The name's day of Rauna, the Ape town festival and slow enjoyment of flavours at the "Home Café Days" on August 21-22, in Smiltene

The new Smiltene Administrative District is made up of the former Smiltene, Rauna and Ape administrative districts.  In order to celebrate this unity, but also to emphasise the uniqueness of each former administrative districts, home café days in the Smiltene Administrative District will allow visitors to enjoy the sincerity and hospitality of people in Vidzeme.  August 21 will be a sweet celebration of Rauna's name's day, and visitors can also enjoy the Ape town festival.  You will love the local cakes and other goodies, as well as the hospitality that will be on display.  After an active Saturday at both ends of the administrative district, let's meet again in Smiltene on Sunday morning for a slow breakfast. 

Three lovely and flourishing tourist destinations with small towns and villages offering charm and characteristics.  They are all merged by patriotism and a sense of place. 

Everyone must visit Rauna. It is a place that cannot be described with a single word or flavour. When we hear the name of the town, we immediately think of Medieval ruins with a viewing tower, the noble Staburags cliff, nature and a vast bouquet of flavours. 

Ape offers the charm of a border town where friendships have been established between Latvians and Estonians.  Here you will find the beautiful Raganu cliffs, where you can stroll down the Vaidava nature trail and gain strength from nature.  You will find an old and large willow tree, learn about the achievements of noble spirits in Latvia, and meet with people whose hearts will be open to you. 

Smiltene, in turn, offers the dynamics of a small town, with active businesses, a surrounding landscape of hillocks and beautiful nature, as well as active leisure opportunities.  There are many bike trails, carting rinks, SUP boards, boats and lots of other opportunities for sports and competitions.

All events can be found under "Home Cafés" or on the "Map" (in Latvian). 
"Home Café Days" in the Smiltene Administrative District- BROCHURE (PDF).

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► What are "Home Café Days"?
The yards of farms and other places that are not linked to dining and accommodations on a daily basis will turn into cafés for a day or two.  Guests will be able to taste local foods to learn new flavours, as well as to enjoy an interesting cultural programme.  Each farm has families and/or friends who will prepare a special offer -- flatbreads, cakes, casseroles etc. to be served with tea or coffee.  Each farm will present the name of its café, and the products will be served with characteristic cultural characteristic and stories.  There will also be various cultural activities such as handicrafts, games, playing of musical instruments, etc.
► "Home Café Days" all over Latvia this year, from July until October >>> celotajs.lv/majaskafejnicas.

Please note: 

• When planning your route, you must get in touch with the desired destinations in advance. Contact information can be found in the sections "Home Cafés" and "Map".
• Make sure that you know the date and time when participants will be providing services.  Usually that will be between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, but some venues may have different opening times.
• Make sure that you keep national epidemiological rules in mind to protect yourself, the people you are visiting, and other visitors, as well. For timely information about the epidemiological situation, please visit www.spkc.gov.lv (the Latvian Sickness Prevention and Control Centre), or covid19.gov.lv.
• The epidemiological situation may mean that there will be changes in the offers. Visit "Home Cafés" or "Map", to click on specific offers and see whether that is so.
• At some of the "Home Cafés," payment will only be accepted in cash.

We hope all guests will experience truly exciting adventures of taste! 

"Home Café Days" in Latvia are organised by: