In the 1960s, the Soviet Union banned individual fishing in the sea, and the motor boats which had no other purpose were simply beached in the dunes.  It is said that members of the Border Guard often set the boats on fire.  Another story is that the Border Guard banned an ancient tradition of burning old boats on Summer solstice Eve.  Along the road to the cemetery is the old net barn, which is a residential building today.

This route passed along many places where events directly related to the emergence of the Latvian state and to the subsequent freedom battles occurred.  The historical route from Rīga to Liepāja via Dobele, Saldus, Skrunda, Durbe and Grobiņa was used as long ago as the 13th century.

People in the Kurzeme region of Latvia have always eat sea, river and lake fish, particularly smoked fish.  Potted smoked cod, served in a clay pot, is a particular delicacy, as are smelts, sea pike, sprats, herring and salmon, available all year long.  Ladies of the house bake tasty rye bread, sourdough bread and tasty carrot buns, and they also cook various porridges from barley.

Dairy products, Summer Solstice cheese and “white butter” has an important role. Fresh goat milk cheese is prepared with dills and garlic, and goat milk cheese is also tasty. Menus will include local domestic fowl and meat dishes, including roasts, ribs, sausages, as well as more exotic dishes such as pig’s tongue and bull testicles. Fancy taverns will offer pheasant and wild game with mushrooms, lingonberries, juniper berries and wild herbs.

In Kurzeme you will be greeted with delicious pies, sheet cakes, poppy seed pastries and honey cakes, biscuits with poppies and cranberries, dessert from rye bread, lingonberries or cranberries and sweet cream.Blackberry dumplings are popular. More unusual are marmalades made from wild plants such as mountain ash, cranberries and even fir needles. Slake your thirst with aromatic herbal teas with honey and enjoy a mug of beer or some homemade wine.

Meklējams Virgas centrā. Asprātīgā piemiņas zīme (tēlnieks R. Gabaliņš, mākslinieks R. Kalniņš) – zābaks ar diviem pretēji vērstiem lielgabaliem un lodēm vēsta par Ziemeļu kara laika notikumiem, kad 1701. g. Virgā bija izveidota zviedru karaspēka nometne. Stāsta, ka karalis Kārlis XII savu zābaku pazaudējis citā reizē un vietā - Spilves kaujā pie Rīgas.

The biography of Krišjānis Valdemārs tells us that during the summer of 1839, teachers and students from the Lubezere school spent a few days on the coastline in Roja, where Valdemārs would later help to build a maritime school.  The area was breath-taking and unforgettable for the little boy.  “The noble appearance of the sea grabbed the spirit of the young man so powerfully that during those three days, I thought about nothing other than the noble sea, with childish courage that allowed me to prepare a plan for a deeper port in the Roja River so that larger boats and small ships could enter it,” Valdemārs wrote. (Source: Roja TIC)

The aerial tram across the Gauja is the only vehicle of its type in the Baltic States. It was installed in 1969 with the help of engineers from Georgia. The crossing is 1060 m long, and the cable which crosses the river is just one cable without any supports. The tram rides about 40 metres above the river, and it offers an outstanding look at the local landscapes. During the evening, the tram is used by Bungee jumpers.

Gaiziņkalns Hill is the highest hill in Latvia, and it is a typical example of the hillocks of the Vidzeme highlands. This is a place of wonderful landscapes, even though there are not all that many good viewing areas. At the centre of this park is Gaiziņkalns Hill itself – the highest place in Latvia and the second highest in the Baltic States (311.6 metres above sea level). The viewing tower, alas is not open to the public, because it is in dangerous condition. There is a well-appointed hiking trail around Gaiziņkalns Hill, and during the winter the hill and its surroundings are popular for downhill and cross-country skiing. Lake Viešūrs (Lake Kaķītis) is popular among licensed fishermen. This territory is part of a region of protected landscapes around Vestiena.

Located in Aizpute, within 200 metres of Exotic garden of Māris Linde and less than 1 km of Castle tavern, Hostelis R27 provides accommodation with a shared lounge and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The property is situated 1.1 km from Art gallery Mētras Māja, 1.1 km from Aizpute Local History Museum and 1.1 km from Aizpute winery. The property is set 1.4 km from Aizpute Baptist Parish and less than 1 km from Livonian Order castle ruins.

At the hostel, all rooms have a wardrobe. The shared bathroom is equipped with a shower and a hairdryer. At Hostelis R27 each room has bed linen and towels.

Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Stone bridge, Manor Brewery and Aizpute old town. The nearest airport is Liepāja International Airport, 37 km from Hostelis R27.

The craftsman produces gravestones, commemorative plaques and stone sculptures on the basis of orders from clients. He is prepared to tell you about a stonemason’s work and demonstrate his skills.

The wetland meadows that are around the Pededze River are the site of this 200 ha farm with some 350 red deer, other deer and wild boar. There are towers from which you can watch the graceful animals, and there are ponds for commercial fishing. Please contact the owner well in advance for a tour.