This tour is a road trip from Rīga to Vilnius, stopping along the road to hike on nature trails of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route. In Latvia the route mainly follows the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route/ the Baltic coast, continuing along the coast and the Curonian Spit in Lithuania. Further, the route includes some smaller sections of the Forest Trail in Lithuania leading to Druskininkai and near the Lithuanian/Polish border. This tour will suit travellers who are ready to indulge in some nature trails and have a peek in urban landscapes, but who are not prepared for longer distances with backpacks, tenting and similar.

A car will take you from one short hike to the next. Another transfer is planned from the island of Rusnė to the Dubysa valley, thus linking the Lithuanian sections of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route and the Forest Trail. The tour includes Latvian and Lithuanian nature’s jewels – the national parks of Ķemeri and Slītere, Cape Kolka, Pape Nature Park, the Curonian Spit, the island of Rusnė, the river Nemunas, the Dubysa river valley regional park with its rolling terrain, the most forested and secluded area of Lithuania – the Dzūkija National Park.

Besides the capital cities of both countries, the route will take you to other major cities – Ventspils, Liepāja, the popular resort town of the Curonian Spit – Nida, as well as historical bathing resorts: Ķemeri, Birštonas and Druskininkai. You will also see the city of Kaunas and the beautiful riverscapes of the river Nemunas.

Eine der größten befestigten Siedlungen im Bezirk Harju, befindert sich auf einer Erhebung des natürlichen Kliffs Nordestlands.

This is Latvia’s oldest nature reserve and, indeed, the country’s oldest protected natural territory. Moricsala is an island in Lake Usma, which is the fifth largest lake in Latvia. The reserve was established in 1912 at the initiative of a group of nature students from Rīga. They wished to protect the deciduous forest of oak trees on the island, along with the local flora and fauna. The nature reserve also includes the Lielalksnīte island. Visits to the reserve, however, are strictly prohibited.

Muižas pils (no sarkaniem ķieģeļiem celta) ir meklējama ceļu krustojumā pie Gaujām – 2 km ziemeļaustrumos no Jaunpiebalgas centra, Gaujas labajā krastā. Līdz 1918. g. muižas īpašnieki bija slaveno grāfu Šeremetjevu dzimta. Muižas pili nodedzināja 1905. g. nemieros, bet vēlāk atjaunoja. Muižas pilī bijušas dažādas iestādes: slimnīca, kolhoza „Piebalga” administrācija, mūsdienās – pašvaldība un dažādu sadzīves pakalpojumu sniedzēji.

Setomaa has been inhabited for about 8,400 years, which makes it one of the oldest human settlements in Estonia. It is located on the border of Eastern and Western civilisations, bordering Russia, Latvia and Estonia. Setomaa is famous for its well-preserved traditions and culture. For centuries the local handicraft skills have been passed down within families. Seto polyphonic singing (Seto leelo) is inscribed on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Setos have distinctive national costumes, rich in detail and unique to each family. Perhaps most impressive is the distinctive array of Seto jewellery. These visually striking pieces not only reflect the social standing of the wearer but are also worn as a safeguard from misfortune. To this day, the Seto lifestyle remains closely tied to nature. It is common practice for the Seto not only to enjoy the natural beauty of the forest but to also use its gifts. Berries and mushrooms are picked freely in their seasons.

It is best to start the tour from Võru and finish in Tartu.

In Metsanurme Village Centre you can see restored old threshing barn, limestone barn oven and few tools that were used ages ago. You could be also interested in seeing an outdoor exhibition which focuses on historical agricultural tools. All of this is made to look interesting to not only locals but also visitors.

Saimnieki piedāvā vietu, kur aizbraukt brīvā laika pavadīšanai, atpūtā ģimenei Kurzemē. Šeit viesiem ir iespēja aplūkot sākot no dažādu laiku lauksaimniecības tehnikas un darbarīkiem, līdz pat kara laika paliekām, kā arī dažādu laiku sadzīviskos priekšmetus. Katram priekšmetam seko arī stāsti, kas ir piedzīvoti vai tikai dzirdēti. Tāpat apmeklētājiem ir iespēja apskatīt mājas iemītniekus,kas ir veidoti ar pašu rokām. Asākām un patīkamākām sajūtām pieejama 350 metrus gara Baskāju taka.

This is about 30 km long territory between the Baltic Sea and the Kolka-Ventspils road. It begins at the mouth of the Irbe River and ends at Ovišrags. The territory was mostly established so as to protect dry coniferous forests, grey dunes, damp areas among the dunes, other landscape features and plants and animals in the area. Distinctive landform - kangari and vigas - and grey dunes are Europe-wide significant habitat. Tourists love the sandy and quiet beaches of the area, as well as the Miķeļbāka and Ovīši lighthouses (it is possible to visit Oviši lighthouse and museum in it) and the Lutheran Church at Miķeltornis. There are also certain leftover elements of the Soviet military system, former narrow gauge railway (railway embankment, former train stations marked by memorial stones etc.) which unfortunately are not used as tourism resources.

The hosts produce mixtures of dried herbs and vitamin tea in a full cycle - from seeds to a packet of spices. The farm beds and greenhouses grow a wide range of vegetables and herbs - dill, onions, garlic, chives, mint, sage, thyme, coriander, hyssop, tarragon, peppermint, chili, basil. Also used wild plants - nettle, gooseberry, viburnum, dandelion, yarrow, oregano.
Herbs are grown according to the principles of organic farming, dried on a wood stove in a special oven and prepared in small quantities. The products do not contain salt and preservatives, natural acidifiers are used - algae, red currants, rhubarb, viburnum.
You can get acquainted with the products and buy them during field presentations and tastings at Embūte TIC premises or elsewhere by agreement. Specialized programs for children and students, seniors, families, catering professionals, foreign tourists. In the program: narration about the farm, production process, tasks / games for guests and prizes, tasting, opportunity to buy products. Embute herbs can also be purchased at home producer markets in Kurzeme, home producer stores in Grobiņa, Saldus, Brocēni, Liepāja.