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The tower is on the banks of the little Tērvete River, with a view of the river valley and surrounding forests. Good views of the Tērvete River valley are also available from the nearby Zviedru Hill and the Tērvete castle hill. Note: The viewing tower at the Tērvete Ancient History Museum is not open to visitors!
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This route includes some of the most authentic experiences that can be found in the regions of blue lakes in eastern Latvia and Lithuania. No masses of tourists are here, and local residents are sincere and hospitable. You will find traditional villages, many religious objects and farms that represent agricultural heritage. You will ride through the Rāzna National Park, which is alongside the lovely Lake Rāzna. You will visit traditional farms and ancient castles, as well as the Aglona Basilica, which has been a destination for pilgrims for many years. There is also a bread museum in Aglona. From there you will ride through Daugavpils, which has an impressive 19th century fortress that includes the Mark Rothko Art Centre. Along the way you will find potteries where traditional ceramics are offered. You will learn more about breeding horses and cows, as well as about how traditional cheeses are made and herbal teas are prepared. Next you will ride through the Aukštaitija National Park that is on the border between Latvia and Lithuania. You will see ethnographic villages with wooden castles, as well as many lakes. It is worth visiting the Stripikiai Beekeeping Museum, the local open-air art museum, as well as the European Centre. To be sure, you will enjoy local Lettigalian beer, as well as zeppelins, which are a traditional dish in Lithuania. |
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The tour starts at former Hanseatic port town Gdansk with its pretty Old Town, then continues to Malbork, an impressive fortified medieval castle and on to laid-back Formbrok with a magnificient Gothic cathederal. The route crosses the Mazurianlake district where hundreds of lakes are connected to rivers and canals, best expereinced from the deck of a boat. Continue to Wigry National Park with walking trails and interesting archaeological and cultural remains. Further into Lithuania, Dzukija National Park has several well preserved traditional farmsteads and villages which are well worth a visit. It's a good place to experience Lithuanian crafts and traditions, for instance bee keeping. Then the route goes via Kaunas to the Curonian Spit formed by shifting sand dunes between its lagoon and the sea. Pretty little villages are located along its length. Next the route goes to the sea resort Palanga with a great Amber Museum and on to Latvia. Stop at Pape Nature Park, a diverse mosaic of nature’s ecosystems, where wild horses and oxen breed. Slītere National Park shows the historical development of the Baltic Sea. Cape Kolka is a prime spot for bird migrations, Slītere lighthouse provides a great view of the surrounding forests and traditonal Liv villages, one of the smallest ethnic groups in the world. The Ķemeri National Park includes different types of wetlands and vast bogs. It is famous for its sulphur springs. Walk a Great Heath trail there and try the curative spring water. Further on Gauja National Park is formed around the ancient valley of the Gauja river with picturesque sandstone cliffs from the Devonian period. Here are many historic monuments – medieval castles, churches and ancient settlements which you can see crossing the valley on a cable car. Ligatne Nature trails offer a chance to observe local wild animals. Saaremaa's landscape is characterised by large juniper growths, dolomite cliffs, windmills, medieval churches and the famous Kaali meteorite lake. It also retains a very Estonian soul. Sooma National Park has contrasting swamps. Walk a beaver trail there and try 'bog-shoeing'. Lahemaa National Park has a rugged coastal andscape with big boulders, traditional fishing villages, forest trails and romantic manor houses. From Tallin take a ferry to Helsinki, from where it is an easy trip to Nuuksio National Park, home to an endangered flying squirrel. The landscape here is dominated by valleys and gorges, rocky hills covered by lichen and sparse pine forest that is very different to the previous parks. Well-equipped walking trails have several scenic views. |
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Organic farm "Mežvijas" is engaged in vegetable growing, fruit growing and beekeeping and their processing - dried vegetables, berries, fruits, spice mixtures, candies, juices, syrups. |
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This tour will give you an impression of the eastern part of Latvia, which is less populated and also less popular among tourists. You will first arrive in Aluksne and explore the town, which is located at Alūksne highland, on the shore of Lake Alūksne. It is worth visiting Temple Hill – an old Latgalian castle mound and the place of the old town, Sun bridge, and the Castle manor park, Alūksne Lutheran Church and the Bible Museum. After staying there overnight you will go by bus to the start point of the hike in Ape. This Forest Trail section winds through a hilly farmland landscape, then enters a large dark forest, occasionally interrupted by the blue surfaces of lakes. After Peļļi, it crosses the Latvian/Estonian border and winds along the shores of the lakes Smilšājs, Sūneklis and Ilgājs for 2 km on the Estonian side, known as Paganamaa (translation: Devil's Land). There it descends and enters the Korneti-Peļļi subglacial depression, one of the most impressive ravines in Latvia. The Forest Trail returns to Latvia at Lake Ilgājs and, after a steep climb, takes you through a hilly area to the Drusku castle mound. Here you can enjoy a beautiful view. At the end of this tour, you will reach Korneti. The section is located in the protected landscape area “Veclaicene”. |
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The Rubeņu (Rubenes) park dates back to the mid-1950s and is toward the north of Rubeņi, on the banks of the little Dzirnavupīte River. There are beautiful ponds, a stage, a rock garden and a playground for the kids. The cultural centre that is alongside the park features a monument to the poet Rainis which was unveiled during Poetry Days in 1969 and was produced by the sculptor Kārlis Baumanis. |
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This church was built between 1900 and 1903 in the Byzantine style, and was meant for the local military garrison. The church, which was built to honour St Nicholas, patron saint of all seamen, and it was consecrated in the presence of Tsar Nicholas II. The ornate building was sacked by the Germans during World War I. During Latvia’s period of independence, the cathedral was used by the local military garrison. The Soviet military, in turn, turned into a sports hall, a cinema for sailors, and a warehouse. There are stories to say that Soviet soldiers broke off bits of the golden mosaic of the icons in the church. The building has now been returned to an Orthodox congregation. The builders of the cathedral used a unique way of pouring cement, which is why there are no supporting columns in the church. Instead, its weight is bolstered by its walls, with four arched vaults supporting them. It is the tallest Orthodox cathedral in Latvia at this time.
