Rural Lifestyle

Forest Skuķi are the property of the Skuķi family, and that has been true for several generations.  The farm in Latgale is in a remote location.  It is next to a forest and the private Lake Inikši (Forest Skuķi). 

Since the 1930s, the farm has had a black smoke sauna, large barns made of logs, a granary and a cattle shed.  Some fragments of a full cycle of natural farming have been preserved -- a fruit and berry orchard, a greenhouse, a little garden and chickens in the cattle shed  An apiary has flourished and been expanded.  The farm welcomes guests who have access to a modern weekend house that is surrounded by approximately 20 hectares of natural meadows, a forest, lake and pond. 

The lady of the farm, Aija, is a professional sauna master, a passionate gatherer of mushrooms and berries, and a manager of the apiary. 

A visit to the farm will take all day to learn about the country lifestyle.  The programme must be arranged in advance, and that will depend on the season of the year and the interests of the guests.  Visitors can go fishing, spend an evening at the sauna with the lady of the house, gather ingredients for herbal tea and dry them, go to the apiary, get honey and go mushroom or berry picking.  Visitors can purchase beekeeping products, local herbal teas and plants from the Forest Skuķi garden.  Several days can be spent at the farm, spending nights at the weekend house.

THE PROGRAMME:

• Arrival at the weekend house to meet Aija;
• Learning about the farm and its leisure locations -- the lake, a boat, a swimming location and areas for sports;
• A daylong examination of country lifestyle on the basis of a pre-arranged plan.

This family boutique hotel was opened in the 18th century granary of the former Bilstiņi Estate.  It is located at the place where the Pērse River flows into the Daugava River.  Leisure is offered on a terrace under grape leaves, at the restaurant with a fireplace and grilled dishes, a chance to fish in the river, or a visit to the miniature spa. 

After more than 30 years of living and working in Rīga, Tomass and Dace and their son Reinis decided to move to Koknese, where Tomass was born and raised.  Dace was a violinist at the Latvian National Opera, while Tomass spent more than 20 years working in the automobile business.  Now they both have their Mediterranean-style boutique hotel. 

Guests can have a look at the everyday lives of the couple, accept the slow flow of life with a seemingly simplified look at things, and a chance to become involved on the work of the hotel and the farm.  Guests see nearly everything that happens at the house -- the child plays the piano, the husband is screwing together a motorcycle, the wife is practicing the violin, and granny is bringing freshy baked apple pastry which everyone tastes in a friendly way between the two rivers.  There will be wine tastings and smoked meat.  Fish will be caught in the river, and everyone will go swimming.  In the evening, there will be grilled meat, wine and movies on a large screen on the terrace under grape leaves.  A shorter trip offers a daytime programme to learn about the lifestyle of the owners.

THE PROGRAMME:

• 11:00 AM:  Arrival, meeting the owners and learning about the home and territory so as to make the programme more precise;
• 12:00-2:00 PM:  Marinating and smoking meat;
• 2:00-3:00 PM:  Lunch with grilled foods;
• 3:00-5:00 PM:  Free time to go fishing, swimming, paddleboarding or suntanning.  Smoked meats can be tasted, weighed and packed up so that guests can bring some of them home.

Karlamuiza is a cozy hotel located near Cēsis town in the Amata River valley. The guest house is located nearby a landscape park and a nature trail by the Amata River.  

Mushrooming is a national passion in Latvia. Trying out a mushrooming experience is part of getting to know the local way of life and doing things the way locals do them. The forest terrain in the selected mushrooming spots is easy to walk, covered with moss, fallen leaves and small plants. Occasionally there are bushes, some fallen trees or wet spots. Gauja National Park, established in 1973, was Latvia’s first national park, and it has great traditions in environmental tourism. 

The most popular edible mushrooms are the various Boletus and Chanterelles. The selected species for foraging are chanterelles, russulas and various boletus: Chestnut Bolete (Gyroporus castaneus), Lurid Bolete (Boletus luridus), Sheep Polypore edible tree-fungus (popular in Scandinavian cooking) (Albatrellus ovinus), Golden Coral (Ramaria aurea), Coral Tooth (Hericium coralloides), Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera), Ceramic Parchment (Xylobolus frustulatus) and WoodRotting Fungus (Phellinus nigrolimitatus). 

