A cultural city known for its art, architecture and music. Richard Wagner revolutionised conducting during his stint in 1837-1839. Until then, the conductor faced the audience during the performance but as the Rigans were unruly group, he preferred to turn his back on them. That set a new tradition. The music highlight is the Latvian Song and Dance festival, a UNESCO event in which some 40,000 participate. It has a thriving contemporary art scene with several Latvian National galleries.
The Motor Museum is unique as it has cars from the Kremlin garage that includes Stalin’s armoured limousine which weighs the same as the US President’s Beast car. Excursion to Rundale Palace which rivals Louis XVI’s Versailles and was built by the same architect as the Winter Palace in St Petersburg.