The American Latvian Association (ALA) is once again offering its yearly bi-lingual tour (“Hello, Latvia/Sveika, dzimtene!”) to Latvia for adults and families. The dates are July 8 – 22, 2015.

The „Hello, Latvia/Sveika, Dzimtene!” trips are particularly well-suited to adults of Latvian background who want to introduce their English-speaking spouses or children to Latvia, as well as for those whose Latvian may be a bit rusty and who appreciate the full-time guide who provides bilingual trip information. The trip presents a comprehensive overview of Latvia – both geographically and culturally. The itinerary includes in-depth time in Riga as well as a tour of Latvia’s historical four provinces. This year’s itinerary includes the Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival – a singing and dancing extravaganza that rivals the overall adult song festivals .

The cost of the trip is $3,600, and includes air transportation from Newark or Chicago to Latvia and return. (Flying on your own and meeting the group in Riga will reduce the trip fees by $1200.) The fee also includes comfortable double occupancy accommodations (single rooms can be reserved for a $500 supplement), delicious meals, admission to museums and events included in the program. In addition to the Song and Dance Festival events, this year’s tentative itinerary includes a visit to the Art Nouveau Museum in Riga, the Latvian National Library, the restored Rundale Castle, a tour of Cesis, the Aglona Basilica, a visit to a Latgalian potter’s studio and the Milk Museum in Kurzeme. Visits to the ports of Liepaja and Ventspils and beach time on the Baltic Sea, as well as a stop at the legendary resort town of Jurmala, are but a sampling of the places and experiences participants can anticipate.

The maximum number of participants is 20 (minimum 10). To participate, please sign up by March 15, 2015; trip participants will be registered in the order their applications are received. Trip applications can be downloaded from the ALA website – www.alausa.org – (click on „Visit Latvia”). If you have any questions, please call Anita Juberts at 301 340-8719 or email projekti@alausa.org.