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The estate in Milzkalne that is along the banks of the Slocene River dates back to the 15th century, when it was built as a closed complex for the Livonian Order. It is the only fortified estate of its type to have survived to the present day, and it was once used as a hiding place for aristocrats during an attack. The gate towers with their ornate weather vanes were built in the late 17th century, and the ancillary buildings date back to the 18th and 19th century. A brick wall with firing apertures survives. The Latvian Road Museum is in one of the wings of the complex, while the former mansion offers accommodations, tours and tastings of local goodies. |
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This is the thickest birch (Betula pendula) tree in Latvia and can be seen from the Klapkalnciems-Milzkalne road.
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The farm borders the city of Zilupe. Melons, watermelons, and pumpkins are grown here in an open field. The host is one of the few Latvian birch bark craft masters, the hostess comes from an old family of gardeners and is a certified floral designer, and their son is a potter. All of them offer demonstrations, creative workshops, and accept orders. |
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Saimniecība "Baltiņi" atrodas Auces novadā un nodarbojas ar lopkopību un lauksaimniecību. Viesiem ir iespēja redzēt un izzināt piena ražošanas procesu, kā arī iepazīt saimniecības dzīvniekus. Saimnieki piedāvā apskatīt padomju laiku auto kolekciju, pieejama arī suvenīru un trauku kolekcija ar govs motīviem. |
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Atrodas Lielajā ielā 34 a. Vēlīnā klasicisma stilā celtā baznīca pēc muižnieka Nikolausa fon Korfa ierosmes būvēta laikā no 1828. - 1830. gadam. Dievnams ir interesants ar to, ka tajā apskatāms Vidzemes sakrālmākslā rets altāra tips – kancelaltāris (kancele un altāris ir apvienoti arhitektoniski vienotā mākslinieciskā kompozīcijā). |
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The Grey Dune of Pāvilosta nature reserve covers 42 hectares of land and has been designated to protect Latvia’s widest dune (1.5 km parallel the seacoast, and 812m in the direction from the sea to inland) and the biotopes and species found there. A two-storied watching platform is built to savour the scenery. In Soviet time, local fishermen used to dry seaweed in dunes for production of agar, and thus rich vegetation developed in the dune. The Gray Dune is part of a unique landscape with the sea view, the traditional architecture of Pāvilosta fishing town, and biotopes, including protected, which border the nature reserve: pine forest, embryonic dunes, white dunes, and wet beech where once can find springs. Biotope 2130, “Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes)” is found here. At present, pines are taking over the biotope, therefore some maintenance activities are required. The Grey Dune is most beautiful in the second half of July and in August when the blossoming Breckland Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and Narrowleaf Hawkweed (Hieracium umbellatum) colour the dune in shades of yellow and violet. The most typical species here are Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla pretense), Grey Hair-grass(Corynephorus canescens), Blue Hair Grass (Koeleria glauca), Sand Pink (Dianthus arenarius). The Gray Dune earned wide recognition when a group of enthusiasts actively campaigned for six years to achieve the status of the nature reserve. Guna Grimsta, a group representative remembers that they organised events and activities throughout Latvia involving large part of the society, prominent personalities, church parishes, NGOs, school youth and university students. The activists were writing letters, making videos, doing research articles, composing music, collecting signatures and submitting proposals to achieve official status of the Grey Dune as an especially protected nature site. They organised seminars, concerts, art plenaires and exhibitions, educational excursions, joint-work, musical church services, meetings with high officials and their on-site visits to the Gray Dune. In 2006 the group received the title „Proudness of Latvia” awarded by the national TV3 broadcasting company and daily paper „Diena”. |
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The craftswoman uses clay, rocks and other materials to produce dishware and various interior design objects, finishing them in an open kiln. Visitors can take an informational tour, watch the craftswoman at work, and sit down to produce their own cups. Guests are welcome to attend the opening of the kiln. |
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 2 days
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Šis ir viens no 6 ceļojuma maršrutiem sērijā "Baudi laukus!", un tas aicina apmeklēt Lauku Labumus – visdažādāko veidu un nozaru saimniecības un uzņēmumus, kas atvērti apmeklētājiem, piedāvā ekskursijas, nogaršot, apskatīt un iegādāties savus ražojumus. Tur apskatāmi mājdzīvnieki, mūsdienīgas lauku saimniecības, amatnieku darbnīcas, iegādājami lauku produkti – maize, medus, mājas vīns un alus, siers, ogas, augļi, zivis, gaļa, dārzeņi, tējas un citi laukos audzēti labumi. Pa ceļam iespējams ieturēt pusdienaslauku krodziņos. |
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 6 days
