Discover Riga! 3 Epic Days of Unforgettable Adventure and Culture

**Day 1: Touchdown in Riga!** ✈️ Landed Friday afternoon and grabbed a **budget-friendly rental car** (€47 for 3 days – steal alert! 🚗💨). Headed straight to the **Central Market** 🥨🍎 – a sensory overload of local flavors and crafts! **Check-in and Relax:** Checked into Bellevue Park Hotel Riga, a fantastic deal via Trip.com at €120 for 2, breakfast and free parking included. Checked into the hotel, hit the **spa** (small surcharge, totally worth it 💆♀️✨), then rallied with fellow travelers who we met on our flight. Nightlife mode activated: two bars + clubs 🍸🕺 – perfect for shaking off jet lag! --- **Day 2: Sigulda Thrills & Chills!** 🌲❄️ Started with a **morning run** through the park near the hotel 🏃♂️🌳, you could also go for a morning walk… for epic views on bridges, through museums, and the National Library! Then back to the hotel for breakfast 😋 to refuel us for the **50-minute drive to Sigulda**; known for its breathtaking landscapes and outdoor activities. **Highlights:** ✅ **Sigulda Adventure Park**: Zip lines, treetop trails – nature’s playground! 🌿 ✅ **Gauja Cable Car**: Soared over lush valleys (cost a few euros, but great views! 💚). ✅ **Reina Trase Ski Resort** 🎿: Just 10 mins from Sigulda! Rented **full gear + instructor** for **€80** – learned to ski like a pro in ~2 hours (joking 🤭) (add extra time for €5-10? Worth it!). Back in Riga, adrenaline wasn’t done: **Shooting range session** 🔫💥 – handled everything from pistols to rifles (€30 for the ultimate “pew pew” experience!). --- **Day 3: Culture, Shopping & Farewell!** 🏛️🛍️ **Morning:** Hotel gym session 💪 + hearty breakfast. Checked out early and left bags in the car. **City Exploration:** 📍 **Riga Nativity Cathedral** ⛪ – stunning architecture! 📍 **Freedom Monument** 🗽 – caught the **changing of the guards** (so majestic!). 📍 **National War Museum** + other free museums – history buff heaven! 🎫 **Final Stop:** **Spice Shopping Mall** 🌶️🛒 – just 6 mins from the airport! Last-minute shopping (brands galore! 👗👟) + **food hall feast** 🍴 for €30 – *the best meal* of the trip! Dropped off the rental car, breezed through check-in, and flew back to London with memories (and maybe sore legs from skiing 😂). --- **💰 Budget Breakdown:** - Hotel: €120 for 2 nights (€60pp) - Car rental: €47 - Ski gear + instructor: €80 (€40pp) - Shooting range: €30 - Food hall feast: €30 *Plus small costs for souvenirs, spas, cable cars, lunch, dinner club nights!* **Pro Tips:** 1️⃣ Rent a car – super affordable, great flexibility and for exploring beyond Riga! 2️⃣ Sigulda’s ski resort is beginner-friendly – don’t skip it! 3️⃣ Spice Mall’s food hall = hidden gem. Trust me. #travel #europetrip #travelonabudget #rigadiaries #latviaadventures #skiandcitybreak #travelonabudget #couplestrip #thingstodo #myitinerary 🌍✨ Save or send this to someone who needs this itinerary! 👇😍