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 4 days
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Participants in this tour will learn about Latvia’s most modern crop farms that are typical in Zemgale. During the first day, participants will meet with specialists from the Latvian Agriculture Ministry and agricultural NGOs. They will also tour Rīga, which is part of the UNESCO List of World Heritage, and the Rīga Central Market, which is one of the largest closed markets of its type in Europe. Participants will visit a health food store and have dinner to enjoy traditional Latvian foods and beers. The next day we will go to Jelgava, where the 18th-century castle of the Duchy of Courland and Zemgale will host a meeting with faculty members from the Latvian Agricultural University, which is housed in the palace. We will visit a biologic bakery, as well as a farm that engages in crop farming, livestock breeding and manufacturing of biogas. An artificial wetland is used to purify runoff water. Dinner will be served at a modern leisure complex. On the third day, we will visit one of the largest multi-sectoral farms in Zemgale. It specialises in plant farming, livestock breeding, horse breeding, biogas manufacturing and beer brewing. During the afternoon, we will visit the largest and technologically most modern grain farm in the region, after which we will tour the most outstanding castle in the Baltic States – the Rundāle Castle. Built as a summer residence for Duke Ernst Johann Bieron, the castle was designed by the distinguished Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Dinner will be served at a venue that has an historical windmill and an exhibition related to grain farming. On the morning of the fourth day, we will visit a farm that grows grains for seed, and then a biological farm that produces wheat, barley, peas, beans, rapeseed, herbs and herbal teas. Lunch will be served at a farm that will offer dishes made of home-grown grains and rough-milled flour. Then we will return to Rīga. |
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Found in the northern part of Cesvaine, the church was built of fieldstones in the Neo-Gothic style in 1879 by the architect Paul Max Bertschy. The church was restored in 1929 and again in the early 1990s. The altar painting, “Christ on the Cross” (1923) is by Jēkabs Bīne.
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The so-called Christmas battles between the Russian and the German military took place in 1916, during World War I. Latvian riflemen demonstrated such courage and heroism during these battles that they became known far beyond Latvia’s borders. Machine Gun Hill now has a memorial to the Latvian riflemen. The viewing tower on the hill has been restored. The Maztīrelis swamp and the place where the German narrow-gauge railroad used to run can be seen well from the hill. The rail tracks crossed the swamp from the North to the South, and the rows of trees in the swamp show where they were.
Visiting the object: You can hike the area with or without a guide. The Christmas battle museum at the Mangaļi homestead offers thematic and educational events, as well as mock battles. You can look at monuments, graves, trenches, fortifications, dugouts, etc.
The Mangaļi homestead is home to Latvia’s largest mock-up of a battle site. There are unique elements of fortifications from World War I here – ones that are related to the Christmas battles. One part of the fortifications has been reconstructed in its original location – the dugout and a part of the so-called “German rampart” that was part of the front line of the German fortifications.
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Latvian blackhead sheep are in a clean environment at the Ances farm, which is in the Northern Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve near the border with Estonia. It is in the Naukšēni Parish, where chemical plant protection substances and mineral fertilisers have never been used intensively. The sheep roam freely during the winter and summer, with fencing to protect them against wolves and wild boar. The farm only uses female sheep born as twins or triplets, including animals for genetic resources. All of the sheep come from German blackhead sheep and are only mated with high-quality LT rams in January, February, August and September. |
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St. Cross Honouring Roman Catholic Church of Malta (Rozentova) is national architectural
monument. The church has a promiment „St. Mary Magdalene beside the Cross of Jesus” and three big
altars. The wooden log building was constructed in 1780. It was sanctified in 1782.
