren durchgeführt. Neben den schönen mittelalterlichen Burgen und deren Geschichte hat Daiga uns eine gute Einführung in lettische Kultur gegeben. So konnten wir in Cesis beim Bäcker unterschiedliche Roggenbrotsorten probieren oder in Sigulda lettische Snacks und den berühmten Balsam probieren. Madhu hat uns sicher, freundlich und hilfsbereit von Ort zu Ort gebracht, meinen Dank auch an Ihn. Wollt Ihr das etwas ursprünglichere, mittelalterliche Lettland erleben und nebenbei ein Gefühl für Land und Leute bekommen kann Ich eine Tour mit Daiga nur empfehlen!"
Review on Google
"It was a wonderful tour with Daiga and Sophie! The day was well planned, not felt rush at all and they are very fun and enjoyable to be with. Had an absolutely great day with them! Thanks for specially arranging the tour and gathering more participants to make it happen on the day requested due to my tight schedule!"
Review on Google
"Daiga, labākā gide! Ļoti pozitīva un jauka persona, Cēsīs biju bijusi vairākkārt, bet, pateicoties Daigai, uzzināju ļoti daudz jauna un interesanta. Daigas “tūrē” pa Cēsīm bija iekļauta arī degustācija vietējā maizes ceptuvē, kur sagaidija pati ceptuves saimniece un sīkāk izstāstija par maizes cepšanas procesu un maižu veidiem.
Bija sajūta, ka esam Cēsīs nevis ar gidu, bet ar labu draudzeni :)
Paldies"
Review on Google
"Tour absolutamente aconsejable aunque no se tenga buen nivel de inglés. Daiga, la guía, tiene gran facilidad para ajustarse al nivel y pasar información muy interesante sobre la historia, las costumbres y otros aspectos prácticos de la vida en Letonia, con especial atención al parque nacional del Gauja. Las 10 horas fueron muy amenas con visitas a los 3 castillos y a una panadería, paseos por el parque, comida rica a buen precio, degustación de licores letones, participación en un baile tradicional y terminar con el descubrimiento del ritual propio de la sauna. Buena organización y trato cercano y amigable por desarrollarse en grupo reducido."
Review on Google
"Bellissima esperienza, posti molto belli
Dal parco nazionale, al castello alla "Versaille"del Baltico
Le guide superlative, empatiche, preparate e più che disponibili
Per pranzo ci hanno consigliato un ottimo ristorante e nella sosta ci hanno offerto degustazione del loro liquore e assaggio dolce locale
Grazie
Consigliatissimo+++"
Review on Google
"Avant tout, merci pour cette excellente journée. Le programme était riche, varié et parfaitement rythmé. Les explications du guide étaient à la fois claires, complètes et pédagogiques, agrémentées de nombreuses illustrations à l'appui qui ont grandement enrichi la visite. Nous avons également beaucoup apprécié les délicates attentions, notamment la dégustation offerte de produits locaux. Une expérience de grande qualité que je recommande vivement."
Review on Google
"Ho prenotato questa escursione in occasione del mio compleanno. Daiga e Madhu sono due persone davvero fantastiche: professionali, appassionate e con una profonda conoscenza del territorio. Il tour, durato l'intera giornata, è strutturato bene nelle tempistiche e consente una visita approfondita dei luoghi senza fretta. Gestito magistralmente sia nella logistica che nei contenuti. Bonus interessante la fermata ad un ristorante locale davvero carino ed economico per pranzo. Grazie ancora per la bellissima esperienza!"
Review on Google
"Una excursión que te permite aprender un poco más de la historia de Latvija. Su época medieval, con paisages, castillos y leyendas, y con una gran guia, que hace que sea una gran experiencia.
El pueblo de Cēsis, la cata de diferentes tipos de pan artesanal, y mucha mucha naturaleza.
No os lo perdais 😉🤗"
Review on Google
"Hicimos una visita de la ciudad y una excursión a Sigulda, Cesis y Turaida. Laura, fue nuestra guía. Ha sido una experiencia fantástica. Lo recomiendo. Nos llevamos un grato recuerdo de Letonia"
Review on Google
"¡Una experiencia fantástica de principio a fin! Todo estuvo muy bien y la guía fue excelente: amable, cercana y siempre atenta a todos."
Review on Google
"Ευχαριστούμε πολύ, ήταν πάρα πολύ ενδιαφέρον και πολύ καλή ξενάγηση, σίγουρα θα ξαναπάμε μαζί τους και σε άλλα μέρη!"
Review on Google
"A fantastic small-group tour of Sigulda, Cēsis & the beautiful Gauja Valley! Booking directly was easy and made the experience even more personal. The scenery was stunning, the history was fascinating, and a special thanks to Diaga for being such a friendly, knowledgeable guide who made the day truly memorable. Highly recommended!"
Review on Google
"10/10, Absolutely fabulous.
The tour took us around the charming town of cēsis and sigulda, as well as seeing 3 beautiful castles with a genuinely interesting and insightful commentary from two wonderful and pleasent tour guides.
Each of the castles are an amazing must-visit, and the views from Turaida castle (among many other spots on the tour) are breathtaking!
In the town of cēsis there is a lovely coffee shop we stop by, as well as a traditional baker where we tried various breads (all delicious!)
((There are also plenty of opportunities for great pictures!!))
It is without a doubt the highlight of our holiday, and a memory im certain I will hold forever 😁🥰
Thank you Daiga and Sofia!"
Review on Google
"Daiga and Modhu showed us gems of Latvian history from long ago to present day. We learnt a Latvian folk dance on the grounds of Turaida Castle, and about the Turaido Rose,a true story of a woman about to be brutally wronged. She engineered her own death to escape. In Cesis we saw a bread maker, a turner craftsmen and a historian. They all shared their skill and knowledge with passion and clarity. I could go on and on but mostly I want to say we had a full day packed with sights to see which I would thoroughly recommend."
Review on Google
"I really enjoyed the full day. It was informative with a lovely pace. The guide (Daiga) was excellent. She was clearly very knowledgeable about the history / geography / heritage of the areas in question. She was also very warm and patient. The visit to the bakery was a highlight (amongst many) for me. The food / coffee stops were also well selected (Good value and tasty). The transport was excellent. I have travelled extensively over 30 + years and I have to say that Barefoot Baltic is a fantastic choice. The Riga Balsam and delicious fudge was the icing on the cake for me. I’ll be back for much more. Thank you!!!! Bobby McCormack"
Review on Tripadvisor
"We had a truly mystical day, castle hunting, sight seeing and bread tasting in the layered historical land surrounding Riga.
Our tour guide Daiga, from Barefoot Baltic, is a local treasure. She's full of energy and a vibrant willingness to share her authentic knowledge of the local history, mythology and cuisine. There was a soft rain falling and a mist rising throughout the day but nothing dampened the spirit of our guide as she motivated us to climb the final medieval tower on our tour to witness the extraordinary beauty of the vista that unfolded.
Slainte 👍 Mog and Bobby from Ireland."
Review on Tripadvisor
"First visit to Latvia and we really wanted to see the castles and countryside. Touring with Barefoot Baltic was the perfect way to do this! Our day trip to Sigulda, Cesis and Turaida was a wonderful mix of towns, castles and countryside. Our guides, Daiga and Sofia, were incredibly knowledgeable and we appreciated learning about Latvia through them. We liked the small group size. We brought our 13 year old son, who loved it. We were also joined by a younger couple and a single traveler and the trip was enjoyable for all. There were nice added touches like local treats, a fantastic (optional) coffee stop and a good local lunch stop. We saw a lot in one day but the pace never felt too rushed. It was just right. The logistics were easy too- easy booking and communication, two central Riga pickup options, and a comfortable bus. We thoroughly enjoyed this day adventure."
Review on Tripadvisor
"I was very happy with this tour and the guide and would highly recommend it!! The guide is very informative and fun! I really like the small group size of this tour and the sites were a must see if you're visiting Riga. The lunch location was delicious and gave you a chance to try many different dishes at very low prices. All in all - a perfect tour!!"
