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The word “Soomaa” means “land of the swamps” in Estonian. There are several major swamps in this area, along with rivers, lowland meadows, wetland forests, and other biotopes that are of key importance in terms of the diversity of species. Major floods occur here in the spring, which is known by locals as the “fifth season''. The fifth season is the best time to explore the landscape of Soomaa. |
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Ancient trade routes distributed not just products, but also knowledge, culture and everything that was new and unknown. Pastor Ernest Glück, for instance, may have already started work on a translation of the Bible into Latvian when he travelled from the Daugavgrīva fortress near Rīga to Alūksne. There he finished his masterpiece and planted two oak trees alongside the manse that are still there. Glück also established the first school in Vidzeme for Latvian children. He was a pastor, translator, author and teacher. Thanks to him, the Hernhutian movement of brethren flourished in Vidzeme after the Great Northern War. It directed spiritual and political development and brought Latvians closer to their national awakening. Of great importance in the Path of Light is Piebalga, which became very important in terms of culture in Latvia. Culture, science and even politics took on new meaning and sounds. This is where Kārlis Skalbe, the Kaudzītes brothers, Jānis Poruks, Antons Austriņš and other major figures from the national awakening lived and worked. The very spiritual aura in this place has not disappeared to this very day. The fantastic Cesvaine castle has been renovated, and the narrow-gauge railroad between Gulbene and Alūksne is still rolling alone. The ruins of the Marienburg castle in Alūksne conjure up visions of the hidden wealth of the Order of Templates and the young woman who was bricked into the castle’s walls. No less intriguing is the story of Marta Skovronsky, who would rise to become Empress Catherine the Great of Russia. The Madona Regional Research and Art Museum offers a look at the past and present, while the Ate windmill at Kancempji offers a look at more than 4,000 unique items from the history of our countryside, complete with buildings that are more than 100 years old. |
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There are attractive and miniature structures and pastures here for 65 different types of rabbits. Children can look at the bunnies and form contacts with other animals such as goats and sheep. |
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Öun Drinks makes refreshing lemonades and ciders from Estonian apple juice. You will also see the lemonade making process. You can taste and buy it to enjoy at home. |
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The tour introduces modern day life in rural Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and includes visits to small farms raising livestock and producing delicious foods, and to ethnographic villages preserving the traditional lifestyle in a contemporary environment. The tour also involves sites of historical and cultural interest. The tour gives a look beyond the usual tourism sites to get to know the three Baltic states more deeply. It starts in the historic Latvian capital, Riga, followed by the Gauja National Park with its castles, manors and walking trails. Climb the tower of medieval Turaida Castle for amazing views over the valley and visit the ancient jewellery master in the castle of the charming town of Cesis. Across the border in Estonia, walk streets with elegant villas at Parnu sea resort before catching a ferry to Saaremma island. Ethnographic Koguva village, ancient churches and windmills are typical of the island, as is an embroidering tradition. Then it's off to Tallinn with its medieval Old Town and to the rocky landscapes of Lahemaa National Park with fishing villages and manors. Try Estonian national dishes at the pub in Altja. Driving back, stop at the university town of Tartu. In Latvia again, visit goat farms and a traditional black bread bakery. Then the tour heads towards the west coast with the cities of Liepaja and, across the border in Lithunaia, Klaipeda. Next is the incredible Curonian Spit. Before Vilnius, take a detour to Grutas Park with its bizarre Soviet statuary. Finish the journey at picturesque Trakai Castle in Lithuania and Rundale Palace in Latvia. |
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Professional agricultural tour with visits to local farms typical of the region. We will meet and greet you in Vilnius and have a city sightseeing tour. Next day we go to Kaunas, for professional meetings and sightseeing of the city. On the way to Riga, we visit picturesque Trakai Castle situated on a lake. At Panevezys we have a visit to a professional apple grower. In Riga we have an Old Town sightseeing tour as well as a visit to the impressive Central Market. In Bauska we have a professional visit to a farm specilaizing in implementing innovative farming (grains, vegetables, potatoes). From Riga on the way to Tallinn, we visit Sigulda town and medieval Turaida Castle with great panoramic views to the ancient Gauja Valley. In Tallinn we have an Old Town tour through narrow cobbled streets followed by a professional visit to a dairy farm in Saku, meeting with the Estonian Farm Union and visiting another cattle and crop farm near Tallinn. |
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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. |
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The 77th Zenith Missile Brigade of the Soviet Army was charged with air defences along the Soviet Union’s external border. The facility is owned by the regional local government and is not used for anything. There is an interesting gate at the entrance to the facility, however.