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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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The restaurant is on the shore of the Bay of Rīga, between the VIA Baltica highway (A1) and the sea. It is part of the “Kapteiņu Osta” territory, which is surrounded by the meadows of Randa. The restaurant has a summer terrace with beautiful sunsets. Latvian cuisine: Cold beet soup, potatoes with cottage cheese and herring, smoked eel, oven-baked catfish, baked pike-perch with hemp butter, cottage cheese buns, strawberry soup. Special foods: Fish soup. |
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The oldest elements of the Oleri Estate date back to the 17th century. Initially there was a wooden mansion with an ancillary building. The new centre was built in the late 18th century in the style of Early Classicism. After agrarian reforms, the mansion housed an elementary school, and during the Soviet occupation and until the 1970s it was a school for children with mental disorders. The mansion suffered in a fire in 2000, after which it was restored. A local organisation was of great importance in this regard. The mansion is known for its Classicist paintings, with a unique “Painting Gallery.” The mansion is surrounded by a lovely park. The Oleri Estate is known for hosting chamber music concerts. The local Oleri swamp has a wooden pathway and a little viewing tower. |
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Pupuchi ražotnē top kraukšķīga un veselīga uzkoda no cūku pupām - Pupuchi. |
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No Vilces muižas pa pastaigu taku var aiziet līdz pilskalnam (12 m virs apkārtnes, labiekārtots), kas atrodas Vilces un Rukūzes upīšu satekā. Atradumi liecina, ka cilvēku apmetne šeit ir pastāvējusi jau vidējā dzelzs laikmetā. Pilskalna piekājē atrodas atpūtai labiekārtotā Zaķu pļava. Nostāsti vēsta, ka Vilces grava bijusi laupītāja Kaupēna slēpšanās vieta. |
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Located on the main pedestrian thoroughfare in town, the baker offers bacon pierogi, cottage cheese and cinnamon pastries, sweet pretzels and tortes. Vintage bicycles can be rented. |
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 2 days
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Viens no labākajiem veidiem, kā iepazīties ar sidru, ir paviesoties kādā no sidra darītavām, kur klātienē var redzēt, kā sidrs tiek gatavots. Vairākas sidra darītavas piedāvā apmeklējumus, kuros sidrdari parādīs ražošanas procesu, ļaus nodegustēt savu produkciju un pastāstīs par to. Sidrdari pieņem apmeklētājus pēc iepriekšējas pieteikšanās. Rezervējiet savu apmeklējumu laikus, lai mazajās saimniecībās, kur bieži vien strādā tikai pati ģimene vai pāris darbinieku, sidrdari var paspēt apvienot tūristu uzņemšanu ar savu ikdienas darbu. Parasti sidra darītavas uzņem viesus visu cauru gadu, dažos gadalaikos ir iespējams vērot arī ražošanas procesu, tādēļ sidra darītavas apmeklējumam ieplānojiet apmēram 2 stundas. |
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The central part of the town of Krāslava is an historical monument because its low-story and beautiful wooden buildings. The best views of the historical centre relate to the carp park near the Adamova trail, the Karņicskis hill, the bridge across the Daugava (Prospekta Street), and the Priedaine viewing tower on the left bank of the Daugava River. |
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Iespējams apskatīt Kroņvircavas muižas kompleksu, kas bija pēdējā Kurzemes un Zemgales hercoga Pētera Bīrona lauku īpašums ar pili. To pēc hercoga pasūtījuma 1776. - 1785. gadā būvēja galma arhitekts Severīns Jensens. No hercoga pils līdz mūsdienām saglabājies vienīgi ziemeļaustrumu korpuss un virtuve kā atsevišķa ēka. Vispilnīgāk no muižas kompleksa ēkām saglabājušās Kavalieru māja, Pārvaldnieka māja, kurā tagad vietu radis projekts “Muižas istabas”, klēts-magazīna, stallis. Kroņvircavas muižas apbūve ir Valsts aizsardzības objekts. Pili ieskāva liels baroka stila parks ar ūdens parteru, kas kā muižas dārzs sākts ierīkot 1693. gadā. Šobrīd “Muižas istabās” saimnieko ģimene, kas vēlas saglabāt autentiskās mājas vērtības, iedzīvināt džezu uz “Muižas istabu” improvizētās skatuves, izstādīt mākslinieku darbus un svinēt svētkus. Aicinām apmeklēt vēsturiskā un kultūras mantojuma interesentus dzīvās mūzikas pavadījumā atklāt Vircavas bagāto vēsturi, ģimenes piedzīvojumus ar 250 gadīgo namu un sajust īpašo atmosfēru, ko novērtējuši daudzi mūsu apmeklētāji. |
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The Strūves Park is toward the northwest of Jēkabpils, on the left bank of the Daugava, and opposite the Ādamsona (Krustpils) island. The park was established in the 19th century as a place where the city’s residents could relax and hold celebrations. It can be said with absolute certainty that this is a place of global importance, because the park contains a memorial stone to Professor Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struwe (1793-1864) from the University of Tartu. He was an astronomer and geodesist. The stone is at a place where Struwe completed his land survey of the Vidzeme Province of the Russian Empire. The meridian location which Struwe identified (and other points related to those locations are found in many other European countries) is on the UNESCO list of world heritage. |