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"This is a wonderful trip from start to finish - It was fun to get to explore nature at the bog and visit castle and palace all in 1 trip! I especially liked the palace. It was beautiful!! The whole tour was carefully organized, well paced and the guide was extremely informative and fun! I would definitely go on any tour they offer!!!"
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"Wonderful trip that surpassed our expectations. Daiga is an excellent guide with a great sense of humour and a wealth of knowledge. We are so glad we made this trip and got to see some interesting parts of Latvia outside of Riga. The driver was courteous and helpful. This was definitely a great choice."
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"Everything was even better than expected. Great value and entertaining."
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"Our guide for the day, Daiga, was very knowledgeable and keep the day moving along at a great place as we visited many amazing sites. Cesis is such a quaint and beautiful town. The castle there is amazing. Sigulda has many sites to see around its winding river. The town was very informative with Latvian history and facts. I really enjoyed this entire day and I would recommend. Definitely wear goid walking shoes, you will get some exercise in"
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"Беше прекрасно! Благодаря на невероятният ни екскурзовод Daiga,която направи денят ни незабравим. Благодаря, Дaiga!"
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"One of the best tours from Riga! Our guide, Raiga, was very kind, knowledgeable, and spoke excellent English. The minibus was very comfortable. We had a lovely time and learned a lot of history about the castles. We also enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant, where we experienced authentic Latvian cuisine with a delicious three-course meal."
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"Es war ein toller Tag. Daiga hat uns mit vielen spannenden Informationen das Land und ihre Begeisterung für ihre Heimat näher gebracht. Sie ist auf jeden Teilnehmer eingegangen und hat sich um die Bedürfnisse jedes einzelnen gekümmert, um allen einen unvergesslichen Tag zu ermöglichen. Rundum eine Tour mit garantiertem Wohlfühl—Faktor."
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"Gostei muito de nossa guia Daiga. Ela é muito competente, agradável e dedicada ao bem estar do grupo"
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"La guida è stata molto brava, preparata e gentile. Consiglio vivamente l’esperienza, vale assolutamente il costo."
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"Our guide Daiga was very knowledgeable about the places we visited and kept us informed along the way. The breads we tasted were very nice and helped us to understand how the local bread is made in Latvia. The added stop which included tastings of the local liqueurs and various chocolates was a surprise and really enjoyable. Lunch included many choices and prices were very reasonable. Wish it hadn’t rained but the weather did not stop us. All in all, a very worthwhile trip and learning was fun!"
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"Ова тура представља апсолутни врхунац организације и теренског обиласка. Наш водич, Даига, убедљиво је најдивнији и најкомпетентнији водич са којим сам до сада имао прилику да путујем. Њено знање је фасцинантно, а начин на који презентује чињенице је изузетно занимљив и инспиративан. Посебну, аутентичну вредност тури дао је тренутак када нас је директно учила традиционалним летонским фолклорним играма. Возач је такође био на највишем нивоу професионализма, омогућивши нам сигуран и беспрекоран транзит током целог дана. Сам темпо екскурзије је прилично интензиван, али је дивно избалансиран и пружа искуство које апсолутно вреди сваког уложеног динара. Као савршен логистички додатак, ресторан у Сигулди у ком смо направили паузу је феноменалан – нуди врхунску, веома укусну храну по изненађујуће ниским ценама. Свеукупно, беспрекорно изведено путовање које најискреније препоручујем."
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"Todo fenomenal, buena guía y buena organización."
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"Daiga y Sophia fueron muy amables y profesionales. Hicieron de la excursión un día muy divertido e interesante."
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"Ein großartiger vielseitiger Tagesausflug! Mit den tollen Tourguides Daiga und Sofia dürften wir, in eine sehr nette und entspannte Atmosphäre, lettische Geschichte, Kultur, das Essen und Traditionen kennengelernt haben. Wir erhalten auch viele wertvolle Tipps für die Lettland-Reise! Absolute Empfehlung!"
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"ogni posto visto è stato interessante. Guida e autista splendide, cordiali e super disponibili esperienza+++"
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"這些地方大眾交通不是到不了,但錯過一班車通常都要等30~60分鐘,在加上交通時間,參團絕對是一個好選擇! Daiga and Sofija非常友善也樂於分享,基本上回答了我們大部分的問題。參觀景點同時認識拉脫維亞的歷史跟風俗,而不是只有拍照打卡!我們也嘗試了當地麵包坊的麵包跟拉脫維亞的地方餐廳。非常棒的一次經驗!非常推薦!"
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"If you’re exploring Latvia, this is an absolute must trip to take. The full 10 hours were filled with wonders of the country. From natural beauty to man made splendor. We visited Ķemeri bog, learned about the plants, wildlife, and interesting things about that habitat. Next, Bauska Castle, a medieval settlement with half of the structure fully restored and the other one left intact. Great insight into the lives of people who lived long ago. Our last stop was the gorgeous Rundāle Palace, the real summer home of important figures of the past. Overall, we had so many great memories, including the conversations with our guides and fellow travelers! Highly recommended!"
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"Une superbe journée avec Daiga notre guide. Les visites sont très intéressantes grâce à ses commentaires. Les déplacements se font en mini van, nous sommes donc 7 au maximum, c'est parfait pour profiter des différents lieux / châteaux."
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"Awesome! Best tour ever. From CA and have been to 42 countries and one of the best tours. Friendly tour guides with superb English."
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"Excursión recomendable. Se visitan muchos sitios en un día. Muchas explicaciones por parte de la guía. La comida no estaba incluida pero pudimos probar platos de la gastronomía letona."
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"Une excursion très ludique, parfaitement organisée autour de l'histoire de villes fascinantes. Les explications étaient intéressantes et permettaient de découvrir le patrimoine de manière agréable. La dégustation dans une boulangerie locale apporte une touche authentique et pleine de charme à cette activité. Une très belle expérience que je recommande !"
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"Danke für den tollen Ausflug. Cesis hat mit besonders gut gefallen. LG"
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"It was an action packed day. Our guide Daiga and driver Sophie were amazing. There was a good balance of information, we visited so much and were given plenty of opportunities to explore the places we visited & ask questions to help us gain a better understanding of Latvian culture and history. Daiga was very helpful in making lunchtime meal selections in the canteen style restaurant so we could experience Latvian food with the locals We were a diverse international group and Daiga was very adept in getting us to talk to each other and bond during the day so there was a very nice atmosphere throughout the day. Highly recommended and well worth the money."
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"Ik wilde tijdens mijn verblijf in Riga ook graag de omgeving buiten de stad ontdekken. Na verschillende opties te hebben bekeken uiteindelijk gegaan voor deze tour en daar heb ik zeker geen spijt van. Ik had verwacht dat we met meer zouden zijn omdat er toen ik instapte maar 1 andere toerist was. Doordat het vroeg in het seizoen was bleek dat niet het geval en had ik bijna een privé tour. Het was een mooie route en we hebben onderweg al veel gesproken over Letland, de geschiedenis en de omgeving waar we reden. De stops op de route waren zeer de moeite waard en doordat we met z'n tweeën waren hadden we de mogelijkheid om veel zelf aan te passen en langer op sommige plekken door te brengen. Bij het kasteel hadden we extra geluk, er was een middeleeuws festival met verschillende activiteiten en gezellige kraampjes. Ik heb een heerlijke dag gehad en kan de tour zeker aanraden!"
