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The smoke sauna is an important part of everyday life in the Võru community in Estonia. It is the centre of a rich set of traditions including the actual bathing customs, the skills of making bathing whisks, building and repairing saunas, and smoking meat in the sauna. The sauna is a building or room heated by a stove covered with stones and with an elevated platform for sitting or lying. It has no chimney, and the smoke from the burning wood circulates in the room. People usually go into the sauna together and remain until they are sweating. Water is thrown on the heated stones to produce hot steam-laden air and bathers beat their bodies with whisks to remove dead skin and stimulate blood circulation. After sweating, whisking, relaxing and possible healing procedures, people cool themselves outside and rinse their bodies with water. The procedure is then repeated. The smoke sauna tradition is primarily a family custom, usually practised on Saturdays, but also before major festivals or family events. Its main function is to relax the body and mind. Families take turns hosting each other. Usually an older family member is responsible for preparing the sauna, accompanied by the children who gradually acquire the necessary skills. The smoke sauna tradition is part of the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. |
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This is the only viewing platform of its kind. It is north of Pāvilosta, between the sea and Latvia’s largest gray dune. The second level of the platform offers a good view of the habitats which surround the dune, as well as the seashore and the largest seashore rock on the shores of the Baltic Sea – the Pāvilosta sea rock. You can also see the northern part of Pāvilosta. When it is windy outside, you’ll see kiteboard riders showing their tricks.
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The Jaunpils Dairy was opened more than 100 years ago, in 1912, and it produces semi-hard and soft cheeses, cottage cheese, cream, desserts and other dairy products. Only milk from Latvian farmers is used, and the products are exported to more than 17 countries in the world. Products are also sold at the store that is adjacent to the company. |
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The “Aizvēji” guest house is located only 50 km from Riga and 200 m from the sandy shore of Vidzeme seaside, in a quiet and beautifully landscaped environment. It is a party and leisure complex with a tennis court that provides catering for events. The log house has two banquet halls and several cosy rooms. The summer café is located in a separate building from the guest house. |
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This is a new café in Naujene, which is part of the “Curves of Daugava” nature park. |
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The saloon is the Latvian Open-Air Ethnographic Museum. It is an historical saloon that was transported to the museum from Vecumnieki, preserving the smokestack, bread oven, etc. Dining can be accompanied with demonstration of crafts and performances by local musical groups. Latvian weddings are organised here, as well. Latvian cuisine: Sprat sandwiches, lampreys, stuffed pike, a dish of three types of onions, bull testicles in a creamy sauce, grilled piglet, homemade country bread, soup cooked on a campfire, pancakes. Special foods: Priede saloon roast in loganberry marinade. |
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During Soviet times, Vaiņode was the site of one of the Soviet Union’s largest military airfields in the Baltic States. During the period of Latvia’s independence, the country’s first dirigibles were based here. Eventually their hangars were dismantled and brought to Rīga, where they were used for the Rīga Central Market. They are still there today. Some of Latvia’s first gliders took off from Vaiņode. During the Soviet occupation, the airfield was home to an air defence and destroyer squadron, with 38 SU-27 “Flanker” destroyers on site. After the restoration of Latvia’s independence, the Vaiņode airfield was dismantled in part, and the big plates of concrete that covered the runways and the rest of the airfield were used to improve the Liepāja port. There are still 16 hangars at the airport, and 1,800 of the formerly 2,500 metres long runway are also still there. More information about the airfield can be found at the Vaiņode Regional Research Museum.
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Ancient trading routes provided not just goods, but also knowledge and culture. The Light’s rout relates to the Reverent Ernst Gluck, who was a writer, the first translator of the Bible into Latvian, and a founder of Latvian children's schools, the Hernhutian movement of brothers, Kārlis Skalbe, the Kaudzīte brothers, Jānis Poruks, Antons Austriņš and their spiritual heritage. People in Vidzeme bake rye, wheat, barley, spelt and grit bread with various seeds, caraway seeds, nuts, dried fruit and hemp seeds. Hemp is used to produce traditional butter, oil and dumplings made with grey peas. It is also added to candies and even chocolate. Barley flour in the past was used only for celebrations, but today people will teach you how to use it to bake water pretzels with salt and caraway seeds. Visit farms and restored windmills to track the route of grain. Taste traditional Summer Solstice cheese, as well as Green cheese and tasty goat cheese. Pipe perch from Lake Burtnieks is a local delicacy, and you will also find trout, catfish and sturgeon, as well as crabs in season. Local meat and fowl dishes are popular, including dishes made with rabbit. Kitchens at aristocratic estates will offer wild game and pheasants with forest goodies and wild herbs. In Vidzeme you can meet the Garlic Queen, who prepares plant powders. Enjoy pies, sheet cakes, honey cakes, desserts of whipped cottage cheese, mountain ash, quince, apples, sweet cream and rye bread, as well as blackberry or apple dumplings. Slake your taste with herbal teas with honey, birch juice, berry lemonades or, if you're looking for something stronger, some tasty beer or wine. |
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Based on the tower of a former Soviet army radar installation, there is an 18-metre viewing tower at the Southern breakwater of Ventspils (Medņu Street) today. The tower offers a good view of the port territory, with the sea gate at the mouth of the Venta River and the city beach. Binoculars are available at the tower. It is worth walking down the Southern breakwater to get a better look at the sea.
