The late Baroque and early Classicism building was commissioned by Duke Peter Byron of Courland and Zemgale, and it was built between 1773 and 1776 on the basis of a design by a Danish architect.  It was the castle of Duchess Anna.  The first university in Latvia, Academia Petrina was established here in 1775 and named after Duke Peter.  The first observatory was installed at the academy in 1772, and a high school was in the building during the age of the Russian Empire.  Among graduates are distinguished Latvians such as Krišjānis Barons, Jānis Alunāns and Jānis Čakste, as well as the Lithuanian Antanas Smetona.  The Jelgava Museum of History and Art took over the building in 1952, and in 1975 it was named after the Old Master Ģederts Eliass (1887-1975).  The exhibition speaks to the history of the city and surrounding area during and after the period of the Duchy of Courland and Zemgale.  Outside the impressive building are four cannons from the period of the duchy, as well as monument to Eliass that was designed in 1987 by the sculptor Jānis Zariņš.  Another monument, “Lāčplēsis and the Black Knight,” was designed by the sculptor Kārlis Jansons and commemorates the liberators of Jelgava.

The road trip from Vilnius to Rīga will take you to the most beautiful and important sightseeing places of the
Forest Trail in Lithuania and its southern part in Latvia. You will start your tour with the visit of the capital city – Vilnius, then you will go to the historic resort town of Druskininkai, meandering through the town following the route of the Forest Trail. You will then visit the Dzūkija National Park, Merkinė Mound and the resort town of Birštonas, situated in the territory of Nemunas loops regional park. Further you will reach the second largest city in Lithuania – Kaunas, walking through the city along the route of the Forest Trail to finally reach the Panemunė forest. You will then walk along the beautiful banks of the river Nemunas to Vilkija, which boasts of its unique ferry service.

Next on the route is the Dubysa Regional Park, which includes the spectacular Dubysa river valley, historic churches and mounds along its banks. Be prepared, since the terrain of this area is rather rolling. Next, you will visit the town of Šiluva, which is a Catholic pilgrimage site, and then travel to the Tytuvėnai Regional Park, where you walk the natural trail of the lake of Gilius, which is part of the Forest Trail. The tour will continue in the Kurtuvėnai Regional Park, where you will walk one section of the Forest Trail from Kurtuvėnai to Šaukėnai, leading along small forest trails, educational trails, beautiful tree alleys and through wetlands. Then you will go to the region of Samogitia, visiting Telšiai and walk one of the Forest Trail sections along Lake Plateliai.

Next, the tour takes you through the stone town of Mosėdis to Latvia, where you will stop over to have a walk on one of the oldest towns in Latvia – Aizpute, enjoying its 19th century wooden architecture and the local wine brewery. Next you will take a small walk along the Forest Trail in the eye-catching Kazdanga manor park and drive on to the most beautiful town of Kurzeme – Kuldīga. At the end of the tour, you will walk a section of the Forest Trail along the Abava River Valley Nature Park and nature trails in the Ķemeri National Park.

The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route leads around the Pakri Peninsula, from whose rocky shores you will discover the most beautiful coastal landscapes in northwest Estonia. It goes through the centre of Paldiski and, after having reached the fortress bastions of Peter I, it turns towards the Pakri Lighthouse going across the upper part of the impressive Pakri Cliffs. Further on up to Kersalu, there are both ups in the shape of rocks and downs where the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route meanders along a sandy and rocky seacoast and a beautiful pine forest.

Traditional Estonian food from products of organic farms Saare Ubin and Vatsliku.

Saimniecībā tiek audzētas gaļas šķirnes (Suffolkas) aitas un piena šķirnes (Ostfrīzijas) aitas. Ganāpmulka aizsardzībai saimniecībā strādā ar sargsuņiem, Pireneju kalnu suņiem, kas ir pasaulē arī plaši pazīstama suņu šķirne mājlopu un mājputnu apsargāšanai no lielākiem un mazākiem plēsējiem.

Saimnieki piedāvā iegādāties premium klases, saimniecībā audzētu, jēru gaļu un aitu piena produktus- Fetas tipa sieru, grilsieru, jogurtu bez piedevām un vairāku veidu saldējumus.

The owner will tell you about wild plants and help you to cook tasty meals with them. You will receive valuable advice about how to use these gifts from nature for nutritional purposes and to improve your health.

The cosy land road along the sea is 1 km long, and it offers a look at the wonderful aspects of the village.  To the right are rocks from the sea, as well as miniature flower gardens on the seashore with tempting benches and overturned boats.  On the side of the shore is the Kaltene library, which is more than 100 years ago.  It was initially a summer home for Baron Nolken, and it was built in 1899.  Later it was rebuilt several times and took on new roles.  An elementary school was installed here in 1926, after which it became a club and then, in 1992, a primary school once again.  The path runs along beautiful seashore homesteads, among which one can find the former homes of old fishermen and ship builders such as Burliņi.  At one time, the Žulnieki portage at Smilgas was the site of  the kiln of blacksmith Pēteris Valdemārs.  He was the main blacksmith for ships between Kaltene and Upesgrīve. (Source: Roja TIC)

Atrodas pie Kuldīgas pils dzirnavām, kur straujā Alekšupīte pirms ietekas Ventā izgrauzusi dziļu „kanjonu” dolomītā. Šo dēvē par vienu no augstākajiem Latvijas ūdenskritumiem (4,15 m). 17. gs. ūdenskritumu ievērojami pārveidoja – paaugstināja un nostiprināja, lai Alekšupītes straumi izmantotu dzirnavu darbināšanai. Upītes kreisais krasts ir labiekārtots.