Publications

Publications of "Lauku ceļotājs"

Our publications in English: accommodation catalogue „Country Holidays”, maps and travel guides for touring Latvia by car, bike, boating or hiking offer practical information and are most useful to plan and experience your holidays in Latvia. We have inspected all sites and tested all routes which are described. See below the details about contents of each of our publications.

To order the publications please send a request to the e-mail: lauku@celotajs.lv. You can pay for the publication with credit card or bank transfer. To read regular news about our new publications, please follow this link.

Go Local - The Baltic States and Beyond

Individual and group tours
self-drive, active, day, family, wildlife, bus, study
The people of the Baltic have a close relationship with nature and its annual cycle. Each season has its own specific activities like mushrooming, berry picking, collecting herbs, ice-fishing and different agricultural jobs as well as traditional and seasonal celebrations. The country is a haven for the tourist who loves nature, respects traditions and would like to experience the countries and their cultures more deeply.
Baltic Country Holiday's well-researched tours and sites are based around small-scale accommodation, open farms, local producers, living traditions and sincere people. For many years we have carried regular inspections of our accommodation and sites, have closely cooperated with national parks and nature experts, researched and developed new routes. We' re always looking for local farms and producers and encourage the development of new products. Since we ourselves like to explore and be active, we have tried all the routes in various different ways: cycling, walking, canoeing, by car and by public transport. We feel we can honestly call ourselves the Baltic experts.
Upon receipt of your request we can tailor-make your itinerary through the Baltics according to your individual wishes and interests. We provide detailed road maps and road descriptions for all our tours.

Available in languages: English, Russian, German

See electronical version here.

Content of the publication reflects the author’s opinion and the Managing Authority is not responsible for the information published by project partners.

Map of the Latvian, Estonian Heritage “Worth Seeing”

Lauku ceļotājs has created a map of the Latvian, Estonian Heritage – a map with 150 magnificent places in Latvia and Estonia where customs which have been passed from one generation to another blend into modern life – whether these are grandmother’s potato pancakes, made not counting calories, or a clear homebrew with the nowadays mandatory excise stamps, and a tag of the owner-manufacturer, or the traditional sign of Jumis on the roofs of new buildings. The map encourages people to visit craftsmen and centres of craftsmen, masters of local and traditional dishes and drinks, small rural food manufacturing companies, fishermen, sites of annual traditional celebrations (such as solstice), farmsteads where visitors can participate in farm works and children can learn more about domestic animals, to visit organic and health holdings, pubs, museums and collections, historic centres of towns, ethnographic villages and territories, events with a theme related to history and reconstructions of historical events, sacred sites and buildings, castles and manors, traditional places for buying souvenirs, nature trails and routes. The map was composed by Lauku ceļotājs cooperating with the Estonian Rural Tourism Association (Eesti maaturism).

Languages: Latvian, Russian, English, German, Estonian, and Finnish.

You can download map here.

Content of the publication reflects the author’s opinion and the Managing Authority is not responsible for the information published by project partners.

Country Holidays 2013

This catalogue contains practical information which will help you to plan your weekends and trips through Latvia's countryside – what to do, what to see, where to eat and where to spend the night.

Contents:
Accommodations - cottages, country houses, guest houses, camping, hotels.
Worth seeing - the most interesting and outstanding cultural and historical venues are always worth a visit.
Countryside bounty - farms in Latvia receive visitors who wish to examine the way in which animals, plants, vegetables and berries are grown, how craftspeople work, how countryside foods are prepared, etc.
Local pubs, cafes and other locations in the countryside and small towns where you can taste delicious foods made of fresh local produce and on the basis of traditional Latvian recipes.
Active holidays - active leisure for one and all.
Sauna - inseparable from the country way of life and from trips to the countryside.
Guides - guarantee that your trip will be interesting.

In English, Latvian and Russian.
Price (shipping within Europe included): 8,00 EUR

See electronical version of the catalogue here.

