The Baltic States are quickly becoming my favourite stomping ground. Here's my first visit to Latvia

Рет қаралды 126,845

Жыл бұрын

Join me on a pre-Christmas jaunt to The Baltic with a first time look at the fascinating city of Riga in Latvia. I'm only just learning about this part of the world and it's quickly becoming a favourite. There is a lot of unfinished business in the region for sure, but join me on these first few steps into a magical city I'm so glad to have FINALLY discovered.
This was a flying visit to Latvia, but stay tuned for a bit of a disaster in part two where my train journey doesn't quite go to plan...
Filmed on 20th December 2022
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
THE GOPRO SAGA
A bit about the camera problems. I upgraded my GoPro, from an 8 to an 11, hoping to improve my content. Unfortunately on this, only my 2nd trip with the new camera, and for no reason at all (no settings changed) I got home to find a big chunk of my footage had no audio at all. A bit of research later and I see this is another GoPro problem, with some people losing more important footage than me. I really don't get how in 2023, GoPros can still be so damn unreliable. But I also don't get how difficult it is to find a decent alternative, and believe me, I've tried the competition as well. That being said, I still rate GoPro highly for the kind of discreet, easy filming that has shaped my channel to this point, and to be fair, they are replacing both the camera and the mediaMod. The only thing they can't seem to give me is any explanation why on earth this happened. And I know they know, but just aren't prepared to admit it! As I wait for a new GoPro11 to be delivered, I might be back to the comforts of my older edition for the next couple of videos, well, after part 2 of this Latvia trip anyway. I'll keep trying to improve my equipment and my skills, but boy would it be nice to have a camera I can rely on and trust. Right now, that's just not the case. If anyone out there can give me advice on which path to take, I'd be eternally grateful. It just feels annoying to invest hard-earned cash on a new camera, only for it to fail on its 2nd outing. And it sure made these edits a lot harder too! Thanks for reading my wee rant!!!
Hi, I’m Steve, a travel reviewer from Scotland. Join me on my adventures as I discover my own country, often visiting places for the first time, so hopefully it's as much of an eye-opener for you as it is for me! Don't expect expert opinion, just a very honest journey of discovery. Sometimes featuring my intrepid sidekick Alicja, sometimes featuring adventures beyond the borders of Scotland. Enjoy!
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#SteveMarsh #Latvia #Riga

Пікірлер: 730

@russell3733 Жыл бұрын

Steve, one of the large representative buildings you entered in Riga (House of the Black Heads, 1334) had something to do with the period of the town's history when it was a major trading city in the medieval Hanseatic League (13th to 17th century), which was organized and led by independent merchants and traders in Lübeck, Germany. You filmed a very large painting on a wall (at the 15 minute mark) in which Lübeck's old city is depicted. In fact, it was German colonists who originally established the trading and commercial connections with Riga in the 12th and 13th centuries. Due to the wealth of the city during the following four centuries (13th to 17th), many of the major buildings were inspired by northern German architecture, which you can certainly see in the city streets you walked down. Ironically, the House of the Black Heads (built originally for unmarried merchants and shipowners of the Hanseatic League) was virtually destroyed by German bombers during the Second World War. The Soviets demolished the ruins then in 1948. It was then completely rebuilt in the 1990s with public funding by the Latvians themselves. Cheers.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Ahhh thanks so much for putting this together, and making sense with the Lübeck painting! Really appreciate it!

@dzhuljeta Жыл бұрын

@@steve-marsh en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_the_Blackheads_(Riga)

@cdjxwubcyex Жыл бұрын

At the time of building you could physically participate in building process. Everyone could buy a brick from builders and lay it in a wall with specialist supervision of course.

@blackbob3358 Жыл бұрын

Ta, 3733, for that. You do'nt get much change from ya man.

