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Search Back Issues Issue 1009 - 10 August 2006 Riga Inside
lots of inside information  --  known only to those in the know!
 
Current recommendations
What's happening
Riga this week
 
Riga restaurants:  
 
 
New low in customer service
I thought I had seen about everything in Riga's questionable restaurant scene when tonight at the Salt & Pepper Cafe on Palasta Street the cook REFUSED (yes refused) my simple and quite eatery normal request to take a knife and cut a hamburger in half before it was served so my wife and I could share the tasty morsel. Even the waitress seemed to be embarrassed to tell us the result of our special request. The food and service at the Salt & Pepper has always be very very inconsistent in quality while the breakfast is almost not eatable. But tonight was the last straw for this ex-client!

The French fry potatoes would be however; quite in par with those from McDonalds if they wouldn't shake the spicy pepper or chili powder on them. Last week there was no pepper powder and they were great in my taste.

Its your choice; but,  TGI Fridays is only 3 blocks away and the service is FAR superior and the burger almost as tasty though slightly higher in price. TGIF will be my choice from now on. 

 
Ham-Cheese Fast Food Sandwich shop  - its a great choice!

Armenian restaurant Akhtamar  

Iguana - Elizabetes 87 (Bergs Bazaar)

Dome Steak House - Smilsu 2

more information  < - eating ...

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Hotel availability Riga
Hotels Riga this summer are not as full as the previous two years and in some cases, we are seeing a lowering of the rates. There are even some vacancies in Jurmala.

Patricia Tourist Office has good information about Riga hotels and excellent value rates. more info

Most asked questions
  1. Money exchange more info
  2. Airport taxi - OK  more info
  3. Airport bus - #22 www.rigabus.info
 
Latest NEWS ITEMS

Declare your Cash From July 2006 a new law for incoming visitors declaring cash came into effect in Latvia. According to the law, all people coming to Latvia must declare their cash if they have more than EUR 10,000 with them. So far, only three people have declared such sums.

 

Biznes & Baltija, 08.08.2006

English translation and article from http://www.standbynews.info

10 New Airlines may fly in/out Riga The president of Riga International Airport, Dzintars Pomers, has announced that in spring 2007 several new airlines will be flying to Riga. The capacity of the airport allows for twice as many passengers as there are now, he says. There will be between three and 10 new airlines, but the exact number is not yet known. Pomers says he will welcome more low-cost airlines, but he understands the tough competition hazards due to the aggressive price policy of Ryanair, which has until now been delighted with its business in Riga.

 

Biznes & Baltija, 08.08.2006

 

As of next summer all passengers travelling outside the EU or from third countries into the EU must declare cash of over EUR 10,000.

  

SL Ohtuleht, 07.08.2006

 

English translation and article from http://www.standbynews.info

 

 

Important events and activities for Riga and Riga Region this week and next.

www.rigaevents.info

 
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Use Tram when visiting LIDO Center   photos & info

Don't use the Number 17 bus when visiting the LIDO Center on Krasta Boulevard. Instead, take number 7 or 9 Tram going South from the Opera House (11 stops) or Central Market (10 stops) then walk one block to the right (West) and enter through the back parking lot. click for Schedule Information

We found the number 17E bus to be overcrowded, hot, and with a grouchy driver on our recent trip. 

Beware of taxis on the street in front of the LIDO center. They are famous for overcharging even locals. If possible take a red colored Renault taxi stopped inside the LIDO property near the security gate. If no taxis available, dial 800-1313 (payphone inside main building next to ATM) and tell the dispatcher you are at LIDO Krasta.  more info

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Be delighted - adventure outside of Riga City 

Take a train or bus or rent a car and visit the Sigulda area just one hour East of Riga. We especially recommend:

  1. Krimulda church
  2. Krimulda village
  3. Ragana Witch Cafe (wonderful for all ages)
  4. Turaida Castle grounds
  5. Cat House Cafe half block North of Hotel Sigulda

Need assistance visiting Sigulda, contact the friendly, helpful staff at Patricia Tourist Office. 371-728-4868  map

 
Tourist Visitor Advisory Riga & Latvia
 Alerts Riga Latvia
  1. Watch the street crime. Pickpockets and lookouts with mobile phone communication will spot you at the Stockmann store or using one of the ATM machines located around the city. They will surprise you later on the street.

  2. Jurmala is having some trouble with bad restaurants, bad service and bad food. The beaches are not as clean as normal. One car with luggage was reported stolen in front of their hotel.
  3. Watch out for the crowds in late November as the NATO members invade Riga. Hotels will for sure be booked solid and complete areas of the city closed. Plan ahead.
  4. Be careful of taxi overcharging. Trips originating at the central bus station, Riga Hotel, LIDO Krasta or street hailed cabs to the airport are especially huge problem. click more information 
  5. Warning food poisoning due to hot weather more info

more information - is Riga Safe?

 
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How about a mobile phone and or Latvia SIMM chip? 

contact Patricia Tourist Office. Daily, weekly rentals phones and SIMM chips available at low rental rates  - more information

What is this site ?
 
Background
 
 
If you have questions, feel free to POST them on one of our sites:

Riga Expat  or  Visit Latvia  or   

use our SEARCH  feature

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 Background - what is our purpose ?
 
This is a new Riga Inside site was created 13 July 2006 to provide lots of inside information known only to those in the know; which, we hope to be the staff of our tourist office.

Riga is an exciting place to visit but not free of controversy, intrigue, ordinary street crime and surprises everywhere.

Some have encouraged us to create a Riga nightlife site; but, we are resisting as we believe there is much more to see and do in Riga and the Riga Region (about 1.5 hour radius). For the most part, one can explore the nightlife aspects of Riga on their own.

Keep coming back and back as we promise to update this site weekly at least!

Also you may subscribe to the Riga Tourist office RSS News Feed and see the latest information as soon we post it.

 

Coming soon 
 
will be a paid advertising site called www.rigadirectory.info. This site will accept advertising from various Riga and Latvia companies, service organizations, restaurants, tourist attractions and shops, cafes and more. There will be a searchable index directory of where to find those goods and services you are looking for. Expect this directory to be live by the end of July. As you may have noticed, all of our sites are advertising FREE and all but this site will remain this way.
 
That's all now... but much more to come ... check back again! 

Best regards, Mike Johnson, General Manager,

... your friend in the Baltics !      who?

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Copyright (c) 2000 - 2006 Patricia LTD  - -  Revised  9 August  2006 - 20:03

 

Back Issues  
   
13 July 2006 Introduction, Travel warning NATO conference in November
16 July 2006 Visit Jurmala recommend west of Majori
19 July 2006 Restaurant recommendations
21 July 2006 Announcing new Riga Events site
26 July 2006 Restaurant prices increased, Blue flag back Jurmala, Take Tram 7 to LIDO Krasta, Beware of Taxi overcharging
28 July 2006 Food poisoning in hot weather,
03 August 2006 Money exchange Riga Airport, Riga airport bus, Riga airport taxi
09 August 2006 Riga Hotels availability and prices, news about new airlines Riga airport, News about declaring cash money on arrival in Latvia