The Kaļķupe River valley was established as the Pilsupe River (formed by Kaļķupe River and Mazupe River) crossed the Blue hills of Šlītere to the South of Vīdale and Kaļķi. The distinct river valley has a branched network of gullies in which Devonian sandstone has been uncovered and can be seen in some locations. Puiškalns Hill (located at confluence of Kaļķupe River and Mazupe River), which was used as a castle hill and as a sacred location long in the past, is one of the most distinctive parts of the area. It is a popular tourist destination in the Talsi District. Hillside forests, various kinds of meadows and a wide range of plants are also of value in the local environment.

The Volkenberga Castle was built in the 13th century by the Livonian Order, and it was practically impregnable, as it was on top of Mākoņkalns hill.  These were among the first fortifications in Latgale, and only fragments of the castle remain today.  Architect Pēteris Blūms has said that this was a special type of fortification.  Legends say that after the lord and lady of the castle died, the property was divided up among their three daughters – Roze, Lūcija and Marija.  Each sister built a new castle on the land which she inherited – Roze built Rēzekne, Lūcija built Ludza, and Marija built Viļaka.  A memorial plaque at the foot of Mākoņkalns hill recalls the visit which pre-war Latvian President Kārlis Ulmanis paid to Latgale in 1938.

This route leads through the Curves of Daugava nature park, which is an area that was once to be flooded for the construction of the Daugavpils hydroelectric power plant.  The central artery in the park is the ancient Daugava River valley, and the specific here is eight grand curves with a length of 4-6 km.  The highest banks of the river are at the so-called Daugava gate, with the mighty Ververi and Slutiški cliffs.  More than ½ of the territory is forested for hiking, nature watching, berry picking and mushroom hunting.  The Daugava River valley has one of the greatest diversities of flora -- >800 different kinds in all.  This is also a multinational environment with Lettigalian, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian and Belarusian traditions and heritage.  The Slutiški village, which is unique in Latvia, is popular among tourists.

Route information from Latvijas Lauku forums

This company has, for the past 16 years, produced classical candies of honey, peppermint, ginger and buckthorn, as well as other products. It also offers juice made of the common stinkhorn mushroom – a medicinal substance well known in Latvian folklore. You can purchase the products that are on offer.

The owner of the farm grows petunias, geraniums, balsams, asters, snapdragons and other plants, also designing beautiful pots of flowers. She organises seminars on biological farming. Visitors can purchase plants, pick black currants from a bush, and pick tomatoes from a vegetable bed. Tastings are available, and there are rabbits on display, as well.

Dodieties ekskursijā, lai gūtu ieskatu lauku profesijā un dzīvesveidā, kā arī iegūtu jaunus iespaidus un labu atpūtu visai klasei. Ekskursijas laikā apmeklējiet mini zoo, kur apskatāmas aitas, kazas, Ķīnas lielās cūkas, truši, dažādi eksotiskie dzīvnieki un putni. Bērniem īpašu prieku sagādā saskarsme ar mājdzīvniekiem un Japānas makaka – pērtiķa Nilsona izdarības. Pēc tam apmeklējiet zemnieku saimniecību, kurā izveidots atrakciju parks ar vairāk kā 20 atrakcijām 3,5 hektāru platībā. Ekskursijas noslēgumā dodieties uz atpūtas kompleksu pašā Zemgales sirdī, lai apskatītu vējdzirnavas un izceptu paši savus pīrāgus.

Daugavpils – Krāslavas (A 6) ceļa malā redzamais dievnams uzcelts ar Plāteru dzimtas pārstāvju – Vaclava un Kazimira Plātera atbalstu 1811. gadā. Dievnamu ieskauj metālkaluma un no ķieģeļiem mūrēts žogs, kā arī divi zvanu torņi. Labās puses zvanu tornī karājas vecs zvans. No baznīcas iekārtas ir jāpiemin galvenais altāris, ko rotā Dievmātes skulptūra, trīs biktskrēsli, četras evaņģēlistu sienas freskas un Lurdas Dievmātes glezna. Ikdienā apskatāma no ārpuses.

Farm Maizes māja near Cēsis, where you can gain joy, strength and vitality! This tourism farm offers cognitive and educational programmes for adults and children, introducing them to the traditional Latvian lifestyle and intangible cultural heritage. At Maizes Māja, groups of students, families, friends, and tourists become members of the family and have a lot of work to do, for example, bringing firewood and firing the oven, before baking rye bread or sweet and sour bread from Kaupo rye flour in a proper bread oven. When the work is done, a nice meal is enjoyed together.