Riga

With a third of the country’s population, Latvia’s capital – Riga – is heaven for architecture lovers, nature enthusiasts and hotel aficionados. This is an insightful place to research one’s familial roots and those with a specific interest in Jewish history will find almost 500 years of it documented at the Jewish Museum. The Peitav Synagogue is the only one in Riga to have survived the Holocaust and is today the heart of the community. Walk along the cobbled streets, admiring architectural styles ranging from medieval to art nouveau, quickly realizing why the entire city – formerly a center of the Hanseatic League – is a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. Green spaces are in abundance and a thriving culinary scene attracts foodies of all palates. Don’t miss the avant-garde eateries housed in ancient monasteries and cellar bars where Black Balsalm liquor is brewed by Dominican monks and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.