The distance from Riga to Tallinn is more than 300 km and it takes approx. 5 hours by bus. Therefore we suggest stopping on the way for a brief excursion to a herb farm and lunch in a country pub. This stopover is approx. 1.5 hours’ drive from Riga, just at that point when one needs to stretch one’s legs and enjoy a change of scene. The visit will give an insight in rural life and it may surprise visitors to learn how well Latvians understand nature, knowing and using herbs for food, health and beauty. After the excursion, the group will have lunch in a country pub serving meals made from locally grown ingredients.

Diplomēts mežsaimnieks Imants Urpens Alojas novada "Ošlejās" audzē šitaki sēnes.  Šī ir arī mācību saimniecība, uz kuru brauc mācīties pārsvarā ārzemnieki. Saimniecība ir bioloģiski sertificēta. Pieņem ekskursijas un pasūtījumus sēņu audzēšanai un micēlija iegādei.

This is one of the largest goat farms in Latvia, with approximately 160 pedigree goats (Alp, Anglo, German White Noble and other breeds), as well as pigs for breeding purposes. You can take a tour and help in herding the goats. Kid goats can be seen in the spring. You can taste various kinds of cheese, ice-cream made from goat milk and watch how the goats are milked (around 5:00 PM every day). You can also taste and purchase canned meat. No preservatives are ever added to the farm’s products. 

The farm makes goat’s milk cheese and other goat’s milk products. Goats, sheep, rabbits and domestic birds are bred here. You can purchase products by ordering in advance, excursions on the farm are organised during summer.

The cave, which is 45 m deep and up to 5.5 m wide is found on the right bank of the Strīķupe river, by the Cēsis-Lenči road. The cave and its nearby sandstone cliff have suffered much damage from local visitors, which is why the administrators of the national park limited access to the surrounding territory a few years ago. You can no longer approach the cave. This is a positive example of who an important geological monument and a protected biotope can be protected.

This farm breeds alpacas, llamas, camels, burros, ostriches, Dutch rams, chinchillas and rabbits.  Together with the owners, you can feed and pet the animals and take selfies with them.  Pergolas are part of the charm of the venue, and the local café will offer you coffee and snacks.  You can also purchase souvenirs and things made of alpaca wool.

Kodas is a forward-thinking cider brand from Southern Estonia, known for its sustainable and precise approach to cider-making. They grow over 30 apple varieties organically, ensuring authentic flavors without artificial additives. Kodas emphasizes pure, undiluted apple juice in their ciders, collaborating with fermentation experts to refine unique production methods. Sustainability is central to their philosophy, with a zero-waste approach that transforms apple byproducts into spirits, purees, and more. Kodas rebranded in 2021, expanding its focus to include non-alcoholic beverages, spirits, and food products, all crafted with a balance of tradition and innovation.

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.

The first Catholic church in Ludza was built in 1687 and burned down.  A new wooden Baroque church was built in 1738, and because of its colourful interior it became known as the loveliest wooden house of worship in Latvia.  The church burned down during a great conflagration in 1938.  Work on the church that is there began in 1939, but it was only completed in the early 1990s.