Many farms in Latvia and Lithuania grow their own produce, offer culinary masterpieces and develop traditional recipes to the best degree.  Because of limited output, these delicacies seldom are found in supermarkets, and that is why we have organised this gourmand tour for those who enjoy new tastes.

You will start your tour in Vilnius and then travel to Trakai, where the local ethnographic museum will offer local dishes from the Karaite ethnic minority.  A look at Lithuanian farm life from the 18th to the 20th century will be available at the Rumšiškes Ethnographic Museum.  After travelling through Kaunas, you will visit a honey farm that offers honey and wax candles, as well as tastings of honey beer.  The Pakruojo Dvaras estate is a place where you will feel like a nobleman from the 19th century and enjoy a real banquet at the estate's restaurant.  Further along, you will visit Cross Hill, which has countless crosses that have been planted there by people who express their Christian fervour in that way.  Next you will visit an alpaca farm where you will be able to pet, feed and take photographs with these unusual animals.  The day will end at a farm that will serve traditional Lithuanian foods for dinner.  When you arrive in Latvia, the first destination will be a farm that produces seven kinds of cheeses.  Along the way you will find the Tērvete Ancient History Museum and the Tērvete Nature Park.  After the tour, you will enjoy a fine meal at a countryside saloon.  A bakery near Svēte offers tasty cookies and pastries.  After a stroll through the town of Jelgava, you will visit the Caunītes farm, where you will learn how to bake bread and bake your own loaf to take along.  Along the way to Rīga, visit "Garlic World."  Latvian garlic has a particularly strong aroma and taste, and the lady of the house prepares many unusual dishes with garlic.

The memorial museum for Edvards Veidenbaums (1867-1892) was established at his homestead, “Kalači.”  The great poet and translator lived there from the age of five and also died there.  Alongside the museum is an exhibition hall that offers thematic exhibitions.  A monument designed by the sculptor Laimonis Blumbergs is in the garden of the museum and was installed in 1961.  There is also a granary in which Veidenbaums lived during the summer.  The poet was buried in the local Liepa cemetery.

The Freedom Monument is opposite the Krustpils Castle in Rīgas Street. Built in 1925 and restored in 1992 (by A. Birznieks), the monument honours people from Krustpils who fell during Latvia’s liberation battles. There are good views of the Little Daugava, Daugavsala, and the Ādamsona (Krustpils) island.

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.

For the first time Valmiera is mentioned in the historical sources in 1323. Until the 13th century this place was in the composition of Talava, inhabited by Latgalians. Construction of Valmiera medieval castle began in the beginning of the 13th century, but in 1283, between the Gauja River and Rate River towered church. Location near to the Tartu-Pskov and Novgorod trade routes greatly facilitated the economic development of the populated area. During the 14th-16th century Valmiera was a part of the Hanseatic League. It suffered greatly from wars, epidemics and fires in 16th to 18th century. In the second half of the 19th century the economic boom started again. It was also facilitated by the building of wooden bridge across the Gauja in 1866 and Riga-Pskov railway opened in 1899. Historic centre is destroyed in 1944. During post-war years, large industrial companies such as - Valmiera glass fiber factory (to this day) are opeating in the town. Today, Valmiera is economic, educational and sports centre of Vidzeme.

SIA “North Latgallian Firewood” darbības pamatnozare ir mežsaimniecība un kokmateriālu sagatavošana - uzņēmumā nodarbojas ar malkas sagatavošanu un tirdzniecību, kā arī piedāvā malkas gabalošanu un skaldīšanu izbraukumā pie klienta. Uzņēmuma piedāvātie pakalpojumi – malkas sagatavošana, malkas tirdzniecība lielos apjomos, kokmateriālu sagatavošanas pakalpojumi.

Brīvajā laikā uzņēmuma īpašnieks restaurē senus motociklus un ir izveidojis plašu retro motociklu un senlietu kolekciju.

The pride of this guesthouse is the cellar which houses a large collection of wines produced at the farm.  You can buy apple, grape, cherry, blackberry, cranberry, gooseberry and rhubarb wine.

The café is in the basement of the Līgatne Cultural Centre. There is a summer terrace alongside the Līgatne River.

Latvian cuisine: Herring, cold soup, sausages, pork haché, hunter’s sausages, pork ribs, pancakes with cottage cheese, potato pancakes.

Special foods: The “Pie Jančuka” pork chop.

Andris Roze is one of very few kokle makers in Latvia who manufactures the instrument and helps others to do so at master’s classes.  Roze also manufactures other traditional musical instruments, demonstrates them, offers consultations about them, collects them and gathers together historical information.  He works at the Drabeši Crafts House, where people can learn traditional skills such as weaving, processing of leather, felting, pottery and construction of musical instruments.