Forest guide - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belorussia

The Baltic Sea region is the most wooded territory in Europe. Unlike other parts of the continent, this region saw the emergence of forests over the course of 12,000 years after the last so-called Baltic Ice Age. Since the region covers a fairly large part of Europe, it is rather diverse. Boreal coniferous forests dominate in the northern stretches, while temperate broadleaf forests are found in the central and southern parts. The Baltic States and Belarus are located in the transition zone between these two types of forests. This is one of the reasons why great biological diversity is observed in the territory. The swamp forests that are found there are often known as ‘the Northern rainforests’.
The forest is an integral component of the Northern European landscape and cultural environment. Over the course of ages, forests and trees have served as sources of inspiration, leading to countless legends, stories, fairy tales and riddles as a very important part of the intangible folklore heritage of Northern European peoples. The forest has always been an important source of timber and non-timber (mushrooms, berries) resources in the economies of the Baltic countries.
This guide will help you to learn more about the unique aspects of our forest and its nature values.
See electronical version of the guide here.

Part-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund and European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument)

A Guide to the Coast of the Baltic Sea. Latvia

This is a guide along the Baltic Sea coast of Latvia. If you are planning your holidays by the sea then this publication will help you to choose a place for overnight stay as well as some ideas on what to do. The coastline stretches for 500km and you can experience a great variety of landscape from splendid sandy beaches to rocky shores and steep banks. Seaside resorts near Rīga and Jūrmala are full of life but out in the countryside there are quiet fishing villages and secluded areas for those enjoying privacy and nature.
You will find here reviews for:
55 attractions and places of interest;
28 tours for different interests - cycling, walking, boating, self-drive and nature exploring;
55 different standard accommodation places located no further than 5 km from the sea.

See electronical version of the guide here.

Languages: English, German, Russian

Baltic National Park Guide (English)

This guidebook offers practical advice and infor- mation which you can take along on your travels. It is meant for people who are interested in the environ- ment and various cultural and historical monuments. It is also intended for active tourists who like hiking, bi- king, boating or cross-country skiing. Public transpor- tation services will not always deliver you to the de- sired locations quickly and conveniently, so we have also given though to those readers who drive their own cars. The guide covers the most important information about all of the national parks in the Baltic States (14 in all), along with their most important environmental, cultural and historical values, as well as their most in- teresting points of interest. The authors have attached a map of each national park, along with GPS co-ordi- nates for the most interesting destinations.
Information can become out of date very quickly, and many things can change, so before you set off on your trip, we suggest that you should contact the visi- tor or tourism information centre of the relevant park. The author of this guidebook has personally visited all of the national parks and the destinations cited therein, doing so on a regular basis over the past 20 years. All of the routes which are listed have been examined and checked out.

Languages: English, Latvian

Shipping within Europe: 8,00 EUR

See electronical version of the guide here.

TOURIST GUIDE - NATIONAL PARKS IN LATVIA

This guidebook is meant to offer practical advice and information. Please bring it along with you when travelling. We have written the book for people who like to observe wild nature, learn about various cultural and historical monuments, or be active tourists who will visit national parks on foot, on a bicycle, by boat or on skis. We have not forgotten about those of you who want to drive a car, either. The guidebook offers information about the most important environmental, cultural and historical values of Latvia’s four national parks, also listing the most interesting tourist destinations. Maps are included, and GPS co-ordinates are offered for the most interesting objects so as to make it easier for you to find your way around the parks.

Information can quickly become out of date, of course, so before you start off, make sure that you contact the local tourism information centre to find out the necessary information. The author of the guidebook has visited all of the destinations that are listed here, and all of the routes have been examined in situ.

Languages: English, Latvian

Shipping within Europe: 8,00 EUR

See electronical version of the guide here.

Accommodation catalogue "Country Holidays 2011-2012"

The catalogue features 338 vacation sites in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia: B&B, self-catering cottages and apartments, guesthouses, hotels, castles, manor houses and campsites with colour photos, full descriptions and contact information.

The catalogue offers sections with hotels and guesthouses in the Baltic capitals Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn and self-drive tours and cycling tours in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia.

In catalogue is included section with 14 open farms (animal breeding, crop, food production, etc.), craftsmen, and other, offering guests to observe their production processes, try one's hand at crafts, taste and buy fresh local produce.

A Baltic states map is enclosed to the catalogue where all the accommodations are marked with special symbols.

Languages: English, German, Latvian, Russian

Price (shipping within Europe included): 8,00 EUR

More about a layout of the catalogue you can find here.

Botanical guide. The Plant Finder

The guide includes: the plant finder containing over 250 frequently observed plant species; the botanical tours and routes and separate objects or sites related to plants and botany, like dendrological gardens, botanical trails, gardens, etc. It helps you to spot the types of plants and mushrooms that are all around us.