@Kilogramskk Жыл бұрын

Gift shop inside to the right is also quite great :)

@grahamhorne6956 Жыл бұрын

I'm married to a Latvian and visit Latvia regularly. The Baltics are an undiscovered gem. Addendum to your excellent video. The bus station (Autoosta) has buses that run all over the place for very cheap fares but more importantly upstairs there is a quite superb cafe and bar when you can get a full hot meal for a good price. The beaches are pristine. A bit off the beaten track is Jaunpils where there is a fabulous intact castle with a brilliant restaurant and rooming accommodation. Jaunpils Alus is a brilliant micro brewery with a bar. Rural Latvia is a real gem for wild life lovers with endless acres of pristine silver birch forest that contains elk, wolf and deer. I believe also (subject to your own research) that wild camping and wild swimming in Latvia is no problem if done responsibly. Flight options Ryanair, and from London Air Baltic.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for this Graham! So many reasons to return, thanks for sharing :)

@lion-gc5rh 7 ай бұрын

Just been to visit, Loved Latvia ,So much so we will be visiting again ,Hopefully to see Christmas market.

@t.c.4321 4 ай бұрын

I went to Riga with a friend. Grumpiest and most unfriendly people I have met. Up there with the Fins and the French.

@rfw700 Жыл бұрын

I lived in Riga for 3 years. Even though I am from the UK, I would love to live there again. Thanks for the tour of Riga.

@evijapakalnina4373 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting to see the city through your eyes! I am Latvian, and studied in Riga for 4 years. I never appreciated central market, in fact avoided at all costs. It just felt so soviet to me, and we're not fans of all soviet stuff. Plus it felt awful "busy" for a countryside girl like me. The trains are pretty much like they were when I was a child in late 80's. They used to have wooden seating inside. That has changed a little. But they look just the same as those 30-40 years ago! Very old school. I do like them now. My husband also pointed out that they're lot more spacious than the trains in Scotland. Why do they keep running in the snow? Not sure. They always have. I think it's because they are so much higher above the ground comparing to the modern European trains. Ha! Funny! I tell people at home that Edinburgh Christmas market is great!!😆 Glad you enjoyed your stay!

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your comment Evija. I absolutely LOVED your Country and can't wait to return and travel more widely. Happy New Year!

@crypticTV Жыл бұрын

As I was told, they were built by Germans right? So they are not soviet.... 🤔

@DaniRaj666 Жыл бұрын

It is cool, you should appreciate it. It is the biggest market in Baltics. And it has Russian and other ethnic imprints very strongly.

@jackyyuen1939 Жыл бұрын

My family and I stayed at Riga just for a few days. We found that although the country is not as modern as other countries in w. Europe, most of the Latvians are sincere, friendly and helpful. I can't wait to return and visit more places in Latvia.

@lion-gc5rh 7 ай бұрын

We visited the market and was amazed at the place, loved it. We found everyone so nice, We are from Britain and we felt safer there than we do in Britain , Walked around at night and visited a few drinking places. We are going back for sure,

@veeezis Жыл бұрын

It's pretty surprising seeing you impressed at our ability to handle snow while we, locals, are complaining all the time that it should be better. It's all about perspective and context, I guess. Wonderful video! Gonna look at where you took that train now.

@adidzis 7 ай бұрын

zini, bieži vien ir nepieciešams paskatīties uz Latviju no malas, aizbraukt kaut kur uz ārzemēm, padzīvot tur, pēc tam atgriezties atpakaļ un ar svaigu aci novērtēt visu. Latvijā, tāpat kā citur pasaulē, ir daudz skaistu vietu, ir daudz kas labs, ir daudz kas tāds, ko varētu uzlabot. Britu tūristu interese par Latviju pierāda, ka mums ir ko piedāvāt, mums ir daudz kas interesants, kas pašiem kļuvis par ikdienu. Thanks to Steve for interesting video!