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"I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Daiga and Sofia were very nice guide. They were very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. During the drive Daiga shared much about the history and culture of Latvia. I had a wonderful day visiting Sigulda, Cesis and Turaida castles. I had a great time and highly recommend this tour."
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"Fue una experiencia muy buena. Las guías son excelentes y muy amables. Sin duda repetiría la experiencia. En especial me gustó que nos dieran recomendaciones sobre otros lugares que visitar en la ciudad y también su trato amable y cordial durante todas las actividades; en especial, cuando compartimos la comida."
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"El tour guiado a Sigulda, Cēsis y el Parque Nacional Gauja con las guías Daiga y Sophia fue una gran oportunidad para conocer más sobre la historia y tradiciones de Letonia, y bellos paisajes y castillos fuera de la capital. Las guías tienen un trato muy amable y gran manejo respecto a datos históricos, los que compartieron con el grupo, junto a anécdotas e historias personales que sirvieron para generar confianza y un buen ambiente entre todas las personas que participamos en el tour. La experiencia contempla un tiempo para almorzar -no incluido en el precio del tour- y tuvimos la oportunidad de probar diferentes variedades del Bálsamo de Riga y dulces tradicionales letones. Al final del tour, Daiga y Sophia resolvieron algunas dudas y nos aconsejaron sobre lugares para visitar en Riga. Nos quedamos con una muy buena sensación por la buena experiencia vivida."
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"Vi deltog 3 generationer på turen. Guiderne var fantastisk hjælpsomme og vidende. Vi fik mange spændende historier og også et ægte Lettisk eventyr på turen. Besøg på bageri var hyggeligt med en god fortælling fra bageren selv, Besøg i den gamle kirke var interessant og gåtur gennem skov til fantastisk udsigt til slot og flod var smuk og grøn og de tre slotte vi så var imponerende og gav en virkeligt god indsigt i områdets historie. Fordi vi kun var 7 deltagere i minibus var der tid til at lære hinanden at kende og guiderne kunne vores navne. Vi mødte gode folk fra Japan, Spanien og Liverpool og naturligvis vores søde lettiske guider og vi tre familiemedlemmer: mormor, mor og søn havde alle tre en dejlig tur. En lang dag med mange indtryk, men der var lagt pauser og køreture ind så vi ikke blev overvældede. Turen blev modificeret lidt så vi nåede det hele inden regnvejr landede - det var super flexibelt. Godt planlagt!"
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"I had a wonderful time during the 10-hour tour visiting Sigulda’s Old and New Castles, Cēsis Castle, and Turaida Castle. Our two guides, Daiga and Sofia, were incredibly knowledgeable; they constantly engaged our curiosity and shared a wealth of information with us. Tasting Riga Black Balsam—both the 45% and 30% varieties—was a unique experience; it felt more like taking medicine than drinking alcohol. These two beautiful guides are truly outstanding—they succeeded in making us, visitors from faraway Korea, fall in love with Latvia. I highly recommend this tour to everyone, including Korean travelers; it is a truly worthwhile experience."
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"Прекрасный солнечный день только украсил замечательный тур с нашим гидом милой Софией. Мы получили от нее очень много интересной информации об исторических местах, что мы посетили, узнали о традициях, фольклоре, обычной жизни местных народов в разные периоды существования Латвии. Мы искренне рады, что нашли турфирму именно Дайги и Софии. Они - молодцы"
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"this was one of the best trips I've ever done. the guides were timely and very personal. I enjoyed myself so much bc of that. each stop had small local additions like bread or balsam tasting or a latvian traditional dance and really made the trip meaningful. Time was taken at each stop, we were not rushed and got a thorough explanation of what we were seeing. I could not recommend more."
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"Γεια σας! Η εμπειρία μου ήταν απίστευτη όλοι ήταν πολύ φιλικοί και εξυπηρετικοί. Η ξενάγηση έγινε από δυο γυναίκες και ξεκίνησε με πληροφορίες για την Ρίγα. Μετά κάναμε παρά πολλές στάσεις και είδαμε διεξοδικά 3 κάστρα, μια πόλη και επίσης κάναμε και άλλες δραστηριότητες όπως να δούμε θεές δοκιμές ψωμιών και κάτι σαν μικρό πικ-νικ. Σίγουρα αξιζε τα χρήματα του και οι κοπέλες ήταν διαθέσιμες να μας εξηγήσουν τα πάντα. Πολύ ομορφη εμπειρία συνιστω ανεπιφύλακτα να πάτε, και είναι κάτι που σίγουρα θα μου μεινει από την Λετονία🇬🇷🇱🇻💕💕"
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"An amazing experience which was crammed full of lots of different things. A long day and I was tired at the end but it was worth it. Daiga and Sophia were excellent and made sure that the day was well paced. A good mix of places to visit and learning about the history of Latvia while travelling in the minibus. My highlights were the view from the viewpoint and visiting Cēsis. Highly recommended 🥰"
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"Tour meraviglioso alla scoperta della regione lettone dei castelli. Le nostre guide Daiga e Sofia erano preparate, accoglienti e simpatiche. Se siete a Riga prenotate questa escursione."
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"bardzo fajna wycieczka, kameralna, dużo informacji, dziewczyny postarały sie aby czas upłynął w przyjemnej atmosferze na zwiedzaniu, tańcu, jedzeniu, brawo"
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"As Guias atenciosas e pontuais. Dominam as informações e sempre solicitas para conosco. O Tour foi completo e sem correria, bem dimensionado e planejado, tanto no tempo como no decorrer das atrações. Ratifico a indicação!"
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"This was one of the highlights of my time in Latvia. From the smooth logistics to Daiga’s warm and knowledgeable guidance, everything was well organized from start to finish. Visiting Sigulda, Turaida, and Cēsis on a guided tour made it easy to appreciate the history and how the three sites are connected. The pace was relaxed, with plenty of time to explore each castle without feeling rushed. I especially enjoyed learning about Latvian history and culture throughout the day. There were so many thoughtful extras, including local tastings and cultural insights, that made the experience feel much more personal than a typical sightseeing tour. I also really appreciated Daiga taking photos throughout the day and sharing them afterward. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Latvia."
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"날씨도 좋지 않았고 혼자 참여하는 투어라 혹시 취소되지 않을까 걱정했는데, 예정대로 진행해 주셔서 정말 감사했습니다. 영어가 익숙하지 않아 이동이나 소통도 걱정이 많았지만, 가이드님께서 처음부터 끝까지 친절하게 설명해 주시고 세심하게 배려해 주신 덕분에 불편함 없이 편안하게 투어를 즐길 수 있었습니다. 체시스성, 투라이다성, 시굴다성을 둘러보며 정말 환상적인 하루를 보냈습니다. 아름다운 중세 성들을 방문하며 라트비아의 역사와 문화를 쉽고 흥미롭게 배울 수 있었고, 이동하는 동안에도 리가의 건물과 현지 전통, 다양한 이야기까지 들려주셔서 여행이 더욱 뜻깊었습니다. 혼자 참여했음에도 전혀 외롭거나 어색하지 않았고, 오히려 더욱 세심한 배려를 받으며 처음부터 끝까지 기대 이상으로 만족스러운 시간을 보냈습니다. 라트비아의 역사와 중세 유적에 관심이 있는 분들이라면 자신 있게 추천하고 싶은 최고의 투어입니다. 잊지 못할 최고의 추억을 선물해 주셔서 진심으로 감사합니다!"
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"Excelente excursión. La mejor manera de ver lo más bonito del sur de Letonia en un día. Muy agradecido a Daiga y Sofía ya que hacen que te sientas muy a gusto. El paseo por la ciénaga Kemeri me ha gustado mucho con sus plantas carnívoras y aves. Es un paisaje que en España no tenemos. El castillo de Bauska y el palacio de Rundale te transportan a la historia de invasiones que ha sufrido el pueblo letón. Francamente, un acierto."
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"Wir waren eine Gruppe von 9 Pers., Daiga organisiert uns eine zus. deutschsprachige Reiseleitung, welche perfekt vorbereitet war - auch zu Österreich und immer wieder den Vergleich Lettland-Österreich zog!! In Cesis und Turaida wurden wir auch von einer deutschspr. Guide durch die Schlösser geführt. Die Brotverkostung ausgezeichnet. Der krönende Abschluss war in Sigulda die Black Balsam-Verkostung von Daiga. Ein langer, aber sehr beeindruckender Tag."