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Engures apkaimē aug 22 no Latvijā sastopamajām 32 orhideju dzimtas sugām .Lai dabas parka apmeklētājiem dotu iespēju aplūkot šīs interesantās augu sugas, ierīkota Orhideju taka. Kopējais takas garums ir 3.5 km, tā sākas netālu no Engures Ornitoloģisko pētījumu centra, līkumo caur kalcifilajiem purviem un mežam putnu novērošanas torņa virzienā, un aizvijas tālāk gar atjaunoto ezera piekrastes pļavu, kurā mīt govis un zirgi. Takas sākumā novietotajā informācijas zīmē attēlotas ne tikai apkārtnē sastopamās orhidejas. Tur iespējams gūt daudzpusīgu informāciju arī par citām interesantām Engures ezera dabas parka augu sugām.
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This tour can be done with your own or rented car and it includes driving, some hiking parts and transfers with the public transport. This grand Forest Trail and Baltic Coastal Hiking Route tour includes some of the best and most beautiful parts of the Forest Trail and Baltic Coastal Hiking Route in Lithuania and the southern part of Latvia. Hikes are combined with trips and excursions in cities, as well as other popular tourist sights in both countries. You will get a detailed impression about the forest diversity, coastal landscape and most popular national and regional nature parks in Latvia and Lithuania.
At the end of the tour you will go for a 1 day hike in Kurtuvėnai Regional Park which is one of the most forested areas in Central Lithuania with very pronounced glacier-shaped terrain forms spread in the Eastern Žemaitija Upland. |
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These are hillocks at the northern end of the Vidzeme highlands, and this is an important location for boreal (Northern) forests and swamps. Various kinds of swamps are found here, and the area is home to a variety of protected invertebrates.
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Located in the centre of Ventspils next to the Town Hall Square. Enjoy typical Latvian cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere. |
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The Rudeņi farm is in the southern part of the Zemgale lowlands, to the East of Bērvircava. Established in 1999, the farm specialises in dairy farming with more than 300 cows and an equal number of calves. It is also a grain farm, with more than 400 ha of land for winter and summer crops, rapeseed and corn. Farming waste is used for a modern biogas plant that provides energy for the farm. The owners actively make use of EU projects, one of which allowed it to build a cattle shed for more than 400 animals and a cow milking carousel. |
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This museum is at the Griežioneliu farm in the Anīkšču region. It was opened in 1968 as an authentic farm with plants that come from that time. The history of the farm is related to biological heritage. |
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The farm breeds more than 150 sheep. There is a location to feed lambs, and the owners organise animal auctions and “Sheep Days” events. You can take a tour of the farm and purchase pedigreed sheep and sheep-related products. |
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This is part of a hiking trail along the Cena bog. It is on the western side of the bog, at the centre of the 5-kilometre circular trail. You can see the vast swamp, as well as a military road that was installed during World War I and is marked by an “alley” of large pine trees. Alongside the tower is a fragment of the road that was installed more recently.
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This is the widest water fall in Latvia – 249 metres wide and up to 1.75 metres high. This is an interesting natural, cultural and historical object in that it is linked to various events and legends. Duke Jacob of Courland invented equipment to catch fish. It was fastened to the cliffs of the waterfall, and this created the tale of a city where salmon and other fish who were leaping across the waterfall fell into the nets and were thus caught in the air. During Jacob’s rule, there was talk about digging a canal around the waterfall to ensure shipping, and work began on the project. During the early 18th century there was the idea that the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea could be connected via the Venta, Nemuna and Dnieper rivers. Turkish prisoners of war continued to dig the canal, but the local dolomite cliffs were a problem. Attempts to blow up the cliffs led to damage to nearby buildings, so the work ended. The impressive ditch can still be seen today. In 2012, a wooden pathway was installed on the right bank of the Venta to offer a good look at the waterfall. It is worth visiting here during various seasons of the year, when different types of fish migrate. |
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The farm dates back to 1992 and uses milk from its own cows. Tours are available along with tastings and purchase of products. Cheese can be ordered in advance. |
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Pļaviņās, pie Daugavas ielas, Daugavas krastā uz laukakmeņiem novietots plosta modelis ar stendu (2011. gads, biedrība „Kopsolis”), kur izlasāms stāsts ar plostnieka atmiņām un aplūkojamas vēsturiskās plostnieku fotogrāfijas. Daugavas posms starp Pļaviņām un Koknesi bija visgrūtāk pārvaramais plostnieku šķērslis ar krācēm un līdz 20 m augstiem, klinšainiem upes krastiem. |
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The café is on the banks of the Daugava River between Stukmaņi and Pļaviņas, offering a bakery, shop and café. There are dozens of types of bread, biscuits, tortes, cakes and other baked goods. Latvian cuisine: Dumpling or sorrel soup, farmer’s breakfast, eggs sunny side up, pork ribs, grey peas, potato pancakes with salmon, crepes, blackberry crème. Special foods: Liepkalni rye bread, bread kvass.
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