The rock is in the square outside the Skrunda Cultural Centre.  It was installed in 2005 in honour of the victory of Col Oskars Kalpaks and his battalion over the Bolsheviks.  During the Latvian liberation battles, on January 22, 1919, the Bolsheviks occupied Skrunda.  Kalpaks’ battalion headed toward the town on January 29 from the Rudbārži Estate.  After a three-hour battle, the victory was won, with the battalion taking over a strategic line near the banks of the Venta River.   This was the first victory for Kalpaks’ men after many retreats, and that inspired the rest of the liberation battles.

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.

This is a homestead that is three km from the centre of Vecpiebalga and is in a lovely place – the Incēni hill.  There is a museum here featuring the author of the legendary fairy tale “Pussy’s Mill” by Kārlis Skalbe (1879-1945).  The poet and prose writer built the building in 1926 and spent summers there from that year until 1944.  The museum was opened in 1987.  The western slope of Vaktskalns hill right alongside the museum offers a lovely view of Lake Alauksts.  The cremated remains of Skalbe and his wife, Lizete, were reinterred at the location in 1992 from Sweden, where the poet died.  There is a unique monument to them in the form of a stone boat.

The workshop is in a farm, and the weaver produces blankets, carpeting, floor pathways, tablecloths, pillows, woven baskets, trays and souvenirs, as well as folk costumes on commission. She will be happy to show you her weaving and wicker-work skills.

The garden is opposite the Brenguļi brewery, where unfiltered and unpasteurised beers are made from locally grown grains and on the basis of the knowledge of ancestors. The beer garden offers light and dark Brenguļi beer, as well as Latvian dishes.

Latvian cuisine: Grey peas with bacon, sausages with cabbage, Rūjiena ice cream.

The Tērvete Nature Park is located in an area which is not particularly typical of the Zemgale region – the distinct Tērvete River valley. Along its banks there are vast forests which have been nicely adapted to leisure activities. There are natural treasures, as well as an outstanding cultural and historical heritage in the area. The Tērvete Nature Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Zemgale. People are interested in the Park of Old Pines, the lovely pine forest, the Sprīdīši arboretum, the Tērvete, Klosterkalns and Svētkalns castle hills, the memorial museum “Sprīdīši” which commemorates the great Latvian author Anna Brigadere, various attractions for children, lovely landscapes, a dense network of pathways, etc. The nature park was nominated as the most family-friendly location in Latvia in 2004.

This is Latvia’s oldest nature reserve and, indeed, the country’s oldest protected natural territory. Moricsala is an island in Lake Usma, which is the fifth largest lake in Latvia. The reserve was established in 1912 at the initiative of a group of nature students from Rīga. They wished to protect the deciduous forest of oak trees on the island, along with the local flora and fauna. The nature reserve also includes the Lielalksnīte island. Visits to the reserve, however, are strictly prohibited.