This swampy territory used to be part of a Littorena Sea lagoon, and it is a place where many rare and protected birds such as woodpeckers live and nest. Territory is hard to reach although some of the territory can be surveyed from the Tukums-Kolka road. Wet meadows is called "lankas" in Kurzeme region.

The only Art Nouveau building in Aluksne, built at the beginning of the 20th century, now works as a hotel. Historically, the building once housed a Railway hotel, so the original name of the hotel - "Bahnhofs Hotel" (transl. from German - "Railway" hotel) was kept.

The hotel has 9 rooms (some of which extra beds can be arranged). At an additional cost an English-style breakfast is available. Hotel guests are offered a half-hour free access to the swimming pool at hotel "Jolanta", which is nearby, as well as electric scooter and bicycle rental.

A banquet hall is also available for various events.

N.B. Hotel bookings must be made at least 12 hours before arrival.

Pärnamäe farm on Kihnu Island has won the title of most beautiful home four times. The owner is preparing traditional, home-made dishes, Kihnu bread and smoked fish that you can also buy at Kihnu port market. The accommodation is located in three comfortable cottages. In winter, unique Kihnu carpets are made here

Aptuveni 0,5 km dienvidos no Mežotnes pilskalna atrodas Vīna kalns, kas līdzīgi kā Mežotnes pilskalns, ir veidots, izmantojot Lielupes ielejas stāvās krastu nogāzes, tās pārveidojot. Vietvārds ir it kā radies no stāsta, ka šeit parādījies dievgalds ar maizi un vīnu. Vīna kalnu ar Mežotnes pilskalnu savieno jauka koka laipa, kas ved pa Lielupes ielejas pamatkrasta lejas daļu.

The first Catholic church in Ludza was built in 1687 and burned down.  A new wooden Baroque church was built in 1738, and because of its colourful interior it became known as the loveliest wooden house of worship in Latvia.  The church burned down during a great conflagration in 1938.  Work on the church that is there began in 1939, but it was only completed in the early 1990s.

After the establishment of the Livonian state, the pope consecrated this land in honour of the holy Virgin Mary.  This created Terra Mariana or Māra’s Land.  The road between Ludza, Rēzekne and Daugavpils runs along an ancient trading route that once connected Vilnius and Kaunas to Pskov and, later, to St Petersburg and Warsaw.

Very beautiful and poetically picturesque with rivers and lakes that are in Latvia’s forested land and among hillocks that offer a wonderful look at the distant horizon – that is Māra’s Land, which is also known as the Land of Blue Lakes.  Lake Rāzna is the second largest in Latvia, and when the weather is clear, Mākoņkalns Hill or Padebešu Hill is reflected in its water.  Atop the hill are the oldest ruins of fortifications in Latgale, dating back to the Livonian era.

Rēzekne is known as the heart of Latgale, because it has always been the centre for Lettigalian culture and education.  People contributed donations for the 1939 construction of a monument to Māra of Latgale.  It is dedicated to those who fell during Latvia’s independence battles and the liberation of Latgale.  The monument also speaks to the Catholic identity of Latgale.  The monument was rededicated on August 13, 1992, the date of the assumption of the Virgin Mary.  A Catholic festival at Aglona and the monument to Māra of Latgale – these are integral components of this part of Latvia.  The present day is marked out clearly by the new Gors concert hall in Rēzekne, and well as the Zeimuļš student interest education centre.

Daugavpils is Latvia’s second city and an important centre for industry, culture, education and sports.  The Daugavpils pellet factory is unique, and the oldest pellet casting tower in Europe is now open to visitors, as are the restored Daugavpils fortress and the new Rothko Museum.

Not far from Daugavpils are the small Birķeneļi semi-estate and the Rainis Museum.  Latgale was the “land of new days” for the poet, and the museum now hosts gatherings of young artists and craftspeople.  The ancient tradition of ceramic art that is typical specifically of this part of Latvia is still thriving.

This little building is on the left bank of the Venta River beyond the ancient brick bridge.  It is located at Pils Street 4.  The hut was built in 1735, using rocks from the damaged castle of the duke, and it was built on a terrace that is the last fragment of the walls that surrounded the castle.  Also known as the Hangman’s hut, the building was rebuilt during the 19th century.  It can only be viewed from the outside.

The first part of this section of the Forest Trail winds along the magnificent River Piusa valley, then, at Härmä Village, it turns towards Obinitsa, an important cultural centre of Setomaa, the Land of Setos. Here you can discover the traditions of the local Seto people, for example the fine handicraft of the Seto women. After Obinitsa, the Forest Trail leads through beautiful pine forests rich in heather, descends back into the depths of the River Piusa valley and ends at the Piusa caves. The Piusa sandstone caves are the result of hand-mining glass sand from 1922-1966. The biggest wintering colony of bats in Eastern Europe is located in the caves. When accompanied by the guide, you can visit the observation platform at the Museum cave.