Historians say that the Livs or Livonians lived in the territory of Latvia long ago, starting in the 10th century.  They populated Northern Kurzeme and the river banks of the Daugava and Gauja rivers.  They asked the first German tradesmen who appeared in the area about the price of textiles at the market in Visby.  This means that they were familiar with the island of Gotland.  The Livonians were courageous and spiritually strong seafarers, because only strong men can live with the sea, go fishing and seal trapping, and take root in the by no means fertile sands of the seashore.

The territory between Ģipka and Ovīši is known as the Livonian coastline.  There are still romantic seashore fishing villages of Livonian origin, as well as Cape Kolka, where the great Latvian activist Krišjānis Valdemārs insisted that it was the centre of Europe.  Livonians all along the seashore responded to his call by taking part in building sailing ships all the way up to Ainaži, where there was a maritime school.  That allowed the ships to sail to the far corners of the world, thus creating a century of sailing ships.  This wasn’t possible without the Livonians.  Also on the coastline are the oldest lighthouses in Latvia, with the one at Ovīši still serving as a star that shows the route for seaborne ships that are heading for Rīga.

The Livonian heritage is also seen in the tradition of fishing for lamprey eels – something that is still very much in place in Carnikava, Svētciems and Salacgrīva.  Old-time fishing equipment that cannot be seen anywhere else is on display in the latter town.

The Latvian nation emerged when the Livonians flowed together with the Lettigalians, the Livonians joke.  It may be that there is some truth in the anecdote.  Liv or Livonian culture, lifestyles and history are closely linked to Latvia and cannot be separated from it.

Lauku mājā "Celmiņi" iespējams dzirdēt farmaceites Valentīnas Dāboliņas stāstus par veselību stiprinošiem ārstniecības augiem. Tiek piedāvāta augu atpazīšana un tēju vākšana, kā arī tēju degustācija un iegāde.

Saimniecība nodarbojas ar 15 veidu vīna darīšanu no Latvijas augļiem, ogām un citām dabas veltēm, kā arī vīna destilāta ražošanu. Vīna darītavā vīndaris pastāstīs par vīna izgatavošanu un dalīsies savā pieredzē. Uz vietas iespējams nobaudīt dažādus izsmalcinātus augļu un ogu vīnus, meklējot sev tīkamākās garšu un smaržu nianses. Vīna darītava sadarbojas ar vietējo zemnieku saimniecībām, tēdēļ pie vīna iespējams nobaudīt sieru no govs vai aitas piena un Bauskas pusē ražotus saldumus.   

Latvia’s newest national park (2007) is in the “land of the blue lakes” – the region of Latgale. One of the goals of establishing a national park was to preserve the natural treasures of the region. Lake Rāzna, which is the second largest in Latvia, is there, as is Lake Ežezers, which has more island than any other lake in Latvia. There are other bodies of water, as well as typical landscapes of hillocks and a unique cultural environment. One of the most popular destinations in the park is Mākoņkalns Hill, which offers a lovely view of Lake Rāzna. Administrators of the newly established park are working on the tourist infrastructure – trails, routes, etc. Perhaps visitors would be advised to postpone their trip to the Rāzna National Park for awhile.

The cafe Picerija is situated in Lielvarde alongside Riga-Daugavpils highway.

Tuhala region has settlements of about 3000 years of age. There are 11 ancient settlement sites, 30 cult stones, 3 burial sites, 4 sacred groves, etc. Tuhala Landscape Reserve has a unique natural feature - the Nõiakaev (Witch´s Well) which “boils” up water during floods at 100 l/s, and 5 mightiest energy columns of the country.
Tuhala karst area features a 2.5 km hiking trail, suitable for family trips, walking, cycling or driving.

The building was built in 1800 and rebuilt in 1825. Zosna Catholic Church is one of the smallest wooden churches in Latgale and the oldest church of the Rāzna National Park. The building is famous for the altarpiece "Madonna with a child". Noteworthy is also the gate, fence (built from red bricks and boulders) and the bell tower. Not far from the church there lives a manager with whom you can agree on seeing the church from the inside.

Jauns Zoo un izklaides vieta netālu no Siguldas, pie ceļa Turaida - Ragana. Tiks atvērts 2022. gada maijā.

This is a swamp into which sulphurous waters flow, and it is on the left bank of the Abava River valley. This is the only place in Latvia where the protected shrubby cinquefoil is found in the wild. This bush covers approximately one-fifth of the restricted territory. It also includes forests, various kinds of meadows and sulphurous streams, including the one which is known as the Devil’s Eye.