This tour will take you exploring the peculiar island of Rusnė and the delta of the river Nemunas in Lithuania. The island of Rusnė in the Nemunas Delta Regional Park is enclosed by waters of the river Nemunas and its tributaries. It is a resting place for migratory birds and home to a cormorant colony. The area of the island is 45 km2 and it is connected to the mainland by a bridge. The island of Rusnė is the lowest place in Lithuania, lying below sea level. The historic centre of the town Rusnė is characteristic of authentic wooden architecture, buildings painted in bright colours, colourful window shutters and decorations. The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route leads through the small town of Šilutė, revealing architecture that was once common to East Prussia. From Šilutė to Kintai, the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route runs along a low plain. To protect this area from flood waters of Nemunas, there is a system of dams, polders and canals established. After crossing the river Minija, the route invites you to visit the ethnographic village of Minija. Here you can enjoy the lowland landscape of the seaside region with vast wetlands and ponds.

It is believed that at the Kezberkalnins of Limbazi has been Lemisele castle of Metsepole Liv district. It is also found in the reports that merchants travelled to this place from the sea by Svētupe and Dunezers until the 16th century. In 1223 Bishop Albert built a stone castle in Limbazi. Like Valmiera, Limbazi became the member of Hanseatic League. At the beginning of 16th century it economic role declined significantly since Svētupe and Dunezers became unusable for shipping. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the town and its people suffered from wars, diseases and fires. As a result, the population reached its utmost fall - eight people. In the turn of 19th and 20th century and in the beginning of 20th century the economic life of the town was renewed.

The saloon is on the edge of the Murjāņi-Valka road (A3) in a two-story log building with a terrace. The interior design of Mazais Ansis fits the aura of a massive wooden structure and it is possible to look at old times’ instruments, household goods and harnesses. There is also a very valuable wooden wheel, which is one of the very few in Latvia. The saloon offers a sauna, a location for campfires and a children’s playground. It works with local farmers and manufacturers.

Latvian cuisine: Valmiera salad, boiled tongue, grey peas, farmer’s breakfast, cold soup, filet of pike, roast lamb, grilled pork, stacked rye bread, strawberry crème with jam, rye bread, herbal teas.

Special foods: Beef filet with potato pancakes.

Uzcelts apkaimes augstākajā vietā – Ančupānu meža kalnā, kuru vietējie dēvē par „Bāku”. No 26 m augstā torņa redzama ļoti plaša panorāma ar Rēzeknes pilsētas namiem, baznīcu torņiem un apkaimes mežu masīviem, kas mijas ar lauksaimniecībā izmantojamām zemēm. Blakus tornim – atpūtas vieta.

Located in the centre of Atbrīvošanas Alley, this statue is a monument to the liberation of Latgale and the unity of Latvia and is officially called “Unified for Latvia.”  The bronze monument was unveiled in 1939 (sculptor K. Jansons, designer L. Tomačisks).  In 1940, the Soviet regime tried to destroy the monument, but it was restored in August 1943.  A second attempt to destroy the monument occurred in June 1950, and this time the process was successful.  After the restoration of Latvia’s independence, “Māra of Latgale” was installed for a third time on August 3, 1992, sculpted by the son of K. Jansons, A. Jansons, on the basis of old designs.  “Māra of Latgale” is one of the best examples of monumental sculpture in Latvia.  Latvian mythology personifies the goddess Māra as a provider of fertility for earth and a protection of life.  The cross that is part of the ensemble is a symbol of the Christian faith.

This is one of comparatively few castle hills along the banks of the Daugava River that is not overgrown with trees and bushes, which means that it has a classical castle hill form that is part of the local landscape.  The Dignāja castle hill was settled during several periods, particularly between the 5th and the 9th century AD, when it was an important centre.  Archaeologists have found that Lettigalian tribes lived here.  After the Holy Crusade invasion, the Livonian Order built a castle on the hill that has not survived.  It is said that there was once an underground passageway under the hill.  The hill itself offers a lovely view of the Daugava River valley.  World War I trenches have been preserved the area.  There was once a settlement at the foot of the hill.

Viens no parka neparastākajiem vēstures objektiem, kas apvīts ar daudzām leģendām un noslēpumiem, par kuriem vēl joprojām nelabprāt izsakās ar to saistītie cilvēki. Zināms, ka bāzi laikā no 1960. – 1962. g. ļoti stingrā slepenībā cēla ~ 10 000 kareivji no citām padomju republikām. Pazemes ejas bija būvētas tā, lai pa tām varētu pārvietoties tikai maza auguma cilvēki. Zem zemes atradās 4 šahtas, no kurām varēja palaist vidējā rādiusa ballistiskās raķetes R – 12 U ar kodolgalviņām. Blakus atradās apkalpojošā personāla telpas, elektrības ģenerators, sakaru centrs u.c. Līdz 2010. g. bāzi varēja apskatīt vietējā gida pavadībā. Tagad to rekonstruē un 2012. g. plāno atklāt Aukstā kara muzeju. Bāze atrodas austrumos no Plateļu ezera, liela meža masīva vidū.

Ein zweistöckiges Holzhaus auf dem Uošvės-Hügel mit wunderschönem Blick aufs Haff. Hier hat drei Sommer der Träger des Nobelpreises, deutscher Schriftsteller Thomas Mann (1875 – 1955) verbracht.

The saloon is located near the Kuldīga ring road. This is a slow-serve saloon with foods cooked on alder wood on the basis of the slow food principle. The saloon offers “meals in the garden”.

Latvian cuisine: Bean salad, sprats with cottage cheese, oatmeal with smoked meat, false goose, pike-perch sautéed in cream, cod with onions and tomatoes, potted mutton, beef with onions, hunter’s style pig liver, potted sautéed vegetables, hot dumpling soup with blackberries, wild berries with whipped cream, apples caramelised in honey, cottage cheese desserts.