N.B. For comfort and safety it is recommended that participants wear outdoor clothing and footwear.

PROGRAMME:

• The ride from Riga to Kārļamuiža country hotel in Gauja National Park takes approx. 1 hour 30 min.
• Arrive at Kārļamuiža Country Hotel. Meet the fungi guide (English speaking, professional nature guide, owner of two dogs that are trained for fungi hunting), briefing and preparation for mushroom picking. Lunch boxes and mushrooming equipment  - baskets, knives and raincoats will be provided for each person.
• Drive to the mushroom picking site (approx. 15 min.).
• Picnic lunch in an open-air picnic spot in the forest by the River Gauja (approx. 30 min.).
• Guided mushroom picking (approx. 1 hour) in the forest.
• Return to the hotel (approx. 30 min.).
• Sorting the mushrooms together with the fungi guide to identify the species found.
• Cooking dinner with the chef at Kārļamuiža Country Hotel (approx. 2 hours). Cooking is done in front of the group as a demonstration with an explanation of the recipe. Also other dishes are available for dinner apart from the mushrooms.

The farmstead  "Spārni" is located on the Latvian-Lithuanian border, near the Vadakste river.
In summer, there are tent and caravan sites for individual travelers and small groups.
Picnic opportunity. Fireplace and grill place. Pond and garden goodies. Animal friendly. There are also birch sap, herbal tea with dandelion honey, fruit / berry kvass tastings, opportunities to participate in farm work.
The hosts offer excursions arround Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

“Agave” is located in the countryside and there are forests and Ligatne river nearby. The place is perfect for listening to birds’ songs and watching wild animals in the early mornings or late evenings.

In the guest house “Agave” there is a garden surrounded by spruce trees, special for Latvians - the Garden of the Balti Signs, where you can find and feel your magic sign and take your time for meditation. The signs are based on ancient Latvian writings. The ancient Balti signs are able to influence the tangible, intangible and spiritual side of our lives, bringing wealth, happiness, luck, strength, fertility and health. Each character has its own meaning and the effect of the sign can only be related to thought, subconscious and nature.

In the guest house there is also sauna for everyone to enjoy. After sauna it is possible to have a swim in the pond or hot tub.

Here everyone can stay overnight in authentic horse stable stalls, enjoying the smell of the flowers and grass of the countryside. In Latvia until the end of the 20th century, during the summer months rural residents slept outside the house – in barns and hay sheds.

If you prefer comfortable rooms, you will be able to stay in the guest house.

The hosts Sarmīte and Jānis Šteini enjoy living in countryside and they have lived in Līgatne for more than 10 years.

Sarmīte is very interested in folklore and is an expert in ancient signs and the meanings of them. Jānis loves to take care of the environment and buildings. They both understand the importance of fresh air and country living. During holidays they take care of their grandchildren.

Sarmīte is an expert of soup making on fire. She uses products from local farms and her own garden (onions, potatoes, beetroot, meat, herbs etc). 

PROGRAMME:

Day 1

• Arrival in “Agave” guest house and meet the hosts.
• Introduction of the house and stable.
• Visiting Vienkoči park and making your own natural jewelry (from materials as the wood, chestnuts, seeds of different fruits and berries, shells)
• Returning to accommodation
• Workshop with participation – Latvian soup making from local vegetables and meat.  
• Latvian Sauna ritual with sauna expert and birch, oak or linden sauna brooms

Day 2

Breakfast

• Guided tour around Balts or Baltic people sign path
• Free time or Hiking tour in Līgatne forest (~2,5 h/ 4 km)
• Ligatne local wine tasting with cheese and meat board (snacks).

"Dzirnupes" is a traditional farm in rural Vidzeme at a distance of 15 km from Limbaži.  During summers, the owners accept guests, offering a chance to spend the night in a romantic granary.  It was built in 1924 as a grain storage facility, but now it is a cosy little place for guests.  The granary is designed in an ethnographic style with antique furnishings, interior design objects and tools.  The granary also has a sauna.  The farm features a pond and little river for fishing or boating, a pergola and a place for picnics outdoor, a volleyball court, a small garden with local country goodies, and blossoming meadows.  Visitors will also meet some pets -- a goat, some geese, some chickens and a cat.

