My Hometown Tour - LATVIA

Welcome to my hometown Latvia! I would love to share with you some of my personally favourite things about this little country of Eastern Europe where I was born. It's a land of sunning lakes, fascinating traditions, timeless beauty and so much more...
I left Latvia when I was 16 and have not lived here for a very long time but I love to always come back here and spend most of my summer times here. I will also share with you some of my photos from this summer.

❤ Half of Latvia is made up of natural ecosystems that are largely untouched ❤

It's a land of endless lakes and wild forests! If you love the nature then you will enjoy your time in Latvia, the fresh air, tranquil lakes, peaceful atmosphere and stunning landscapes.

Enjoying being immersed in this stunning yellow crop flower field!

My favourite way to explore the nature in Latvia is on my bicycle!

❤ Old Town Riga ❤

Latvian capital Riga is known for its architecture, multicultural heritage, and many museums. Riga’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and arguably one of the most beautiful in the world.

It's packed with art nouveau buildings and structures from the medieval era, the majestic church towers dominate the skyline. You can easily explore the entire city on foot – it’s very compact.

❤ Midsummer Solstice ❤

Midsummer Solstice , June 23rd, 24th, is my absolutely favourite celebration in Latvia. It's the time when the forces of the nature are the most powerful and the boundary between physical and spiritual world diminish. This is the time when old Pagan rituals takes place. Houses are decorated with rowan branches and thorns. Men wear an oak leaf wreath and women wear a flower wreath.

Summer solstice is the time when the earth is closest to the sun. It is a sacred moment.

There's an ancient celebrations of songs, dance, bonfires, and feasts stood in as prayers for fertility, good fortune, and bountiful harvests.

People often light fires on rafts and set them afloat in the sea or a lake, depending on the area and the traditions.
It's truly a magical time of the year!

❤ Latvian women got the looks ❤

Latvia is also known for the fact that it produces more female models per capital that almost any country in the world and I am very grateful for my Latvian genetics :)

Here's a car selfie of me and my sister. I have told her about Steemit and she will be joining here very soon too :)

❤ Paw the Dog ❤

More on a personal note, I love to spend time with Paw the Dog while in Latvia. She is the cutest little friendliest pekingese girl in the world.

She always want to come along with me and crawls into my suitcase before my departure. It's always sad to leave her.

I hope you have enjoyed my hometown tour and you are inspired to visit Latvia sometime! Have a beautiful day! Ilze xox