ALA Announces Two English-Language Trips to Lavia in 2012

For the benefit of its members, ALA is organizing two English-language trips to Latvia in the summer of 2012 – „Heritage Latvia” (July 17 – 31, 2012) for young people from 13 – 15 years of age, and „Hello, Latvia!/Sveika, dzimtene!” (July 24 through August 7, 2012) for adults and families.

„Heritage Latvia” – an English-language trip for 13-15 years-olds of Latvian background who have an interest in seeing and learning about their grandparents’ homeland and experiencing Latvia’s sights and sounds, traditions and history. The trip’s content and itinerary parallels ALA’s Latvian language youth tour„Sveika, Latvija!” and includes meeting young people in Latvia as well as seeing the country’s geographical, cultural and historical highlights. Participants will enjoy a wide variety of experiences - from swimming in the Baltic Sea to steaming in a country sauna, from visiting a potter’s studio in Latgale to touring the Rundale Castle in Zemgale. The group will visit Latvia’s four provinces, the capital Riga as well as other major towns and cities.

The fee is $3,000 and includes airfare from Washington, D.C. Dulles Airport (IAD) to Riga and return and local expenses (meals, housing, transportation, activities, guide services.)The minimum number of participants is 10 and the maximum 20, including chaperones.  Participants may be given credit to attendance at local Latvian heritage schools, which could reduce the participation fee. (Download „Heritage Latvia” application forms here.)

The “Hello, Latvia!/Sveika, dzimtene!” trip will include well-known highlights of Latvia, as well as some special features, such as the Sigulda Opera Festival.  The bi-lingual tour provides insights into Latvia’s history, culture and society with an itinerary which includes the capital Riga and other major cities and towns.  This year we plan to feature Vidzeme, but the trip will include all four historical provinces of Latvia.

The fee is $3,300 (based on double occupancy) and includes airfare to Riga and return from Newark Liberty Airport (EWR). (Participants may arrange their own transportation and meet the group in Riga, thereby reducing the participation fee to the land portion - $2100.)  The fee includes all transfers, tour transportation, hotels, breakfasts, most meals (those not covered will be during designated “free time”) tickets to museums and other attractions, as well as the services of a full-time guide who accompanies the group during the entire trip. Minimum 10 participants – and maximum of 20.The single supplement is $500.  (Download „Hello, Latvia!” application forms here.)

For more information, to sign up for one of these trips, or to request hard copy application forms,please contact Anita Juberts by phone or e-mail at projekti@alausa.org or tel. 301 340-8719.