The "Dzirnupes" farm is managed by the Palelionis family -- Juris and Sandra.  Their adult children come to help out when they have free time.  Juris is a percussion master whose speciality is drums made of stumps.  They are carved from fir, linden and willow trees.  The stump is covered with sonorous goat or beaver skin.  Juris also makes other musical instruments and souvenirs, including horns, percussion instruments, pipes and whisks.

Guests will learn about the farm, dine on country goodies, drink herbal tea, listen to a story about how stump drums are created and, at the end of the process, play music together with their hosts.

PROGRAMME:

• Meeting owners Sandra and Juris for a stroll around the farm;
• Herbal tea and snacks prepared by Sandra, served in the pergola or granary;
• In parallel, a story about how stump drums are made;
• After that, music with drums and other percussion instruments created by the owner.

The name of the house is ‘Ārpus Laika’ and it means ‘Beyond the Time’. The family likes the green rural lifestyle. They have created a landscape park and they practice green living in a dome house designed by themselves. The family also manufactures garden furniture and hammocks. The buildings are surrounded by a beautiful park and a pond full of frogs and fishes. The surrounding landscape of the park with a pergola, a bridge, a forest and fields creates a very tranquil countryside atmosphere that can be experienced just a short drive away from the capital city.

"Beyond the Time" is a family business, where the owners have fulfilled their wishes - the owner has built a dome house, made the interior and furniture of the building, as well as works as a chef, feasting guests with delicious food, but the hostess can receive guests and organize concerts with the best Latvian musicians.

The hostess will guide the guests through the dome house park introducing the concept and making short stops in between to offer tasting of her home-made wines. The visit ends with a master class of Latvian desserts. 

Programme:

• Introduction to the ‘Beyond the Time’ concept and idea, showing around (approx. 15 min.). In good weather the introduction part takes place outdoors.
• Introduction to wine making from local products (berries, herbs etc.) The first glass of wine served.
• Dome house stories – the hostess will tell about the concept of dome houses, their different architectural styles and ideas (approx. 15 min.).
• Short introduction to the second wine sort for tasting. A glass of wine served.
• Insight in how the dome house ‘Beyond the Time’ was built. Demonstration of the house insulation with straw (approx. 20 min.).
• Short break for guests to explore the park (approx. 10 min.).
• Short introduction to the third wine for tasting. A glass of wine served.
• Workshop and demonstration of cooking a traditional Latvian dessert ‘rupjmaizes kārtojums’ or ’debesmanna’. The hostess will make one of the desserts together with the visitors. After demonstration the visitors will enjoy the dessert (approx. 30 min.).

The "Sabile Cider" company is nearly in the heart of Sabile.  Each autumn, farmers in Kurzeme provide apples that they have grown in their orchards so that the plant can squeeze the juice and then ferment it to cider.  The plant is a  public meeting place.  During the summer, it and the Sabile local government organise concerts and cultural events there.

Baiba and Aldis Circenis from Rīga began their story in Sabile more than 20 years ago, when they purchased a nearby "oasis of calm" between linden and oak trees.  They celebrate Latvian holidays, offer lessons about farm work, and after thinking about what to do with their enormous harvest of apples, produced the first Sabile cider after many experiments.  The idea of this involves the neat garden with old and tall apple trees.  The couple also studied the enjoyment and manufacturing traditions of cider in the ancient superpowers of cider, England and France.

Visitors can take a tour of the factory and learn about how cider is produced there.  The lady of the house will talk about how she changed her career and became a cider master.  Visitors can taste the cider and purchase some to take along at the Sabile Cider House, which is right next to the plant.

PROGRAMME:

• Arrival at the "Sabile Cider" plant and a meeting with one of its representatives;
• Information about the history of the world of cider, facts, stories and the history of the plant, also focusing on cider production technologies in Latvia and elsewhere in the world;
• A tour of the factory to see the equipment and learn about the production of cider from an apple to the cork of a cider bottle;
• A visit to the "Sabile Cider House," which is approximately 300 metres from the factory, to learn about the output of the plant and to enjoy tastings in a cosy and liberated atmosphere.  There will be conversations about cider and its diversity, Sabile, the culture of drinking cider, and foods which go well with it;
• A chance to purchase Sabile cider.