@grahamthetraveller Жыл бұрын

I work with a Polish lad and he says everything runs as normal because there weather is completely reliable every year when it's Summer it's very warm but in the winter it snows a lot and is very cold so they can plan in advance and have all the infrastructure and everything runs smoothly

@saritalevinthal3455 Жыл бұрын

Please don’t apologize Steve…I really appreciate the work that you do…I’m disabled and it’s a real treat to armchair travel with you…thank you

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for coming along :)

@saintuk70 Жыл бұрын

Riga is beautiful place, even better when you have a local as a tour guide. Was last there as a group of friends meeting from Sweden, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Scotland. The old town, the history, all the "invader" influence, and the diners are excellent - diner food is amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

@briangentle5515 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely! Go to the Lido chain, talk of your eye being bigger than your stomach!

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

So glad you've had the pleasure of this wonderful city!

@wdh47211 Жыл бұрын

This is crazy....love your videos. I'm an American on vacation in France watching a Scottish Bloke in Latvia.....crazy new year. Thanks for your content...it's the greatest. HNY to you and the Polish girl

@PlanesTrainsEverything Жыл бұрын

Another great video. When you showed that building (Academy of Sciences) and mentioned it looked like the one in Warsaw, you were right. These buildings were given to the people as a gift from the USSR - basically a way to keep them on side. I've only been to Riga once, and that was in 1994 - just three years after independence. It's changed a wee bit since then! Thanks for showing us around.

@BoneyMB Жыл бұрын

Gift? Are you kidding?

@murringo9 Жыл бұрын

It's a fascinating story about these buildings. There's one in Bucharest too, and they match the 7 so called 'Stalin high rises' in Moscow, built to mark the end of WW2 and to represent Stalin's empire building in architectural terms. There were meant to be 8, but the last one was cancelled by Khrushchev after Stalin's death as he thought they were too ostentatious!

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Cheers Scott! Hey, get yourself back over there, would love to see your take on the Baltics :)

@ronasaurus74 Жыл бұрын

The Riga locals say that the best view of Riga, is from this building, because you cannot see the building, from the building....it is an ugly scar, and painful reminder of the Soviet era.

@projektiron7105 Жыл бұрын

I visit Latvia 3 times a year, due to luckily being married to a beautiful Latvian woman. I am SO glad people experience the country I have been luckily enough to explore and a culture I have adopted as my own. So my son can celebrate his British and Lativan heritage alike. I also noticed in your vid to Ludza, you eat the soljanka and the like. Try Skabenu Zupa next, with maize zupa for dessert. Ala Pagrabs is great for traditonal beers, atmosphere and food too! PRIEKA!

@nicolaanderson7499 Жыл бұрын

I visited Riga in November and absolutely loved it! Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories!

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

So glad I've finally found this Baltic gem! I'll be back!

@Chief_Brody Жыл бұрын

Wonderful memories? It was a month ago.

@vittoriamosconi5979 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so so much for this video. I lived in Latvia in February-March 2022, my first experience abroad... I've seen Riga so much times ❤️ this truly warmed my heart especially the view from the top of St. Peter's church. I remember my first day in Riga I was sadly walking through these unknown streets, I decided to take the same elevator and the view was exactly the same with the same weather! Thank you for this one ❤️❤️ love from Italy

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Hey thanks so much and I'm glad I was able to share some very familiar sights with you :)

@peterrisbergs7156 Жыл бұрын

The biggest drawback to winter visits to Latvia is the short days. Sunrise 9AM sunset 4PM. I was there from Sept 15-Oct 19. The days were three hours shorter when I left than when I arrived.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Good point!

@adidzis 7 ай бұрын

oh yes, but on the other hand - in the winter you can enjoy the DARKNESS. 🥸😉

@oskarsjurans8023 Жыл бұрын

Greetings from Riga! Thanks for your positive experience you share. Visited Edinburgh 2 years ago, was greatly impressed. Do not ever say Edinburgh is not so cool!

@awatt1404 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting, thank you Steve. Also it is very heartening to see the support for Ukraine with flags in the market, in the streets and on the tramways! Happy New Year!

@seatrout61 8 ай бұрын

You have really incentivised me to go and have a go at some of your visits...never done it before, thanks Steve!!

