Language Centre IH Riga-Satva.

Mezaparks

Large park alongside Lake Kisezers in what was Riga’s most prosperous suburb before the war. Contains a lage open-air auditorium and a small amusement park as well as the city zoo. Go boating or windsurfing on the lake, hire a bicycle or rollerblades or just relax in one of the cafes. Take the 11 tram from the centre, or the 1 hour boat ride from the old town at weekends.

Swimming

Akvalande (Mūkusalas 43) 100 metre pool and waterslides.

Radisson SAS (kugu 34)  pool, sauna and gym

VEF (Brīvības 197)

Līvu Akvaparks (Vienības gatve 36, Lielupe) Indoor aquapark with a wave pool, slides and other attractions.

Gyms

Radisson SAS . See swimming section.

City Fitness: handy for the school at Marijas ielā 13/8

Martas Gym (Barona 41/43) Spacious, modern gym with panoramic Windows so you can look down at the people in the street or they can look up and watch you working out.

Walking

If the smog of Riga starts to get a bit too much, there are some beautiful forests not too far out of town. Get yourself a map and catch the train to any of the stations you fancy starting a walk from. Alternatively, take the train a few stops to the north and walk for hours along the beach between the sea and the forest.

Skiing

Despite Latvia having no mountains, winter sports are extremely popular. Winter usually brings plenty of snow and there are many small hills where you can enjoy a quick downhill run.

Ten-Pin Bowling

Choose from Boulnet, Toss or Bowlero

Cinema

Films are shown in their original language with Latvian and Russian subtitles. Perhaps the most popular venue these days is Forum Cinemas, a new multiplex with 14 auditoria, the largest screen in the Baltic, a bar and a cafe. This is easily the most comfortable cinema in Riga and has the best sound and picture quality; tickets are, of course, priced accordingly. It is situated next to the Stockmann department store, which is opposite the Central Station.

Library

You can read up-to-date periodicals and borrow English language books from the Library of Foreign Languages at the Riga Congress Hall, Kr. Valdemara 5. Membership is free and we will take new teachers there during induction week.

Churches

St Saviour’s Church (Church of England), which is situated on Anglikāņu iela in the old town, holds services in English at 10am on Sunday mornings.