The "Kainaži" homestead is nearly 150 years old, and it is between Smiltene and Rauna.  The farm is encircled by hundred-year-old oak trees, and it is in a quiet place far from major roads.  The farm has a park of more than 300 different types of maples, birches and walnut trees.  For many years, the Labanovskis family has been producing and popularising various types of birch and maple juice.  The owners studied Canadian experience in the production of syrups, and they have done so successfully for several years.  Products at "Birzī" are biologically certified.

Līvija and Ervīns traded life in Rīga for life in the countryside to pursue their ideas about creating a business that sells juices.  Ervīns inherited the knowledge of his parents about the circulation of sap in trees and the valuable properties of the resulting juices.  He also studied Canadian technologies in the processing of juices.  Sister Nora works in Rīga, but during her free time she also is excited about visiting "Birzī."

The owners offer visitors a chance to tour the processing line and the juice park.  They can plant a tree and taste birch juice and its various variants, from fresh to sparkling juice with various tastes.  There is also birch juice syrup.  In June, when the leaves of birch trees are fresh and full of energy, guests are encouraged to help in producing birch switches.  Feel the powerful aroma of birch leaves and then bring your switch home with you.  A special offer is lunch for groups of visitors outdoors.

PROGRAMME:

• Introduction to the owners;
• The BIRZĪ production line, offering information about the company, the extraction of juices, the processing rooms, the juice cellar and the sugar house;
• The park of trees, with each visitor digging a hole and then planting a birch or maple tree.  Visitors are asked to name their tree and then tie a label with that name around its trunk;
• Products at BIRZĪ can be tasted and purchased.

The village of Kaltene stretches more than seven kilometres along the western shore of the Bay of Rīga. 

The Rožkalni family are local residents who built the Cīrulīši farm on land that they inherited from their grandfather.  Eventually they opened a winery.  Wine tasters began to visit, which meant that there was also a need for delicious food.  Owner Gunta is a food technologist who specialises in the manufacturing of unsterilized canned fish.  She also produces fish products that are popular and known under the brand name of "Home Goodies from Cīrulīši."  These products are available at local stores.  Cīrulīši offers various fish snacks, homemade wines and cider from berries, fruits and flowers from the farm's gardens.  The company also offers conserved foods, jams, sauces, Balsamic vinegar and syrups from ingredients harvested in its own garden. 

Visitors can taste wine, cider, sangria, mulled wine and fish products.  They can help to prepare ancient Kaltene fishermen's food.

THE PROGRAMME:

• Meeting owner Gunta and learning about the Cīrulīši farm;
• Tasting wine and fish products;
• Preparing Kaltene fishermen's food in the garden and on a campfire, with a choice between milk-sautéed Baltic herring or a warm porridge;
• Learning how to eat or conserve the seasonal vegetables, fruits or berries from the garden.

The farmstead is located in the Abava Ancient River valley. Visitors can experience true Latvian farm life here.  In the farm there are goats, sheep, horses, geese, chickens, rabbits and other animals. The restoration of the farmstead began in 1991 and at that time there were collapsed barn walls and an overgrown apple orchard. The Ezeriņi family started renovating this farm in order to fulfil their eldest daughter Signe's dream of living in the countryside and owning her own horse.  

Signe now shares the fulfilment of her dream with the arriving guests, allowing to get to know and live a real country life, participate in pet care and enjoy rural romance, baking pancakes, whipping butter in a rural kitchen, taking sauna and riding a horse.

In a 2 hour farm tour visitors will learn about milking cows and producing meat, examine a collection of antique tools and will be treated to home-made delicacies. Also an overnight stay is possible to enjoy more of a country life, take a sauna with birch and juniper switches and swim in the local pond.

PROGRAMME:

• A tour of the farm, introducing the way of life in the countryside.
• A refreshment break drinking herbal tea with honey and trying carrot buns and other traditional pastries.

The 10-hectare territory next to the Slate Forest is in a quiet place and 50 km away from the nearest cities.  The forest is a unique complex of archaeology, culture and history.  This is the site of the only known early or middle Iron Age graveyard on white hillocks (3rd to 7th century).  There is also a graveyard known as Corpse Hill.  Surrounding these are flatlands with forests and fields.  The Eglaine River and the Tīreļi Swamp, which is full of berries, are nearby. 

