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This is the ancient shore of the Baltic Ice Lake. We can only imagine the landscape 10,000 years ago, when the Kurzeme peninsula was covered with vegetation reminiscent of a tundra, and waves from the icy lake dashed against the ancient shoreline. We know that the lake was full of icebergs of various sizes. Today the cliff is more than 20 km long (some 9 km of it are in the Slītere National Park), and it is as much as 42 m high. It is the most impressive cliff of its type in all of Latvia. At the foot of the cliff are the Irve flatlands (the name comes from the Liv 'īrva' or 'īra', both of which refer to deer). The flatlands are the former bottom of the Baltic Ice Lake. The Blue Hills are crossed by many small streams and rivers (Pitragupe, Lorumupe, Kaļķupe, Mazupe, etc.). Their valleys are the basis for a branched and very complicated system of waterways which look particularly impressive when the trees are bare. In many places the cliffs and valleys display small areas of sandstone from the Narva suite. These are Latvia's oldest sediment cliffs that can be seen above ground. Although the Blue Hills are very impressive in scope, there are only a few places where there are important viewing areas (a viewing tower at the Dundaga-Mazirbe road, the view from the Šlītere lighthouse, the view from Mežlīdumi). The mightiness of the ancient shoreline can truly be enjoyed from the Cirste-Mazirbe road, the Cirste-Riepaldi road, Mežlīdumi and the Vīdala-Melnsils road). It is worth visiting the area in the springtime, when the slopes of the Blue Hills seem to be sinking under the fresh greenery. |
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This area is full of coastline meadows, lagoons, muddy little lakes and sandy shallows, all full of reeds. This area of the eastern shore of the Bay of Rīga is found between Ainaži and Kuiviži. The Randa meadows are an enormously important location for water birds and rare plants – some 500 in all. A new bird-watching tower and a nature trail have been established for those who wish to study the meadows.
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The farm has a garden with medicinal plants and herbs, and a collection of vegetables and decorative plants used in cooking. Guided walks can be supplemented with delicious herb teas and herb pies if booked in advance. The farm shop has a vast selection of preserves of berries, vegetables, herbs, herb teas and herb mixes. |
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The nature reserve “Plieņciema kāpa” is founded in 1987 and covers 60.6 hectares of land. Since 2005 it is a Natura2000 site. The nature reserve protects a 150-200m wide and 3.5km long part of a distinct, continuous dune rampart. The dunes shelter Plieņciems village protecting from sea winds. The key natural values here are rare and protected biotopes of national and European significance: “Wooded dunes of the coast 2180” in the area of 61.8 ha, “Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation, 2130 (grey dunes)” in the area of 8.27 ha, “Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes) 2120 in the area of 3.20 ha”, “Black alder swamp forests 9080”, ) in the area of 2,68 ha, as well as rare and protected species of Latvian and European significance including eastern pasqueflower (pulsatilla patens), Rolling Hen-and-chicks(Jovibarba sobolifera), Nothorhina muricata, Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), Woodlark (Lullula arborea). In the nature reserve, there is a “Vabu square” – a deflation in the dune where for centuries local fishermen have been drying nets. In the 18th and 19th centuries ships were built here. Nine ships have been built here in 1882 - 1925. The four-masted gaff-rigged schooner with hoisting engine “Eurasia” was completed in 1925, the largest ship built by the Kurzeme fishermen. It was one of the works of Martin Morgenstern (1866-1945), a famous shipbuilding master. Thanks to dunes, Plieņciems village was a popular holiday resort and has been mentioned in written sources already in 1738. Clergymen and landlords with their families used to stay here. In 1808, a merchant from Riga bought the local pub and replaced it with a massive two-storey building with a large ball-room and dining hall. On July 15, 1810, a sea bathing facility was opened for health treatment. For arrival of the empress Elisabeth Alexeievna, the wife of emperor Alexander I of Russia, who was a grandson of Catherine the Great, the road from Tukums town was repaired, the two highest hills were levelled, a road passage was dug across the Plieņciems dune, and a lime-tree alley was planted to facilitate access to the beach and bathing spot. Later, in 1920ies, the resort circles consisted mainly of the Kurzeme region landlords. There was a dance-floor in the park of Plieņciems village, and a special orchestra played music for resort guests three times a day. |
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The cafeteria is in the centre of Krāslava next to A6 highway. It has been recognized as one of the environment friendly enterprises in Latvia. Contact the cafeteria in advance to be served Lettigalian dishes in clay dishes. The cafeteria also has a bakery. |
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Preiļos, blakus viesu namam „Pie Pliča” (Raiņa bulvāris) ikviens var apskatīt un ieiet Latgales un Latvijas mazākajā dievnamā – kapelā. |
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The bistro is 130 m from the Bērzkrogs crossing (opposite the Statoil petrol station). It works with local producers of ingredients that can be tasted or bought at the bistro. Souvenirs are also available. Latvian cuisine: Grey peas with bacon, grit porridge. |
