Culinary routes

During this tour you experience the different ways of using milk either for edible products or body treatments.

From Riga, through historic sea and spa resort Jurmala, the route goes to goats farms where you taste cheeses as well as exclusive ice-cream from goats milk. Then visit Dundaga Castle and try local diary products there. At Roja experience local traditions having fishermen meal and attractions Then the route goes along unspoiled seaside beaches of Cape Kolka to well maintained town of Ventspils from where it turns inland to the picturesque Kuldiga with well preserved wooden architecture. Further on enjoy beautiful Milk Manor where you could experience lavish spa treatments based on milk. There is also Milk Museum located where you can follow the milk route from a cow to the tables, also possible to try some old fashioned practical jobs like butter making. Further on the tour turns sweet. Visit candy factory in Saldus where traditional hand-made toffees are made. Then on menu is ice-cream at Druva. Next - sightseeing at Jelgava which used to be the main seat of the Duke of Courland. Visit cheese producer at Eleja and before returning to Riga visit splendid Rundale Palace which is regarded as a beautiful pearl of the Baltics.

First the route goes to the birch juice and wine maker where you can taste this traditional and refreshing drink, then a goats farm where to taste various diary products and see the animals. Further on head to Sigulda with the Olympic Bobsled Track and three medieval castles located on the banks of the river Gauja - Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda. There is also a good network of picturesque walking trails. Then explore historic village of Ligatne established around the Paper Mill and visit local craftmen located in one of the caves typical for the area. Cesis is charming town with mighty medieval castle ruins and New Castle. Visit hemp grower and try the hemp prepared traditional way. Enjoy Koni Mill where wool is processed with old fashioned machines and warm blankets are hand-made. Visit crafts studio at Staicele and try to spot the stork colony with more that 30 nests along the road. At Mazsalaca where there is a nature park with trails featuring beautiful steep sandbanks of the river Salaca. The river is also famous for its lampreys and further on the route you could see the weirs for traditional lamprey catching. At Saulkrasti walk the Dune trail and enjoy the beach. Further on visit cranberry swamps where you can taste healthy berry in some form depending of the season. Visit elegant Birini Manor with huge park and great restaurant and return to Riga.

Latvians live in close connection with nature and annual circle of life. The ancient knowledge how to use the goodies of the nature is still very much alive. Wild mushroom and berry picking is very popular as well as collecting of herbs and flowers for teas and infusions. This tour is trying to give an insight of various angles how to use and enjoy nature's resources. The route goes to Kemeri National Park which is rich of flora and also interesting for its sulphur springs which water is used to improve several health related problems. Then you visit farm which specialises on herbs and teas where owner is keen to share her knowledge about different properties of the plants and how they can be used. Then there is a sightseeing at picturesque Kuldiga and proper fishermen soup on bone fire by the coast at Pavilosta. Next day short trip in the river by traditionally made fishermen boat and experience trip how to make meals using wild products. Sightseeing at Liepaja with white sandy beach and exiting military heritage. Overnight at the Pape Nature Reserve. There is a chance to fish in the lake and learn traditional fish smoking technique. Visit Rucava tradition house where you can feel and see ancient cultural environment and try typical meal. Then you visit Shitaki mushroom grower and could taste them. Afterwards visit to herbal tea growers and producers. Excursion to reproduction of ancient Semigalian Castle. Next day wild mushrooming expedition into forest awaits and preparation of collected ingredients. In the afternoon visit to the producer of products from birch juice where you could learn how to extract the juice from the birch tree and try its juice and sparkling wine. Then back to Riga.

From Riga the route goes to the goats farm where to enjoy funny and cute animals and try exclusive cheeses. Then visit Mālpils Manor and taste the selection of local cheeses made from cows' milk. Afterwards the route turns towards Daugava river to Skriveri for some gorgeous home made ice-cream and traditional hand-made toffees "Gotiņa". Further on head to the legendary Koknese castle ruins. Next day the route goes to the ethnographic working farmstead located in picturesque spot of Jaunpiebalga and family cheese and macaroni production in Rauna. Nearby there are clay production established within the former brick factory where the hand-made ceramics creation can be observed. Then sightseeing in Cesis with its old town and medieval Livonian Order Castle. Further on the route goes to hemp growing farm where to taste them prepared traditional way. Then you have an excursion and tasting at the Rujiena ice-cream factory. Stay at the former mill where ancient wool processing equipment are still used and can be seen. Heading back to Riga the route follows the coast line. Visit the museum of the biggest liar in the world - Munchausen, where you are entertained with his fantastic adventure stories, visit the lamprey fishermen and have a stroll on sandy beach.

Here you will learn about home-based manufacturers, farms, companies and others in northern Vidzeme that produce various dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, ice cream, etc.  You’ll start out in Cēsis with its Medieval old town, castle ruins, St John’s Lutheran Church and other destinations.  Wind your way through the Gauja National Park (Ungurmuiža, Lake Ungurs, the Medieval castle and church at Straupe).  You’ll hit the seashore at Saulkrasti and then drive along it to Tūja, where you will turn inland again.  In Limbaži you will find Medieval castle ruins, a monument to the great folklorist Krišjānis Barons and other objects.  Drive on to Valmiera (St Simon’s Church, castle ruins, a museum, Emotion Park, etc.), Rūjiena and Naukšēni (the Naukšēni Estate).  Along the “Northern Pathway” you will reach Kārķi and then Smiltene and legendary Rauna (the Raunas Staburags cliff) before returning to your starting point.

From Riga the tour goes through historic sea resort Jurmala to Pure Chocolate museum where you could see production and taste some. Then the tour goes to Sabile where there is small Wine Hill which history dates back to 16th century. You visit local wine producer who will show his gardens and talk about grape growing in the Latvian climate nowadays. Afterwards tasting of the seasonally available drinks. Then you visit small picturesque town Kuldiga and have some wine tasting there. Next day there are eco wine tasting at Aizpute and Durbe and then go to the city of Liepaja with lovely sandy beach, arty atmosphere and significant military heritage at Karaosta suburb. Then the route follows up the coast line. At Pavilosta you have a trip in traditional fishermen boat and at Alsunga singing and demonstration of local traditions by Suiti women. Culturally colourful community which heritage is listed in UNESCO. Then walk along the steep sea cost at Jurkalne and enjoy the best maintained port town of Ventspils. Next day there is a visit to local fishermen and see fish smoking process, then walk along Cape Kolka where the open sea meets the Riga Bay. Turning back to Riga you have a visit and tasting at wine maker in Talsi.