Lelde and Mārtiņš Uzkurs are a young couple which has lived at Kalnaleiskini since 2019.  Mārtiņš' family has lived in Sēlija for several generations, while Lelde moved there five years ago from Jūrmala.  The couple own a carpentry shop where the husband is the carpenter and the wife is the designer.  Lelde is a member of the Latvian Association of Ornithologists, and she is an experienced tour guide who has been excited about birdwatching for the past seven years.  Lelde particularly likes to count up owls. 

During your visit, you can build a feeder or birdhouse for the birds.  You can be sure that it will satisfy all carpentry standards.  The birds will like them.

THE PROGRAMME:

• Arrival at Kalnaleiskini and meeting Lelde as the guide;
• A short (3 km) hike to the Slate Forest to watch birds, listen to their song, and learn about various types of birds;
• After the hike, there is a workshop to build feeders or birdhouses, with participants preparing materials on the basis of samples (measuring and sawing boards) so as to build a feeder or birdhouse which the person may take home.

The “Lamb Club” is a farm in Mazsalaca, and it is special because the sheep live in a real club!  The owners offer the atmosphere of a farm at which the sheep play major roles.  Enjoy mutton and sheep milk foods and beverages, feel how comfortable it is to read your favourite while sitting on a fluffy sheepskin, and, in order not to get cold by the campfire in the evening, you can purchase warm woollen socks and woven woollen cloaks.

The owners hope that people from Latvia and all around the world will spend more time at the farm, because accommodations involve a new glamping tent that is as close as possible to nature and the healthy rural environment.  Don’t lose a lick of the comfort that you are used to in your everyday life!

The owners, Ilze and Valters, will be happy to give you a tour during which they talk about herding sheep.  If you contact them in advance, they will prepare a tasty mutton meal for you.  The tour can also be supplemented with various activities such as games, quizzes and creative workshops at which sheep wool is utilised.
 

The story of Oleri Estate began in 1988, when the poet Imants Ziedonis called on the government to save unmanaged and collapsing estates.  Students from the wood sculpture department of the Rīga Applied Art High School responded to the call.  After research, work began on restoration and reconstruction, focusing particular attention on authenticity.  The estate was built in the style of Early Classicism in the late 18th century.  It is surrounded by a landscape garden that was established while maintaining mid-19th century Romanticism traditions, with the selection of fashionable plants that were appropriate for the era and serious planning principles.  The kitchen garden with colourful and high flowerbeds have inspired many visitors to the garden. 

The Zemītis family have managed the Oleri Estate for more than 30 years, organising concerts of chamber music and events involving stories about the garden. 

Visitors can learn about present-day life in an historical rural estate and have tours related to the restoration of the estate's buildings, as well as the tending of the historical garden.

THE PROGRAMME:

• Learning about the restoration of the mansion of the Oleri Estate;
• Learning about the principles of landscape gardens and the historical trips and stories of plants;
• Learning about the historical Oleri Estate landscape garden;
• A meal on the terrace of the estate.

Ičas apmetnes ciems ir sena dzīvesvieta Ičas upes krastos. Apmetne atklāta 1937. gadā. Tā bijusi apdzīvota neolītā (4500 - 1500 pr.Kr.) un bronzas laikmetā (1500 - 500 pr.Kr.). Apmetnē dzīvojuši amatnieki, zvejnieki, mednieki. 

Ičas apmetnes  tematiskā ciema izveides iniciatore  Biruta Bogdane ir aktīva, radoša Bērzpils pagasta iedzīvotāja, kas ar savu ideju - izveidot tematisko ciemu un caur to popularizēt pagasta kultūrvēsturisko mantojumu - aizrāva un apvienoja domubiedru grupiņā vairākus Bērzpils pagasta iedzīvotājus. Viesus ceļojumā pa Ičas apmetnes ciemu  pavada Anna Kriviša, kas ikdienā rīko kultūras pasākumus pagastā. 

Bērzpilieši aicina ciemos iepazīt Ičas apmetnes tematisko ciemu caur šodienu uz pagātni, viesojoties Bērzpils nozīmīgākajos kultūrvēsturiskajos objektos, dabas vietās, piedaloties  seno prasmju - siera siešanas, zāļu paklāju aušanas, tautas instrumentu muzicēšanas meistardabnīcās, ko piedāvā vietējie  arodu meistari, cienājoties ar sātīgu zivju zupu un pašceptu rudzu maizi.