Languages: English, Latvian

Shipping within Europe: 8,00 EUR

More about a layout of the guide you can find here.

	With the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Community
	Co-financed Ministry of the Environment

Nature holidays in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia

This map includes information about 100 destinations that are of importance at the Baltic level in terms of tourism facilities. These are well-appointed environmental teritorries such as national parks, nature parks, reserves, nature reserves, protected landscapes and interesting objects therein. There are also notable natural monuments such as trees, rocks, cliffs etc. In each teritorry, we have offered you our thoughts about the best way to travel there and which routes you should take.
The map also offers information ablout 383 accommodations where you can spend a night or two.

Languages: English, Latvian

Shipping within Europe: 5,00 EUR
See electronical version here.

EEA logo

Supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism

Map of Military Heritage

This map of Latvia’s military heritage is aimed not just at inviting people to go on a unique trip to learn about Latvia’s military history, but also at offering a single source of information about little known, but very interesting objects about which we have very little evidence.
This map includes descriptions of 60 military objects, complete with photographs, including historial ones. There is also information about 239 places which offer accommodations. Many of the objects re in NATURA 2000 territories, and some are cultural monuments.

Languages: Latvian, English

Shipping within Europe: 5,00 EUR

You can download map here.

This project is partly financed by the European Union (ERDF) within the Baltic Sea Region Programme

Baltic states cycling map

This cycling map of the Baltic States has brief descriptions of 14 cycling routes with a total lenght of more than 3700km. The map includes information about boating routes along the rivers and sea. These provide different perspective to the landscape as well as add another experience.

The map also has information about 403 tourist accommodation. The Baltic Country Holidays has inspected all the routes, but please understand that the information and the situation can change very quickly.

Languages: English, Latvian

Shipping within Europe: 5,00 EUR

You can download the map here.

EEA logo

Supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism

The Slitere National Park Tourism guide

This is the first traveller's guide, so comprehensive in its contents and scope, which has ever been published on a national park and a Natura 2000 site in Latvia. The guide includes descriptions of more than 100 natural and cultural heritage sites, a variety of routes for walking, cycling, boating, bird and animal watching and driving.

Languages: English, Latvian

Shipping within Europe: 5,00 EUR

You can download the guide here

	With the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Community
	Co-financed Ministry of the Environment

Hiking map

The map covers 23 hiking routes with a total distance of more than 500 km. There are six popular hiking teritories with trails that are appropriate for different tastes. Most of the routes are 10km long and are along "corridors" made by nature or people. Some go along the seashore, others go down lovely forest roads or along river valleys which serve as good guideposts. The map also has information about 283 tourist accommodations.

Languages: English, Latvian

Shipping within Europe: 5,00 EUR

You can download the map here.

EEA logo

Supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism

A guide book for a water tourist.

As the first publication of such type in Latvia – the guide book is oriented on a wide variety of readers: not only the advanced water tourists, but also for the beginners in boating, who are in search of new and interesting ways to spend weekends here in Latvia.
The guide book includes popular water routes on 44 Latvian rivers, for example, Abava, Salaca, Amata, Gauja, Irbe, as well as less known, but because of that more interesting and intriguing rivers: Imula, Tebra, Saka, Vadakste and others. There are also 3 routes on 19 Latgalian lakes and even a boating trip along the shores of the Gulf of Riga. Also twenty eight short descriptions of nature areas of Natura 2000 and a summary map of routes are included.

Languages: Latvian

Shipping within Europe: 5,00 EUR

For more information about the placement in the guide book, go here.

Guide book “Guide book for bicycle travelers, Latvia”

A new “ Guide book for bicycle travelers, Latvia” has been published in the series “ Active Rest” It includes 20 bicycle routes that go along the protected nature areas as well as/or the areas of NATURA 2000 in Latvia. The guide book is oriented on those who would enjoy travelling and bike rest in Latvia.

