The Lejenieki homestead is 1.1 km north of Bangas.  Vilis Plūdons (1874-1940) was an outstanding Latvian poet, a representative of the style of National Romanticism, and a schoolteacher.  His real name was Vilis Lejnieks, and he was born in at the Lejenieki homestead in the Bauska region.  His father was Jānis Lejnieks.  As a boy, Vilis was enchanted by fairy tales told by his granny and by folk songs that she sang.  Plūdons is buried nearby in the family cemetery.  Lejenieki offers an exhibition about the poet’s life and work.  The local sauna features sculptures of rabbits, thus recalling Plūdons’ poem, “Rabbit Sauna.”

On the way to Turaida you must definitely stop at Gutmana cave. It is the widest (12 m) high (10 m) and in terms of volume - one of the biggest Latvian caves (cave like niche), which is also an important cultural and historical site, place rich with stories (most popular of Turaida Rose), surrounded by ancient walls and ceiling inscriptions (oldest from the end of 17th century). A spring originates from the cave; it is believed that it has healing properties. Turaida Museum reserve with Batlic scale outstanding monuments whose history stretches over 1000 years in the distant past is located at the point where the right mainland of Gauja valley is split by deep ravines of several small streams. Their exploration can be started with Turaida manor (first mentioned in 16th century), which is an outstanding example of Vidzeme manors. 21 buildings, built between the 18th century until the beginning 20th century are preserved until now. Visitors can see the manor stables, coach house, sauna, forge, fish cellar, barn, foreman house, the old residential buildings of landlord, and residential building of manor servants, oust house, etc. While walking in Turaida direction, we will reach the grave of Turaida Rose, which relates with the legend of Turaida Maija, who sacrificed her life for love. Near the grave grows a great linden tree (poor condition), wich is believed to be planted on the grave of Maija. Turaida Lutheran Church that lies further is the third church in a row and one of the oldest (1750) Latvian wooden churches – single volume wood log building with a baroque tower. Here you can see the altar and pulpit (Middle of the 18th century), altarpiece "Golgotha​​" (end of the 17th century – beginning of the 18th century) and historical exposition. Tautasdziesmu (folksongs) Park stretches at the Dainu Hill, the development of which started in 1985, noting the 150th anniversary of father of Latvian folk songs – Krisjanis Barons. More than 26 stone sculptures created by the sculptor I. Ranka are exhibited here. This is also a place of annual folklore events. Before the construction of Turaida stone castle (started in 1214), wooden Liv castle stood here. Turaida castle belonged to the Bishop. It existed for a long time - until to the 1776 when it was burned down. In 1953 an extensive restoration works was started here; upper storey of main tower, barn building (exposition on Sigulda district), semi-circular tower and castle complex in the southern enclosure was restored. Now the museum exhibition is established at the castle premises, which tells about the historical events in the surroundings.

Black currants are grown on 3 ha of land at Bānīši, and for several years the owner has used the method that is so popular abroad -- allowing people to visit the farm to pick all of the berries that they need.

You will feel the beauty, power and energy of nature here, ensuring harmony with nature and a good sense of the energy of rocks, plants, Latvian plants and underground streams.  Rocks here decorate the garden, which offers a good view of the sea and a cascade of waterfalls that are delightful in the spring and the fall.  During the summer, it is a rock river.  The site is one km to the north of the bus stop in Tūja and has 28 types of coniferous trees, 14 decorative shrubs, 13 kinds of rhododendrons, and winter plants.  The interesting collection of stones may mean that there is an energy field, and the garden is quite esoteric.  The rocky seashore of Vidzeme is nearby, and the garden has received many prizes from the Salacgrīva Administrative District and Latvia as such.

The cafe Picerija is situated in Lielvarde alongside Riga-Daugavpils highway.

The museum is dedicated to the writer Ernests Birznieks-Upītis (1871–1960), whose nickname as a child used to be Pastariņš. The historic buildings have been restored according to the situation in the mid-20th century. Rye bread, Sun bread, and Shepherd's bread are baked in the museum’s farm. Each spring visitors can take part in building wattle and other types of fences, to bake bread and rolls and to taste the results. In December – baking sklandrauši (a carrot-based pastry). There are weaving demonstrations, butter churning demonstrations and opportunities to try one’s hand at other old-time farm work.

As the owners say, Mūrbūdu Cider is an Abnormal Cider - here are no traditions, and creativity knows no bounds. 

Our Story 
The cidery is located in an ancient stone building in Valka region, next to the ruins of an old Livonian Order castle.

Apples  
Mūrbūdu Cider always strives to do something new and unprecedented, using fruit and berries that are locally sourced from the surrounding area as much as possible.

Ciders  
Experiments with flavours (honey, berries, ginger, and spices) and cider-making methods (aging in oak bourbon barrels, malolactic acid fermentation, fermentation with beer yeast) result in a diverse range of ciders, allowing for the discovery of new and exciting flavours and cider styles. Not all experiments are successful, but the best ones always reach the customers.

For Visitors 
The cidery offers tours with tastings and themed masterclasses led by the owner, as well as the option to create custom programmes.

Where to Buy  
Mūrbūdu Ciders can be purchased in stores such as Rimi, Eirovīns, Spirits&Wine, at the Limonāde bar, and at the Sidrērija taproom in the Old Town of Riga.

  Aiz Jodkrantes (Nidas virziens) ceļa labajā pusē ir izveidots autostāvlaukums un labiekārtota vieta, no kuras apskatāma Lietuvas (atrodamas ziņas, ka arī Eiropas) lielākā zivju gārņu Ardea cinerea un jūras kraukļu Phalacrocorax carbo kolonija, kur kopā varētu būt ~ 3000 putnu. Neaizmirstiet līdzi paņemt tālskati!

Materials of archaeological excavations show that the Ogre river banks were inhabited by the Livs. Ogre as a larger populated area and a major resort developed after the construction of Riga-Daugavpils railway in 1861. Until the World War I about 300 cottages offered their services in Ogre, most of them were destroyed during the war. The next "major" event took place 1965 when one of the largest knitwear plants in Europe was built in Ogre, which was staffed by guest workers from Vietnam and countries. Today, Ogre has still not recovered its glory of a resort, but has become a rather exclusive site of mostly low-rise residential buildings.