PROGRAMMA:

• Ierašanās Bērzpils pagastā. Tikšanās ar gidu Dārza ielā 25A.
• Bērzpils nozīmīgākās vietas - pastaiga kopā ar gidu: tematiskais ainavu parks ar skatu uz skaistajām pagasta vietām; Bēržu kapu kapliča - valsts nozīmes arhitektūras piemineklis (būvēta 1791. g., restaurēta 2017. g.); Bēržu Svētās Annas Romas katoļu baznīca (celta 1851. g.); Bonifacovas muiža. 

Ičas apmetne:

• Pusdienas - zivju zupa.
• Meistardarbnīcas pēc izvēles: tautas instrumentu muzicēšana, dziedāšana un dejošana; siera siešana.

Raitis un Dace 2019. gadā no Rīgas centra pārcēlās uz laukiem - māju, kas atrodas nomaļā lauku apvidū, prom no galvenajiem autoceļiem. 

Viņu ikdiena tiek pavadīta atjaunojot māju, kopjot apkārtni un audzinot bērnus. Dace rūpējas par savu dārzu, kur ģimenes galdam un ziemas krājumiem audzē salātus un dārzeņus. Cenšoties maksimāli izmantot pieejamos resursus, radās ideja pašiem izgatavot ziepes no pelnu sārmiem. Tas ir attīstījies kā bizness, kurā ražo ziepes, kuru pamatā ir tauki, eļļas un sārmi. 

Ziepju darbnīcā tiks parādīts un pastāstīts, kā tiek gatavotas ziepes. Viesiem būs iespēja redzēt karsto ziepju vārīšanas procesu un eļļu un sārmu sajaukšanu, vai auksto ziepju vārīšanas procesu. Darbnīcā tiks parādīts, kādi materiāli tiek izmantoti ziepju pagatavošanā, kā notiek pārziepošanās process un cik ilgs laiks paiet līdz pilnībā gatavam ziepju gabalam, kas ir draudzīgs ādai un izmantojams ilgu laiku.

PROGRAMMA:

• Ierašanās un iepazīšanās ar saimniekiem;

Ziepju meistarklase:

• Izejvielu sagatavošana,
• Iepazīšanās ar aprīkojumu,
• Ziepju pagatavošanas process,
• Ziepju liešana veidnēs.

Meistarklasēs pagatavotās ziepes būs iespēja rezervēt, un tās tiks izsūtītas 4-8 nedēļu laikā, kad būs pilnībā gatavas. 

• Pikniks ar vietējās saimniecības “Gusts Apinis” vietējiem ēdieniem - liellopa gaļas burgeriem, kvinojas salātiem un desertu.

Viesiem ir iespēja arī nakšņot "Ievkalnos": 

• Nakšņošana vecā, slīpā šķūnī (10 gultas);
• Telts vietas šķūnī (daudz vietas);
• Vieta Kemperim (viesu), elektrības pieslēgums (tiks nodrošināts);
• Āra virtuve ar visu nepieciešamo aprīkojumu ēdiena gatavošanai (trauki, katli, pannas, gāzes plīts, izlietne, grils, ledusskapis);
• Āra duša ar siltu ūdeni un skatu uz koku lapām, zvaigznēm;
• Maza kinozāle (līdz 15 cilvēkiem);
• Norādes uz vietējiem pastaigu maršrutiem. 

Saimniecība “Vilkapurvi” atrodas purva malā, te smaržo pēc sfagnos filtrēta, rūgti tīra gaisa. Mazliet pirmatnības ir gan ainavā, gan valdošajās noskaņās: apiņu stīgas apvijušas melnalkšņu stumbrus, meža skudru pūznis turpat netālu no pirts, zaļās vardes, kuras “gana” stārķis, un pūces sauciens lielā eglē.

Ligita Elksnīte, 8 bērnu mamma, “Vilkapurvos “ saimnieko 5 gadus. Viņas saimniecībā ir pirts namiņš, pārvietojamā pirts un āra ūdens kubls. Saimniece gatavo ārstniecības augu sīrupus, zāļu tējas, pirts skrubjus, masāžas eļļas un uzlējumus. No savvaļas un dārza augiem gatavo salātus un zaļos kokteiļus.  Apmeklētājiem ir iespējams iegādāties “Vilkapurvos” tapušo produkciju. Saimniece ir sertificēta pirtniece. 

