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If you don’t know Riga and don’t know why you’d want to visit Latvia (which is the country that Riga is the capital of) then you don’t know about one of Europe’s hottest travel destinations. The city is part of the European Union so it’s safe to travel to but it has the rich history of an Eastern European destination … and the affordable prices to go along with it.

Just wandering through the city itself could use up all of the vacation time that you have. It’s filled with historical landmarks and beautiful architecture and populated by a vibrant culture. You could find a local restaurant, sit down with your meal and people watch for hours. But don’t worry, Riga is not one of those destinations where you have to avoid the attractions to stay under budget.

In fact, with low-cost accommodations (and plenty of hostels popping up now that the place is increasingly popular), you’ll probably have money to spare. You won’t have to use it much; many of the attractions (such as the Soviet Occupation Museum, the Dome Square and the Central Market) are free or cheap. You can splurge on some boutique shopping with the money you save and get some unique items for the folks you’ve left back at home.

(photo credit flickr cc)