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Meklējams 0,3 km no Līvānu dzelzceļa stacijas – Fabrikas un Stacijas ielu krustojuma tuvumā. Ideja par Līvānu atbrīvošanas pieminekli radās jau 1929. g., taču to īstenoja 1935. gadā (arhitekts Pāvils Dreimanis). Tā galvenais elements bija 15 tonnas smags Krievijas armijas pamests lielgabala stobrs. 1958. gadā pieminekli iznīcināja, jo tas nebija „tīkams” padomju varai. No jauna to atklāja 2004. gadā. Piemineklis veltīts brīvības cīņās kritušo latviešu kareivju piemiņai, kuri 1919. g. ieņēma un atbrīvoja pilsētu no lieliniekiem. |
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The first stone castle in Alsunga was built in 1372, starting with the central part of the southern wing. The authorised representative of the Livonian Order, who was subject to a higher-ranking official in Kuldīga, lived here. The guard towers and other parts of the castle were gradually added between the 15th and the 18th century. The Baroque castle with its two towers is quite impressive. The castle is unique in and outside of Latvia in that it is one of the rare Medieval castles to have survived to the present day in part, but in its original historical appearance. The castle offers an exhibition about its history. Visitors can look at a Suiti kitchen, write a letter with a fountain pen in Barbara’s boudoir, or celebrate a special event in the romantic venue of the castle’s round tower. Renovation of the castle began in 2018, and it is closed to visitors. Still, you can look at its exterior and tour its garden. |
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The Nereta Lutheran Church is in the centre of Nereta at Rīgas Street 2. The Baroque church features elements of the late Gothic period, and it is seen as one of the oldest churches in Zemgale. It was built between 1584 and 1893 at the initiative of Count Wilhelm von Effern and rebuilt in 1679. There are gravestone reliefs in the church dedicated to Wilhelm and Georg von Effern which date back to the late 16th century. The gravestone for Georg Effern is the most distinguished artwork in the style of early Nordic Mannerism in Latvia. The altar painting was painted in 1863 by P. Handler. The organ was built by R. Knauff in 1893, and the stained glass windows were produced by E. Baiermann in 1900. The chandeliers on the ceiling date back to the 17th and 19th centuries. Visitors can view Nereta and its surroundings from the unique eight-corner tower of the church, which is 38.6 m high. |
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 6 days
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Latvians live in close connection with nature and annual circle of life. The ancient knowledge how to use the goodies of the nature is still very much alive. Wild mushroom and berry picking is very popular as well as collecting of herbs and flowers for teas and infusions. This tour is trying to give an insight of various angles how to use and enjoy nature's resources. The route goes to Kemeri National Park which is rich of flora and also interesting for its sulphur springs which water is used to improve several health related problems. Then you visit farm which specialises on herbs and teas where owner is keen to share her knowledge about different properties of the plants and how they can be used. Then there is a sightseeing at picturesque Kuldiga and proper fishermen soup on bone fire by the coast at Pavilosta. Next day short trip in the river by traditionally made fishermen boat and experience trip how to make meals using wild products. Sightseeing at Liepaja with white sandy beach and exiting military heritage. Overnight at the Pape Nature Reserve. There is a chance to fish in the lake and learn traditional fish smoking technique. Visit Rucava tradition house where you can feel and see ancient cultural environment and try typical meal. Then you visit Shitaki mushroom grower and could taste them. Afterwards visit to herbal tea growers and producers. Excursion to reproduction of ancient Semigalian Castle. Next day wild mushrooming expedition into forest awaits and preparation of collected ingredients. In the afternoon visit to the producer of products from birch juice where you could learn how to extract the juice from the birch tree and try its juice and sparkling wine. Then back to Riga. |
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During restorations of the tower of the Kolka Lutheran church in the 1990s, a document was found which spoke to the conversion of many Livs to the Orthodox faith. The document was placed in the tower in 1885, when the church was being constructed, and it says that the decision by Livs to join the Orthodox church was based not on faith, "but instead as a resource for accessing advantages in relation to land." The Orthodox congregation purchased land from a local aristocrat in 1885, and in 1990, a church, manse and school were built on the land. All three buildings have survived to the present day. The church has its own congregation, and worship services are held once a month. There are news to show that Kolka is the only Liv shoreline village in which an Orthodox church was built during the 1890s. The church's bell dates back to 1936. During the Soviet era, the church was used as a mortuary, but today its original functions have been restored to it. |
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