Self-drive tours
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The „Mill Tour“ through Latvia and EstoniaLatvia, Estonia (10 days, ~1300 km)Before the 19th century, every household in Latvia and Estonia had own hand mill to make flour. Windmills have been used from the 13th century, however, the milling business really flourished only in the end of the 19th century, when peasants were allowed to mill their corn and pay in money or in grain. Earlier windmills belonged to the estates, but after abolition of bondage, the former peasants could buy the land and build their own mills. Like everywhere in Europe, also in the Baltics, the mills were driven by wind, water, steam, engine or electricity. Up to this day, many of the old mills serve to mill grain, process wool, produce electrical power, or are converted into guesthouses. Make sure yourselves of how different and attractive the old mills in the Baltics are! Read more about protected nature areas en route in the description below. |
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1st day / Arrival in RīgaArrival.Optional: pick up the hired car**. Rīga city sightseeing. Pick up the maps and information package from the hotel reception. Overnight in hotel Ekes Konvents in Rīga, in the Old city. |
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2nd day / Rīga – Bauska (~140km, 90% asphalt)
Breakfast.
Time to explore Rīga city on your own. In the afternoon drive: Rīga – Vecumnieki - Skaistkalne - Bauska Sights and attractions en route: • Poultry farm „Dobuļi“ • Bauska castle ruins from the 15th century. • Farm and agricultural machinery museum in Uzvara. Overnight and possible dinner in the hotel Rožmalas (Ribbe wind mill) near Bauska. |
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3rd day /Bauska – Rundāle – Strazde (~200km, 90% asphalt)Breakfast.Drive: Bauska – Pilsrundāle – Eleja – Kroņauce – Auce – Biksti – Jaunpils - Tukums- Strazde Sights and attractions en route: • The pearl of baroque and rococo styles - Rundāle palace • Tērvete nature park with hiking trails featuring fairy-tail personages as wooden sculptures. • Mill pond in Kroņauce • Bēne watermill and romantic bridge over the Auce river • Zebrus Lake - one of the legendary lakes in Zemgale region with an impressing hillfort. • Jaunpils – Livonian Order castle (built in 1301) surrounded by the water. Overnight in guest house Ūdensdzirnavas (Watermill) in Strazde surroundings. |
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4th day / Strazde – Kuldīga – Ventspils (~150km, 95 % asphalt)Breakfast
Drive: Strazde – Kandava – Sabile – Kuldīga – Zlēkas – Ventspils
Sights and attractions en route: • Ancient Abava river valley with open air museum of modern art in Pedvale • The Drubazu botany trail in the ancient Abava river valley. • Castle hill with ruins and 13 century gunpowder tower in Kandava • Winehill in Sabile – one of the most northern spots where grapes for wine are raised • Kuldīga (Goldingen) charming old town from the 13th-14th century on the banks of the river Aleksa. • Riežupe sand caves - the longest underground labyrinth, open for visitors (460m) • Īvandes watermill • Steep banks of the Baltic sea at Jūrkalne • Sightseeing in Ventspils, an important sea port city • Open-air museum where visitors can see how traditional Latvian fishermen lived. Overnight in the guest house Kupfernams in Ventspils. |
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5th day / Ventspils – Saaremaa island - Kuressaare (~100km, 90 % asphalt)Breakfast.10:00 Ferry Ventspils – Mõntu (e.g. 18.06.-31.08.2007, on wednesday and thursday, 4h, recomended to book the ticket in advance) Drive: Mõntu – Sääre- Kuressaare Sights and attractions en route: • Sõrve horn on the west of the Saaremaa island (the former Military base of the Soviet army) (1,5h) • Wind power generator on the way from Montu to Sõrve horn • Oak-groves in Loode – the most frequent trees on the island are juniperus, but in Loode is the only place where 150- 300 year old oaks are growing. • Sightseeing of Kuressaare city – a visit to the bishopric castle is recommendable Overnight in the hotel Arensburg Boutique & Spa in Kuressaare. |
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6th day / Kuressaare – Koguva – Pivarootsi (~145km, 65 % asphalt)Breakfast.Drive: Kuressaare – Kaali – Angla – Leisi- Orissaare - Koguva - Kuivastu – Pivarootsi Sights and attractions en route: • Kaali Meteoritkrater – one of the major in Europe (diameter - 110 m, depth – 22 m). • Kaarja church – Saaremaa's smallest church that dates from the Middle Ages, dating to the 14th century. • Angla Windmill – the only remaining windmill hill on Saaremaa. • Eemu windmill is located on the island of Muhu. It is a working windmill, now operated as a museum and recognized as the symbol of Saaremaa. • The ethnographic fishermen’s village Koguva on the Muhu island. Ferry: Kuivastu - Virtsu (0,5h). Overnight in guesthouse Pivarootsi Tuulik (Pivarootsi mill). |
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7th day / Pivarootsi – Pärnu – Ķoņi (~170km, 90 % asphalt)Breakfast.Drive: Pivarootsi – Pärnu – Kilingi-Nõmme – Moisaküla – Ipiķi – Rūjiena – Ķoņi Sights and attractions en route: • Sightseeing of Pärnu city - in summer it becomes Estonia’s capital and also a place for music and art festivals. • We suggest to have a lunch in the old post tavern „Postipoiss“ • Watermill in Viisireiu in Tali village Overnight in the guesthouse Ķoņu dzirnavas (Ķoņu mill). |
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8th day / Ķoņi – Cēsis - Nītaure (~180km, 85 % asphalt)Breakfast.Drive: Ķoņi - Valmiera – Cēsis – Āraiši – Augšlīgatne - Nītaure Sights and attractions en route: • Naukšēni manor (built in 1843) with park and several household buildings • Jēču mill and nature trail • Burtnieku windmill • Cēsis Old Town and Livonian Order castle ruins • Āraiši lake fortification and Dutch style windmill built in the 19th century. • Ieriķu watermill ruins and nature trail alond the river and waterfalls. Overnight in the guesthouse Nītaures dzirnavas (Nītaure watermill). |
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9th day / Nītaure – Sigulda - Rīga (~150km, 80% asphalt)Breakfast.Drive: Nītaure – More – Sigulda – Bīriņi (or Igate) – Saulkrasti - Rīga Sights and attractions en route: • Deer garden „Saulstari“ in More • Time to explore Sigulda city on your own - castle ruins, air cable car from Sigulda to Krimulda, trails along the scenic sightseeing places • Turaida museum - bishop’s castle with viewing platform and sculpture garden on the banks of the Gauja river • Bīriņi castle (built 1857-1860). It is possible to take a walk in the park, rent a boat and do horseback riding • Neorenaissance style Igate castle (built 1880) – with romantic park and old watermill. Today, there is the „Dzirnavu krodziņs“ (Mill tavern) where you can taste latvian national cuisine • Nature trail over the dunes and through the pine forest in Saulkrasti Overnight in hotel Ekes Konvents in Rīga, in the Old city. |
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10th day / RīgaBreakfast.Individual departure or extra days in Riga or in the countryside in Latvia. |
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Package price: from 545.00 EUR**Minimum number of persons - 2.*A price of the tour can change in case the planned guest houses/hotels are fully booked and we have to choose other accommodation sites. *Prices may change due to changes in national tax legislation or other independent reasons. Services included in the package price:
Extra costs not included in the package price:
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| Information & booking - tel: +371 67617600, e-mail: lauku@celotajs.lv | |