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Latgale Farmstead „Mežmalas”. The owners of the farmstead created an interesting collection of the old
household items, tools and equipment of the 19th and 20th century. The visitors are offered to try plainting of
the scale basket. Sale of baskets and herbal tea. Enjoy walking along the energetic path through the pine forest.
Working hours: on request |
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It is the bicycle collection of father and son Jānis and Guntis Seregins, which is the only collection of antique bicycles in Latvia. They have been collecting cycles since 1977 when they joined the Antique Automobile Club and became fascinated with Latvia’s cycling traditions. The collection’s core is formed from technically unusual bicycles. In total, the museum has approximately 70 Latvian-made and used bicycles. Besides bicycles there are many other pieces of cycling ephemera relating to sport, cycle clubs and bicycle production. The museum has an extensive collection of bicycle brands, bringing together 1000 badges from all over the world. Guided excursions available. |
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Here you will find some 30 types of birds and animals, including cranes, pheasants, swans, pygmy sheep, pygmy pigs, kangaroos, squirrels, etc. You can take a tour and learn about the animals, or walk through the garden on your own. You can also purchase rare and exotic plants from the farm’s garden. |
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In addition to the Northern Forts, coastal batteries and Karosta district of Liepāja that are all mentioned in this database, there are other impressive elements of the former fortifications system – Lunete (the southern part of Lake Tosmare), the Central Fort (between Grīzupes Street and 14 November Boulevard), the Eastern Fort (to the South of Brīvības Street and the North of Lake Liepāja), the Southern Fort (at the Pērkone canal), and the Old Forts at the Olimpija stadium. All of these locations are freely accessible, but be careful if you go inside the former forts – they were blown up at one time and may remain dangerous.
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Находится в 50 м к западу от Лудзенской католической церкви. Построена в 1738 году в форме восьмиугольной ротонды и служила местом отдыха графов Карницких. Небольшое здание с дощатой обшивкой, деревянным потолком и кирпичным полом. Возле капеллы установлена скульптура Девы Марии (1934 г.) работы лудзенского художника Леона Томашицкого - королевы земли Мары. |
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The Švekšnos Estate and its park are among the most beautiful venues of this type in Žemaitija. Alongside the estate is an impressive park, with two segments that are linked by a wide parade staircase that is decorated with vases and offers a lovely view of the lower terrace. On an island I the central pond of the park is a statue of the goddess Diana. A colourful sundial, a vase on a pedestal, a sculpture of St Mary, and a sculpture called "Angel of Freedom" are all found in the park. Other elements, including viewing areas, pathways and gates have also been restored. |
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Small style hotel (6 rooms) - a cafe located in the historical center of Aluksne, 10 minutes walk from the Livonian castle ruins. Many of the hotel’s rooms have wonderful views, including to Alūksne Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cultural Center, art school, lake. Alūksne Castle Island or Marija Island is nearby; from there you can get to Tempļakalns park via a pedestrian bridge. Prepare your own fresh (frozen) berry ice cream, cakes and custom dishes. Seasonally offers different varieties of fruits and berries: strawberries, apples, pears. Orchard 3 km from the town with 1000 fruit trees. |
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The herd consists of around 200 goats. The owner will tell you a humorous story of life with goats in Latvia and Europe, the story of making goat cheese and the secrets of its taste, will invite you to try cheese which you will be able to buy later. Goat cheese that is made in Lielgrodes is not only healthy, but very tasty. |
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The café is in the centre of Lizums and offers local foods. The interior design is based on Latvian ornaments. Latvian cuisine: Cold soup, dumpling soup, hunter’s sausages. |
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Ezeres kultūrvēstures un novadpētniecības materiālu krātuve “Muitas nams” ir izveidota vēsturiski nozīmīgā ēkā, kur, II pasaules kara noslēgumam tuvojoties, 1945. gada 8. maijā tika parakstīts Kurzemes katlā ielenkto vācu karaspēka daļu kapitulācijas akts. Ar to tiek uzskatīts, ka Ezerē faktiski beidzies II pasaules karš. Krātuves materiālu ekspozīcijas ir no Ezeres pagasta senvēstures līdz šodienai, tai skaitā ezernieku vaļasprieki. |
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Tihuse farm provides accommodation and horse riding from trekking to carriage rides. A signposted heritage trail starts at the farm and tells the story of people and Nature; you can also learn about old beliefs and customs. The teahouse exhibits photos of places linked to Muhu island’s heritage. |
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