Latvia is the land of apples, so producing cider here is only natural! The ancient traditions of apple growing in our country, as well as the variety of high-quality apple cultivars, are key advantages of Latvia's cider culture. In our climate zone, it is challenging to grow good grapes for wine production, but the local conditions are particularly suitable for making apple cider. This is a natural consequence that local cider producers are increasingly mastering with excellence.

The Cider Route will take you to various cideries in Latvia, as well as to restaurants and pubs that serve it. The Cider Route allows you to understand the specifics of Latvian cider, introducing you to the culinary traditions and cultural heritage of different regions. You will have the opportunity to meet the cider makers themselves, who run small farms, tend to the orchards, share about their work, and even let you participate in it.

The museum offers information about local manufacturing traditions, as well as products from SIA Naukšēni – various oils (made of rapeseed and hempseed), ten non-alcoholic beverages (kvass, mineral water), as well as tastings of homemade wine. Some of the products can be purchased.

For the introduction into the Latvian craftsmanship make a visit to the Open-Air Ethnographic Museum in Riga where skillful masters will show you traditional skills. Out of Riga visit birch juice and wine maker which tells and shows how the birch juice is extracted and how preserved. You could taste it as well. Then go the area connected with ancient historic legends. Visit the museum of famous Latvian hero Lacplesis to see there Lielvarde Belt where the story is written using ancient secret symbols. At Koknese have a Viking boat trip around the picturesque Koknese castle ruins. Then visit farm which grows hemp and makes traditional hemp butter, goats farm and home-made traditional beer producer. Latgale region is famous for its pottery schools and "black" ceramics. You visit few workshops on the way as well as Ludzas Crafts Centre which provides great insight into local traditions. At the typical Latgalian farm try traditional sauna ritual and have proper regional meal. Further on stop at the Aglona Basilica which is a pilgrimage place. But for stomach pleasures visit Bread Museum, farm which produces tasty cheeses and other healthy diary products as well as visit herbal tea maker and learn there few health tips. Sightseeing of Daugavpils historic centre, impressive 19th century' s fortress are followed by visit to Lead Shot Factory where is a biggest shot towers in Europe which still works. On the way to Riga visit impressive Baltic pearl - Rundale Palace.

On the left bank of the ancient Gauja River valley, between the Paparžu ravine and the ravine along which the Sigulda-Turaida road passes through the valley there are the ruins of a castle built by the Order of the Brethren of the Sword.  Construction on the castle began in 1207, and three decades later, in 1236, the castle was rebuilt for the needs of the Livonian Order.  The Sigulda Castle suffered much damage during wars in the late 16th and early 17th century.  During the Great Northern War, it was burned down and never restored.  What is there today is the south-western segment of the castle's convent building, as well as the tower of the main gate.  Beyond that is the internal forecastle, where there is an open-air stage for the annual Sigulda Opera Music Festival and other public events.  There are also impressive views of the ancient Gauja River valley, Krimulda and Turaida.  Reconstruction of the ruins is currently ongoing, and after the work is completed a second tower on the left side of the stage will be available to visitors.  The plan is to install crossings around the walls of the convent building.  Presently the ruins are available on a 24/7 basis and free of charge, but after the restorations are completed in 2012, admission will be charged.

Stūrīši is a homestead owned by the Taisel family, offering a collection and a chance to taste Liv foods: fish soup, porridge, sprat sandwiches, pastries, etc.

This route section takes you to the Dzūkija National Park – it is among Lithuania’s most forested and desolate nature areas –, and to the town of Druskininkai – a popular SPA and mineral water health resort on the banks of the river Nemunas. When in Druskininkai, we recommend dipping yourself in mineral water baths, enjoying the trip with the cable car over the river Nemunas, visiting the musical fountain, and walking along the river promenade. The starting point of the hiking route is the village of Didžiasalis, which is reached by bus from Druskininkai. From there, the route will take you through vast coniferous forests, rich in berries and mushrooms, and small villages. As you get to Druskininkai, the Forest Trail will meander along the small streets and parks of the historic resort of Druskininkai, crossing the river Ratnyčia and the forest park on the right bank of the Nemunas valley. Leaving the resort town behind, the Forest Trail runs on the side of the village revealing you the beautiful landscapes and the view of the Liškiava monastery on the other bank of the river Nemunas. Up to the village of Žiogeliai, the route goes along forest roads and continues along the banks of the Nemunas valley, surrounded by the vast Dzūkija forests. Towards the end of the route, climb up the Merkinė Mound and it will surprise you with breathtaking views of southern Lithuania.

This trip will allow you to see seaside landscapes, learn interesting facts about the ancient process of fishing, and enjoy traditional seafood dishes.  Your first stop after leaving Rīga will be Ragaciems, where you will find a popular fish market that always offers a wide range of smoked fish from the sea.  On the shores of the sea, you can look at a restored fishing boat pier and huts for nets.  Further along, groups of 15 people or more can enjoy the "Fisherman's Banquet" programme in Roja.  There you will hear stories about the lives, songs, dances and games of fishermen and, of course, enjoy an elegant banquet.  Next you will visit Cape Kolka and the Slītere National Park, where men still go fishing in the sea.  The aroma of smokehouses will be evident.  Travellers can purchase freshly smoked fish there.  Along the way to Ventspils, it is worth stopping at the Irbene radio telescope, which has a military history, but is used for scientific purposes today.  Next you will drive toward Liepāja and stop at the charming town of Pāvilosta, which is popular among surfers, as well as the steep shores of Jūrkalne, where you will be able to taste fresh baked bread that has been kneaded by hand at a farm.  Then you will get to Liepāja, which is the birthplace of Kristaps Porziņģis, a basketball player who plays for the New York Knicks in the NBA.  A special treat in Liepāja ir smoked cod with potatoes and sweet cream.  You can visit a windmill that was built in 1885 and is still operational, as well as the Pape Nature Park and the ethnographic Ķoņi village.  Once you get to Lithuania, you will spend a day at the popular seaside sea town Palanga, and then continue the route to Cape Vente and the Rusne Island, both of which are famous because of fishing and fish smoking traditions.  Visit the village of Minija, which is known as the "Venice of Lithuania."  Finally, visit the Kurši dunes, the Sea Museum and dolphinarium, as well as the port city of Klaipeda.

Daugavas aizsargdambju būvniecību Jēkabpilī uzsāka pēc 1981. gada lielajiem paliem, kad ūdens līmenis pārsniedza kritisko - 6,3 m atzīmi un pakāpās līdz rādījumam „8,7 metri”. Šo plūdu laikā puse pilsētas klāja Daugavas ūdeņi. 2011. gada vasarā notika plašāki dambja atjaunošanas un labiekārtošanas darbi. Pie tā uzstādīja laternas, soliņus, izveidoja pastaigu promenādi un piemiņas zīmi Daugavas kreisajā krastā, kas parāda maksimālo plūdu līmeni. Uz aizsargdambja Daugavas labajā krastā ir izvietoti informatīvie stendi, kur var uzzināt daudz interesantus faktus par pilsētas vēsturi. Dambji ir piemērota vieta, kur fotografēt vai gleznot pilsētas ainavas.