Barcelona

The proud capital of Catalonia, Barcelona’s mix of big city thrills with relaxed beachfront life, is an unbeatable combination. Whatever you’re after, Barcelona has lots of it: culture in spades − from the medieval Gothic Quarter through the Picasso Museum to the surreal swells and curves of its celebrated Gaudi buildings; fabulous shopping, at big Spanish brands like El Corte Ingles, at specialised craft shops and the mouthwatering Boqueria food market; and, as you might expect from a university city, nightlife in abundance − with bars, restaurants and clubs where you can dance all night long. Best of all, it’s right on the beach, and with spring temperatures up to 21°C, the golden sand and Mediterranean waters beckon you to take an early dip.

airBaltic flies to Barcelona from Riga on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and from Vilnius on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Rome

Spring is one of the best times to visit the ‘Eternal City’ − it’s warm and sunny, but not yet too hot to wander the streets of this most walkable of cities. From the jaw-dropping treasures of the Vatican, it’s a mere stroll to travel back in time and see those icons of ancient Rome − the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Forum. Rome excels at the best things in life − art, architecture, fashion and food; and with trees bursting with buds and the first vegetables of the season appearing in Roman restaurants, the city is alive with spring concerts and exhibitions celebrating the season. That just leaves you to ’do as the Romans do’ and get on with enjoying it all.

airBaltic flies to Rome from Riga on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and from Vilnius on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Athens

The birthplace of democracy and the cradle of western civilisation, the wonders of Athens have amazed and inspired the world throughout the ages. Dig into history, exploring the treasures of Rome, Byzantium and the Ottoman empire − this city is steeped in it - even its metro stations have archaeological displays. Above it all stands the Parthenon, topping the Acropolis − from where you can see the sparkling Aegean Sea, and beyond, the first of 1,400 Greek islands, each offering a different taste of paradise. It’s easy to combine a city trip with an island adventure − just a metro ride from Athens’ centre, you can hop on a boat at the port of Piraeus, and set sail on your very own Greek odyssey.

airBaltic flies from Riga to Athens on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Istanbul

One of the world’s great romantic cities, Istanbul straddles two continents across the Bosphorus, and melds two great cultures in an exotic mix. Its legendary monuments − the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque symbolise the city, but Istanbul doesn’t rest on its laurels. This is a thriving modern city, with buzzing street life. Enjoy the warm spring weather (the average spring high is 25°C) with a walk along the coastal promenade, where you can sit at a carpeted coffee shop sipping thick Turkish coffee and watching the ships that throng the strait. Fortified by coffee head for the Grand Bazaar to practise haggling − for spices, jewellery, rugs and crafts − you’ll find anything and everything on sale here. As the sun goes down a boat trip on the Bosphorus will reveal a city far from asleep − from the water you can see the twinkling Istanbul skyline and enjoy the late night chatter of bars and restaurants down on the waterfront.

airBaltic flies from Riga to Istanbul on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Tel Aviv

Life’s a beach in Tel Aviv − and with at least eight of them stretching along the Mediterranean coast, there’s always plenty going on down by the sea. The cultural and economic heart of Israel, Tel Aviv combines a pulsing modern city of glassy skyscrapers and tree-lined boulevards, with the exotic old Levant − in the ancient port of Jaffa − which was already flourishing fifteen hundred years before Christ. Things hot up in spring time − and in the balmy weather the beaches become the centre of life. Each has a character of its own − from a quiet cafe to diving, sailing and jetskiing, or a lively late night party, you‘re bound to find a spot that fits your mood.

airBaltic flies from Riga to Tel Aviv on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and back from Tel Aviv to Riga on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.