This is Latvia’s first major hydroelectric power plant, and construction along the right bank of the Daugava began in 1936.  The plant was designed by the architect Eižens Laube.  The first hydro-aggregate (17 MW of capacity as the largest plant in Latvia) was switched on in 1939.  A second round of construction occurred between 1976 until 1979, the result being a new building on the left bank of the Daugava, increasing the capacity of the plant to 260 MW.  Another round of reconstruction occurred between 1998 and 2001 on the left bank of the Daugava (the HES-2 plant).  The Energy Museum is now there.

Lielbātas dabīgais dzidravots ir lielākais Latvijā un viens no retajiem Ziemeļeiropā, kas zemes virspusē no dzīlēm iznes bioloģiski aktīvu un pareizi strukturētu ūdeni. Lielbātas dzidravots tek no rietumiem uz austrumiem pretī saulei, tāpēc jau izsenis tiek uzskatīts par maģisku, pat svētu, kam piemīt dziednieciskas spējas.

Vēstures materiālos Lielbātas avots pirmo reizi pieminēts 1253. gadā un līdz šim brīdim turpina savu plūdumu.

 Lielbātas avots atrodas sakoptā un ekoloģiski tīrā vidē. Laikam ritot, avota ūdens plūsma nav mazinājusies, bet tieši pretēji, tā ir pieņēmusies spēkā un ar apbrīnojamu jaudu avots turpina dot unikālu dabas velti – tīru, bioloģiski aktīvu, pareizi strukturētu ūdeni, neapstājoties ne dienu, ne nakti, ne ziemu, ne vasaru. Netālu no avota atrodas vēsturiskā Vaiņodes jeb Lielbātas pils, kuru 19. gs. vidū būvēja barons Osten Sakens. Vēstures liecības liecina, ka šī vieta pils būvniecībai nav izvēlēta nejauši. 1923. gadā pilī tika izveidota sanatorija, kas ne tikai bija priekšzīmīgākā Latvijā, bet varēja cienīgi līdzināties ārzemju sanatorijām. Tam par iemeslu bija dabiski tīrā un dziednieciskā vide, kas saglabājusies līdz pat mūsdienām. Lielbātas pils ir privātīpašums un apmeklētājiem nav pieejama, taču Lielbātas avots ir brīvi pieejams, un katram ir iespējams nogaršot avota ūdeni.

Adrese: Vaiņodes pils, Vaiņodes pagasts, Dienvidkurzemes novads LV-3535

The owner of the Russian farm (Vene talu) prepares delicious Russian national dishes according to her grandmother's recipes. Guests learn traditions and enjoy plenty of food. There is also a tea salon, and masterclasses for Russian cuisine.

 A long village stretching along both banks of the Lūžņa River.  In 1937, there were 36 houses and two boat piers here.  During the 1860s, ships were built here, but during the Soviet occupation, there were military bases there.  During the 1930s, the village was visited several times by the Finnish linguist Lauri Ketunen and Estonian student Oskar Lorits.  They were working on a Livonian dictionary.  Another resident of Lūžņa was the first Livonian artist, Jānis Belte (1893-1946).  The "Dēliņi" fisherman's homestead has been transferred to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum and can be seen there.

This nature park is one of the richest and most unusual nature parks in Latvia in terms of its natural resources, the surrounding environment, the landscapes, the biological diversity of the area, and the cultural monuments which are found there. The main treasure there is the little-changed Daugava River valley, where there are eight major curves in the river at a length of four to eight kilometres. There are also the gullies of river tributaries. Outstanding views can be found on the steep shores of the Daugava River valley, particularly the Slutiški and Ververi cliffs and the Elerne gravel hill. There are some 20 archaeological monuments on the shores of the valley -- ancient castle hills at Najene, Markova, Vecračina, etc., countless churches -- the Juzefova, Sprukti, Borovka, Elerne, Sīķele, Kaplava and other churches, the Rozališki, Lielborne and other baronia estates, and the unique village of Slutiški, which is home to the Old Believers. There are interesting nature trails and bicycling trails in the area. Horseback riding is available, and there is a viewing tower along with other elements for tourists. Boating down the Daugava River is an interesting way to spend time.

This nature park was established to protect the Burzava hillocks, Lake Adamova (a eutrophic lake), and the habitats and species that are found along the lake’s shores – bats included. The loveliest views of the area can be viewed from the hillocks that are on the northern shore of the lake. There are tourist accommodations on the shores of Lake Adamova where tourists can spend the night.

Located in the centre of Dikļi, the 1896 castle was renovated into a four-star hotel in 2003. The castle offers a look at antique furnishings, fireplaces and ovens, as well as paintings by Latvian artists. Two restaurants (summer and winter) offer fine dining and an individualised approach. The castle works with local farms.

Latvian cuisine: Beefsteak, grilled trout, smoked wild board bacon, filet of pike from Lake Burtnieki, seasonal mushrooms and berries.

Special foods: Venison chop, candied fruit in syrup, onion marmalade.

Dievnamu (atrodas Skujenes – Vecpiebalgas ceļa malā) 1872. g. cēla pirmais izglītotais latviešu arhitekts Jānis Frīdrihs Baumanis (1834. – 1891.), kas ir vairāku pazīstamu celtņu – J. Vītola Mūzikas akadēmijas, Rīgas cirka, Valsts bankas u.c. ēku projekta autors. Padomju laikā Māļu baznīcā atradās tukšās taras pieņemšanas punkts, bet mūsdienās – saglabājies tikai ēkas ārējais veidols. Baznīca apskatāma arī no iekšpuses.

Saaremaa has had strong beer brewing traditions since olden times. In Kuressaare, the building with Art deco elements where electricity was once made, is now a home for the beer brewery Pöide that demonstrates the art of beer brewing – you will learn several secrets and taste various beers in the special tasting room.