Don’t let on, however that is one in all japanese Europe’s bargains.
With 20 miles of seashore lapped by the Baltic Sea and backed by pine forest, the Latvian resort of Jurmala — three hours away by airplane — is ripe for discovery.
Historically, it’s been filled with holidaying Russians, however sanctions in opposition to Putin are biting and costs have plummeted.
Latvian attraction: Sandy seashores and Artwork Nouveau villas show an alluring combination in Jurmala
‘Now I can take my spouse to dinner and never really feel fearful of the invoice,’ says my information, Aldis. And it means guests like me should buy a cup of espresso for half the worth of 1 in Corfu.
Accommodations are a steal, whether or not they’re a gabled wooden Artwork Nouveau villas put up when Tsar Nicholas I and his household had been popularising Jurmala or an Eighties lodge constructed when the Soviet Union nonetheless had Latvia in its grip.
I go for the stainless Jurmala Spa lodge the place the humungous breakfasts maintain you going many of the day.
Top-of-the-line issues about Jurmala is that it’s solely a 30-minute, 1.50 euro practice journey from Riga, Latvia’s enchanting capital, with its medieval Outdated Metropolis, Artwork Nouveau quarter and opera or ballet on the Latvian State Opera Home for little greater than £10.
Morning feasts: Adriaane opted to remain on the immaculate Jurmala Spa lodge
I reel out of Riga’s huge market, housed in and round 5 former Zeppelin hangars, with an armful of herbs, dried mushrooms, jam, bee pollen, honeycomb, an amber bracelet (amber is washed up all alongside the Baltic coast) and a carved pine cheese board, all for £27.
On the former KGB HQ, I pay £4.50 for a tour in English, following the information round blood-stained cells, interrogation rooms and a bullet-pocked courtyard — all simply because the hated secret police left them in 1992 when the Soviet Union withdrew.
Again within the broad, pine-lined streets of Jurmala, I head for a cut price night on the Thirties-built Dzintari live performance corridor.
‘When Russians used to return, tickets had been 50 and 70 euros. Now simply seven. Finest seats are 20!’ crows Aldis.
Hurrah for that. And lengthy might the Russians keep away.
