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Do you want to find interesting things to do in Riga? Are you visiting Riga for a corporate event or incentive? Riga Out There has been offering Tours in Riga and Excursions in Latvia since the beginning of 2005.
The best way to travel in Riga or to travel in Latvia is to let Riga Out There Team organize it for you ! Our professional and personable organisation is based in Latvia and, because we deal directly with our providers on a daily basis, we are able to offer you unmatched value for money. In fact, there are so many things to see and do in Riga that we have a whole section dedicated to it: Riga Things To Do!
When you travel to Riga you will find fun activities and cultural tours to suit the tastes of every individual, couple, family and group.Our Tours & Activities guarantee fun in Riga. From the adrenaline buzz of AK-47 Shooting to a thrilling ride down a Riga Bobsleigh Track, a Riga weekend is like no other you will have experienced. If you are interested in Riga Culture or in Riga History then we have the Riga sightseeing tours, Latvian day trips and Riga cultural tours for you.
Alternatively, if Riga Nightlife is the thing you want to experience then we will ensure that you visit Riga's best Bars and Clubs. Because at Riga Out There we know all the best places and people if you really want to Party in Riga! So whether you are a group of friends, a couple or individual, or a Stag Weekend planning to hold your stag in Riga we know all there is to know about Riga nightlife.
Many visitors arriving in Riga for the first time are very happy that we pick you up from Riga Airport. Returning guests enjoy being met at Riga Airport and sitting back and relaxing while the familiar faces of Riga Out There's friendly staff Transfer you to your hotel. And if you wish to travel in Riga in real luxury and style we also provide the best form of Riga transport - a Riga Limousine Transfer.
For those of you looking for Alternative Things to do in Riga you can enjoy a Riga Bicycle tour, enabling you to explore the industrial, urban and undiscovered corners of the Latvian capital. Alternative Riga Nightlife, Restaurants and Sightseeing Tours are also a brilliant way to experience a different side of Latvia and of Riga before you return to the comfort of your Riga Hotel. If you are searching for accommodation in Riga, whether it is top class Riga hotels or simply a Cheap Hotel in Riga then we are also the people to help you find and book the perfect Accommodation in Riga.
Riga Out There offers original and highly imaginative sightseeing tours to all of Latvia and Riga's best Tourism Attractions - before everybody discovers them in 2014! Riga is one of Europe's hidden treasures when it comes to fascinating History and Culture. But not for long! Riga will be the 2014 European Capital of Culture...and, finally, the secret will be out. In the mean time, however, Riga Out There offers original and highly imaginative sightseeing tours to all of Latvia and Riga's best Tourism Attractions - before everybody discovers them in 2014!
Our Riga Travel Guides organise Riga Tours and tailor-made Latvian Excursions to the most interesting tourist sites in Latvia. Our Sightseeing Tours in Riga, Latvian Daytrips and Riga cultural tours include popular experiences such as the Riga Old Town Walking Tour and the Riga Sightseeing and Balzams Experience.
For a visit to one of northern Europe's most beautiful palaces or a Cold War step-back-in-time try out our Rundale Palace day trip and Riga Out There's Nuclear Bunker Tour. And if you want to keep the atmosphere distinctly retro why not join one of our extremely popular Back to the USSR tours?
When it comes to culture, Riga certainly has more to offer than your usual European city. To help you decide the best way to use your time in Latvia we have written a Riga Cultural Guide that tells you all you need to know about Riga's amazing Art Nouveau District, UNESCO-listed Old Town and world famous churches. In fact, our cultural guide lets you know everything you need to know about pretty much everything in the Latvian capital including Riga's parks, waterways and districts.
RIGA BLACK BALSAM: both liquor and medicine.
Riga Black Balsam is the Latvian national beverage created by loving hands from 24 natural ingredients. Balsam adds up to a harmonious blend of extracts made of herbs, flowers, juices, roots and berries. The unique recipe was created in the 18th century by Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunz. Once the drink was tried by Empress Catherine II, who was cured thanks to it during her stay in Courland (now part of Latvia), soon the beverage became a favorite at the Russian court and all over Europe. Enjoy now the tradition, mystery and exotic taste of Abraham Kunz at the Black Balsam Factory.
World War I stopped the trade of spirits for some time, however, already at the very beginning of Latvia as an independent state, the operations of spirits distillery were resumed. The production output at that time amounted 25 000 - 26 000 bottles a day. According to the information provided by Riga City Bureau of Statistics, in 1924 Riga Spirits Warehouse employed 24 employees.
In 1940 the distillery was nationalised and named as Rīgas spirta un degvīna rūpnīca (Riga spirits and vodka distillery).
In 1949 the distillery started producing liqueurs and was renamed accordingly, i.e., Rīgas liķieru un degvīna rūpmīca (Riga liqueur and vodka distillery).
In 1960 the company started export production.
In 1970 the company acquired its present name. But a few years following the resumption of national independence of Latvia, Latvijas balzams became a state-owned joint stock company.
In 1997, the company was privatised and in 1998 A/S Latvijas balzams shares were listed in Riga Stock Exchange.
In 2000, as the result of acquisition, Latvijas balzams joined with A/S Rīgas vīni, which enabled LB to acquire a substantial market share in the growing wine segment and develop the production of light alcoholic drinks.
Since 2001, one of the top priorities set by the company has been the development of new products. New brands have been created both in the segment of strong and light alcoholic beverages, enabling the company to strengthen its competitiveness.
In 2002, the company celebrated the 250th anniversary of Riga Black Balsam. Riga Black Balsam is an ancient drink, created in the middle of the 18th century, as the first written evidences of the unique mixture date back to 1752. This brand carries a very special meaning to the company, which actually bears its name. It is the visiting card of the company in Latvia and abroad where Riga Black Balsam has received more than 30 awards at various international fairs.
In 2002, the company celebrated the 50th anniversary of the sparkling wine brand Rīgas šampanietis (Riga Champagne).
In late October 1952 in the wine production facility (which is still located in the same place - the industrial part of Riga city centre at Aristīda Briāna Street), LB produced the first 300 bottles of a new product. It was created on the basis of an ancient and well-known French method - double fermentation of bottled wine.
Today A/S Latvijas balzams is the largest manufacturer of alcoholic beverages in Latvia and in the Baltic states. According to the information of the SRS Excise Goods Administration, in 2003 the market share of the company reached 43% in Latvia. Latvijas balzams is a wide-ranging producer of alcoholic beverages, manufacturing more that ten product groups, including Riga Black Balsam, different brands of vodka, liquor, sparkling wine, gin, brandy, whiskey, cocktails, in total more that 115 brands.
The company's objective - production of high quality beverages - in recent years has been highly appraised at a number of fairs and has earned a range of reputable awards: golden, silver and bronze medals and distinction certificates.
Today the majority shareholder of Latvijas Balzams is S.P.I. Group.
Over the last two years more than 8 million lats have been invested towards increasing of production capacity and development of operations. Due to substantial export, the company has doubled its production capacities.
