Selected objects

No	Name	Description
2201-2220 / 4325 1 ... 109 110 111 112 113 ... 217 Next
	The “Liepkalni” café	The café is on the banks of the Daugava River between Stukmaņi and Pļaviņas, offering a bakery, shop and café. There are dozens of types of bread, biscuits, tortes, cakes and other baked goods. Latvian cuisine: Dumpling or sorrel soup, farmer’s breakfast, eggs sunny side up, pork ribs, grey peas, potato pancakes with salmon, crepes, blackberry crème. Special foods: Liepkalni rye bread, bread kvass.
	The Mezotne castle hill	The Mežotne castle hill is on the left bank of the Lielupe River and opposite the Mežotne Castle. This was one of the largest Semigalian fortified castle hills during the 9^th to the 13^th century, and an ancient town alongside the hill covered 13 ha of land. The castle hill has been improved. A pontoon bridge across the Lielupe allows hikers and bikers to reach the castle (between May and October). Vīna Hill is approximately 500 m to the South of the castle hill, and a wooden pathway leads to it.
	The Salantai Regional Park	The terrain in this territory was created during the Ice Age. There are the ancient river valleys of the Minija, Salantas and Erla rivers, along with groups of rocks.
	The Purciems White Dune	The trail climbs up and down along the bluffs of lower River Pilsupe and reveals a fascinating sight of three white dune exposures (the largest is called the White Dune). The dune range has formed in the period of the Littorina Sea several thousands of years ago. The time required to walk the trail is ~0.3 h. Evidence of Stone Age settlements have been found in the vicinity.
	The Varniai Regional Park	In the central part of the Žemaitija Highland, this park was established to protect local landscapes. Lithuania’s highest hillocks are found here – Mėdvegalis (235 m above sea level) and Šatrija (229 m). There are also other hillocks which offer a great view of the area – make up your own tour here.
16 days	Grand coastal hiking tour along the Lithuanian and Latvian national and nature parks	This long-distance tour follows the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route from the Lithuanian coast, starting on the island of Rusnė and continuing to the Curonian Spit, running along the Baltic Sea coast to Cape Kolka and finally reaching Rīga. On this route you will hike some sections of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route and experience the diversity of coastal landscapes: rocky beaches, steep shores, overgrown beaches, bird migration sites, vast sandy beaches. You will walk on solitary beaches with no-one in sight for several kilometres just to suddenly find yourself in lively resort towns. There are both sections of hiking and bus transfers along the route. Initially you will visit the peculiar island of Rusnė with its bird migration sites, observation towers and the delta of the river Nemunas, which is Lithuania’s lowest point. Next, a ferry will take you to the just-as-impressive Curonian Spit – a lengthy spit of sand-dunes extending into the Baltic Sea of the coast of Lithuania. Here you will walk two sections of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route enjoying the magnificent dunes and visiting the Lithuanian Sea Museum and the Dolphinarium. Then, heading north along the coast through the Seaside Regional Park, you will reach the Lithuanian beach capital Palanga and pay a visit to the Amber Museum. Crossing the Lithuanian/Latvian border on foot you will stop over at the Pape Nature Park and enjoy its lighthouse, wild horses, the authentic fishermen village and local museum. The walk on lone beaches takes you to the top of the highest dune in Latvia – the Pūsēnu dune – and afterwards continues to reach the village of Bernāti. Next on the route is the windy seaside city of Liepāja, also known as the Latvian capital of rock music. Karosta is another distinctive site in Liepāja – it is the former military town and nearly every street of this part of the city has some footprints of its military heritage. Heading further, your feet will take you through the solitary beaches of Ziemupe to the village of Pāvilosta. If you are lucky, you might find some ambers washed ashore. Pāvilosta is a small charming village with a marina and some notes of smoked fish lingering in the air. Moving on, from Ventspils through Slītere National Park, through the Livonian fishermen villages to finally reach the Kolka Cape – the meeting point of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga. Also, a top site for bird watching. At the end of the tour, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route leads to Engure Nature Park, meandering through reed trails running between the villages of Mērsrags and Engure. The tour ends in Jūrmala with its wide sandy Beaches, the bustling urban life of a resort town, impressive villas and summer cottages, and the Ragakāpa Nature Park in the resort’s neighborhood Lielupe.
