Latvia

Since re-establishing its independence, Latvia has begun to regain its reputation as a land that stands at the crossroads of the Scandinavian, Russian, Baltic and German worlds. And whilst its magnificent capital and port at Riga with Art Nouveau boulevards and mediaeval guildhalls rightfully draws visitors to wander its timeless streets, the country is in fact a hugely rural and wild one.

Central to the ancient Amber Road success, the delights of this land are a mosaic of cultural influences. If you step beyond its enchanting castles and Gothic cathedrals, a vast and largely unspoilt wilderness greets you, resplendent with alabaster beaches, virgin forests and stunning wetlands.