The Daugava River is known as our river of destiny, the Daugava of our hearts, or our beloved mommy.  It is a large and full-blooded artery of water that has flowed through our land and our history.  The Vikings were aware of the river during the 5th century AD.  Krāslava is the site of an ancient castle hill, and the fearless sailors were well aware of it in that downriver from it, the ships could sail with raised sails.  It is known in Viking sagas as Dynasaiforgarðr.

Goods from the East sail down the river to Rīga, where it is reloaded into seafaring ships for delivery to Europe.  That has been the case for many centuries.  Many powers wanted to control and govern the process, as is seen in the large number of castle hills, castles and populated areas around the river’s banks.  The majestic ruins of the Koknese Castle, Krustpils, the grassy and mighty castle hill at Aizkraukle, another one at Daugmale.  The unique fortresses at Daugavgrīva and Daugavpils are like large keys that lock or unlock this mighty and ancient trade route.  Under the water in the Daugava are the ruins of the ancient Ikšķile Castle that was built by St Maynard himself.  It is seen as the first brick building in the Baltic States.  Nearby is Death Island, where Latvian riflemen fought for the future of their country and their land, defending each square metre of land.  The Daugava proved insurmountable for Bermont’s troops, and the riflemen defended Rīga successfully.

The curves of Daugava are unique.  The village of Slutišķi is particularly known because the Daugava there is just like it has been in the past.  The high dolomite shorelines and canyons that once made the Daugava unique in all of Northern Europe have now been lost in the reservoirs of hydroelectric power plants, as has the eternally weeping cliff of Staburags, the Liepavotu stream and the Pērse waterfall.  The age of national renaissance in Latvia importantly began with a battle against the construction of another power plant on the Daugava, which would have fully destroyed the beauty of the noble river.  We managed to protect it, if only a small part of it, but we succeeded.  We must not stop!

The farm shows traditional rural life activities, raising sheep and Estonian Blackhead sheep. A heritage trail on the farm takes in a sacred grove, ancient burial sites and fields, and we tell stories of ancient Estonians and history of the farm. Handicrafts are displayed and wool workshops are offered.

The first church was here in the early 18^th century, followed by the second and third one (1847-1848), and then the one that is there now. The church was damaged during World War I and then during the Soviet era, when wool was stored there between 1969 and 1993. In the 1990s, the building was in terrible shape, but it is gradually recovering its appearance. Between 1826 and 1856, the sexton and organist at the church was the Latvian poet and translator Ansis Līventāls (1803-1878). His grave and monument are alongside the church. At the same place are the graves of German and Russian soldiers who died during World War I, as well as the grave monument of the pastor and writer Jacob Florentin Lundberg (1782-1858).

Z / S "Kaņepītes" is a family company founded in 1992. The farm takes its name from the name of the house given to it in 1924. Organic farm where cereals are grown and processed into food. The production of the products is small, but the technique has an ancient atmosphere, a stone, wooden mill that gives a special taste and aroma to flour and oatmeal. Now the assortment already has 30 different product types.

The nature park near the town of Ogre is a popular place for leisure, hiking and, in the winter, cross-country skiing. Most of the park is covered with coniferous trees that are on a long and comparatively narrow line of hillocks with steep sides – another element of nature left behind in Latvia by the Ice Age. Many different plants can be found here. The Jaunogres castle hill is one of the most distinct hillocks in the area.

Dundaga baron once was one of the largest landowners of Courland, therefore during the second half of 19th century around the estate formed centre of economic and social life. Dundaga Central Square is dominated by its water tower, behind which starts Dakterleja, where from 1844 to 1854 worked one of the first ethnic Latvian doctors and linguist, J. Bars. Until the sixties of the 20th century from the Dundaga through Mazirbe and fishermen villages to Ventspils ran a Narrow gauge train. Today Dundaga attracts tourists with its spectacular castle, the Lutheran church, crocodile sculpture, Eizenberga pottery workshops and other objects.

This tour combines local wine making traditions with an ancient charm of countryside with several medieval castles and baronial estates.

The tour goes to Sigulda where on the steep banks of Gauja valley sits three castles. Visit Turaida and Sigulda medieval castles and then go to Krimulda Manor to try their wines. There is also a visit to a family wine maker in Sigulda. Next day there is an excursion of historic village of Ligatne and tasting of local wines located at the sand cave typical for the area. Further on the route there is an impressive Cesis medieval castle ruins and Ungurmuiza Manor which is an only preserved sample of wooden baroque manor architecture in the Baltics. Overnight is at former Dikli Manor which is now an upmarket hotel. Next day the route goes along the coast where is museum of the biggest liar in the world - Munchausen. You can also stroll along sandy beach there. Then visit farm of local winemaker and taste his various wines and then visit Birini Manor for a dinner and have relaxing stroll into their huge park before returning to Riga.

A gift shop in the old town of Cēsis near Rose Square, in the building of the former hotel "Baltischer Hof". The shop is named after the hotel's former owner, Karlīne. It is possible to buy gifts, handicraft items, souvenirs, as well as delicious homemade products, homemade wines and spirits here.