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"It was an excellent experience, traveling with the barefootbaltics team of Madhu, Daiga and Catherine. They went above and beyond the normal tour guides norms, when my wife had a sudden bout of coughing while traveling in the van. Madhu personally took it upon himself to get my wife some soothing herbal tea and cough lozenges at the next stop. So, I would say that they are not just competent, but also caring. That to me makes for a great company to travel with."
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"Izlet je bil fantastičen od začetka do konca. Daiga in njena ekipa so zelo dobro poskrbeli za naju, naju pričakali ob dogovorjeni uri s prostornim kombijem in suvereno vodili skozi dan. Če si želite pristnega stika z domačini in odkrivanja tudi malo bolj skritih kotičkov države, kot je na primer obisk pekarne v kraju Cesis ali razgledne točke, kjer ni gneče, potem je ta izlet dobra izbira. Vsekakor ga midva priporočava. Hvala vam za nepozaben dan, Mojca in Jani iz Slovenije"
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"Sevgili Daiga ile tanıştığımızda talihsiz bir kaza yaşamıştı, ayağı kırık olmasına rağmen geziyi iptal etmedi ve bize şahane bir gezi düzenledi. Güler yüzü, hoş sohbeti ve şahane küçük ikramlarıyla çok güzel bir gezi oldu. Çok teşekkür ederim Daiga."
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"Super journée plongée dans l’aire médiévale ... Daiga notre guide a été géniale, un puit de connaissances et d’infos, plus un picnic avec dégustation improvisé dans un château... bref une expérience exceptionnelle"
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"La guía Diga excelente, dió explicaciones muy completas y claras, nos acompaño a todos los lugares, tuvo muy buena disposición. Alcira y Dino. Argentina."
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"This was a wonderful way to see more of Latvia, getting out of the city and into the beautiful countryside. We had a few stops, all designed to show us wonderful vistas, lovely towns and ancient castles. Daiga was informative and entertaining, adding her local perspective to what we were seeing. It was just the 2 of us this day and we enjoyed close personal attention ( and a delicious lunch!) Thanks Daiga- it was lovely meeting you both. I would thoroughly recommend taking this trip!"
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"Awesome!! Daiga was amazing and super knowledgeable. Transportation was clean and smooth. Lots of history and a unique Latvian experience. Great value overall. Highly recommend!"
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"The trip was very well planned and intentional. And Daiga and Sofija were amazing guides - very friendly, knowledgeable, and flexible. They were an absolute joy to explore the area with."
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"We had a fantastic day visiting Cēsis (+castle), and Turaida and Sigulda castles. The sites were visually stunning and allowed opportunity to learn about Latvia's history all the way back to 1200. Daiga and Sofia were fantastic. Both were extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and answered our questions with great detail. Even during the minibus journey Daiga gave us lots of insight into many of Riga's buildings and Latvian traditions. The latvian bread and liqueur we got to try was also impressive and a nice addition to the day. Overall I would absolutely recommend this tour if you have any interest in Latvian history or medieval sites in general."
Review on Google
"Une superbe journée en compagnie de Daïga et Sofijja ! 😊 Leur professionnalisme, leur gentillesse et leur passion pour l’histoire de la Lettonie ont vraiment rendu cette excursion inoubliable. Les explications étaient claires, intéressantes et enrichissantes tout au long de la visite. Le palais de Rundāle est grandiose, le château de Bauska impressionnant, et la balade dans le marais de Ķemeri offre un cadre naturel exceptionnel. Daïga a su parfaitement organiser la journée, avec un excellent rythme et une attention constante. Une guide et son équipe au top que je recommande vivement pour découvrir ces sites emblématiques depuis Riga ! 🥇"
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"Fabulous trip to Cesus, Sigulda and Turaida castles with Daiga, Sofia and Madhu as Drivers and Guides. By far one of the best tours we've been on. Extremely informative and with additional extras like a tour to a bakery and a taster of black balsam. We couldn't have asked for more. I suggest booking with Barefoot Baltic and experiencing for yourselves."
Review on Google
"This was a very well coordinated trip. We were collected from meeting point promptly and introduced to our driver and guides, Daiga, Sofia and Madhu. We were made to feel at ease from start and a comprehensive itinerary was explained. This could be adjusted to our needs. Our guides were very knowledgeable and informative and we learnt much about Latvian culture and history as well as visiting wonderful sites. The team went a ove and expectations. We highly recommend."
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"We had a fantastic experience with Daiga and Barefoot Baltic! First of all, I reached out ahead of booking to check on the flexibility of the tours in terms of if we can wander off during the walking tour, and Daiga was very responsive and very flexible. The tour itself was informative and fun. We saw things we never would've been able to see just using public transportation, and with a small group it was easy to be flexible and a little more personal. I have done a lot of guided tours, and this is exactly what I like - guided with flexibility. I cannot recommend Barefoot Baltic enough. It was probably my favorite tour we did on our 2.5 week trip in the Baltics."
Review on Google
"Excellent experience, excellent guide, amazing driver, a very high quality trip...highly recommended!"
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"Wow - I cannot recommend Barefoot Baltic enough. I was fortunate enough to experience the Cēsis - Sigulda - Turaida castle tour with Daiga.
Daiga was very informative, explaining the history of Latvia. I was provided context to the places of interest we visited, their significance and to the country of Latvia/region overall. If you are in Rīga and want a beautiful tour outside of the city then this is an excellent option for you. Thank you for an excellent day. Thank you from New Zealand"
Review on Google
"Wir waren eine Gruppe von 9 Personen und Daiga organisierte uns eine deutschsprachige Reiseleitung. Bei jedem Stopp führte uns ein weiterer deutsch sprechender Guide. Der gesamte Ausflug war perfekt organisiert, Daiga und ihre Kollegin waren sehr gut vorbereitet - auch über Österreich. Der krönende Abschluss war die Black-Balsam-Verkostung von Daiga im Schlosspark Sigulda. Sehr empfehlenswert!"
Review on Google
"What an awesome day with Madhu and Daiga of Barefoot Baltic. It was a lovely tour and we learned so much. We visited three castles in a day: Sigulda, Cēsis & Turaida. It was helpful to do this on a guided tour that takes care of the logistics and can explain how the three locations tie together and how the different buildings at each site reflect different eras. We selected a full day tour, so the pace at each location would not be rushed. We enjoy climbing the towers and looking at the exhibits. Daiga was very flexible with adjusting to the areas where we had the greatest interests. Daiga, shared a lot of Latvia's history and culture, including a dance and black balsam tasting. In the car rides in between locations, we had some very interesting discussions on more recent Latvian history and the current environment. The travel time passed quickly. Daiga also helped us with so many nice pictures for our memories. We had a great time and highly recommend this tour."
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"Our Sigulda day with barefootbaltic team was great fun. Thanks so much for the unscheduled photo stop near the rapeseed field, the pictures will soon go up in my living room mantle :) Lovely day out and a real highlight of our trip. Thanks so much."
