Unique, affordable destinations not on your list Want a unique vacation free of crowds? Peter Greenberg shares top spots Report by Peter Greenberg, NBC Today Show Travel Editor Here are some destinations you probably haven't considered, but each offers a great but uncrowded, unspoiled and affordable experience. Our candidates this week range from islands in Scandinavia and off the coast of Brazil to areas in Western Africa, Latvia and two surprises in North America: Riga, Latvia This is the sleeper destination. After a long period of Soviet occupation and repression, it is now an independent state, and Latvia is — relatively speaking — exploding when it comes to tourism. Riga has now become the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the Baltics. Some would even call it the new Prague. And because Latvia has not yet switched to the Euro, it becomes a more affordable destination. Riga is also one of the three major seaports in Latvia, and is a mecca for water sports. Boating/canoeing/kayaking/rafting season runs April through September. You can even arrange to take a boat trip out to sea with Latvian fisherman to fish in the waters off Ronu Island or along the Roja River, and then enjoy a meal from your catch of the day. Cycling is also a big deal here. You can ride through quaint villages or along the coastline. The Riga Central Market is one of the oldest and largest in the Baltic states. It’s about 135,000 square feet, dedicated to food. There are food pavilions that are dedicated to separate categories of food, so be sure to stop by for a loaf of fresh-baked bread. And speaking of bread, did you know that bread (particularly rye) is the pride of Latvia? At the Bread Museum, you can get hands-on lessons on bread-making. At various mills and farmsteads, you can learn age-old secret recipes and sample the wares. Affordable hotels: Hotel Riga is a beautiful, historic building overlooking the Opera Garden, right in the city center. Currently, a weekend getaway is about $200 for a two-night weekend stay; if you’re traveling solo, you can stay at Hotel Riga for one night in a single room for $140. The Radisson is under $200 a night, and the brand-new Avalon Hotel in Old Town is just about $100 a night.