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The Dole is the largest island in the Daugava River, surrounded to the Northeast by the rapid waters of the Daugava and to the Southwest by calm and gradually overgrown waters from Dry Daugava. The island is a specially protected nature park, established in 1986 to protect the landscape and cultural and historical values of the island in the wake of the construction of the Rīga hydroelectric power plant, as well as rare and protected species of plants and animals. The island is also meant to provide education and leisure for visitors. Best known on the island is the Daugava Museum, which is in the mansion of the old Dole Estate. The museum features some 13,000 exhibits that speak to the history of the island and the river – Baltic and Livonian apparel, tools and household objects. The exhibition also presents the Daugava as an important waterway and the related history of forms of transport and rafters. In the park is an open-air exhibition with reconstructed lamprey eel traps and a barrier to fish salmon, along with a set of fishing tools. A dolomite cliff is alongside the museum on the steep shore of the Dry Daugava. The ruins of the Vecdole castle can be found on the south-eastern end of the island, near Bēči. |
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A third-generation family company, producing “Gotiņa” sweets since 1959. Located in the centre of Skrīveri, a 2-minute walk away from the train station. Company has a Sweets Workshop where visitors can take a tour, wrap their own candies, learn about their history, taste the products, and purchase natural and fresh sweets. For “Gotiņa” sweets with rye bread and cranberries, they use heated rye breadcrumbs from the Lāči bakery. Fresh and delicious sweets can be purchased in the factory shop.There are four different tour programmes in all. |
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An impressive two-trunk tree at the Nigliņi homestead, this is one of the most impressive trees on the Liv Shore. The Liv language teacher Zoja Sīle was born here. The Medieval Old Cemetery Hill – once used as burial grounds – is nearby. |
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The House-Museum of the writer Michael Narics. Reveal the history of political repressions in the
USSR and Soviet Latvia; see creative works of the winners of competition organized by M. Narics Educational
Center.
Working hours: on request |
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The saloon is in the former home of the governor of the Koknese Estate. It is named after the Latvian author Rūdolfs Blaumanis, who studied at the estate and lived there for two years. There is an outdoor terrace, and it is possible to hold celebrations there. Latvian cuisine: Potato salad, herring salad, bean salad Valmiera salad, beef with onions, pork ribs, homemade steak haché, roast beef with horseradish sauce, baked liver, herring with cottage cheese, oatmeal dessert. Special foods: “Saloonkeeper’s slice”. |
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While you are in Obinitsa Seto Museum you can learn more about the lifestyle and culture of Setomaa's people. In the museum you can see a lot of items that are very important to their culture, for example the fine handicraft of the Seto women. Also since 2015 here you can also learn about other Finno-Ugric nations. There is a possibility to shop in the souvenir shop. |
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Četrus kilometrus garā lokveida un marķētā dabas taka meklējama Plateļu pilsētiņas ziemeļaustrumu daļā. Tā ved pa dažādiem biotopiem – mežu, purvu, ezera malu, atklājot dažādas ainavas un tajās mītošās augu, putnu un dzīvnieku sugas. Šī ir interesantākā un ainaviskākā no Žemaitijas nacionālā parka takām. |
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 5 days
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Historians say that the Livs or Livonians lived in the territory of Latvia long ago, starting in the 10th century. They populated Northern Kurzeme and the river banks of the Daugava and Gauja rivers. They asked the first German tradesmen who appeared in the area about the price of textiles at the market in Visby. This means that they were familiar with the island of Gotland. The Livonians were courageous and spiritually strong seafarers, because only strong men can live with the sea, go fishing and seal trapping, and take root in the by no means fertile sands of the seashore. The territory between Ģipka and Ovīši is known as the Livonian coastline. There are still romantic seashore fishing villages of Livonian origin, as well as Cape Kolka, where the great Latvian activist Krišjānis Valdemārs insisted that it was the centre of Europe. Livonians all along the seashore responded to his call by taking part in building sailing ships all the way up to Ainaži, where there was a maritime school. That allowed the ships to sail to the far corners of the world, thus creating a century of sailing ships. This wasn’t possible without the Livonians. Also on the coastline are the oldest lighthouses in Latvia, with the one at Ovīši still serving as a star that shows the route for seaborne ships that are heading for Rīga. The Livonian heritage is also seen in the tradition of fishing for lamprey eels – something that is still very much in place in Carnikava, Svētciems and Salacgrīva. Old-time fishing equipment that cannot be seen anywhere else is on display in the latter town. The Latvian nation emerged when the Livonians flowed together with the Lettigalians, the Livonians joke. It may be that there is some truth in the anecdote. Liv or Livonian culture, lifestyles and history are closely linked to Latvia and cannot be separated from it. |