	The potter Anatolijs Vituskins	The potter embodies traditional pottery skills. He offers candlesticks and two-prong lighting elements, and he uses milk in his work. You can take a tour, purchase products, and take part in the opening of the kiln.
3 days	From Tukums to the coast through the Kemeri National Park	The tour starts at Jaunmokas Castle estate, where you will also find the Forest Museum. The pride of the castle is its unique painted tile stove (beginning of the 20th century) made of 130 painted tiles featuring 50 different views of the cities Rīga and Jūrmala. The Forest Trails runs along smaller tracks through the Austrumkursa Uplands, the valley of the river Slocene, along Lake Sekļa and Lake Jumprava to finally reach the town of Tukums. Well, the town takes pride in its pots, planters and flower beds with blooming roses along its streets. Next, the route meanders through forests to the demanding hillock of Milzkalns and Lake Valguma, where you will find the barefoot trail and a secluded art space within the woods. The Forest Trail continues to make a stopover at the Ķemeri National Park. The park is dedicated to protection of wetlands, since it is home to one of the largest marshlands of Latvia – the Great Ķemeri bog. As to the town – Ķemeri – it is the former balneological and sulphur springs resort. The tour ends in the village of Bigauņciems, where the Forest Trail joins with the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route (E9 European long distance path). Optionally, one can take a detour along the Lake Sloka trail with its bird-watching tower or pay a visit to the “Forest House” – the visitor’s centre of the Ķemeri National Park.
5 days	Jacob's Road	Duke Jacob of Courland was a ruler of the Duchy of Courland and Zemgale for 40 years (1642-1682). There were great changes during his rule, with the ship building industry developing rapidly, the first factories appearing, and agricultural output improving. The duke had a large fleet that brought grain, meat, butter, wool, timber and all that was manufactured at baronial estates in Zemgale and Courland to Western Europe. The fleet was so big and strong that its ships sailed not just to Europe, but also all the way to Tobago and Gambia, where colonies were established to bring sugar, coffee and spices to Europe. The duchy built ships, manufactured paper and saltpetre and wove textiles, brocade and tapestries. Iron manufacturing was highly developed, and ore was imported from Sweden. This made it possible to forge nails, anchors, bells, cannons and other firearms. The duchy produced vodka, vinegar and gunpowder for which there was great demand in Europe, because there were attacks and defences that required it. As much as 25 tonnes of gunpowder were produced each year. One of the gunpowder towers is still in Kandava, though it has been rebuilt many times. The duchy manufactured sails and ropes, as well as hemp ropes. It was said that the fleet of the Queen of England would not have existed without those ropes. The duke also thought about selection of grain, bred livestock, improved land with land reclamation and tried to expand output from his fields. Jacob did not manage to do everything that he wanted to do. A canal to avoid the Venta rapids was not finished, and plans such as the colonisation of Australia were not finished. Yet the era of Duke Jacob was a period of great change in the territory of Latvia, and it has not gone unnoticed that the great achievements of the duke occurred on a small plot of European land. That proves that wise management can ensure lots of progress.
	The Skriveri food company	Established in 1957, this is the first company to have produced the popular milk candies “Gotiņa.” The tasty candy can be bought, and tours are available. The owner of the company is the main candy master, and he is happy to talk about the complicated method by which the candy is produced.
	Aizpute	One of the oldest towns in Latvia, about which data can be found already beginning from 1378. As a populated area it formed at the banks of the Tebra River (the side of Riga-Prussia road), where once the fortified wooden castle Beida of the Cours Land Bandava was located. In the medieval times Aizpute was the centre of Kurzeme bishopric. After joining Kurzeme to Russia in 1795, Jews settled for living in Aizpute. Today travellers in Aizpute are most attracted by the ancient city environment that is still alive here, as well as by the historical centre of the city and the castle ruins.
	The ruins of the Koknese Castle	The ruins of the Koknese Castle are found where the Daugava and Pērse rivers flow together. The castle, which is on a floodplain, was built for the bishopric of Rīga in 1209, and it replaced an ancient Latvian castle that was made of wood. The castle was blown up by Saxon forces in 1701. A visitors centre is near the ruins, and there you can carve a Medieval coin or rent a boat to sail down the Daugava. Make sure to stroll through the Koknese park, which is alongside the ruins.