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"We are so pleased to have taken this trip with Daiga and Barefoot Baltic. The communication before our trip was clear with an easy pick up in Riga. During the drive Daiga shared much about the history and rich culture of Latvia. We learned so much! The small group size meant the experience was intimate and engaging. The knowledge and care that was placed into planning the trip was clear. Daiga and staff were warm and friendly so it felt like we were traveling with dear friends! We were not expecting to learn a Latvian folk dance but we did! Something that will be a much shared memory! The sights were memorial, and Daiga shared which vendors sold locally made items so we felt we were supporting local artists and artisans with our purchases and bringing back unique souvenirs. We also appreciate the answers to our questions and recommendations for other experiences and restaurants in the area. An amazing trip that we are so glad we took!"
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"一名导游...一名见习导游兼司机的配置...早晨去bog walk的安排很好...避开了游客高峰期...daiga 和 sofijia都很专业...无论什么问题都会热心解答...中午推荐了一家氛围很好的餐厅...我最满意的是如果时间充足导游会带你去一些额外的景点...通常是那些非常小众但景色挺典雅精致的...希望能够做大做强再创辉煌...太阳照常升起....我的拉脱维亚的故事到这里就结束了..."
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"一切都很棒....导游很专业...同时又有一定的人文关怀....sigulda那家自助餐很好吃...可能是我最满意的欧洲餐厅...导游几乎全程陪同参观...这一点我很满意...任何问题也可以随便问...反馈很好....这家旅行社目前规模很小...所以能够做出一些不那么常规的事...我是指好事...比如说没有最低发团人数的限制....总的来说,会回购:)"
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"Spent a lovely day at Rundale Palace with barefootbaltic & Daiga. The gardens were the highlight for me, the lilac was in full bloom and smelled gorgeous. Daiga also took us to Aveni for lunch that turned out to be such a find. An easy, relaxed day and we never felt rushed. Thank you Daiga, my best wishes."
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"I thoroughly enjoyed this trip from Riga and would highly recommend this tour company. Daiga was an exceptional guide with an impressive depth of knowledge about Latvian history, providing fascinating insights at every site we visited. Having taken numerous tours through GetYourGuide, I can confidently say this was by far the most engaging experience I’ve had. The itinerary offered an excellent balance of castles, charming small-town experiences, and beautiful natural scenery, with a pace that felt comfortable and well-planned throughout the day. An outstanding tour that exceeded my expectations."
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"Three castles and so much more Don't bother looking at other trips with other operators. Daiga makes the Sigulda, Cēsis & Gauja National Park trip special. Why? She has organised an almost ideal tour - okay you have to forgive Riga's peak hour traffic - but you are quickly out in the countryside and into 1,000 years of Latvia's history as told by the castles and countryside. Daiga knows her facts and shares only the interesting ones at the various stops and in between times. And not just about castles, her knowledge is broad - test her. Lunch is at your own expense - but when Daiga asks you what you want choose Cēsis 'Buffet'. It's where the locals eat, there's a good choice, it's all very tasty and the only shock is the price (cents and pence, not pounds and dollars). No wonder the locals like it."
Review on Tripadvisor
"Excellent tour! Enjoyable day, led by the touring company's knowledgeable owner, in which we toured a castle and saw the ruins of two others. We ate (a delicious) lunch at an authentic restaurant, and spoke with a bakery owner and sampled her wares. We also walked a bit in the national park. Daiga provided a running commentary on topics including Latvia's history, the natural flora, fauna, and environment, life under the Soviet occupation, and current issues in Latvia. We highly recommend this tour!"
Review on Tripadvisor
"I would highly recommend this organization. At the end of April, I joined a trip to Rundale Palace, Bauska Castle, and Brewery. Daiga and her team do everything they can to ensure people have a wonderful day. Communication is easy and efficient, they are very reliable and punctual, and throughout the trip you're given plenty of interesting insights and historical context. I truly enjoyed the experience—many thanks to Team Daiga!"
Review on Google
"What a day. Three castles (from the last thousand years), spectacular river and countryside views and a guide in Daiga who is worth many times the tour price. In fact if you are going to book, demand her guiding. She knows a lot, not only because this was her birthplace and the areas visited her backyard, but also she's made an effort to learn the missing pieces in her knowledge and so can answer a variety of questions you want answers to which might have nothing to do with the trip. And, having said all that, she doesn't force feed you, she understands that part of learning is quiet contemplation and absorbing the many spectacular views. For instance, who knew in a country with a radio tower higher than its tallest hill, that there were ski slopes and an area known as little Switzerland? She did, and perhaps you should discover some of these gems too."
Review on Google
"Excellent tour! We set off from Riga and visited Sigulda along with the Cesis and Turaida castles. It was a full-day tour that lets you explore several history-packed spots in the Latvian countryside. Our guide Daiga was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and truly embodies the country's culture. Highly recommended if you want a 100% authentic Latvian experience."
Review on Google
"Really fun activities and the guides are really friendly and interesting! Had a great time"
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"Prachtige trip! Start bij schitterend uitzichtpunt in Sigulda. Ruines van Sigulda castle. Wij hadden mazzel dat we met kleine groep waren, dus konden in Turaida ook langs badhuis met traditioneel gedroogde kruiden&planten voor we naar het kasteel gingen. Laatste stop van de dag is Cēsis, wat wij het mooiste kasteel vonden. Gids logt super veel uit over Letland en de bezienswaardigheden. Extreem behulpzaam. Telefoon cashte aan eind vd trip. Zijn naar 2 telefoon winkels gereden om het probleem te fixen. Super lieve mensen en mooie bezienswaardigheden, echt een aanrader!"
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"Sehr schöner Tag mit Daiga. Sigulda und Cēsis sind beide wunderschön und Daiga kennt sich wirklich gut aus, erzählt viel und beantwortet alle Fragen. Die kleine Gruppe war angenehm, kein Stress, kein Gehetze. Die Verkostungen unterwegs waren auch lecker. Können wir nur empfehlen."
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"Geweldige manier om meer van het land te zien dan alleen Riga. Alles op een rustig tempo zodat er genoog tijd was voor de verschillende bezoeken. Gids wist heel veel te vertellen. Lunch plek was ook zeer aangenaam (voor eigen rekening). Er is ook ruimte om in overleg de invulling van de dag aan te passen. Zeer aanbevolen!"
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"What a great day out. We had the three promised castles, dived into a lot of fascinating history, saw rivers and "mountains" with ski slopes and more. Our guide and driver were knowledgeable and great company leading us through the bakery and introducing us to local (alcoholic) spirits. We would really recommend this company and suggest you look no further for, as I said, a great day out."
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"Excellent itinerary for us, and the whole day was perfect. Under an hour to our first stop, the Kemeri Bog walk, a beautiful nature walk through a fascinating wetland. Just lovely! Then a longer drive to our next stop, the Rundale Palace, past scenic farmland and glowing fields of canola, with lots of interesting information shared by Daiga along the way. The palace is impressive as was our palace guide, Olaf. Beautiful gardens too. A great stop. After this the chosen lunch stop restaurant (lunch not included) couldn't have been nicer. Excellent quality meals, reasonably priced, friendly and good service. Last stop, the Bauska Castle showed us a different part of history from medieval times to the 18th century additions. Another great stop. Then the pleasant drive back to Riga. A good balance of visits and driving and a memorable 10 hours of our Latvian holiday. Thank you so much Daiga, Madhu and Sofia. A highly recommended tour!"
