Latvia is the heart of the Baltic states. All the best is concentrated here, and this amazing region is rightfully proud of this. A small country, taken in a tight semicircle by Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus and Russia, for a long time remained for Soviet tourists something like "their own abroad", and even today it is still full of paradoxes. The refined elegance of urban architecture is combined with the modest charm of authentic villages. Business centres are growing in megacities, and centuries-old castles silently keep the secrets of the past. Nature (the Baltic sea coast, lakes, forests) is restrained in a Northern way, but that's why it is even more fascinating. People are tactful in a European way, but very hospitable. Latvians are already used to living in a Western rhythm, but they also carefully protect their own traditions.