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Kretoņu (Kretuonas) ezera dienvidu krastā (ezeru gan neredz aizauguma dēļ) meklējams Kretoņu ciems. Šķiet, ka šī vieta ir „aizķērusies" pagātnē. Cauri ciemam iet viena iela, kurai abās pusēs izvietojušās 19. – 20. gs. mijā (dažas pat mazliet agrāk – 19. gs. vidū) celtās saimniecības. Te redzamas gan dzīvojamās, gan saimniecības ēkas, kuras rada etnogrāfiska brīvdabas muzeja sajūtu. Dažas no tām gan ir „padevušās" laika zobam. Lai vai kā, šis ir viens no neparastākajiem nacionālā parka etnogrāfiskajiem ciemiem, kuru pa „galveno ielu" vērts izstaigāt visā garumā. Šim, tāpat kā pārējiem etnogrāfiskajiem ciemiem ir piešķirts kultūras mantojuma objekta statuss. |
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Rokdarbniece Vineta Meistere piedāvā apskatīt, pasūtīt un nopirkt gleznas, dienasgrāmatas un recepšu grāmatas, kas izšūtas krustdūriena tehnikā. |
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Piltene is one of the smallest and oldest cities in Latvia, first mentioned in 1295, and being granted the rights of a city in 1557. Between the 14th and 16th century, Piltene was the administrative centre for the Bishopric of Kurzeme. The historical streets that surround the castle ruins feature wooden buildings from the first half of the 19th century. The bishop’s castle in Piltene was built at the turn of the 14th century and used until the 16th century. Only its foundations and fragments of its tower on the banks of the Vecventa River survive. |
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This is a unique open-air museum in South Estonia with displays on farming and school life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its 5 ha grounds comprise a school, a court and a poorhouse with outbuildings, a communal granary, dwelling houses, and a Dutch windmill. Farm tools and machinery are also displayed. |
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Zemnieku saimniecībā "Rudzīši" iespējams apskatīt dažādus mājputnus - vistas, tītarus, dažādu šķirņu pīles un zosis. Mini zoo mīt arī cūkas, aitas un kazas. Tiek piedāvāta izjāde ar poniju, kā arī iespēja pārnakšņot brīvdienu mājā. |
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Piedāvā ļoti gardus Lietuviešu tradicionālos ēdienus. Var pieņemt līdz 80 personām. Pieņem bankas kartes, ir āra terase un dzīvā mūzika. Pieejama autostāvvieta. |
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The Krimulda Castle was built in the latter half of the 13th century. It was located where the right bank of the ancient Gauja River valley is split by the deep Vikmeste ravine. The castle was owned by the council of archbishops from Rīga, and it was an impressive structure with a large interior courtyard and a defensive wall that was 1.5 m thick. The Swedish military blew up the castle when retreating in 1601. Today the castle hill is forested, and only a small fragment of the castle wall can still be seen. It is near the ruins that you will find the Sigulda aerial tram and the Krimulda serpentine road – the only object of its kind in the Baltic States. |
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This is a swamp into which sulphurous waters flow, and it is on the left bank of the Abava River valley. This is the only place in Latvia where the protected shrubby cinquefoil is found in the wild. This bush covers approximately one-fifth of the restricted territory. It also includes forests, various kinds of meadows and sulphurous streams, including the one which is known as the Devil’s Eye. |
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he wetland meadows that are around the Pededze River are the site of this 200 ha farm with some 350 red deer, other deer and wild boar. There are towers from which you can watch the graceful animals, and there are ponds for commercial fishing. Please contact the owner well in advance for a tour. |
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The Daugava is the largest river in Latvia and the river of destiny for the Latvian people. Since the end of the Ice Age, plants and animals travelled into what is now Latvia along the Daugava River valley, followed then by humans. The shores of the river have some of the oldest settlements in Latvia, as well as a true wealth of different kinds of plants. The density of outstanding cultural and historical monuments is why tourists love the shores of the river. The Rīga-Daugavpils rail line offers comfortable travel between Rīga and Jēkabpils. Below, find other train stations where it is worth disembarking to take circular hikes that last for a few hours or half a day before returning to the station. Route information from Latvijas Lauku forums |
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This museum was established in 2014 in partnership with the Siauliai University botanical garden. The museum is 85 m long and 40 m wide on a territory that covers 0.34 ha. |
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This is a unique opportunity to watch the work of various craftspeople (amber workers, jewellers, weavers, seamstresses, etc.) and purchase their masterful work. You will see the world’s longest amber necklace (123 m, 19 kg!!), which was made with bits of amber that were contributed by local residents. Creative workshops are organised for children. |
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Some 250 deer graze on 100 ha of land in the Umurga Parish. The farm also offers a look at peacocks, rabbits, sheep, goats and a pony. Biological products are on sale, and visitors are welcome all year round.
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