Latvia

Mittens

With ornaments. hand-made and representing traditional culture.

Smoked (black) ceramics

From latgale.

Speciality shops are open mostly from 8 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, till 4 PM on Saturdays, closed on Sundays. Groceries are open every day till 8 PM or longer. Most supermarkets are open till 11 PM every day. Convenience stores, such as Narvesen are mostly open 24/7.

ATMs are widely available throughout Latvia including Riga International Airport, even in many small towns. Tax free (http://www.taxfree.lv/) stores have their signs clearly displayed.

Banks will accept traveller's cheques with some fee as a percentage of the sum.

Before leaving Latvia, it is advisable to exchange Latvian lats back to your foreign currency, unless you want to keep them as a souvenir. This isn't such a bad idea, since the Latvian Lat is one of world's most beautifully designed currencies, especially the many different types of 1 Lat coins and also the paper notes. Keeping Lats would also be a good reason to visit Latvia again. However, hurry up, since the Euro will be introduced in a couple of years.

Riga Black Balsam (Melnais Balzams)

(http://www.balzams.lv/htm...), a traditional latvian herbal liqueur made using many natural ingredients.

Black (rye) bread

Gives more energy than the common white wheat bread. if bought fresh and kept in a plastic bag, it might last well up to 10 days or more.

Laima Chocolate

Laima Chocolate (http://www.laima.lv/) various sweets, chocolates with all kinds of fillings.