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"Jól összeállított, rugalmasan lebonyolitott program, figyelmes, lelkes és felkészült túravezetőkkel. Nagy élmény volt, érdemes élni e lehetőséggel, ha az ország szépségei, kultúrája és történelme kapcsán mélyebb ismeretekre vágyunk."
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"Могу сказать много чего о туре. Просто превосходный! Несмотря на не очень хорошую погоду, сломанную ногу у Дайги, они сделали всё что было возможно, чтобы мы ничего не пропустили. Я ехала с моими друзьями из Италии и могу сказать, несмотря на маленькие знания английского языка, всё было понятно. В Рундале вас ждал очень гид Олаф, который не только был профессионал своего дела, но и отличный актёр. В Бауске - другой гид, так как Дайна не могла из-за ноги. Надеемся она поправится скоро. А еще и пивоваренный завод- как было интересно. Обедали неподалёку от Бауски. Всё прошло на ура. Вернулись на место встречи с уставшими ногами и головой, но с полным сердцем..."
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"Absolutely incredible! The Kemeri Bog boardwalk felt like stepping into another world—early morning mist over the pools, birds singing, and the wooden path winding through surreal landscapes. Our guide was knowledgeable and kept a great pace. Then Jūrmala’s sandy beaches and charming wooden architecture were the perfect contrast. Loved dipping my feet in the Baltic Sea! The whole trip was well-organized, peaceful, and refreshing. Only thing that could improve? Slightly longer stop for coffee in Jūrmala. But honestly—5 stars, highly recommend! 🌿🦢🌊"
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"The trip was really wonderful and excellent. It was fun and worth my money."
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"It was a wonderful trip, special thanks to Daiga and her team that went all out to make this trip a memorable one. Not a single boring moment I had during the journey. An enriching trip that perfectly blended exploration, culture, and learning together."
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"What a great day! It was a full day, which was just what we wanted. We really liked all the activities. Our guide, Daiga, was extremely knowledgeable. As a Latvian, Daiga has an excellent knowledge base about the history, culture, current events, flora and fauna—everything— about Latvia, and readily shared information. She also shared her experiences about growing up in Latvia, which made the tour far more meaningful for us. Additionally, we appreciated that Daiga was solicitous about our welfare throughout the day. We had an additional guide at Cesis who was also quite informative. The lunch spot was well chosen; the food was good and inexpensive. This tour allowed us to see sites we would otherwise have been unable to see, and we highly recommend it!"
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"It was spectacular and memorable. Daiga gave me so much wonderful information , and is a very warm and fun lady. As a solo traveller, I was made to feel welcome. Frederick was an excellent driver and took loads of pics which Daiga shared with me. Olav who was our guide for Rundale palace , was both entertaining and knowledgeable on our tour of this magnificent palace. The brewery tour was excellent , Zaiga led us through the beer making process from start to finish. After the tour we got to taste the beers and I was very generously given a bottle of my favorite beer. As a tour , this is a wonderful alternative to several other tours who visit the palaces and the Hill of Crosses. It was a pleasure to meet Elena who is in training to be a Ukrainian speaking guide for this amazing company. Thank you for a truly special day."
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"My husband and I recently booked a day trip with Daiga and we throughly enjoyed every minute of it. We were picked up from our hotel at the mentioned time and the drive to Lithuania was very smooth. Daiga is quite knowledgeable and indulged us in the history of the place in detail. After driving for 2 hrs, we stopped for lunch. Since we both are vegetarians and we were concerned about finding good vegetarian eat outs, our guide ensured she took us to a nice sit down vegetarian place where the food was awesome. Daiga is very friendly and knowledgeable and she knows in and out of the place. My husband who loves to tour breweries , was fascinated to tour the beer factory and learn about the whole beer brewing process and even get to taste it! After the tour, we were driven back to Riga and through out the ride, Daiga gave us company by showing us the local history and educating us about the local culture. Highly recommend this to everyone!! Could give more stars if I could."
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"I had such a lovely day on this tour and honestly didn't expect to learn so much about Latvia along the way. Daiga was a fantastic guide — very knowledgeable, but also warm and easy to talk to, which made the whole experience feel relaxed and personal. The visits to Rundāle Palace and Bauska Castle were beautiful, but what really made the difference was how Daiga brought the history to life with stories and context throughout the day. It never felt like a "lecture" — more like travelling with someone who genuinely loves sharing their country. The brewery stop at the end was a perfect way to finish the day — a really nice touch and a fun, memorable ending. Overall, it was a great mix of learning and enjoying the day out. I would absolutely recommend Daiga's tours and will remember this day very fondly."
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"I had a day that I will always value. Daiga and her company/team are thoughtful and generous and I learned so much about Latvia and what makes this country special and set apart. Every stop was fantastic. Thank you for a wonderful and memorable day"
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"Daiga ed il suo gruppo sono davvero straordinari: simpatici, entusiasti e preparati! L'intero viaggio è stato un susseguirsi di scoperte emozionanti, ma andiamo con ordine: il palazzo di Rundāle è un gioiello incastonato nella pianura Lettone, la nostra guida ha magistralmente spiegato ogni sala, ricca di stucchi ed affreschi, soffermandosi sui dettagli e rispondendo ad ogni domanda. Il pranzo si è svolto in un locale tipico poco distante, dove ho potuto assaporare diverse specialità locali. Il castello di Bauska, situato alla confluenza dei fiumi Mūsa e Nemunėlis è un classico esempio di maniero Livoniano, anch'esso ricco di storia e fascino. Prima di rientrare a Riga ci siamo fermati al birrificio Bauskas, dove oltre alla visita dello stabilimento, abbiamo potuto assaggiare le deliziose birre prodotte in loco. Sono davvero soddisfatto di questo tour, auguro a Daiga ed ai membri del suo staff tutto il meglio! Continuate così! Meriterebbero 10 stelle!"
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"What a great day trip!! Daiga was warm, organized, and full of insight, and she brought Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle to life with the story behind them. The group was awesome, and lunch at Mežskungs was honestly a highlight. I’d do this again. What a fantastic day trip! Daiga, our guide, was warm, organized, and incredibly knowledgeable. She brought Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle to life with captivating stories about their history. The group was fantastic, and the lunch at Mežskungs was honestly a highlight of the trip. I would definitely recommend this tour again."
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
"Sehr freundliche und gut organisierte Tour mit Daiga. Rundale Palace und Bauska Castle waren toll, und die Brauerei-Führung nach dem Mittagessen war ein super Extra. Starke historische Einordnung, auch im Winter."
Verified booking on GetYourGuide
From the road
Unedited dashcam from recent day tours, so you know the drives are real, not stock footage.
Long-form drives, posted in full on the Barefoot Baltic YouTube channel.
Field Notes
Answers to the questions guests ask me most often, written firsthand by a licensed Latvian guide who lives here. 46 pieces so far.

