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The former Memele. The only port city with a old town in Lithuania.

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Lots of wild animals can be found in vast paddocks along the ancient Gauja river valley and its small tributaries – areas in which living conditions are as close to natural circumstances as possible. Here the visitor can find, if lucky, reindeer, deer, wild boars, bears, foxes, lynx, various kinds of birds, as well as aurochs. There is a dense network of pathways in the park, including lots of information. There is also a route for drivers and bicyclists. During the winter, it is used for distance skiing. There is also a visitors’ centre.
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The second biggest city in Lithuania and from 1920 – 1939 - a temporary capital. The Old Town, The Town Hall (16th century), St. Peter and Pavil cathedral - basilica (15th century), Thunder building (15th century), Laisves alley, Ciurlionis Art and Devil Museum.

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5 days

Duke Jacob of Courland was a ruler of the Duchy of Courland and Zemgale for 40 years (1642-1682).  There were great changes during his rule, with the ship building industry developing rapidly, the first factories appearing, and agricultural output improving.  The duke had a large fleet that brought grain, meat, butter, wool, timber and all that was manufactured at baronial estates in Zemgale and Courland to Western Europe.  The fleet was so big and strong that its ships sailed not just to Europe, but also all the way to Tobago and Gambia, where colonies were established to bring sugar, coffee and spices to Europe.

The duchy built ships, manufactured paper and saltpetre and wove textiles, brocade and tapestries.  Iron manufacturing was highly developed, and ore was imported from Sweden.  This made it possible to forge nails, anchors, bells, cannons and other firearms.  The duchy produced vodka, vinegar and gunpowder for which there was great demand in Europe, because there were attacks and defences that required it.  As much as 25 tonnes of gunpowder were produced each year.  One of the gunpowder towers is still in Kandava, though it has been rebuilt many times.  The duchy manufactured sails and ropes, as well as hemp ropes.  It was said that the fleet of the Queen of England would not have existed without those ropes.  The duke also thought about selection of grain, bred livestock, improved land with land reclamation and tried to expand output from his fields.

Jacob did not manage to do everything that he wanted to do.  A canal to avoid the Venta rapids was not finished, and plans such as the colonisation of Australia were not finished.  Yet the era of Duke Jacob was a period of great change in the territory of Latvia, and it has not gone unnoticed that the great achievements of the duke occurred on a small plot of European land.  That proves that wise management can ensure lots of progress.

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The residential building of the manor house was built in the 19th century. In 1932, so neglected manor house was bought by the Latvian press king A. Benjamiņš. Nowadays, the manor house is owned by the Benjamiņi family again and there is located a photo exposition of the private life and travels of A. Benjamiņš.

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Located on the main pedestrian thoroughfare in town, the baker offers bacon pierogi, cottage cheese and cinnamon pastries, sweet pretzels and tortes. Vintage bicycles can be rented.

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The cave, which is 45 m deep and up to 5.5 m wide is found on the right bank of the Strīķupe river, by the Cēsis-Lenči road. The cave and its nearby sandstone cliff have suffered much damage from local visitors, which is why the administrators of the national park limited access to the surrounding territory a few years ago. You can no longer approach the cave. This is a positive example of who an important geological monument and a protected biotope can be protected.

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A large paddock which is freely accessible for children and their parents offers contacts with goats, pigs, fowl and other animals, including rabbits. During the season, the owner offers eggs for sale.

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The owner of the farm was the first to grow bush blackberries in Latvia in 1996, and today he has whole fields of the berries. He sells berries and plants, offers tours with tastings and consultations, designs gardens, and prepares plans for greenery.

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Neliela apdzīvota vieta, kuras apkārtnē jau izsenis iegūta kūdra un ārstniecības dūņas, kas izmantotas Ķemeru kūrortā. Kūdrā atrodas padomju laikā celtā dzelzsbetona rūpnīca, kura nodrošināja ar būvniecības materiāliem tagadējo Kauguru mikrorajonu.
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This is a mostly forested territory which is home to one of the largest areas of the white mistletoe, which is a semi-parasitic plant. It is best to observe this unique plant when it has no leaves. Latvia is the northern limit to the white mistletoe, which is why it is not all that common. It is interesting that even more of this rare specie can be seen outside of the nature restricted area.

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Located at the Lake Burtnieks southern shore, these are wetland meadows which are regularly flooded and which are important places for various birds, including the corn - crake, to nest. This is part on the environmentallyrestricted area which covers the meadows of Lake Burtnieks.

