The trail (the length 1.2 km) introduces with the habitats of dunes and century-old pines, partly covered with sand. Biologists estimate that the oldest tree, the “mother of pines”, could be around 200 years old. Coastal pine forests serve as a barrier between the sea and land protecting inland areas from impact of the sea and winds. Felling coastal forests was forbidden by law already back in 1643, during the Duchy of Courland. Still due to economic activities, the seashore forests were often fell and fires occurred there occasionally. As a result, the sand which had for centuries been hold by trees, started drifting at Cape Kolka. In the 1930ies, there were about 142 hectares of sandy areas in the Slītere National Park, and 11.5 hectares of those were drifting sand. To stop drifting, the sand areas were carefully afforested. Afforestation was started before WW I and it was completed in the 1970ies. To plant new trees, first the sand had to be stopped. Just 26km to the south from Kolka there was one of the largest sand dunes in Latvia, 25km in length. Every year it devoured 0.3 hectares of land. The sand was stopped covering it with heather, twigs and branches of pines and junipers. Pine trees were planted between them.

Today in Kolka, the old, low pine trees tell about the once drifting sand. After storms, when the water washes the bluff and tree roots are exposed, one can see that the tree trunks once have been covered with sand more than 1 meter high. The trees on the seacoast usually have crooked trunks and flag-shaped crowns formed under influence of persisting sea winds. Now these forests are designated biotope “Wooded dunes of the coast”.

Stable white dunes (biotope 2120) do not form in Cape Kolka as they are washed by sea waters during spring and autumn storms. Embryonic dunes develop here (code 2120) with plants that usually grow in dunes. These plants have adapted well to poor soils, heat, drought, and the saline sea water.

The Kolkasrags Pine Trail is in Slītere National Park.

The Pilkalne Estate is in a remote location on the border of Latvia and Lithuania, 5 km to the Southwest of Nereta. Lovers of history certain must visit this estate. Why? One reason is that the grain kiln of the estate, which is gradually being restored, and the grain drying stove, a few wooden parts of which have been preserved, are unique in Latvia. The stable and servants’ home have also survived and are populated today. The buildings were built in the 18^th century. The owner can tell you stories about interesting aspects of this location’s history.

We strart the tour from Riga by bus and proceed along the Baltic Sea coast, passing through many different landscapes - white sandy beaches, coastal meadows, dunes with pine forests and steep banks. Many beaches are wild and completely deserted. Access to these territories were highly restricted during Soviet times. The route leads through ethnographic fishermen villages at Nida, passing Pape nature reserve where wild horses graze. The bustling city of Liepaja impreses with its lively promanade and music scene. The city also has a long military history which can cleary be seen walking among the naval fortifications and visiting the former millitary town. Well-maintained Ventspils has a pleasant market, castle and numerous parks. A restored narrow-gauge railway with working steam engine is well worth a visit as well as the Craft House - ideal for local handmade souvenirs. On the way back the tour goes through the pretty provincial town of Kuldiga with well- preserved wooden architecture. The tour includes two of the most interesting national parks: Slitere which holds the geological history of former ages and Kemeri with its great heath trail and sulphur springs.

This area protects the landscape of the Lielauce hillocks, which are a part of the Eastern Kurzeme highlands. Lake Zebrus and Lake Svēte are in this territory. On the north-eastern shore of Lake Zebrus one can see the Ezerlūķi castle hill. On the eastern shore of the lake is a boating area, along with a viewing tower and a set of information about the area. The territory includes protected biotopes such as stream swamps and swampy forests, along with protected birds and species of bat.

The café is in the former administrative building of a collective farm in the centre of Gaigalava.  It cooks dishes with ingredients from its own farm and others.
Latvian cuisine: Bean soup with pearl barley, sauerkraut soup, pea soup, beet leaf soup, sorrel soup, fish soup made with tench or carp, ribs, roasts, false rabbit, oven-baked carp, dried fish, cottage cheese crème with berry sauce, baked apples with vanilla sauce, woven roulettes, dried fruit, quince candies.
Special foods: Bean pancakes.

Liellopu izsoļu nams ir vienīgais liellopu izsoļu nams Baltijā. Izsoles tiek rīkotas gaļas šķirņu jaunlopiem -  buļļiem un telēm vecumā līdz 12 mēnešiem, regulāri - divas reizes mēnesī. Katru mēnesi izsolēs piedalās vairāk kā 2000 Latvijā audzēti jaunlopi.  

Sēlijā, pie Slates sila, atrodas "Kalnaleiskini". Saimnieks Mārtiņš Uzkurs ir galdnieks, bet sieva Lelde - dizainere abu kopējā galdniecības uzņēmumā un Latvijas Ornitoloģijas biedrības biedre ar pieredzi ekskursiju vadīšanā. 

The café is in the centre of Jēkabpils and offers pizzas, pastries, cakes, tortes and sweet pretzels, as well as cured meat, tasty venison and wild boar dishes, and products from local producers and farmers.

К северо-востоку от Мазирбской лютеранской церкви – в полемежду храмом и домом «Пакални» видны два чумных камня. На поверхности бóльшего был высечен (сейчас стерся) текст о ливах, которых одолел король Швеции Карл IX и чума. Сбоку на большой камень опирается второй (самый маленький) чумной камень, который в свое время был установлен у близлежащих домов. Стертый текст рассказывал об армиях, ходивших по Курземе, о голоде и чуме. Третий – Большой чумной камень находится заМазирбским имением священника. Высеченный на нем текст (еще немного просматривается) повествует будущим поколениям о местном священнике (умер во время чумы) и о создании пастората в Сикрагсе. Одновременно камень является памятником шести пасторам обширной окрестной общины. Все три камня повествуют о Большой эпидемии чумы 1710 года, и тексты высечены на них в период с 1711 по 1734 год.