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One of the largest tank bases in the Baltic War District was located during Soviet times just South of Gardene. The territory has largely been abandoned, and there are just a few remnants of the buildings that were once there. If you drive down the Dobele-Annenieki road, you will find a paved military road splitting off from it. It is still used today. The buildings and urban planning of Gardene are also of interest – during the Soviet era, soldiers and their families lived there.
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The guesthouse breeds cattle, grows fruits and vegetables, produces dairy and meat products, boils cheese on a campfire, teaches people how to make cheese, bakes bread according to ancient recipes, and offers Lettigalian weddings. |
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Wooden slat weaving workshop is located in Jelgava county, Sesava parish. Craftswoman is making different type of wooden slat baskets and basketry from pine, linden, aspen and black alder. There are several different categories of baskets, available in different sizes - picknick baskets, baskets for berry and mushroom picking, trays, baskets for firewood, laundry baskets, onion / garlic baskets, baskets for kids, and diverse baskets for daily use. Various inscriptions and drawings are also made on the weavings. They also accept orders for individual orders. In the workshop it is possible to see the wooden slat basket weaving process as well as have the opportunity to learn to make your own basket. |
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Dendrological plantings by Māris Linde are located in Aizpute, about 1km to the south-west of the town centre. Under trees, there is a decorative garden showing rare tree and flower cultivars. The owner shares attractive stories about the plant varieties in his garden. Visitors can buy plants and learn about the books written by Māris Linde. |
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The forests of Zvārde are located on land which used to be a Soviet air base. The territory was unpopulated and was not accessible to civilians. The vast area includes various types of forest - boreal forest, bogs of black alder, etc. The fact that the military used to control the territory is one of the reasons why the forests of Zvārde are a location where many rare and protected birds live, reproduce and find food. Some of the elements of the old air base are still in place, including a unique surveillance platform. It is recommended that visitors to the area drive only along general use roads. |
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Latvia’s highest hill is the second highest in the Baltic States, but alas, it has only a wrecked viewing tower, so you’ll have to look for the best views on your own. You’ll find some around the tower and the ski trails, particularly Large and Small Golgotha. It is worth hiking the Gaiziņkalns nature trail.
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The owner produces honey and related products such as pollen and propolis, honey wine, and an alcoholic beverage called “Bee’s Kiss.” You can take a tour of the beekeeping operations and purchase the products. |
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Atrodas 0,9 km ziemeļrietumos no Dzērbenes centra. Tagadējais muižas komplekss veidojies 14. gs. celtās un 1577. g. nopostītās mūra pils vietā. Muižas pils (18. gs. beigas, klasicisma stils) savā pastāvēšanas laikā piedzīvojusi vairākkārtīgu nopostīšanu (1905. g., Pirmajā pasaules karā) un tai sekojošu atjaunotni. 19. gs. beigās tai tapa piebūve – iespaidīgs četrstūru neogotikas stila tornis. Laikā no 1927. - 1975. g. pilī darbojās lauksaimniecības skola, tagad - Dzērbenes pagasta pārvalde, Tautas nams un mūzikas skola. Pili ieskauj parks ar septiņu dīķu kaskādi. No kādreiz iespaidīgā laukakmeņu žoga saglabājušies vien pils vārtu stabi. Dažādā stāvoklī (arī avārijas) atrodas citas muižas ēkas. 2010. gadā tika veikta pils iekštelpu un ārējās fasādes restaurācija. Iepriekš piesakoties, tiek piedāvāta gida vadīta ekskursija un piedzīvojums muižā iekārtotajā spoku kambarī. |
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Sudrabkalni – a former pharmacy and medical treatment facility until the late
1980s, then an elementary school, and now a private residence.
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The basic exhibition at the museum, “Traditions Related to the Sewing and Wearing of Bārta Folk Costumes From the 19th to the 21st Century”, features folk costumes for unmarried and married women, as well as for men, emphasising the diversity of elements therein. Visitors can help to embroider or weave blouses. The Bārta Ethnographic Ensemble offers two educational programmes – “The Bārta Folk Costume” and “Singing Women From Bārta”. |
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The owners have made sure that everyone can buy fresh and processed fishery products from local producers. During the summer, on the terrace, you can listen to Mazupīte's water, enjoy freshly grilled fish, as well as enjoy particularly delicious cakes, coffee and ice cream. |
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Paramonovas Old-Believer Preaching House was built in
1882.
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The farm offers various goodies, including cheese, butter, cream, cottage cheese and fresh eggs. |