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Ap 9,5 km garais un līdz kilometru platais ezers atrodas subglaciālā – t.i. ledāja veidotā vagā, tādēļ tas ir ne tikai Lietuvas, bet arī otrs Baltijas dziļākais ezers (pēc dažādiem avotiem 60,5 m vai 62,5 m). Tauragna dienvidu krastā paceļas Taurapils pilskalns (Taurapilio piliakalnis). Saglabājušies nostāsti gan par pagānu priesteri, kas te dzīvojis, gan nogrimušu baznīcu, gan laikiem, kad pilskalnu no visām pusēm apņēmis ūdens. No pilskalna plakuma paveras visaptverošs skats uz Tauragnu.

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One of the youngest Latvian towns, in 2013 it will celebrate its twenty year anniversary. A number of significant scientific institutions in a Latvian scale is located in Salaspils (in Soviet times it was built as a science centre) - Institute of Biology, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Physics, National Botanic Gardens, former Salaspils nuclear reactor and the Forest Research Institute "Silava". Over the last decade the infrastructure has been developed, as well as wide areas of private houses are developed. In 1996 a new Catholic church was built in Salaspils. Most of the town residents commute each day to Riga for work.

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On the way to Turaida you must definitely stop at Gutmana cave. It is the widest (12 m) high (10 m) and in terms of volume - one of the biggest Latvian caves (cave like niche), which is also an important cultural and historical site, place rich with stories (most popular of Turaida Rose), surrounded by ancient walls and ceiling inscriptions (oldest from the end of 17th century). A spring originates from the cave; it is believed that it has healing properties. Turaida Museum reserve with Batlic scale outstanding monuments whose history stretches over 1000 years in the distant past is located at the point where the right mainland of Gauja valley is split by deep ravines of several small streams. Their exploration can be started with Turaida manor (first mentioned in 16th century), which is an outstanding example of Vidzeme manors. 21 buildings, built between the 18th century until the beginning 20th century are preserved until now. Visitors can see the manor stables, coach house, sauna, forge, fish cellar, barn, foreman house, the old residential buildings of landlord, and residential building of manor servants, oust house, etc. While walking in Turaida direction, we will reach the grave of Turaida Rose, which relates with the legend of Turaida Maija, who sacrificed her life for love. Near the grave grows a great linden tree (poor condition), wich is believed to be planted on the grave of Maija. Turaida Lutheran Church that lies further is the third church in a row and one of the oldest (1750) Latvian wooden churches – single volume wood log building with a baroque tower. Here you can see the altar and pulpit (Middle of the 18th century), altarpiece "Golgotha​​" (end of the 17th century – beginning of the 18th century) and historical exposition. Tautasdziesmu (folksongs) Park stretches at the Dainu Hill, the development of which started in 1985, noting the 150th anniversary of father of Latvian folk songs – Krisjanis Barons. More than 26 stone sculptures created by the sculptor I. Ranka are exhibited here. This is also a place of annual folklore events. Before the construction of Turaida stone castle (started in 1214), wooden Liv castle stood here. Turaida castle belonged to the Bishop. It existed for a long time - until to the 1776 when it was burned down. In 1953 an extensive restoration works was started here; upper storey of main tower, barn building (exposition on Sigulda district), semi-circular tower and castle complex in the southern enclosure was restored. Now the museum exhibition is established at the castle premises, which tells about the historical events in the surroundings.

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The shadowy cellar of the estate is a great place to hear about how homemade wine is made. You can taste rhubarb, black currant and strawberry wine along with local goodies such as cheese. Local farmers provide the ingredients for the wine.

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The company runs wildlife tours: kayak trips at sea in summer, bogshoeing in bogs in autumn, snowshoeing trips in winter and canoeing on rivers in spring.
Nature lovers enjoy our wildlife viewing tours: brown bear safaris and birdwatching in spring, elk, seal and wolf-themed tours in autumn.

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Ilmārs Vecelis takes part in the “Potter School” of the Latvian Cultural Fund and, therefore, uses ancient pottery methods that have been tested over the course of many centuries in Latgale. You can tour his workshop, attend the opening of the kiln, try your own hand at the craft, and commission and purchase finished ceramics products.

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The barn was built in the second half of the 19th century. The building has a permanent exhibition, where you can see how land management and bread baking took place in the manor. We bake bread if you order in advance

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The tower is locatede in the Niedrāji-Pilka swamp. Access it via the old Ainaži-Valmiera-Smiltene narrow gauge rail line, which dates back to 1912, and then take the wooden footpaths which are approximately one kilometre long. This is a high-type swamp with small lakes at the foot of the tower. It is in the ZBR.