For the first time Valmiera is mentioned in the historical sources in 1323. Until the 13th century this place was in the composition of Talava, inhabited by Latgalians. Construction of Valmiera medieval castle began in the beginning of the 13th century, but in 1283, between the Gauja River and Rate River towered church. Location near to the Tartu-Pskov and Novgorod trade routes greatly facilitated the economic development of the populated area. During the 14th-16th century Valmiera was a part of the Hanseatic League. It suffered greatly from wars, epidemics and fires in 16th to 18th century. In the second half of the 19th century the economic boom started again. It was also facilitated by the building of wooden bridge across the Gauja in 1866 and Riga-Pskov railway opened in 1899. Historic centre is destroyed in 1944. During post-war years, large industrial companies such as - Valmiera glass fiber factory (to this day) are opeating in the town. Today, Valmiera is economic, educational and sports centre of Vidzeme.

The square structure with walls that are nearly two metres thick became known as the Gunpowder Tower during the rule of Duke Jacob, because that is what was stored here.  There might have been a well here, because groundwater is close to the surface.  The tower and the castle were linked by a 12-metre bridge on one pillar.  The tower is only visible from the outside.

Эта поездка  на автомобиле предусмотрена для всей семьи и особенно понравится детям. Вы сможете понаблюдать за работой гончара, а также мастер с удовольствием посвятит Вас в секреты своего мастерства. Побывать в гостях у барона Мюнхаузена, знаменитого своими многочисленными приключениями. Погулять по улочкам Цесиса и отправиться дальше в крестьянское хозяйство, где разводят кроликов. Малышам особенно понравится играть с крольчатами в открытых вольерах. Хозяева оленьего питомника расскажут о жизни диких животных – оленях, кабанах. Вы сами сможете наблюдать за животными со смотровых вышек. В хозяйстве экзотических животных увидите страусов, муфлонов, пони и карликовых свиней. По пути домой рекомендуем насладиться красотами Сигулды.

Ventspils ir viena no attīstītākajām Latvijas pilsētām ar izcilu infrastruktūru, restaurētu vecpilsētu un Livonijas Ordeņa pili, tīru un labi ierīkotu balto smilšu pludmali, promenādi un dažādām izklaides un atpūtas vietām. Pilsēta ir piemērota ģimenēm, un bērni visvairāk izbauda Zilā karoga pludmali ar dažādām šūpolēm, slidkalniņiem, kā arī Bērnu pilsētiņu ar aktivitāšu zonām dažādu vecumu bērniem. Īss izbrauciens ar Mazbānīti, kas ir interesanta atrakcija gan bērniem, gan pieaugušajiem. Ūdens priekus var baudīt gan iekštelpu, gan āra akvaparkos. Dodieties izbraucienos pa tuvējo apkārtni, lai izbaudītu ainavisko jūras piekrasti, redzētu tradicionālos zvejnieku ciematus, kur iespējams iegādāties kūpinātas zivis tieši no zvejniekiem. Slīteres nacionālais parks ar skaistu skatu, kas paveres no Slīteres bākas, apburošā Kuldīga ar tās koka arhitektūru.

The environmental object “SUITI MEETING PLACE” was established during an international arts plénière in Jūrkalne, and the originator of the idea was the musician Igo.  Sculptor Ivars Miķelsons with assistants Didzis Grodzs and Juris Krafts produced the environmental object.  The idea of marking out the Suiti cultural space among Gudenieki, Alsunga and Jūrkalne in nature began in 2013, when the first Suiti meeting place was established where the Gudenieki-Ēdole and Alsunga-Basi roads cross.  The second meeting place was established the next year where the Kuldīga-Alsunga-Jūrkalne road crosses the town in the direction of Jūrkalne past the Alsunga centre.  The third Suiti meeting place was established in Jūrkalne.  The objects were established in partnership with local governments and landowners by the “Vēju sēta” association.

The stronghold dates back to the 13th C, exhibitions in its cellars present wildlife and history of the island. Workshops (smithy, glass, ceramics, stone) run from May to August for visitors to admire or participate in. The archery range nearby adds to the excitement and there you can also mint coins.
Mihkli Farm Museum (+372 454 6613, www.saaremaamuuseum.ee) is a museum branch in Viki village in western Saaremaa with lots to tell and see about heritage, culture and architecture.

The Western breakwater was finished in 1885 and stretches 860 metres into the sea.  Together with the Eastern breakwater it regulates the flow of water from the Daugava River into the sea, also reducing silt levels in the river.  The structure of the breakwater is based on piles that are strengthened with rocks.  The breakwater has been reconstructed and strengthened several times.  During the 19th century, it held a prison for offenders.  Approximately ½ of the breakwater has been restored with cement, but the rest of it is in fairly sad shape.  Polish King Stefan Báthory ordered the construction of a lighthouse alongside the Daugava in 1528, and the first map to show a lighthouse was produced in 1536.  A 1721 list of lighthouses in the Russian Empire notes a pile of rocks at the location upon which a fire was lit.  Later there were wooden and stone towers that were destroyed during wars.  The current Daugavgrīva lighthouse was built in 1957 and is 35 m high.  Its light can be seen at a distance of 18 nautical miles.