Cycling

Activities on this tour are cycling, walking and canoeing.

If you enjoy an active lifestyle then this tour is the perfect way to enjoy the heritage hidden in the Gauja National Park, from several different perspectives. Cycling starts at Strenči and passses two local breweries at Brenguļi and Valmiermuiža with nice cafes and good beer. From Valmiera the route goes through beautiful forest to Cēsis with its charming medieval Old Town. Canoeing takes place from Cēsis to Līgatne, which is one of the nicest parts of the Gauja river with its sandstone banks, remote farmsteads and old fashioned water-powered ferry. Ligatne historic centre is connected with the development of its paper mill. Here you can also visit local wine and handicraft producers located in one of the artificial caves typical of the area. Walking the Ligatne Nature trails to see local wild animals in a forest setting. Cycling the surprisingly hilly, winding roads of Sigulda, you'll see Turaida and Sigulda medieval castles, Gutmana Cave and other picturesque views.

To start the tour you take a train from Riga to Liepaja, a city with white sandy beaches and a lively cafe culture. The route goes through suburbs of Liepaja to the former millitary town where you see the Orthodox cathederal, old naval fortifications, former barracks and an imposing military prison which is now a tourism site. Pavilosta is a small seaside town and a favourite with windsurfers. Next the route follows the picturesque coastline, including steep banks at Jurkalne and finishes at the well-maintained town of Ventspils. Then along to fishing villages that are home to the tiny Finno-Ugric ethnic group, the Livs. At Cape Kolka the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga. Here, sampling the local smoked fish is a must. Further on, the route crosses three different types of sea shore – the stony beach at Kaltene, a sandy one at Upesgriva and coastal meadows at Engure. Finish with the trails at Kemeri National Park and return to Riga from the popular resort town of Jūrmala.

On this tour there are the finest cultural and historical heritage left behind over the course of several centuries – medieval castles, different manors and splendid palaces. Part of the route goes through Gauja National Park with some excellent views of meadows and ancient forest, where  farmsteads carry on with their unchanging lives. A picturesque road connects three castles - Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda - situated on the high valley sides of the Gauja river. Further on, the road passes one of the oldest churches in Latvia and heads to two attractive 19th century manors at Birini and Igate. Next day, relax in luxury at Dikļi manor hotel. The tour then goes through charming medieval town Cesis with mighty castle ruins and a newer castle alomgside.

The other part of the tour makes a loop formed by Zemgale's distinctive castles and palaces. It includes Jaunpils Castle, barely changed since medieval times, Dobele Castle ruins and Tervete ancient hillock. Located a short ride from each other are 15th century Bauska Castle, strategically situated between two rivers, the classically styled Mežotne Palace hotel and the most famous pearl in the Baltics - splendid baroque and rococo style Rundāle Palace surrounded by a French park.

Маршрут проходит через Национальный парк Гауя, который расположен на двух берегах древней долины реки Гауя. Обрывы из песчаника и пещеры, холмистый ландшафт и дремучие леса, а также замки — это неотъемлемая характеристика парка. Позже,в поместье Игате, остановитесь на обед в их таверне, расположенной на мельнице, и отведайте традиционную латвийскую кухню. Затем маршрут поворачивает к побережью, принадлежащему Резервату Биосферы Северного Видземе, и продолжается вдоль старых эстонских рыбацких деревень, прежде чем доходит до морского курорта Пярну с его элегантными виллами. Затем вас ждет день на природе в Национальном парке Соомаа под руководством гида, где вы сможете прогуляться по болоту в специальной старомодной обуви и поплавать на байдарках. А далее по маршруту вы проедете мимо Поотси с его поместьем 19 века и старинную деревню Варбла. Переедьте на пароме на остров Муху и остановитесь в этнографической рыбацкой деревне Когува на пару дней, для того, чтобы ознакомиться с местностью. Затем отправьтесь на велосипеде вдоль дамбы на остров Сааремаа, откуда вы сможете на пароме переправиться на спокойный остров Хиумаа и провести там день в атмосфере истинно эстонского духа. А по возвращении на Сааремаа, вас ждет свободный день для знакомства со столицей острова Курессааре, с его многообразием спа и релаксационных заведений. Затем на автобусе держите путь на Таллинн, очаровательный город с его средневековым Старым Городом. Оттуда направляйтесь на день на бывшую военную базу на острове Найссаар, где специальные маршруты для велосипедистов знакомят с его военной историей, рудником и природными резерватами.

The route includes some of the most authentic local expediencies travelling through blue lake districts along the Eastern part of Latvia and Lithuania. This is a region where mass tourism has not yet arrived, and you find very sincere and hospitable people, traditional villages, many churches and cult locations which bring together paganism, Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, Russian Orthodoxy and Old believers, 
The route weaves through the Rāzna National Park surrounding lake Rāzna which provide scenic views, contains traditional farmsteads and ancient castle mounds. There is Aglona Basilica, pilgrimage place and Bread Museum worthwhile a visit. The route goes through Daugavpils with impressive 19th century' s fortress where the Art Centre of the world's famous abstractionist Mark Rothko is located.  Several pottery workshops producing traditional “black” ceramics are along the way. 
The route continues through Aukštaitija National Park across the border in Lithuania. It goes through ethnographic villages, along wooden churches and many lakes. Ancient Bee-keeping Museum at Stripeikiai is worthwhile a visit. To keep the contrast the route goes also to European Park, an open-air contemporary art museum and the centre of Europe.
Surely, you will taste the local beer of Latgale in Latvia and traditional dish Cepelinai in Lithuania.