| |
|
allur
|
04-07-2006 12:21 PM
|
Joined: 04 Jul 2006
Posts: 1
| A piece of advice: Don't go there.
At the currency exchange the rate you get is 10% less than the one written on the big sign on the wall. In the bar they'll claim you ordered drinks for 100$ when you're drinking your first beer and you're threatened by couple of big guys from "security" to pay. Both incidents happened in the center of the city at a normal looking places. You'll need to be alert all the time so you don't get screwed. That doesn't feel like vacation.
|
|
|
Give us a green
|
02-10-2006 09:42 PM
|
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Posts: 1
| I am very surprised this forum is not on fire...
We returned from Riga today !! what a dreadfull place, unbelievabley imtimidating.
It appears they dont like tourist least of all the Brits, they are very rude and rarely raise a smile.
39 of us travelled for a three day jolly ages 30 - 55 so no kids, all of whom were gald to get out of the place, it's rip off after rip off and if that doesnt work you will simply be mugged.
12 of us sat down for a meal and we said if the waitress managed just one smile we would give a 12 Lat tip (Which was unknown to the waitress) 2 hours later NO smile no effort NO TIP unbeliveable but true.
Dont go out alone at night you will be turned over.
Always PRE agree the taxi fare and watch for touting taxi's even the female taxi drivers are at it.
Sex it's everyware dont even think about it you will be charged at least 200 lats and if you dont pay you will be marched to the cash machine.
Dont go in any bar which as lap dancing be care full it will cost you 200 lats.
Dont walk around park areas at anytime.
Knive's and guns are everywhere.
Stag do's jollies or even a weekend break forget this place please
I will be happy to recieve e mails on this i'm so concerned about this place.
|
|
|
Spenney
|
03-10-2006 03:15 PM
|
Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 1
| I have just read your review and comments, I am most concerned as regards your experience in Riga.
I have visited the city 5-6 times in the last 18 months and am also alarmed by the rise in prices and rip-offs that are occuring now in the city, it is a shame as the place is great fun and have had some wonderful weekends there.( City will spoil it for themselves in time to come)
Taxi's have been ripping off tourists for years and it is important that you agree a price prior to setting off, the town is now overrun by Stag groups in which Ryanair are to blame for: as budget flights are now arriving from Glasgow and Liverpool as well as Stansted so the city is overun with blokes. No wonder we have a bad reputation in the City
If you know where to go and avoid the tourist traps, Stag clubs and strip joints you can still have a great weekend break, people are friendly and the women are the best looking in Europe, you do not have to spend a fortune although I usually do, I am due to visit again next month so will let you know how things are!!
|
|
|
dazza230
|
19-12-2006 05:43 PM
|
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Posts: 4
| Riga comments way off the mark!
Im very concerned about your comments regarding riga. I visited in july and it is one place i would defo go back.. (i went during the week so havent seen it on a weekend) people r v friendly though.. I went with the girlfriend and we both enjoyed our time there. Meals were cheap , food was 1st class and drinks not expensive at all. £1 pint doesnt seem to much to me. If you go to sample the culture and have a few quiet pints then no one bothers you but if you walk around pissed as arseholes and making a fool of urself then what d u expect????? (not saying u were mate)...
Basically the rule is - Dont bother the Latvians - They wont bother you!!!!!!!!!!
its true 2 arrange a price with a taxi 1st.. But isnt it the same everywhere you go???? ( Yes Strip clubs r a waste of time and they will rip you off! and so will the girls inside.
Ok, latvians dont seem to like us much.. Fair play, i mean anyone who gets harrased by groups of blokes in the middle of the city, has a right 2!!! When i was there, lads were shouting, swearing and oggling at every Girl they saw ( not saying everyone is like that but i must admit myself, when lads get together things do go 2 far...
morale of the story, do enjoy urself have a laugh get drunk - but try and remember where you are, u r in the city where people work, have lunch, shop and basically chill out after hours - i mean the last thing we want is the same to happen to us!!!!!!!
D..........
|
|
|
toille
|
30-07-2007 07:19 PM
|
Joined: 30 Jul 2007
Posts: 2
| Bizzare query for you - I went on a stag do to Riga last year, and in the airport is a picture of the Ice Hockey Beaver - as per this picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianlloyd/84405581/in/set-1802277/ now this looks just like my mate who is going to get married next month and I am sure that there were little cuddly ice hockey beaver toys on sale. If anybody can get one and put it on e-bay I would pay up to about £30 for it, possibly an easy little earner for anybody going there?
|
|
|
toille
|
30-07-2007 07:19 PM
|
Joined: 30 Jul 2007
Posts: 2
| the picture there is not me by the way
|
|
|
swampy
|
22-04-2008 10:14 PM
|
Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 1
| i agree the place is awfull i could not wait to get home,its by far the worst of the eastern european cities ive visited.we felt at risk at night and not much safer during the day,this was proved when i had my purse stolen on the sunday afternoon,so go to the police that was fun as i dont speak russian or latvian and they made no effort to translate in any way even though i was clearly distressed! THE TOILETS are something eles maybe thats why the city smells of urine.the english clearly arent welcome here nobody smiled or spoke to us in the 5 days we were there.no we were not on a stag doo,simply 2 people sightseeing
|
|
|