@pulchralutetia Жыл бұрын

Great video. I went through the Baltic states in early June 2017. When I started in Vilnius it was 30C but by the time I got to Helsinki it was 7C (during the day)! Easy to forget how far north the Baltic states are. Vilnius, Riga and Talinn are very different places and all worth a visit. Riga is the biggest and feels more like a city than the other two. The Art Nouveau buildings on Alberta iela (Albert Street) and elsewhere in the city are fantastic.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

I totally forgot about the Art Nouveau buildings and kicking myself about it :D

@BruceFraserJr Жыл бұрын

Visited Riga a few years ago. Loved the Old Town and the friendly people.

@sabii_sabee Жыл бұрын

i am very surprised you said friendly people because people here are quite mean because of the economical state of our country ! Especially people in Riga are awful (sorry to people i haven't met yet and are from Riga)

@Alice_in_wonder Жыл бұрын

@@sabii_sabee Disagree. I'm a Latvian living in Scotland. I visit my family there once a year. and never once had any issues. The GP's nurses made sure that my blood tests were completed 5 days earlier than necessary, without any extra cost, the bus station workers helped with the baggage, even tho they were busy, the waitress at the restaurant helped with charging my phone and we had a great laugh, we received a discount on a kebab simply for being nice. In Rimi, even though I only needed to buy a drink, a boy allowed me to move ahead of the line etc etc. Always wondered where are all those mean people? I mean- of course there are some angry, loud, nasty ones, but its life, and a lot of Latvians are hard workers who are just trying to survive. Does it makes them mean? Absolutely not. And i guess the reaction you get from others depends on your communication with them, right? Just sayin'. Always nice to be nice 👍

@adidzis 7 ай бұрын

@@sabii_sabee if someone is mean then we are mean and nasty too, if you're nice then we are nice and friendly too. This is it.

@exileinderby51 Жыл бұрын

Really loving this trip so far and Riga old town looks amazing and the view from the church tower was out of this world. Looking forward to the next episode.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much :) Haha part 2 doesn't quite go to plan, not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing :D

@B41DY Жыл бұрын

@@steve-marsh Sometimes the best plan is " see what happens". some epic video content and a Happy new year from Swansea South Wales !!!!!!!!!

@jimhamilton8775 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video Steve. Enjoyed every moment. As a retired railwayman I get excited by trains also. Snow should never be a problem to the UK railways having availablity to snow ploughs. Years ago frozen points could be a problem but these days almost every point has automatic heating to keep them clear.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Top info Jim, cheers for that mate! Keen to get out and find some more of these exotic locos!

@djmark143 Жыл бұрын

I have been in Riga myself.. I love the baltic states, lovely nice people and a lot to discover there.. Sound video again Steve.. And a happy new year to yous and the missus.. 😊🙂

@kierstenwatts3179 Жыл бұрын

You can't beat Eastern Europe and European countries at Christmas. They are amazing. Happy new year to you Steve 🎉

@merryannmac8096 Жыл бұрын

I've just been to Riga in my Christmas pajamas. Very, very chilly! Thanks, Steve for a wonderful tour. Today is New Year's Eve and I want you and Alicja to have a peaceful new year, and fun adventures. Merry Ann from Minnesota.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Haha love it Merry Ann! All the best for new Year from us both when it comes! :)

@maggienificent Жыл бұрын

Way to go, now you've made me want to visit Riga!! I always assumed that places that have cold, snowy conditions like this all the time have the equipment on hand to deal with it, whereas places where this weather isn't as normal wouldn't spend the money to have all the equipment. I am a bit longing for that weather though.. it should look like that here in Ottawa, but instead it's about 10 degrees and rainy, completely unseasonal and gross!

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Oh no, that's not sounding like nice weather! Riga is wonderful, Vilnius next on my Wishlist

@ihavegreeneyes14 Жыл бұрын

@@steve-marsh as a Lithuanian currently living in Scotland, I'm really looking forward to your videos from Vilnius :) You can also take a train to Kaunas, Trakai and Klaipėda from Vilnius, which all have a lot of beautiful sights

@ne372ne Жыл бұрын

Great review Steve, don’t know how you managed to pack so much into a short day. How you managed not to get lost in the Old Town baffles me. It took me several visits to orientate myself. I’ve been in Rīga for the last week and it’s hardly stopped raining the whole time, so much for a break from the scottish weather. You might find a summer trip well worth it particularly during a song festival. It’s very colourful.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Oof hard luck with the weather!!! I’d love a wee comparison visit in summer!