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This section of the Forest Trail leads through the entire Gauja National Park and gives an opportunity to see all the most beautiful places and sights of this national park of more than 100 km. Gauja National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Latvia. The ancient valley of the River Gauja is the deepest river valley in the Baltic states. The banks of the River Gauja reveal colourful sandstone outcrops, which are reflected in the water. The sights are most wonderful in springtime, when bird cherry trees are in full bloom, and in autumn, as the trees turn red and yellow. The ancient valley of the River Gauja has a distinctive terrain relief that can fluctuate by up to 80 m. The largest part of the road leads through forest paths, along the river, and exits the woods in Līgatne and Sigulda. Almost half of the park is covered by forest. Gauja National Park is known for the great diversity of specially protected forests, featuring herbaceous spruce forests, slope and ravine forests, as well as mixed broadleaf forests. |
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 17 days
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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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Stupeļu Hill is 3 km to the South of the Vecumnieki-Ilūkste road. There are no signs, so the castle hill might be difficult to find. The Great Stupeļu Rock, which is discussed further on in this guidebook, is also hard to find when there is vegetation. Stupeļu Hill is approximately 30 m high, and it was one of the highest castle hills in the historical district of Selonia. Archaeologists say that it was first abandoned at the beginning of our era and then populated again during the late Iron Age. It is interesting that iron was extracted and processed near the castle hill. Archaeologists believe that this is the site of one of the earliest “cities” in the region. To the West of the hill is the Great Stupeļu Rock, which is 6.7 m long, 5.6 m wide and up to 2.7 m high. Above ground, it is 35 m3 large, and it may have been a cult location. During archaeological digs in the late 1970s, antiquities from the 10th to the 13th century were found here. |
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The bridge across the Irbe river so that bicyclists and pedestrians can cross the bridge where the former tram tracks were located. |
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The Lutheran Church of St John in Aizpute is on Beidas Hill, which is near the steep river valley of the Tebra River and the Dzirnavdīķis pond which the river has created. The church is on an ancient Courlandian castle hill. The current Gothic appearance of the church dates back to 1860, when it was rebuilt. The tower dates back to 1730. This is one of the oldest churches in Kurzeme, and it features an interesting interior with many artistic monuments. |
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One of the few places in Latvia where there are so many well-organised pathways. The region is known for castle hills, the location where the great Latvian author Anna Brigadere (1861-1933) lived and worked, the storybook character figures that are scattered around that area, a great forest, an arboretum, a museum of history, a viewing tower, landscapes, etc. This has been recognised as the most family-friendly place in the country.
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One of the three highlands of Southern Estonia with scenic hills and beautiful sights. In its center lies the bay-rich Lake Pühajärv (translating from Estonian - Holy Lake). |
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The wetland meadows that are around the Pededze River are the site of this 200 ha farm with some 350 red deer, other deer and wild boar. There are towers from which you can watch the graceful animals, and there are ponds for commercial fishing. Please contact the owner well in advance for a tour. |
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Organising workshops for Udmurts and other Finno-Ugric national cuisines, learning the culture of other people through food. |
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This hill in the Tīreļpurvs swamp is an historical object of national importance – the only area in Latvia that is restricted for cultural and historical purposes. There is unique evidence here of World War I fortifications and the so-called Christmas Battle that was fought here.
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The "Dzirnavinas" café is along the Rīga-Liepāja highway (A9) at the 67th km road marker. Travellers love to stop here for lunch. Latvian cuisine: Sorrel soup, marinated herring with cottage cheese, “Countryside Feast” (potatoes, eggs, smoked meat, marinated pickles), pork steak haché, Kurzeme stroganoff, sautéed sauerkraut with hunter’s sausages, barley porridge with meat, rye bread cream, bread soup with whipped cream. |
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The open-air pizzeria not far from Valmiera in Beverina district. It is an opportunity to spend time in the countryside, relax and take part in making real Italian pizza, where everyone has a chance to make a pizza according to one’s taste, baking it on open fire in a wooden stove. Available clear water and Italian wine, coffee and tea. Apart from pizzas, it is possible to buy tiramisu, having ordered it beforehand. |
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