Each bicycle route includes the following information:

•    The description of protected nature areas – NATURA 2000;
•    The description of the current tourism infrastructure;
•    Information about the route: where it is situated, the length, the supposed length of the trip, the availability of extra information, the type of road pavement, a short description, the most interesting sites, etc.;
•    Accommodation available in the proximity of the route;
•    A detailed map with a marked route;

Language: Latvian

Shipping within Europe: 5,00 EUR

Other publications Baltic States

	Baltic States road map Scale: 1:700 000 Size: 69x92 cm / 23x11,5 cm Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Price (shipping within Europe included): 7,00 EUR

Latvia

	Latvia road atlant Scale: 1:200 000 Size: 20,8 x 30 cm / 274 pages Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Languages: Latvia, Russian, English, German Price (shipping within Europe included): 30,00 EUR

	Riga address atlant Scale: 1:100 000; centre 1:5000 Size: 24x16,3 cm; 178 pages Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Languages: Latvian, English, Russian Price (shipping within Europe included): 22,00 EUR

	Riga city plan Scale: 1:20 000, centre 1:7000 Size: 92,6x118 cm / 23,2x11,8 cm Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Price (shipping within Europe included): 7,00 EUR

	Regional maps of Latvia Ziemeļvidzeme (North-East), Austrumvidzeme un Ziemeļlatgale (East), Viduslatvija (Central), Dienvidlatgale (South-East), Dienvidkurzeme (South-West), Ziemeļkurzeme (North-West) Scale: 1:200 000 Size: 59x84 cm / 23x12 cm Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Price (shipping within Europe included): 7,00 EUR

	District maps of Latvia Alūksne, Cēsis, Daugavpils, Dobele, Jelgava, Limbaži, Ogre, Preiļi, Rīga, Sigulda, Talsi, Tukums and Valmiera regions and Gauja National Park Scale: 1:100 000, for towns 1:10 000-1:25 000 Size: different Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Price (shipping within Europe included): 7,00 EUR (depending on region)

	Town plans of Latvia Aizpute, Baloži, Balvi, Bauska, Daugavpils, Grobiņa, Jēkabpils, Jūrmala, Kandava, Krāslava, Kuldīga, Liepāja, Limbaži, Mazsalaca, Ogre, Preiļi, Rēzekne, Rūjiena, Saldus, Sigulda, Smiltene, Strenči, Valka/Valga, Valmiera, Ventspils Scale: 1:15 000-1:25 000 Size: different Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Price (shipping within Europe included): 7,00 EUR

	Latvian Traditional Bath DVD + Book about the bathing traditions and herbs used in the bath Language: English, Latvian Price (shipping within Europe included): 37,00 EUR

Estonia

	Estonia road atlant Scale: 1:150 000 Size: A4, 309 pages Publisher: "Regio" Languages: Estonian, Russian, English Price (shipping within Europe included): 35,00 EUR

	Tallinn city plan Scale: 1:25 000, centre 1:10 000 Size: 92,6x118 cm / 23,2x11,8 cm Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Price (shipping within Europe included): 7,00 EUR

		Regional maps of Estonia 1) West-Estonia (Saaremma, Hiiumaa and other islands + Western coast) 2) South-Estonia (Tartu, Otepaa etc.) Scale: 1:180 000 Size: 11x23,5 cm Publisher: "Regio" Price (shipping within Europe included): 7,00 EUR

	Estonian travel guide for cyclists There are 3 cycling routes described in the guide and marked in the maps. Attached is a large estonia map, scale - 1:650 000. Size: 14,9x21 cm Publisher: "Regio" Available in English Price (shipping within Europe included): 27,00 EUR

	Estonia cycling map There are several cycling routes in Estonia marked in the map. Scale: 1:410 000 Size: 10x23 cm Publisher: "Regio" Price (shipping within Europe included): 7,00 EUR

	Lahemaa national park map Scale: 1:60 000 Size: 11x21cm Publisher: "Regio" Languages: English, German Price (shipping within Europe included): 9,00 EUR

	Estonian cruising guide There are all ports Estonias included in this guidebook with detailed descriptions and maps, where one can land with a sailing boat. Size: 17,5x25 cm, 175 pages Publisher: "Regio" Language: English Price (shipping within Europe included): 70 EUR

Lithuania

	Lithuania road atlant Scale: 1:200 000 Size: 21.5 x 30.5 cm, 228 pages Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Languages: Latvia, Russian, English, German Price (shipping within Europe included): 30,00 EUR

	Vilnius city plan Scale: 1:25 000, centre 1:10 000 Size: 92,6x118 cm / 23,2x11,8 cm Publisher: "Jāņa sēta" Price (shipping within Europe included): 7,00 EUR