@no_soy_rubio Жыл бұрын

I love Riga, I'd rate it higher than Tallinn, feels more authentic. Love all the bars that look so unassuming from outside and you go down some stairs and they're cavernous inside. If you're still there I'd recommend a restaurant called 'viduslaiku restorans Lasite' - a bit touristy but you can get an amazing medieval banquet - quail, deer and catfish were the options I took 😋

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Wow - I need to go back! (any excuse) :)

@daltongalloway 5 ай бұрын

19:58 I immediately recognized this was a Bob Dylan song from the harmonica and how they were singing the song. Such a random song to hear there! Very cool that his music is listened to by people over there!

@OKMmike Жыл бұрын

Hi Steve, Rather you than me. The coldness was coming through perfectly, absolutely freezing. Good luck.

@lindaansonejansone4612 Жыл бұрын

Nice to see you here. I live in Riga all my life and I love it. Sometimes I forget how it is to see my city trough tourist eyes ❤️

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Wonderful place! And can't wait to return in summer for a comparison :)

@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian 6 ай бұрын

Such a fascinating video. A city of contrasts. Looks quite gritty in the depth of winter, tempered by what looks like a quaint Old Town and its perfect Christmas market. I am with you, those old trains look fabulous. 👏👏👍😀

@sandrajack9703 Жыл бұрын

Have not posted before, but have so enjoyed your travels this past year. All the best to you and Alicja for 2023 and look forward to more adventures with you both. 🙂

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Hey thanks so much Sandra! :)

@JordanJMcQueen Жыл бұрын

Great video as always Steve. Never been to Latvia but after your video it's certainly on my list!

@Oldfaithful61 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful to see how so much of the old town has survived half a century of Soviet occupation and has now been restored back to its old glory. Thanks for taking us along !

@janinehawkins9565 Жыл бұрын

My word that market is fabulous, far more natural and less commercial. Your vlogs are fantastic. Keep up the outstanding work. Lang may yer lum reek 👌

@davidhoag8077 3 ай бұрын

Great video! Perfect balance of commentary and imagery. Immersive! Feels like I got to go there. :)

@barbaram5214 Жыл бұрын

Really interesting and I love seeing Riga in winter. Steve, you have such a wonderful way of presenting the places that you visit. Happy New Year!

@petergoddard1960 Жыл бұрын

Another interesting video, Steve. I'm bloody freezing now and it's warm in the house! Wishing you both a very happy '23, packed full of adventures for us all to enjoy!

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Haha cheers Peter! All the best mate!

@mikestephens5622 Жыл бұрын

Aye, they really know how to celebrate Christmas, and deal with snow over there. Sparkling icy music for the snow scenes, and marvellous how you managed to keep talking, despite freezing temps. Happy New Year to you both!

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Haha seriously difficult to even talk at times :D Cheers Mike, all the best from us both!

@michaelsaayman2802 Жыл бұрын

Hi Steve. Thank you for a year of adventurous travels. Wishing you a Happy and prosperous New Year and look forward to travels in 2023. Regards from a hot and sunny South Africa

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

And a Happy New Year to you too Michael!

@marutakelers1856 Жыл бұрын

Hi Steve, Thanks for the video! I'm a first generation American of Latvian descent. I love seeing my parents' country through the eyes of visitors. There's a youtuber called Justin Eastern Europe from London who lives in Riga now. I bet he could show you around on your next visit. I think it would be great if you visited in late spring, in summer, for the Solstice, and in early autumn to see the seasonal changes.