Viesiem piedāvā iepazīt ārstniecības augus, pagatavot masāžas eļļu vai augu uzlējumu, degustēt saimniecības produktus. Programmu iespējams papildināt ar pēršanos pirtī: stāstījums par pirts rituālu, pirts slotu siešana, pirts skrubju gatavošana, pēršanās pirtnieces vadībā.

PROGRAMMA:

• Ierašanās „Vilkapurvos”, iepazīšanās.
• Pastaiga pa pļavu vai mežu , stāstījums par ārstniecības augiem, to vākšana.
• Uzlējuma vai masāžas eļļas gatavošanas meistarklase. Pašu gatavoto produktu katrs ņem līdzi.
• Ārstniecības augu sīrupu degustācija. 
• Zāļu-nezāļu salātu vai zaļā kokteiļa degustācija.

The Alsunga Tourist Information and Historical Heritage Centre has a permanent exhibition that features a Suiti living room and a kitchen, as well as liturgical apparel collection worn by Catholic priests. In the exhibition hall there are rotating exhibitions related to the history and present life of the Suiti women’s ethnographic ensemble. A special offer involves performances by ensembles “Suiti women”, “Suiti men” and “Suiti bagpipe players”.

Sēļu sētā “Gulbji” dzīvo sestā vienas ģimenes paaudze. Tā atrodas raksturīgā Sēlijas ainavā starp mežu, dabiskām pļavām un pauguriem. Mājvietai ir savs ezers, avots un dīķi. Piemājas saimniecībā audzē dārzeņus, augļus, ogas, ražo piena produktus, veido daudzgadīgo puķu kolekciju, kopj daiļdārzu. Saimnieki arī ievāc medu, gatavo zāļu tējas, sien pirtsslotas, izgatavo skrubjus, eļļas, augu un medus ziedes. 

Daiļdārzniece Rita un amatnieks piektajā paaudzē Juris atgriezās dzimtas mājās pirms vairāk kā 15 gadiem. Viņi uzskata, ka mājas īpašā vērtība ir sēliskais gars, kas te atrodams ik uz soļa - senču darinajumos, receptēs, tradīcijās un ieražās, kas nodotas no paaudzes paaudzē un saglabājušās līdz mūsdienām. 

Rita un Juris apmeklētājiem piedāvā apskatīt Sēlijas vēsturiskajam novadam raksturīgu sētu ar tās plānojumu un tipiskām ēkām, iepazīstina ar tradicionālu dārzu, rīko sēļu ēdienu meistarklases un degustācijas, rāda un māca tradicionālus saimniecības darbus. Piedāvā iespēju piedalīties svētku un ikdienas rituālos sēliskās tradīcijās. 

PROGRAMMA:

• Iepazīšanās ar saimniekiem, stāstījums par traditionālo sēļu sētas apbūvi, seno darbarīku  un sadzīves priekšmetu pielietojumu.
• Daiļdārzs, stādu dārzs un ārstniecības augu dārzs. Saimniece iepazīstina ar dārza veidošanu lauku vidē, ārstniecības augiem dārzā un to pielietojumu. 
• Pusdienas - sēļu tradīcijās gatavotu ēdienu baudīšana, kuras laikā saimniece stāsta par tradicionālajiem sēļu ēdieniem, populārākajām receptēm un pagatavošanas aspektiem.
• Tematiskas aktivitātes pēc iepriekšējas izvēles: siera vārīšana, sviesta kulšana, lina pakulu virvju vīšana, zedeņu žoga izgatavošana, puzuru vēršana, dažādi sezonālie un svētku rituāli.

Viesu nams "Ausmas" atrodas Valkas novadā, un tajā iespējams nakšņot līdz 30 cilvēkiem. Tiek piedāvāti arī ēdināšanas pakalpojumi gan uz vietas, gan izbraukumos. Viesiem pieejama slapjā pirts, kā arī pirts rituāls pie prasmīga pirtnieka. Viesu namā tiek organizēti dažādi pasākumi, tāpat tiek uzņemtas ekskursiju un bērnu grupas. Saimniecībā atrodas arī dzīvnieku sēta, kur bērni var pabarot un samīļot dažādus dzīvnieciņus. Saimnieki aktīvi sadarbojas ar blakus esošajām saimniecībām.

