The Daugava is the largest river in Latvia and the river of destiny for the Latvian people.  Since the end of the Ice Age, plants and animals travelled into what is now Latvia along the Daugava River valley, followed then by humans.  The shores of the river have some of the oldest settlements in Latvia, as well as a true wealth of different kinds of plants.  The density of outstanding cultural and historical monuments is why tourists love the shores of the river.  The Rīga-Daugavpils rail line offers comfortable travel between Rīga and Jēkabpils.  Below, find other train stations where it is worth disembarking to take circular hikes that last for a few hours or half a day before returning to the station.

Route information from Latvijas Lauku forums

This is a bakery that offers traditional Lithuanian sweets, including honey buns. You can learn all about how those are produced.

The word grīnis in Latvian refers to a very unusual type of forest – pine trees growing on sandy soil. There are two types of this environment – the heather type and the grass type. This is the result of long-lasting interaction between nature and humankind, and such sites are found in just a few places along the shores of the Baltic Sea in Latvia. A very rare plant which grows in the area – cross-leaved heath – was the main reason why a nature reserve was established here in 1936. An abandoned former rail line between Ventspils and Liepāja crosses the reserve from the North to the South. Visits to the reserve are strictly prohibited.

SPURA iznomā SUP dēļus, organizē privātus, korporatīvus pasākumus un dažādus SUP piedzīvojumus Rojas un Irbes upē, kā arī citās ūdenstilpnēs (plašāka informācija par piedzīvojumiem atrodama www.spura.lv). SPURAS SUP dēļi piemēroti gariem pārbraucieniem, jogai, fitnesam, sportam, sacensībām un atpūtai, - tie piemēroti gan pieaugušajiem, gan bērniem. Nodrošinām ar visu nepieciešamo supošanas inventāru līdz 40 personām, nogādāsim līdz supošanas vietai, piedāvājam izstrādātus SUP maršrutus un piedzīvojumus, organizējam ūdens un citas sporta aktivitātes.

Pieejama kajaku noma (vienvietīgi un 2+1vietīgi) laivošanai pa Rojas upi, to transportēšana Rojas upes apkārtnē. Iespējams iznomāt kajaku līdzņemšanai un doties uz sev izvēlētu ūdenstilpni. Iznomājam ūdens velosipēdu (katamarānu) braucienam pa Rojas upi un airu laivas.

Pieejama hidrotērpu noma.

This tavern is in the centre of Alsunga, which is the capital of the Suiti people.  The Suiti have always known how to work hard, sing well and eat tasty foods.  The tavern offers for tour groups to taste a delicious Suiti meal made from ancient recipes, after which participants can learn how to cook those foods – carrot buns, soured porridge and other masterful dishes from this part of Latvia.  A very effective performance by  Women of Suiti will make the meal truly unforgettable.  You’ll also be able to purchase carrot buns and sourdough bread that is baked only here.

Latvian cuisine: Sourdough bread, dumplings, dried ribs.

Special foods: Homemade carrot buns.

The most fascinating part of the Park is its underground museum. Guided underground tours take visitors to where miners used to work and rest and stored their explosives, and include a real train ride and learning about various pieces of equipment and technology. A delicious miner’s lunch can be booked in advance and enjoyed in a genuine miners´ underground canteen.

The church is on the highest part of the banks of the Marku river, and it is behind the Piedruja border control point.  A paved street leads to the church, and it is thought that it was built in the early 20th century by local farmers, who were required to bring stones for the street when they attended worship services.  The church has six cupolas and is seen as one of the most beautiful ones in the Krāslava Administrative District.  The building was erected between 1883 and 1885 to replace an old 17th century wooden church.  It corresponds to the architectural form of the Old Russian town of Vladimir and the Byzantine style.  It is said that at one time the church had as many as 1,000 members.

This is one of the few places in the world where lamprey eels are caught at the industrial level and with a fishing method that has been used for the past 150 years – a weir that stretches across the river and has creels along it. There are three weirs in all on the Salaca River. A local fisherman will teach you about the process and allow you to taste and purchase roast lampreys.

On the second Saturday of each month (or at other times that are arranged in advance), the owner will allow you to test your skills at smoking fish, after which you will be able to taste what you have produced.