Krustpils was first recorded in documents in 1237 in relation to the construction of the Kreutzburg castle on the right bank of the Daugava River.  A 1511 document lists it as a village.  In 1585, Polish King Stefan Báthory gifted the town to Nicholas Korff, whose family continued to own it until 1920.  Battles between Swedish and Polish forces occurred outside of Krustpils in 1626, and the sacked village was in poor shape until the mid-19th century.  Jēkabpils, in turn, was constructed as a settlement for Old Believers who were persecuted in Russia.  The Daugava has rapids opposite Krustpils and Jēkabpils, which means that boats had to dock there and reload their goods into wagons.  The settlement flourished, and in 1670 it was given the rights of a city.  It is named after Duke Jacob.  When the Rīga-Daugavpils rail line opened in 1861, Krustpils flourished, and Jēkabpils did not flourish.  The two cities were administratively merged in 1962, keeping the name of Jēkabpils.  There are typical one-story wooden buildings from the 19th century, red brick buildings built at the turn of the 20th century, as well as seven churches used by different denominations.  The dam along the left bank of the Daugava was built in 1861, and it was aimed at protecting the city against flooding.  Today it is a promenade that is popular among local residents for strolling and leisure.

The pub Raudnaela is located near Pärnu-Tartu highway, in the place of the former Raudna inn (1700), 15 minutes’ drive from Viljandi. Guests can enjoy delicious home-made dishes, as well as a themed dinner.

The trip starts in Kuldīga – a jewel among the old towns in Kurzeme. The town centre is home to historic buildings dating back to the 17th – 19th century. Cobbled streets of Kuldīga, old buildings, the river Alekšupīte, running through the town, St. Catherine’s Church and organ music concerts in it, gourmet restaurants and a country delicatessen shop in the town centre is a great travel experience to enjoy in a leisurely ambience of a small town. The red-brick bridge over the river Venta is a landmark of the town. The widest waterfall of Europe, Ventas rumba (width ~100 m) lies on the Venta. Venta river promenade is a popular place for walking along the riverbank.

A private transfer will take you from Kuldīga to the village of Snēpele, where you will start your hike. The trail will take you to the Pelči Manor, the manor park and the deer park next to the guest house “Mazsālijas”. Next, the Forest Trail will lead you through the Abava River Valley Nature Park up to the town of Sabile. The latter is home to a winery and cider house “Sabiles Sidra nams”, which offers tastings and sells the local wine and cider. The section along the Abava River Valley Nature Park is the most diverse in terms of landscape and terrain of a river valley in Kurzeme. The river valley with its numerous habitats and vast biodiversity reaches a depth of 30–40 m and is more than 300 m wide. One will find springs, waterfalls, rock outcrops, and boulders here. After the Forest Trail has meandered through meadows, oak forests and hillocks it finally reaches the town of Kandava.

The restaurant is in the Grand Hall of the restored Liepupe Estate. Ancient cooking traditions are merged with modern culinary methods. The restaurant works with local farmers and grows greens and herbs in its own garden. Guests are welcome to help with preparing foods on a wood-fired stove in the antique kitchen.

Latvian cuisine: Rye bread canapé, a plate of Latvian cheeses, country salad with greens, grilled seasonal vegetables, estate stock, local fish dishes, baked port chop, baked herb-crusted mutton.

Divstāvīgā ēka ir redzama no Dundagas – Ģipkas ceļa (ap 3,7 km no Ģipkas ciema). Šis nav tūrisma objekts, bet gan vēsturiska vieta, kurai vērts pievērst uzmanību kaut vai no attāluma. Ēkas pirmajā stāvā no 1860. g. darbojās skola, kurā par skolotāju strādāja rakstnieks Antons Austriņš. 1867. g. tai uzbūvēja otro stāvu, kurā uzsāka jūrskolas izveidi. Jūrskola darbojās līdz 1894. g., kad to pārcēla uz Mazirbi.

On the left bank of the Gauja River, opposite the Piķene cliff is the mighty Beite cliff which is split by a deep ravine. On the left side there is Ķeizarskats (Emperor's View), which is approximately 67 metres above the level of the Gauja and offers a fine view of Krimulda and the Turaida Castle. The viewing place was installed in 1862, when Russian Tsar Alexander II visited Sigulda. On the right side of the ravine is the mighty wooden Ķeizarkrēsls (Emperor's Chair). To get there, you have to cross the ravine (there are wooden stairs and a forest trail). You can go around it on Laurenču, Kalna and Gulbju streets.

Atrodas Ēdoles centrā. Dievnams tapis 17. gs. vidū, pateicoties Ēdoles pils īpašnieka - Johana Dītriha Bēra iniciatīvai, kas to veltījis sava noslepkavotā tēva piemiņai, domādams, ka tādējādi varēs izpirkt brāļa Filipa - tēva slepkavas grēkus. Lai izpirktu savējos, J. D. Bērs licis sevi paglabāt zem baznīcas durvju sliekšņa. Dievnama iekštelpas rotā sākotnējais baroka interjers, kā arī krāšņs ērģeļu prospekts un luktu apdares elementi.

Here you will learn about home-based manufacturers, farms, companies and others in southern Vidzeme that produce various dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, ice cream, etc.  From Rīga, take the Vidzeme Highway and turn toward Mālpils.  On the way to Ērgļi and Jumurda, you’ll be delighted by the hillocks of the Vidzeme highlands and the lovely landscape that they represent.  Near Ērgļi you will find Braki, the home of the classical Latvian author Rūdolfs Blaumanis, Meņģeļi, home of the Jurjāns brothers, and the Jumurda Estate.  Drive on through Cesvaine, stopping to look at its impressive castle, and on to Madona, where you can have a delicious meal.  From Madona, follow the lovely banks of the Daugava River to Koknese (Destiny Island, the Koknese castle, park and church), and on to Skrīveri, where the author Andrejs Upītis was born.  There’s a homemade ice cream place and the factory that produces the universally known penuche candy that is sold under the “Gotiņa” brand name in Latvia.  Then drive to Ogre for some Sierštelle cheeses and then back to Rīga.