@billycaldwell3804 Жыл бұрын

Well there's a surprise a Xmas Market that's no over priced. I believe the makeup of our rail lines are a different steels which expands etc at a different rate compared to the Eastern countries. I'm sure if I'm wrong someone will tell me. What a great vlog mate , happy new year to you and your family. Stay safe 🙏

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Ah good info, cheers! And aye, I got a hot blackcurrant drink there for less than 2€! Cheers Billy, aw the best to you too!

@scottie2636 Жыл бұрын

You probably have train snow plows like in the northern US.

@nevco8774 4 ай бұрын

That city should be fascinating to visit in the summer!

@lornamackenzie2694 Жыл бұрын

Omg i love that christmas market.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Oh me too - truly magical!

@grahamlaidlaw7164 Жыл бұрын

they obviously have the right kind of snow, great video , cheers

@laurazirina4637 Жыл бұрын

Wow I’m from Riga and I’m impressed they so many people are interested in my country

@beachman8106 Жыл бұрын

Steve, another great video. The reason I like KZfaq as opposed to a professional travel show is that we get to see real places just as they are. Not stage managed with pro sound and lighting and post production. Happy New Year to you and Alecjia. 👍👍⭐️⭐️🇦🇺

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much mate from us both! Aye it’s funny, I don’t really watch much tv these days, but when I do go back to it, it walkways looks WAY over produced!

@myrabenson1603 10 ай бұрын

What a wonderful winter journey even if it was cold the weather suited that country gave it

@ingaborlowski1536 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video, I look forward to the next one. My favorite parts were the Christmas Market, yes to local stalls; the old town; the view atop the spire; the market; and “Steve’s Notes” at the end. Fantastic idea to add at the end of your videos. Happy Hogmanay 🎊 🥂

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Thanks Inga! Oh the next part doesnt go so smoothly :D Happy Hogmanay!

@delmiller4184 Жыл бұрын

Looks like an interesting city Steve. It would be good to see it again in another season. Great video. Thanks for showing us around.

@ryanwilliams2437 Жыл бұрын

Another awesome video mate!! Love how much of a regular person vibe your videos give off

@Geordie77 Жыл бұрын

I've waited until New Year's Eve to watch your latest video. Absolutely worth the wait. I love visiting markets and got to say your tour was grand. Thank you for your 2022 videos, looking forward to your 2023 uploads. Inspirational

@Traveller69 Жыл бұрын

Always wanted to go to Riga and it reminds me of Poznan in Poland which I visited during Euro2012...what I can remember that is! 😄🍻 Great example of a Christmas Market done well as we discussed a couple of weeks ago regarding Edinburgh's shortcomings.. Happy New Year to you both. 🎉

@sarimento1 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video, Steve!!

@lauraautry6992 9 ай бұрын

Yes I love rye bread and most all breads 😊the Christmas market is very intimate and real.

@rosiebanks718 Жыл бұрын

Can’t wait to watch it. We have been to Lithuania, such a beautiful place and definitely going places. We want to explore the Baltic states more. People amazing and so much to see. Full of history. On another note we were up near you for Xmas, stayed in Johnshaven. Lovely harbour village. St Cyrus beach stunning. Worth a video of that area sometime??

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Oh nice one Rosie! And you know, We've NEVER BEEN to St Cyrus beach yet! Shameful :D Hope you had a lovely time! And Lithuania next on the list for a trip for sure!

@rosiebanks718 Жыл бұрын

@@steve-marsh we did the costal path from Johnshaven to St Cyrus. A beautiful costal path and some interesting things to see along the way. Am sure you can work your magic as always and make it an interesting watch. Re the Baltics, Vilnius is a beautiful city, so much to see. Worth a trip to Trakai also.

@coolbreeze99 9 ай бұрын

Great video, Steve. I really enjoyed it. Nice selection of background music, too.

