This professional tour will look at fruit farms that selection, breed and grow breeds that are appropriate for Latvia’s weather conditions.  During the introductory day, participants will tour Rīga, which is part of the UNESCO List of World Heritage, and also visit a health food store.  On the second day, it is off to Kurzeme, where we will visit a farm that has developed a special technology for the processing of sea buckthorn in a way that preserves all of the vitamins and minerals that are in the berries.  We will visit Wine Hill in Sabile, where grapes have been grown since the 16th or 17th century.  Some 15 types of grapes that have been adapted to Latvia’s climate are grown here now.  Next we will visit the Kukši Estate, which offers a look at the cultural environment of baronial estates in the 18th and 19th century.  We will return to Rīga via the Jūrmala spa and have dinner at a Latvian saloon.  The next morning we will travel to Vidzeme to look at a former peat swamp where large cranberries are grown now.  The farm has its own processing technologies to manufacture candies, syrups, juices and teas.  Next we will visit Latvia’s first blueberry farm for a tour and tastings.  At the end of the day, we will visit a farm that grows cranberries and blackberries, emphasising successful and healthy food products and their marketing.  On the morning of the fourth day, we will visit the Medieval Cēsis castle, which was the residence of the masters of the Livonian Order and one of the most fortified fortresses in the territory of the Baltic States.  We will visit an agricultural technical school in Priekuļi to meet with faculty members.  At the conclusion of the day, we will go to Ungurmuiža Estate, which is one of the most outstanding examples of 18th century Baroque wood construction in Latvia.  The mansion (1732) is the only early 18th century wooden building of this type that has been preserved to this very day.

The steep shores of Jūrkalne are one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kurzeme.  The shores are up to 20 m high, washed by the waves and mostly made of sand and narrow bands of pebbles and stones.  Opposite the centre of Jūrkalne is a viewing platform and a set of stairs that lead to the sea.  The shore continues in the direction of Pāvilosta and Ventspils.

Origins of Livani as a bigger place of population are linked to the 1533, when the then owner of the land Lieven established the manor and called it after his own name Lievenhof. The 1678, the first Catholic Church was built here. The city suffered considerably during the two world wars. Name of Livani is associated with the glass. In 1887 a glass factory was founded here, which today has ceased operation.

The workshop offers a look at lanterns, candelabras, hinges, fireplace tools, stair railings and gates that have been manufactured there, as well as several exhibits from the 18^th century. You can produce your own nail, and the blacksmith will also “test” young couples. He also accepts orders for products.

This is the only Straw Museum in Latvia, with ~370 sculptures and dolls made of straw and hay. Children in particular will love the chance to learn skills related to straw and hay at the creative straw workshop, where specific methodologies have been developed. Children will be able to take the things that they create along with them. The owners prepare holiday designs and elements, as well as attractive souvenirs.

Dodieties ekskursijā, lai gūtu ieskatu lauku profesijā un dzīvesveidā, kā arī iegūtu jaunus iespaidus un labu atpūtu visai klasei. Ekskursijas laikā apmeklējiet etnogrāfisku ciematu un muzeju, kurā var iepazīt vecticībnieku kultūrvidi un tradīcijas. Pēc tam apmeklējiet saimniecību, lai uzzinātu par dažādiem ārstniecības augiem un degustētu tējas. Ekskursijas noslēgumā dodieties uz zirgu sētu, kur var iepazīt saimniecību, tās galvenos iemītniekus - zirgus, kā arī izstaigāt dabas taku.

This grand hiking tour is provided for experienced hikers wishing to walk along a large part of the coasts of Latvia and Estonia, gain a detailed impression about the diverse coastal landscape, nature, birds and animals of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route sometimes runs through sandy beaches, sometimes along sections of beach covered in stones and pebbles. Sometimes the trail goes through coastal forests or stops at a fishermen’s village. There are many floodplain meadows, lagoons and shallow bays on the Estonian side, so sometimes the path goes along coastal trails and roads. In the end section of the route you will feel Estonia’s Nordic nature more. Part of the route runs along a sparsely populated seashore where you can be alone with yourself, but you will also be able to visit the most prominent cities. You will visit both capitals: Rīga and Tallinn. Enjoy the hospitality of the resort towns of Jūrmala, Pärnu and Haapsalu. During the hike, you will also get acquainted with the regions of small ethnic cultures: the Livonians in Latvia and the inhabitants of Kihnu in Estonia.

The Lācīši farm can be found in the Galgauska Parish to the Southwest of Gulbene.  One of the largest farms in Northeastern Vidzeme, it specialises in grain farming (577 ha), rapeseed farming (295 ha), and various grasses.  It is also a dairy farm with some 100 cows to produce meat and breed calves.  There is an interesting room for meetings and presentations, with large glass windows opening up to the cattle barn.  The farm actively makes use of EU funding.  Contact the farm in advance for tours and exchanges of experiences.

Meklējama pilsētas centrā - Tirgus laukumā 11. Dievnams uzcelts 1886. g. Ēkā atrodas vairāki nozīmīgi mākslas pieminekļi – gleznas, krucifikss (18. gs.) u.c. Baznīcas dārzā apskatāma skulptūra “Latgales māte” (tēlnieks B. Buls) un piemineklis politiski represēto piemiņai (tēlniece V. Dzintare). Baznīca ir apskatāma arī no iekšpuses.