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Restaurant Agnese takes you on a culinary tour around the world. Local fruits of nature and produce by farmers are prepared with love, highlighting the value of Latvian flavours. The menu also includes several globally recognised recipes. |
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The Strauti farm is on the eastern edge of hillocks in Embūte. The southern edge of the farm neighbours large forests with many wild animals. Alongside is a former fowl farm. The farm breeds rabbits, sheep, fowl, two horses and a pony. It has a herd of cows, including Latvian Blue cows. The farm offers tours for schoolchildren and others. Contact the farm in advance to purchase rabbit meat, wool and vegetables. The farm is biological. |
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The lady of the house greets visitors in a folk costume, offering an educational programme in the local Žemaiši language. She talks about herbal teas and how to find the herbs and brew them. Along with the tea, the lady offers homemade cheese, bread, pierogi and honey. The guesthouse is on the banks of Lake Beržoris, not far from Lake Platelys. The Žemaitija National Park is nearby and easily reached on foot, by bike, by boat or by car. |
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One of the rare places (see also Rucavas ivju audze) in Latvia where two rare and protected wild tree species grow - yew-tree and Baltic ivy. Territory is not marked on site with information signs or stands therefore it is hard for visitors to find. Not usable as tourism object.
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 1 day
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The smoke sauna is an important part of everyday life in the Võru community in Estonia. It is the centre of a rich set of traditions including the actual bathing customs, the skills of making bathing whisks, building and repairing saunas, and smoking meat in the sauna. The sauna is a building or room heated by a stove covered with stones and with an elevated platform for sitting or lying. It has no chimney, and the smoke from the burning wood circulates in the room. People usually go into the sauna together and remain until they are sweating. Water is thrown on the heated stones to produce hot steam-laden air and bathers beat their bodies with whisks to remove dead skin and stimulate blood circulation. After sweating, whisking, relaxing and possible healing procedures, people cool themselves outside and rinse their bodies with water. The procedure is then repeated. The smoke sauna tradition is primarily a family custom, usually practised on Saturdays, but also before major festivals or family events. Its main function is to relax the body and mind. Families take turns hosting each other. Usually an older family member is responsible for preparing the sauna, accompanied by the children who gradually acquire the necessary skills. The smoke sauna tradition is part of the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. |
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Every traveller in Latvia relates the name of Edole to Edole Castle. The beginning of it dates back to the middle of the 13th century, but the outbuildings of it were constructed in the 16th and 19th centuries, when patio was formed. During reconstruction of the castle implemented in the 30ies of the 19th century the facades of the castle acquired their current – Neo-Gothic appearance. From the16th century until 1920ies Edole Castle was located within the property of a baron family. In 1905 during rebellions it was burnt down, but in 1907 it was reconstructed. Many legends and ghost stories are told about Edole Castle. |
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Atrodas Plateļu centrā. Plateļi ir otra lielākā apdzīvotā vieta nacionālā parka teritorijā. Apmeklētāju centrā var noskaidrot aktuālo informāciju, pieteikties organizētās ekskursijās, iegādāties informatīvus materiālus, kā arī apskatīt nelielu dabas ekspozīciju par nozīmīgākajām parka dabas vērtībām. |
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One of few places in Latvia (around 1 km to the North from Lapmezciems) where used to be beautiful juniper meadows. Since no agriculture activity (grass cutting, cattle grazing) has been implemented in the area, juniper meadows are overgrowing and disappearing. To save the area sustainable management is needed. Slitere National Park with Blue Mountain cliff and Slitere lighthouse is located in short distance from Kadiku nora (Juniper meadow).