	Puku lauki	Ziemciešu audzētava „Puķu lauki” ir ģimenes uzņēmums, kurā audzē un piedāvā dekoratīvos stādus. Saimniecība ir specializējusies konkrētu augu grupu audzēšanā. Tās laukos bagātīgi zeļ ziemcietes, graudzāles (zāļveida ziemcietes) un dažādas cirpto bukšu formas. Turklāt, šejienes augu šķirnes ir pielāgotas mūsu klimatiskajiem apstākļiem. Apmeklētāji var izstaigāt skaisti iekopto un ainavisko paraugdārzu, kā arī iegādāties stādus plastmasas konteineros visas sezonas garumā.
	Kalkupes ieleja	The Kaļķupe River valley was established as the Pilsupe River (formed by Kaļķupe River and Mazupe River) crossed the Blue hills of Šlītere to the South of Vīdale and Kaļķi. The distinct river valley has a branched network of gullies in which Devonian sandstone has been uncovered and can be seen in some locations. Puiškalns Hill (located at confluence of Kaļķupe River and Mazupe River), which was used as a castle hill and as a sacred location long in the past, is one of the most distinctive parts of the area. It is a popular tourist destination in the Talsi District. Hillside forests, various kinds of meadows and a wide range of plants are also of value in the local environment.
	A monument to soldiers who fell during liberation battles in Rujiena	The monument is in the Bērtuļi cemetery and has a brass plaque that reads “With deep thanks to fallen heroes of the Latvian people. The 10th Rūjiena Vanagi district.” On the other side of the monument, the words “God, Fatherland, Nation” are engraved. The monument was restored in 1989.
	Jauna Pilsmuiza	Atrodas stāvā Tebras (Dzirnavdīķa) ziemeļu krasta augšdaļā (Skolas ielā 1). Ēka celta 19. – 20. gs. mijā kā Aizputes muižas jaunā kungu māja. Tajā atrodas Aizputes novadpētniecības muzejs (no 1999. g.) un Aizputes TIC. Ekspozīcija par Aizputes pilsētas un apkārtnes vēsturi tiek pasniegts saistošā veidā, ļaujot apmeklētājiem iejusties vairāku gadu desmitu seno notikumu atmosfērā.
12 days	Through national parks to the cliffs of Estonia’s northern shore	The route leads mostly through the Gauja National Park where you will see the most beautiful river valley in the Baltic States. It is the ancient Gauja River valley with gorgeous flora and fauna and the mightiest Devonian-period sandstone cliffs, in the region. While riding the route, you can study Latvia's most brilliant medieval city, Cēsis. You can visit medieval castles and castle ruins there and in Sigulda. A guide will take through underground bunkers in Līgatne which were secret in soviet times and have no analogue in North-eastern Europe. You will then pass through the beautiful Otepaa highlands and the Lahemaa National Park in Estonia. The old town of Tallinn is on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage.
	The Daugavgriva Trail	The trail tells about the protected nature area which is found in Riga city and has been established to protect the seashore habitats (forests, meadows, reeds, dunes) and the birds, populating the daugavgrīva meadows. There is a bird watching tower with facilities for people with special needs.
	Kazari vecais tilts (Kasari vana sild)	Interesantā būve, kurai Baltijas valstīs grūti atrast līdzinieku, ir meklējama 2 km ziemeļaustrumos no Kirblas (Kirbla). 307,8 m garo arkveida tiltu pāri Kazari upei (Kasari jõgi) uzcēla 1904. g. deviņu mēnešu laikā. Tajā brīdī to uzskatīja par Eiropas garāko šāda tipa dzelzsbetona tiltu. Tagad to var šķērsot tikai ar kājām vai ar divriteni. Tumšajā diennakts laikā tilts ir skaisti izgaismots! Tā ievērojamais garums ir skaidrojams ar apstākli, ka pavasara palos Kazari palienes applūst lielās platībā.
	The “Kapteinis & Grants” restaurant	The restaurant is alongside the Villa Elizabete guesthouse with a summer terrace and a fireplace room and library where diners can enjoy their meals when it is cold outside. Latvian cuisine: Marinated Baltic herring with cottage cheese, cream of mushroom soup, grilled pork chop, veal steak, grilled tench. Special foods: Captain Grant’s cheesecake.