Why should I book with Riga Out There?
In short, because…

·    We are the market leader
·    There are no hidden costs when you book
·    A dedicated team will tailor your enquiry
·    We are an Anglo-Latvian company who understand what can be done and what is needed
·    We offer instant online provisional itineraries
·    We guarantee we will reply to you within 3 days
·    We are constantly on call during your holiday
·    We have a detailed up-to-the-minute knowledge of this area of the world
·    We will not be beaten on price
·    There are no ‘middle-men’
·    We do not charge you for amendments if your requested changes are possible
·    We value your opinion
·    We play an active role in responsible tourism
·    We want to promote Latvia as a culturally diverse year-round destination
·    We are constantly developing exciting new products and services.
more reasons to book....

Where does Riga Out There operate?
Currently we operate in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. We have big plans to expand into several more exciting new European destinations before the end of 2007.

Is your money safe if you book online?
Reputations are built upon reputations! We have an excellent reputation in both the Baltic States and abroad. If any company in this industry cheats its customers then you soon get to hear about it. Our own website allows people to post comments about their experiences, while travel forums also offer open access to people to post their opinions about us and other companies.

Do they use Euros in the Baltic States?
No. Although you can certainly exchange euros and all the other major currencies in the Baltics, each of the three countries has its own unique currency.
The Latvian Lat is almost identical in value to the British Pound. (Give or take +/-2%) There are 100 centimes in a Lat. Lat notes come in denominations as large as 500 lats.
The Estonian Kroon has been pegged to the Euro since 2004. Virtually all cash is in note form rather than in coins.  €1 is around 15 Kroons.
The Lithuanian Litas is likely to remain in use for several more years before Lithuania joins the euro. There are currently around 5 Litas to one British Pound.
We advise all our clients to take advantage of ATM machines, which can be found all over the three Baltic States.

Is the weather ‘Baltic’ all year round?
Far from it! Although temperatures can dip to as low as minus thirty around February time, the 2006-07 winter was the mildest on record with snow only arriving after mid-January. Spring and autumn are similar to Western Europe, but with greater temperature extremes. Summers can be positively balmy, on occasion, with temperatures reaching +35 Centigrade in 2006.

What are the health and visa entry requirements in the Baltics?
Citizens of EU countries do not need a visa to enter any of the Baltic countries. UK visitors are permitted to stay for up to 90 days in any six-month period. All visitors are advised to take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before they set off. 
You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. No injections are required for visitors although Tick-borne encephalitis is a problem in Latvia, especially in some parts of the countryside during the summer months from May to August.  If in doubt, you should consult your GP about inoculations against Tick-Borne Encephalitis. If you plan to visit the Baltic countryside during the summer months, be sure to bring plenty of mosquito-repellent!!  Elderly travellers should be aware that temperatures can drop to as low as minus 30 degrees in winter.

Isn’t the food a bit strange?
Perhaps the only thing that is really strange about the food is that it isn’t strange! The three Baltic capitals offer a dizzying selection of international restaurants including Tibetan and Uzbek, as well as the usual suspects – namely, Italian, Chinese and Indian. It’s never easy being a vegetarian anywhere but most restaurant owners are beginning to recognise that providing veggie menu options makes good business sense.

Is it safe?
Crime levels are generally lower in the Baltic States than they are in Western Europe.

But I’ve heard reports about people getting in to trouble in Riga. Is there anything I should be worried about?
There has been some media coverage about a number of male tourists becoming involved in trouble during their stay in Riga. These incidents have occurred inside some of the city’s strip clubs, so if in doubt, stay clear of strip clubs.
Please see our do’s and don’ts page for more information.

Won’t it be a problem if I can’t speak the local language?
Not unless you are planning to marry a local! English is in widespread use. In fact, some ex-pats complain that they aren’t able to improve their language skills because the locals invariably reply to them in English. Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian are quite distinct languages, which are not similar, as many people believe, to the Russian language.
This said, there is probably no greater compliment to local people than if you try to speak their language. For a few pointers on the Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian languages.

How can I get around while I’m on holiday?
Most of the major sites can be reached on foot, but an extensive and cheap public transport system exists in all three Baltic countries. Taxis are rarely in short supply, although some have a reputation as rip-off merchants. But never fear! We offer transfers from the airport to your hotel in Riga, Tallinn or Vilnius.