@Snowmentears Жыл бұрын

thanks Steve, I miss home so much and these simple walkthrus really bring me home.. :)

@robbiephillipstravelsofple4790 Жыл бұрын

Loved the video Steve it’s always good to see places I have never been high lighted by your fantastic videos. Looking forward to the next one

@richardharibo Жыл бұрын

Thanks once again Steve, I used to be a travel agent for 16 years and your videos inspire me to travel once again. Seeing Scotland again is on the cards for the end of 2023 plus a European trip in August. Favourite KZfaqr 🙂

@AquaRedX Жыл бұрын

So good content. Thank you very much for making video like this.

@stuartjgarland Жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great video to bring 2022 to an end

@heathermcd12 4 ай бұрын

Please go back and show us the whole market. Plus, I would love really long videos. I like the POV one at the Cobbin a lot but the return trip made me dizzy LOL. Love your channel.

@ervinvonhimmel Жыл бұрын

A lovely video! I always wander why people choose this hotel :) For £60 per night, actually cheaper, for about £30-40 you can rent a nice, refurbished and clean one bed apartment on Airbnb and closer than Victoria Hotel to the Old Town. I believe, outside Moscow there only two this kind of Stalin buildings were built, one in Warsaw, one in Riga and 7 in Moscow. A new High Speed railway is being built Rail Baltica with European gauge 1435mm, it would connect Warsaw-Kaunas-Vilnius-RigaAirport-Riga-Tallinn and a construction of a new train station in Riga just a part of it, should be ready in Riga by 2026-27 and by 2030 in Tallinn, the whole area will be rebuilt therefore, including the market. In the city, you showed Old City Canal, this is actually not a river and was men-made, it was a part of the city fortification reconstructed in the late 1850s. Basically, everything inside that canal is in Old Town. You actually on time travelling with this old electric train, because all electric trains will be replaced in 2023, there are 32 modern trains are bought, but some old diesel trains will be in service for long distances to other far cities something like by 2030, so people will have a chance to admire them too :)

@laacisbezgalvas Жыл бұрын

I believe he said 16, not 60. Viktorija is one of the cheapest "3 star" hotels you can find on booking sites. And with current heating bills, they are probably making a loss during winter period. Still better than a hostel as you get your own room and it's somewhat central.

@cheesegoddess1 6 ай бұрын

this is beautiful!!!

@oskarsmaurers3613 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your amazing videos and positivity. Thank you for letting more people see my home country :)

@mcallisterk Жыл бұрын

Cracking video Steve can't wait for the next part.

@adrianellis6902 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful Steve, thanks mate.

@JLIN103M 3 ай бұрын

Brilliant Steve Thanks

@rleggatt9468 Жыл бұрын

Another fantastic video Steve. Riga looks an amazing city to explore. Looking forward to more of the same in 2023. Happy New Year to you and Alicja. All the best for 2023.

@greenstuffbuffer Жыл бұрын

Tains in UK dosent run in snowy conditions because they use third rail as electrical conduction, but trains in Europe use overhead wires. Train you caught is diesel train developed in 70's

@katesterly547 Жыл бұрын

Another wonderful video! And this time you didn't point us down anywhere to where I felt like I was going to go falling. The architecture there is absolutely fantastic and I love the markets. I don't know how the food tastes but it certainly does look good. I want to wish you and Alicja a Merry Christmas or if this gets back to you after that then Happy New Year and if it's after that then have a great 2023. Be well, stay safe, love from Texas.

@Timstravels01 Жыл бұрын

Riga is a beautiful city and it was great seeing the sights we wandered around back in November. I can’t wait to see how your train journey goes. Fabulous work as always mate.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Cheers mate! It all gets worse from here :D Happy New Year when it comes! :)

@elliebeep27 Жыл бұрын

Looks like an amazing city but oh so cold! Keep warm! Thanks for showing us around!

@riproar11 Жыл бұрын

Aside from the chipped paint on the wall, that's a nice hotel room for 16 quid/$20 US dollars with a clean bathroom and two refrigerators. I have stayed at hotels in Los Angeles and outside New York City that were $80-$100 and were in poor condition with no refrigerator. They supplied a plastic tub that you'd fill with ice to keep perishables cold, or you'd hang a larger plastic bag in the garbage bin and fill that with ice. Sometimes the ice machine would be out of order too.