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Ikšķiles vārds Pirmā pasaules kara laikā izskan saistībā ar diviem notikumiem – Ikšķiles priekštilta nocietinājumiem (Nāves sala) un kaujām pie Mazās Juglas upes. 1917. gadā 1. septembra rītausmā Vācijas impērijas armija uzsāka uzbrukumu iepretim Ikšķilei ar mērķi ieņemt Rīgu un saņemt gūstā Krievijas 12. armiju. Ar spēcīgu artilērijas atbalstu vācu vienības izsita Krievijas armijas karavīru daļas no Ikšķiles pozīcijām, kas savukārt ļāva Vācijas armijas karavīriem pa trim pontonu tiltiem šķērsot Daugavas upi. 1.septembra pēcpusdienā vācu izlases vienības sasniedza Mazās Juglas upes apkārtni pie Tīnūžiem, kur tām negaidīti ceļu aizšķērsoja no rezerves steigā atsauktā 8000 vīru lielā 2. latviešu strēlnieku brigāde, kura ieņēma pozīcijas gar Mazās Juglas upi. Latviešu strēlniekiem tika pavēlēts aizkavēt vācu karavīrus, līdz visa 200 00 vīru lielā Krievijas 12. armija izies no aplenkuma, nenokļūstot vācu gūstā. Latviešu strēlnieki savu uzdevumu izpildīja pilnībā, diennakti cīnoties pret gandrīz desmitkārtīgu vācu pārspēku. Kauja pie Mazās Juglas upes bija viena no traģiskākajām un reizē viena no leģendārākajām Latvijas vēstures lapaspusēm. "Tīnūžu muižā" ir izveidota 1. Pasaules kara tēmai un Juglas kaujām veltīta ekspozīcija. |
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The Jaunpils Dairy was opened more than 100 years ago, in 1912, and it produces semi-hard and soft cheeses, cottage cheese, cream, desserts and other dairy products. Only milk from Latvian farmers is used, and the products are exported to more than 17 countries in the world. Products are also sold at the store that is adjacent to the company. |
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 7 days
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Mushrooming is one of the most popular autumn activities in Latvia. The tour is lead by a professional mycologist and combines the mysterious world of funghi with local historic heritage and mushroom preparation traditions. Mushrooming starts at one the most popular mushroom pickers' sites in the suburbs of Riga. Then it's on to try various locations in the mushrooming paradise of the Gauja National Park, walk nature trail along the Amata river and have a picnic at picturesque outcrop Zvārtes Rock. Further on, the route reaches charming Ungurmuiža Manor park with its ancient oak trees and some specific fungal species. Next the tour visits a shiitake mushroom grower and mysterious Zilaiskalns hill featuring a highland landscape as well as the flatlands of Lake Burtnieks. Zīle Forest is a rare European biotope with ancient oak forest and park type meadows while the natural coniferous forest at Mežole is one of the richest interms of biological diversity. Here you can find mushrooms which are indicators of natural forest. You also visit oyster mushroom growers along the route. Then it's Āraiši reconstructed Bronze Age settlement built on a lake where there are good examples of how mushrooms can damage and destroy man made objects. At one of the guest houses the chef will demonstrate how to cook your collected mushrooms the local way. |
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Ap 100 gadus veca priežu audze, ko iesēja pagājušā gadsimta sākumā. Sēklu materiāls bija nācis no kādas Vācijas (Darmštatē) sēklu tirdzniecības firmas. Mūsu klimatiskajos apstākļos priežu stumbri izauga līki un kroplīgi. Savdabīgā audze labi redzama no šosejas malas.
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