Tour duration: approx. 8 hours (1,5hrs Riga-Bauska - 1h Bauska castle visit - 0,5hrs Bauska to Rundale – 1,5 hrs Rundale Palace visit - 1hr lunch – 1,5hrs Rundale to Riga – 1h driving Riga City Tour)
Meeting point: Our guide will pick you up at harbor
Drop off point: Riga Old Town or Harbor
Included in price: Transfers, experienced guide service, lunch, entrance ticket to Rundale Palace

This is a great full day shore excursion for cruise passengers in Riga, Latvia. With this complete Latvia Sightseeing excursion you will see three outstanding architecture wonders of Latvia history: Bauska castle that is one of the most significant medieval castles in Latvia, astonishing Rundale Palace that many times is called “Small Versailles” because of its enormous value of the baroque palace and French gardens. The tour will be completed with a short driving excursion through most significant places and sights of Riga. Lunch is included in this full day tour. Cruise passengers will be picked up at harbor and can be dropped off either at harbor or old town.

Enjoy a splendid full-day tour to the Zemgale region exploring its breathtaking landscapes and amazing cultural heritage. This will be a great escape for cruise passengers after spending many days on see or in busy cities. The tour starts with a drive to the town of Bauska (66 km south of Riga) where you will visit its amazing castle. The Bauska Castle was initially built in the 15th century, then it was destroyed during the Northern war in the beginning of the 18th century. The reconstruction has not been yet started and you can see the castle ruins and the fortification wall. This is one of the most important and well preserved medieval castles in Latvia. Many significant classical music concerts and theatre festivals take place in this beautiful place creating a very special atmosphere.

After visiting Bauska castle you will be taken to the Rundale Palace that is the highlight of the tour. The 18th century Rundale Palace is the most beautiful baroque palace in Latvia. The palace is an outstanding example of the early work of the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who has also designed the famous Winter Palace (now houses the Hermitage) in St. Petersburg. The professionally renovated palace interiors are decorated with authentic 18th century furniture, paintings and china. The most impressive ones are the Golden Hall, the White Hall, and the bedroom of the Duke of Courland Ernst Johann Biron. The palace has a beautiful French-style park. This outstanding example of baroque architecture is many times called “Little Versailes” since is it highly appreciated because of its architectural ensemble and well designed French-style gardens. The Rundale Baroque Castle for sure is MUST SEE place while visiting Latvia. You will be able to get familiar to the lifes of 18th century court in Latvia walking through apartments of this palace and exploring the labyrinths of its gardens. The most impressive are the Golden Throne Hall, the White Dance Hall, the big gallery, small cabinets in which you can see a Japanese and Chinese porcelain collection, 46 rococo interiors the bedroom of the Duke. After the visit you will have lunch in a beautiful restaurant before taking the bus back to Riga for a short tour around the city.

The last part of this tour is a driving excursion around Riga and its surroundings: central streets and boulevards of Riga, the Bastion Hill, Laima clock, The University of Latvia, Latvian Opera House, Passenger Terminal and Daugava River, Brethren cemetery and Art Nouveau architecture. After the tour you can be dropped off either at harbor or in Old Town so that you can walk through its cobble-stoned streets and get more profound insight into this medieval hanseatic city.

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