Architecture in Riga, Latvia

Art Nouveau fans will be in heaven in Riga, Latvia where probably 30% of the buildings reflect this flowery architectural style.

Wander these streets: Alberta iela, Elizabetes, Strēlnieku, Blaumaņa,Vīlandes iela, Šķūņu, Smilšu iela to view a roster of Art Nouveau masterpieces by notables that include Mikhail Eisenstein, Eižens Laube, and Konstantīns Pēkšēns. With facades bearing prominent pine cones, cherubs, a sphinx, elongated faces, dragons, lotus petals, gargoyles, and curiously-shaped windows (including a resemblance to keyholes), the buildings radiate a mythical feel that, at times, even convey a sense of the macabre.

To further saturate yourself with the art nouvea vibe, spend some time in the Riga Art Nouveau Museum that's housed in lavishly-detailed former apartment of Konstantīns Pēkšēns.

These facades below are just a few of my favorites. 

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A Super Smart Cruise To The Baltics

I'm very much about what I call the "Who Knew" factor. Whether I'm strolling the streets in my hometown of New York City or bicycling in Denmark, I'm always on the lookout for surprises so that I might exclaim, "Who knew?" And this sensibility carries through to cruise trips as well, where I want to land in smaller ports, engage with a staff that provides a lot of interesting and, hopefully, surprising historical context, and have the opportunity to participate in three of my favorite activities: walking through parks and gardens, as well as hiking and bicycling. Zegrahm Expeditions is an adventure travel company with cruises that fit the bill for me. They are very much all about the "Who Knew" factor.

 

Check out my article that appears in the Huffington Post about my cruise through the Baltics with Zegrahm. I traveled with such a smart staff that I'm sure my IQ got a boost.

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