My name is Philip Birzulis, and I love showing people around Latvia!
My family hails from this beautiful Baltic country, but they left to escape war and communism. So I grew up in a Latvian family in Australia, doing folk dancing and choir singing and enjoying my mum's piparkūkas (gingerbread) and pīrāgi (bacon buns).
After finishing a history degree, I came to Latvia in 1994 for a few months, but I was so enchanted by the place I stayed for good around. I've worked as a journalist, translated many books from Latvian to English, and have been a tour guide since 2013.
"I've been on several of Philip's tours in Old Riga and the Art Nouveau area, and very highly recommend him. He is very knowledgeable and entertaining. My Danish partners who have been on his tours have loved them too."
Antra Linarte, Riga
As well as my walking tours in Riga and Jūrmala, I also offer longer trips in my car to Sigulda, Ķemeri National Park, Kurzeme, as well as half day Soviet Riga excursions.
My car is a very roomy Opel Zafira hatchback. Four passengers can sit in the standard configuration, and there are two additional seats in the luggage area.
I can conduct tours in my car for moderately disabled people. However, if you require a specialised vehicle, I can arrange a tour with transportation provided by the Latvian company Difftravel.
Please contact me for more information about this service.
Join my tours in Riga, Jūrmala and around Latvia to explore Old Riga's cobblestone streets, Art Nouveau magic or all the sights of the city. Or get a glimpse of Soviet Riga.
Enjoy a bracing Jūrmala walk or a day experiencing the resort.
And admire Sigulda's scenery or Kurzeme's manors.