Avinurme Cultural Heritage Centre exhibits displays of local cultural history and runs workshops for woodwork and handicraft. Old workbenches are used for carpentry, and spinning and weaving skills can be honed too. 1-3-hour programmes are available for groups.

Construction of the Sigulda castle was begun by the Order of Brethren of Swords in 1207, but in 1236 it was rebuilt for the needs of the Livonian Order.  The building suffered much damage during wars in the latter half of the 16th century and the early part of the 17th century.  It was burned down during the Great Northern War and was not restored.  Visible today is the south-western wing of the castle’s convent building and the main gate tower, behind which is the internal forecastle with an open-air stage that offers an impressive view of the ancient Gauja River valley.  The new Sigulda castle was built between 1878 and 1881, and it was owned by Count Kropotkin.  From 1923 until 1940, the castle housed a centre for writers, and during the Soviet Union it was a hospital for cardiology patients.  Since 2003, the Sigulda Administrative District Council has been located here.  The buildings that have been preserved include a wooden home (mid-19th century), where the Kropotkin family used to live, a granary (late 18th or early 19th century), the home of the gardener (19th century) and a brick wall (19th century).  If we go to the north-eastern direction, we will find the Vējupīte valley less than two kilometres away.  It includes the shallow (3.6 m) but high (6.1 m) Pēteris cave and the deep Pūču valley with the little Kraukļupīte River.  At the place where the two valleys come together we find the Satezele castle hill (its flat surface is 90 x 75 m), where, in the early 13th century, the oak castle of the ruler of Livonian lands, Dabrelis, was once found.  Nearby is the Kraukļu valley, with 11 m sandstone walls and a cave that is 5.2 m deep.  Nearby is the Paradise (Painter) hill, which offers a lovely landscape that has been painted and photographed since ancient times.  There is a Ferris wheel in the western part of Sigulda that is open during the summer, as well as an aerial tram that is the only transport vehicle of its type in the Baltic States and was installed in 1969.  The cable that carries the tram is 1,060 metres long and links the shores of the ancient Gauja River valley between Sigulda and Krimulda.  The cable is approximately 40 metres above the Gauja.  The south-western part of Sigulda features the mighty Beite cliff which is split by a deep stream valley.  To the west of the cliff is the Emperor’s View viewing area that is 67 m above the Gauja and offers a good view of Krimulda and the Turaida Castle.  A viewing area was established here in 1862, when Tsar Alexander II of Russia visited Sigulda.  The wooden Emperor’s chair is to the east of the viewing area.  The Turaida Museum Reserve is in the place where the shore is split by deep valleys carved out by streams.  It features several outstanding monuments that are as much as 1,000 years old.  Of note are the Turaida Estate (21 buildings), the grave of the Rose of Turaida, the Turaida Lutheran Church (1750), which is one of the oldest wooden churches in Latvia) and the Turaida Castle.  Folksong hill, which is nearby, is used for various thematic events.

The dairy makes cheese from old Latvian recipes, doing so by hand, as was the case centuries ago.  The products have been awarded the “Green Teaspoon.”  Fresh cheese can be smoked.  Tours of the company are available, and the dairy accepts orders and delivers finished products.

This progressive biological farm grows some 50 types of biological vegetables and greens.  The farmers own 10 ha of land where they grow various vegetables outdoors and in greenhouses in the Biržu region. 

This is one of the most expressive estates built in the style of Romanticism.  Dating back to the 19th century, it is on a peninsula in Astravo, which can easily be reached from Biržu along the longest wooden bridge in Lithuania, crossing Lake Širvenos.  Covering 18 ha, the mixed-plan park was installed from 1851 until 1862.  Local fir trees, linden trees and pine trees grow in the park.

The restored mansion of the Dunte Estate is now a museum featuring the adventures and life of the legendary king of lies, Baron Munchhausen.  The first floor is devoted to the barn and his stories, while the second floor has a collection of wax models of people who are distinguished in terms of Latvia’s history.  Also there is the largest collection of beer mugs in Latvia.  There are three circular trails in the forest with wooden sculptures.  The longest one leads to the sea.  A wooden model of a ship is interesting to children.

This is one of the most colourful and architecturally interesting parks in Lithuania.  It was rebuilt and expanded between 1898 and 1900 by the renowned dendrologist G.F. Kuphaldt.  The park had more than 200 types of plants, more than 100 of which are still growing.  There are various roads and pathways that offer a sense of the mightiness and beauty of the park.  A dendrological trail with markers offers information about 15 rare trees.

The café is in the centre of Balvi on the side of Brīvības Street (in the direction of Viļaka). It offers homemade dishes and is a popular dining venue.

Svartå Manor is one of the most precious manor houses in Finland with a history of more than two hundred years. The countryside hotel consists of five different historical buildings situated in an idyllic park with a scenic river flowing nearby. Near the manor is a restaurant and a museum, where you can take a tour.