Sets the (very high) standard
Latvia is a tiny country, but you'd never know that from browsing this perfectly constructed travel guide. I won't blather on about this book, but suffice to say that it offers the optimum balance between historical, cultural, natural and practical information. Glossy photography? Not here. Buy this book for the quality of its writing. This guide does a particularly good job of explaining to readers how Latvia is not Estonia, not Lithuania, and certainly not Russia. The Baltic states, often (and incorrectly) considered one cultural space, become distinct countries in each of the Bradt guides. This one is especially good.
Lovely Riga, of course, figures prominently, but other fascinating places in Latvia are revealed for you as well, cultural and natural. Since Bradt puts so much effort into their Baltic series, and new editions appear frequently, you can be sure that listings are comprehensive and right up to date. There's no better guide to Latvia than this one.
2008-06-23