@markgray4928 Жыл бұрын

What a great video as always Steve

@lauraautry6992 9 ай бұрын

Really enjoyed watching this video.I have really never heard much about this country so nice to see it .

@evijabozinska296 Жыл бұрын

I love the fact how excited you are about trains and old trams. Yes, they do have character, but when you have to use such a transport on daily basis, you hate them. At least I did. Especially at summer, no air con and a lot of bad smells. Haven’t been in Latvian train for years, and got lucky last summer and traveled back to Riga from near by sea town. Trains usually are packed and I was counting minutes to get off, I nearly had panic attack. Well, I believe Londoners would be ok with this experience, but not me. Really love to see vlogs like this, you made me nostalgic about times when I lived in Riga. Really enjoyed that time of my life ❤️ Hi from Latvian girl in England!

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for coming home with me Evija! I'll need to head back and experience the smell of a tram on a hot summer day :D

@davidpalin1790 Жыл бұрын

Great video Well done 👏

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Cheers David!

@geoffmphotography9444 Жыл бұрын

Really interesting. Thanks Steve.

@davidmcardle9875 Жыл бұрын

you are so much fun, love your vids x

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much David! :)

@72lukey1 4 ай бұрын

Interesting but scary adventure thank you for sharing your experience with us

@PaulGodfrey Жыл бұрын

Great video and happy 2023 to you and Alicia. Looking forward to part two.

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

And to you Paul! Cheers mate! :)

@fadin3677 Жыл бұрын

im actually from latvia, just not riga, the place is cool, glad to see someone go there and really enjoy it!

@user-ux5dc5vf9g 7 ай бұрын

"This is a beautiful place. But I've NO idea what it is" LOL! That is exactly me when touristing :-)

@truebrit3578 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the great videos in 2022

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Hey thanks so much, Happy New Year!

@mlwtennessee322 8 ай бұрын

Fascinating. As per always, this was some excellent work!

@steve-marsh 8 ай бұрын

Cheers!

@mikesgolf Жыл бұрын

Love the surprise element to your vids, never knowing what you going to watch on a Saturday morning! Seems like a really interesting city. Keep up the great work for next year! All the best

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Mike! All the best to you too!

@michaelstaunton1632 Жыл бұрын

Wishing you a happy new year & thanks for all the great videos in 2022 fair play to ya 👍👍👍

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

And to you Michael! Cheers!

@drznx Жыл бұрын

Mate, you should visit Riga in summer. So green and ladies so beautiful, like flowers. There is a beach town Jurmala, just 30 min away by train. I like this long sandy beach. The water is rather cold even on summer. I have been there

@lion-gc5rh 7 ай бұрын

We have just got back from a stay in Riga, We watched this video before we went , It helped make our mind up to visit ,You were spot on .What a place .Loved it . We can not wait to go back, Although we stayed at the Welton hotel, Much more comfortable, Found you by accident as we were researching Riga on you tube,, We are off to Vilnius next .Have subscribed and we are busy catching up on your content , All the best Len

@christinehodge3608 Жыл бұрын

Good video, so interesting and the Old buildings,

@flyingchilders Жыл бұрын

Great video Steve, brave man going there in winter but very interesting, looking forward to part 2

@jackyyuen1939 Жыл бұрын

we'd been to Riga 3 years ago and stayed at a hotel not far from the Central Market. Almost every day we did some shopping there. The old town is amazing . thank you again for this great video.

@paulmark63 Жыл бұрын

Hi Steve Paul from Kent again fabulous video happy new year to both of you. Also your are the number 1 channel I subscribe to you I have twitter and your last video had the most impressions all the best Paul

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Paul, really appreciate it mate! Do I have twitter? I think so, but that shows how long since I used it :D

@jmccallion2394 Жыл бұрын

Riga was part of the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages, and it had connections with the early renaissance in Scotland! Lot of trade with English and Scottish wool!

@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын

Ach I wish I'd known this connection!