No one knows for certain who lays claim to the first Christmas tree but few dispute that it was in the area which is now Northern Europe. When searching for the historical beginning of the first Christmas tree, one must go very deep into the past. Just like Santa Claus one finds that the first Christmas tree was combination of many different facts, legends and customs. The first documented use of a tree in a winter Christmas celebration was in several locations in Northern Europe including Estonia, and Latvia, in the year 1510 according to documents from the Blackheads Fraternity chronicles and from various sources in Germany and the UK. Come and experience the 500th anniversary of this historic tradition. read more

When searching for the historical beginning of the first Christmas tree, one must go very deep into the past. Just like Santa Claus, one finds that the first Christmas tree was combination of many different facts, legends and customs all starting in the Baltic countries and what is now Northern Germany. The first documented use of a tree in a Christmas celebration was in Riga, Latvia, in the year 1510 according to many sources. References to Martin Luther's Christmas Tree were actually two decades later than the Riga Tree. Visit Riga this Christmas and experience a medieval holiday celebration. read more

Visitors to the 2006 NATO Summit being held in Riga Latvia are first hand enjoying the wonderful Art Nouveau architecture, historic sites and pristine nature that Latvia is fortunate to offer. For all the others in the world not as fortunate to visit Riga this year, Patricia Tourist Office has a plan to share these lovely scenes through photography. Available for immediate viewing and purchase on-line are photos of Riga's Freedom Monument symbol of Latvia's struggle through the years to be a free country; medieval Turaida Castle in Sigulda; parks, lakes and rivers from around Latvia. read more

When searching for the historical beginning of the first Christmas tree, one must go very deep into the past. Just like Santa Claus one finds that the first Christmas tree was combination of many different facts, legends and customs. The first documented use of a tree in a winter Christmas celebration was in Riga, Latvia, in the year 1510 according to documents from the Blackheads Fraternity chronicles. Visit Riga this Christmas and experience the medieval holiday celebration. read more