Kurzeme: farming heritage in today’s life

Points of interest

• Dieniņas is a fisherman's farm where men have gone fishing for the past three generations.  Visitors can purchase smoked local fish, and groups of tourists can take part in an active leisure and cultural event at which nutritious fish dishes can be tasted.


• The Kurzemnieki farm grows and processes apples into dried apples, apple chips and apple juice.  You can take an informative tour and taste and buy the products.  The farm is in a lovely place -- the Hillocks of Talsi Nature Park.


• Talsi is said to have been built on nine hills and has unusual buildings and landscapes thanks to nine hillocks -- Pilskalns, Ķēniņkalns, Leču kalns, Tiguļu kalns, Sauleskalns, Baznīckalns, Krievragkalns, Vilkumuižas kalns and Dzirnavkalns.  After touring the city drop by the shop of the Talsi Dairy to buy its best known product -- Talsi Wheel cheese.


• The Latvian Agriculture Museum in Talsi offers a look to residents and guests about Latvia's countryside, the development of various agricultural sectors, as well as tangible and intangible evidence of farming and life in Latvia's countryside from the late 19th century to the present day.

Points of interest

• Be sure to visit Kuldīga, its bridge across the Venta River and the famous Venta waterfall.


• Bake bread at the Bērziņi homestead, where fantastically tasty wheat and rye bread is baked on the basis of ancient family recipes.  The taste and aroma of the bread are helped by a special bread baking oven that is more than 70 years old.  You can order bread in advance.  Contact the homestead in advance if you wish to bake your own loaf.


• Visit the steep shores of the Baltic Sea at Jūrkalne.


• Visit Dzintars Zamarītis to learn how to smoke fish.


• Ekovīni in Aizpute offers the cellar of a former baronial estate at which you can listen to stories about the art of winemaking at home.  You will taste rhubarb, black currant and strawberry wine together with local country goodies such as cheese.  The wine is made from produce that is provided by local farmers.

Points of interest

• Garīkas was the first farm to grow shiitake mushrooms.  Take a tour to get some advice about the process.  You will have a tasty meal of Emperor mushroom sauces or soups.


• The Milk Museum has been in the granary and cheese house of the former Sieksāte (Berghof) Estate since 1985, offering an exhibition to track the path of milk from the cow to finished dairy products.  You can try your hand at milking a cow and churning butter, after which you will be able to taste the results.  A garden of deer is also there.


• The Puteņi farm features fowl and pets that are typical of Latvia.  There is an organised trail down the "trail of Baron von Behr."  The lady of the house offers experiences related to annual rituals, as well as the secrets of making caraway seed cheese and other Latvian dishes.