Pirts, suitsusaun, savusauna, badstu, a Latvian guide compares Baltic and Nordic sauna traditions, the löyly, and how to use each one without offending the locals.

Eight hundred years of Latvian history through the voices of the people who lived each chapter, pagan, peasant, soldier, exile, citizen. From the crusader knights to the European Union.

Riga's Gaismas pils, the Castle of Light. The Glass Mountain folktale, Gunārs Birkerts's design, the 2014 human chain, and why Latvians love it as much as visitors do.

What the Cat House on Meistaru iela actually is, the merchant-and-the-Guild story behind the bronze cats on the roof, and the architectural details most travellers walk past. A local's guide from Daiga.

How Indulis Ranka and Anna Jurkāne built the Hill of Dainas at Turaida between 1980 and 1985, a folk-song memorial in granite that helped seed Latvia's Singing Revolution.

What every sculpture at Dainu Kalns means, the daina each one carries, and how to walk the hill in the right order. The complete English-language guide to Indulis Ranka's 26 granite sculptures at Turaida.

A licensed Latvian guide's comparison of the three best day trips from Riga. Rundāle, Sigulda, Ķemeri, with prices, times, and who each is wrong for.

What the Freedom Monument actually is, who Milda is, the three gold stars, and why this 1935 column survived the Soviet occupation. From Daiga, a licensed Latvian guide.

The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, Lithuania, a Catholic pilgrimage site the Soviets bulldozed three times and never destroyed. How to visit, when, and what it means.

What the House of the Blackheads actually is, who the Brotherhood of Blackheads were, why it was rebuilt from 1948 ruins, and what's inside the museum. From Daiga, a licensed Latvian guide.

Every room of Latvia's grandest baroque palace, illustrated with 286 original photos: Gold Hall, White Hall, Duke's enfilade, Duchess's wing.

Yes, with caveats. A licensed Latvian guide on what the Great Ķemeri Bog actually is, when to go, how to get there, and who should skip it.

Yes, on a weekday and if you understand it's a country palace, not Versailles. A licensed Latvian guide on what Rundāle is, when to visit, and who should skip it.

Yes, the best all-round day trip from Riga. A licensed Latvian guide on Sigulda, the Gauja Valley, the three castles, when to go, and how to get there.

33 km of white quartz sand, the shallowest swimmable Baltic Sea, wooden Art Nouveau villas, sulphur spas dating to 1838. A Latvian's guide to Jūrmala from Riga.

Arguably the second-best window of the year. A licensed Latvian guide on Ķemeri in September and October, peak colour, and whether DIY is worth it.

Konventa Sēta is a quiet medieval cluster of 16th-to-18th-century buildings on 13th-century foundations, between Kalēju and Skārņu iela in Riga’s Old Town. The dove on the keystone, the inner courtyard, the porcelain museum. From Daiga, a Riga local.

Who Krišjānis Barons was, why his cabinet of 217,996 hand-written cards is on the UNESCO Memory of the World register, and why every Latvian schoolchild knows his face. A standalone biography from a Latvian guide.

Kristaps Porziņģis was born in Liepāja in 1995, drafted 4th by the Knicks in 2015, and won the NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024. The story of Latvia's most famous athlete and the small Baltic country that watched every game.

May 4 is Latvia's Restoration of Independence Day, the second of two independence days, the one with daffodils, free trams, and a folk procession to the Freedom Monument. Notes from this year's celebration in Riga.

A licensed Latvian guide on the food. Rye bread, smoked everything, the pink summer soup, pickle juice, and where to eat in Riga.


Riga's four Orthodox churches, Nativity Cathedral, Holy Trinity Pārdaugava, St Alexander Nevsky, Grebenshchikov. What to see, etiquette, and the history behind the gold domes.

A licensed Latvian guide's 48-hour Riga itinerary. What to actually see, what to skip, where to eat, and the practical answers most travellers want.

