Sandwiched like a middle child between outgoing Lithuania and more reserved Estonia, Latvia has been forging its own distinctive style in recent years. There is a sense of buoyant energy in the country, but also a certain coarseness. These qualities are exemplified in the capital, Riga. The city's elegant and whimsical Jugendstil buildings are surrounded by blocks of Soviet-era concrete structures and a sprawling industrial area.
Although no longer the Paris of the north (as it was once called), Riga is the cosmopolitan hub of the Baltics. You'll find good food and nightlife, with a growing international flair. And you can use the capital as a base to explore Latvia's charming, verdant countryside. It includes memorable castles and villas and a stretch of coastline known as the Baltic Riviera