The Royal Pavilion may sound like a typical tourist trap but Brighton doesn’t do anything the normal way and this royal palace isn’t any different. From the outside you wouldn’t think this was once a royal residence commissioned by King George IV when he was still Price Regent. The first thing you’ll notice is it doesn’t tower above you; there are no intimidating walls, motes or turrets as seen in traditional castles. In fact it looks more like something out of a movie set trying (and not quite succeeding) to look like a palace from the far east. This is because it was built just over 200 years ago by a young man who was fascinated with China and India despite never actually visiting these countries. One of the first large rooms you reach when walking round is the grand banquet room with the most imposing and mesmerising chandeliers you’re ever likely to see. The lavish décor is very eastern and the extravagant décor is too grandiose to be overwhelming but as you walk round the other side of the first floor you come into the library and drawing rooms that suddenly offer a more sombre décor. These rooms were completed after the Prince Regent became king and suddenly had to grow up.

Royal Pavilion, Brighton, UK by Richard Randall

Shopping

Once you’ve had enough history grab a map (or an app) and head into The Lanes and North Laine to check out some incredibly eclectic shops. The Lanes are famous for their jewellery and antique shops, no matter what you find in them, you can be sure there aren’t many other people out there with the same item. The reason this shopping destination is so iconic is because of their narrow walkways, in some place there isn’t enough room for two people to pass head on. Although natives can navigate their way round these lanes with ease, first timers can find themselves getting turned around, but don’t worry, this isn’t London, if you get lost find a local and ask for help, most Brightoneons will be happy to help. Once you’re don’t with The Lanes, head over to North Laine, Gardner Street, Kensington Gardens and the surrounding streets for a range of eclectic shops sure to cater to everyone from music lovers, shoe hoarders, clothes addicts and everything in between. If you love junk shops, anything retro or just something a little bit different have a walk round Snoopers Paradise on Kensington Gardens – you’re going to need that sense of direction again though.

Dinner

You can’t throw a pebble from the beach in Brighton without hitting a dozen restaurants, cafes and bars but the trick with finding somewhere amazing to eat in Brighton is not to judge a book by its cover. You can head over to one of the expensive hotels but the best restaurants are hidden in plain sight, usually on the sea front and have been battered by the assault of the salty weather over the years. If you’re in Brighton it really needs to be a sea food dinner and the best sea food restaurant in Brighton has to be The Melrose just opposite from the old West Pier, it might look like a throw back from the nineties from the outside and the inside décor doesn’t fare much better but the menu is a fish lover’s dream with everything from oysters to lobster with the usual code and plaice thrown in too. The food is always cooked perfectly, the service is second to none and the prices are incredibly reasonable. If sea food isn’t for you then try Stekis still on the sea front but closer to the main pier for mouth-watering traditional Greek food. You have no reason to even look at the non-descript restaurant chains when in Brighton.

Brighton Pier, UK by stephen jones

The Pier

You’ve had a great day, you’ve seen some landmarks, done some shopping and you’re well fed. No trip to the sea side would be complete without actually visiting the sea side. All along the water’s edge there are plenty of bars and when the weather is nice there’s nothing like a drink out on the beach. If you’ve gone for dinner at one of the places mentioned above, walk down to the promenade by the West Pier, find an inviting looking bar and head in for a drink. Once you’re done carry on towards the Pier, stopping to look at the artists galleries peppered along your left hand side. Once you reach the pier stroll along it, play the slots in the amusements, have your caricature drawn or tarot read and once you reach the end go on a few of the rides. The Booster should only be attempted if your dinner has well and truly gone down and you’re not faint hearted. As you head back down the pier stop for some good old fashion candy floss or doughnuts and munch them as you head over to the Brighton Wheel, for less than a tenner you can spend 15 mins and see the whole city from a height and take in just how awesome it is.

And there you have it, the perfect day out in Brighton.

Jessica spent several happy years living in Brighton and now works for Travelworldrv.co.uk where you can find the perfect vehicle for exploring the amazing cities and country side the UK has to offer.

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Riga’s historical centre is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its amazing houses. The city is known as the most expensive Baltic city and is particularly notable for its extensive Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) architecture, which UNESCO considers to be unparalleled anywhere in the world.

Around Riga you can visit several great places such as the coastal resort Jurmala, the Sigulda castles overlooking the scenic Gauja River Valley, and the Rastrelli Palace at Rundale.

What to see in Riga

• Great Guild Hall and Small Guild Hall
• Symbol of the historical centre – The Dome Cathedral – impressive mixture of romantic, gothic, Renascence, baroque and classical styles. There is one of the largest organs in the world in the cathedral
• The architectural complex Three brothers – three houses are the oldest stone buildings in Riga built in the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries
• St. Maria Magdalena Catholic Church – built in the 13th century
• Sweden Gate – the newest and the only saved as they are of 25 gates of Riga, which used to protect the city from enemies
• St Jacob Church – served both to the Catholics and the Lutherans in the past

View Riga – the biggest and most vibrant city in the Baltics Latvia in a larger map

The post Riga – the biggest and most vibrant city in the Baltics | Latvia appeared first on Europe Explored.