What the Powder Tower actually is, the cannonballs still in the wall, and why the free Latvian War Museum inside is worth two hours of any first-timer’s day in Riga. A local's guide.

Estonia is the world's most secular country, Latvia is split between Lutheran and Catholic, Lithuania is overwhelmingly Catholic. One border, three religions, three histories.

What Riga Castle actually is, why the President lives in a 14th-century Livonian Order fortress, the National History Museum inside it, and how to see the riverfront elevation. A local's guide.

What Riga Cathedral actually is, why there's no dome on it, the 6,718-pipe Walcker organ, where to sit for the recital, and how to spend half an hour or half a day inside. Written by Daiga, a licensed Riga guide.

A licensed Latvian guide to Riga in winter. Christmas markets, weather, what to wear, costs, and which day trips still run in the cold months.

A licensed Latvian guide's deep guide to Riga Old Town (Vecrīga): what to see, what to skip, three walking routes, where to eat, safety, and seasons.

At 368.5 m, Riga's TV Tower is the tallest free-standing structure in the European Union, taller than the Eiffel Tower. The history, the design, and how to visit.

A licensed Latvian guide's comparison of Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius. Which Baltic capital to pick, which does what best, and who each is wrong for.

Yes, with trade-offs. A licensed Latvian guide on combining Sigulda and Cēsis in one day from Riga: timeline, three castles, and DIY-vs-tour.

What St James's actually is, why it’s the Catholic cathedral of Latvia (and the only one in Riga to keep its red-and-white baroque portal), the ‘ringing rooster’ legend, and how it sits beside the Saeima. From Daiga, a licensed Riga guide.

Why St Peter's tower is the panorama of Riga, what to know before you climb, the 1721 lightning and the 1941 artillery, and what the interior actually looks like. A local's guide.

The Suwałki Gap, the 80 km Polish corridor between Belarus and Russian Kaliningrad that links the Baltic states to the rest of Europe. A Latvian's view from the road.

What the Swedish Gate actually is, why it was cut through the city wall in 1698, and how to walk Torņa iela, the best-preserved medieval street in Riga, with a licensed local guide.

What the Three Brothers actually are, why number 17 is the oldest stone dwelling house in Riga, the 1646 date carved on number 19, and how to read the lane in five minutes. From Daiga, a licensed Latvian guide.

Vērmanes dārzs is Riga's oldest public park (1817), at the eastern edge of the Old Town between Tērbatas and Merķeļa iela. The fountain, the cherry trees, and the place locals go in spring. From Daiga, a Riga local.

A rolling, hand-picked list of upcoming Latvian events spotted on posters around Riga, Sigulda, Jūrmala, Cēsis and beyond. Concerts, festivals, palace days, more.

Why pork became Latvia's national meat instead of beef. A thousand years of forest, smoke and bacon, plus the modern dishes (karbonāde, pelmeņi) you should try.

118 historical Latvian buildings on 87 hectares of pine forest, 10 km outside Riga. Why a quiet morning at Brīvdabas tells you more about Latvia than the Old Town.

Soviet 1940, Nazi 1941, Soviet 1944–1991. The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia tells eight hundred years of Riga's story in one afternoon. Why visit, what to see.
Licensed & Insured
Barefoot Baltic is a fully registered and authorised Latvian tour operator. We carry all the insurance, licensing, and government registrations required to operate professionally and keep you safe.
Barefoot Baltic is registered with Latvia's Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC) as an authorised tourism services provider. Your advance payments are protected by a tour operator bond insurance policy (BTA Policy LV25-35-10000024-5), ensuring your money is safe even in the unlikely event we cannot deliver your tour. PTAC is the government body that oversees consumer protection in Latvia.
PTAC: Patērētāju tiesību aizsardzības centrs · Reg. Nr. 90000068854 · Brīvības iela 55, Rīga, LV-1010, Latvia
Verify at ptac.gov.lv →We carry comprehensive civil liability insurance with coverage up to €1,000,000 per period, protecting our guests against any eventualities during a tour, personal injury, property damage, and non-material damages are all covered. Our insurer is AAS "BTA Baltic Insurance Company" (Vienna Insurance Group), one of the leading insurers in the Baltic states. We have never had a claim, but should the need arise, you are fully protected.
On 26 November 2025, VSIA "Autotransporta direkcija" (ATD, Latvia's Road Transport Directorate) granted us Special Permit (Licence) No. PS-01995 for commercial passenger transportation by bus, valid from 26.11.2025 to 25.11.2035. This is an EU Community Licence, meaning we are authorised to operate passenger transport across all EU and EEA member states.
We bought both of our vehicles brand new, direct from Germany, in 2025 and 2026. They are used exclusively for Barefoot Baltic excursions: never rented out, never shared with other operators, never sat in by strangers between trips. Both are inspected and maintained to the highest standards and carry full insurance.
Private groups · smaller vehicle
You'll travel in our own 2026 Fiat Ducato (Reg. OM3899), used for smaller private departures and kept to the same standards as the rest of our fleet.
For couples, families, and small private groups who want a more intimate day out. Premium high-back seating, panoramic windows, and plenty of room to stretch out. Ideal when you want the feel of a private tour without the price of one.
Small groups · up to 12 guests
You'll travel in our own 2025 Ford Transit (Reg. OG478), a modern, air-conditioned minibus with comfortable seating for up to 12 guests. Cleaned between every tour and held to the same standards as our smaller vehicle.
Both vehicles carry full OCTA (mandatory third-party liability) and KASKO (comprehensive) insurance, valid across the entire European Economic Area. Our OCTA liability limits are €1,050,000 for property and €5,210,000 for personal injury, far exceeding the minimum requirements.
All our insurance is provided by AAS "BTA Baltic Insurance Company" (Reg. 40103840140), part of Vienna Insurance Group, one of the largest and most trusted insurers in Central and Eastern Europe.
Barefoot Baltic is a trading name of Ronda Sprints Solutions SIA · Registration No. 40203595104 · Brīvības gatve 418-27, Rīga, LV-1024, Latvia · Registered with PTAC (Patērētāju tiesību aizsardzības centrs, Reg. Nr. 90000068854, Brīvības iela 55, Rīga, LV-1010) as an authorised tourism services provider · ATD Special Permit (Licence) No. PS-01995 for commercial passenger transport (valid 26.11.2025–25.11.2035) · Civil liability insured by AAS "BTA Baltic Insurance Company" (Reg. 40103840140) · Tour operator bond insurance: BTA Policy LV25-35-10000024-5 · All tours operate under Latvian law · For complaints or escalations regarding consumer rights, please contact PTAC at ptac.gov.lv.
Let’s Talk
Wherever you are in planning your visit to Latvia, the easiest way to book is to reach out to me directly. A WhatsApp message, a phone call, or an email, whatever suits you. I’ll get back to you quickly and we’ll find the perfect day for your excursion. No forms, no automated replies, just me.
I understand some travellers prefer booking through a platform they already trust, and that’s perfectly fine. You’re welcome to book through GetYourGuide or Viator too. Just know that my direct price is always the best one.
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