Viesu nama saimnieki ir mājražotāji, kuri piedāvā viesiem nobaudīt dažādus kūpinājumus, sierus un pašceptu maizi. Tiek piedāvātas meistarklases gan siera siešanā, gan maizes cepšanā. Ir iespēja apmeklēt un sarīkot degustācijas gan ar pašu ražotiem produktiem, gan ar apkārtējo saimniecību piedāvājumu.

Valmiermuiža atrodas Valmieras pilsētas ziemeļu pierobežā. Valmiermuižas stallis un Valmiermuižas jātnieku skola darbojas 19. gs. pirmajā pusē celtā trīs ēku kompleksā, kuras savieno ar laukakmeņiem izlikts pagalms un iekļauj akmens mūra žogs ar vārtiem.

Turpinot latviešu zirgkopības labākās tradīcijas te saimnieko Jurašu ģimene - zirgkopju, zirgu selekcionāru un vetārstu ģimene daudzās paaudzēs. Saimnieks ir bijis Latvijas izlases jātnieks, abi ar meitu Viktoriju ieguvuši daudzkārtējas godalgotas vietas jāšanas sporta čempionātos Latvijā. Saimnieku ģimene vada Valmiermuižas jātnieku skolu, kurā jāšanas sporta iemaņas apgūst ap 50 audzēkņiem no 4 līdz 84 gadu vecumam. Tiek rīkotas radošās nometnes bērniem, ierādot viņiem arī ļoti daudz praktisku iemaņu, jo daudzi ne reizi dzīvē nav stūmuši ķerru, grābuši sienu, barojuši un apkopuši tik lielus dzīvniekus kā zirgi.

Staļļa saime viesos gaida gan lielus, gan mazus, lai izglītojošā ekskursijā dalītos ar zināšanām par zirgkopību, zirgaudzēšanu, zirgu šķirnēm. Iespējams arī pielikt roku pie kāda darba stallī un apskatīt zirgkopības lietu ekspozīciju.

PROGRAMMA:

• Satikšanās un iepazīšanās ar Valmiermuižas staļļa saimniekiem vai kādu no uzticamajiem palīgiem.
• Staļļa vēstures izzināšana.
• Izglītojoša ekskursija stallī, izzinot zirgkopību, iepazīstot dažādas zirgu šķirnes un viņu vēsturisko lomu latviešu dzīvē. Pēc vēlmēm – iespējams piedalīties zirgu apkopšanā un tos pabarot ar burkāniem.
• Iespēja apskatīt un aptaustīt dažādus ar zirgkopību saistītus rīkus. 
• Atsevišķi vienojoties, ekskursijas noslēgumā iespējams uzkāpt zirga mugurā.

Saimniecība atrodas Elkas kalnā gleznainajā Vidzemes augstienē. Gaujas upe, kas ir Latvijas garākā upe, iztek Elkas kalna pakājē. Saimniecībā ir 11 ha bioloģiski vērtīgu pļavu, neliels mežs, zivju dīķis un kopts augļu dārzs. Saimniecība ievēro bioloģiskās lauksaimniecības un permakultūras principus. Viņi ievāc medu un tējas no kultivētiem un savvaļas augiem. Saimniecībā tiek ražoti zāļu tēju maisījumi un pulveri, sīrupi (piemēram, jaunais egļu skuju sīrups), uzlējumi (piemēram, asinszāles degvīnā), ekstrakti (piemēram, kliņģerītes eļļā), raudzējumi (piemēram, aveņu lapu vai egļu ziedu). Visi šie produkti, arī ievārījumi un sulas no pašu audzētām ogām un augļiem, tiek piedāvāti degustācijai. Pavasarī novāktās kļavu un bērzu sulas ir sasaldētas, tāpēc tās svaigas var baudīt visu vasaru. Apmeklējot saimniecību un piedaloties darbnīcās, viesiem ir iespēja pagatavot kaut ko noderīgu - ziepes ar augu pulveri, krēmu ar augu eļļas ekstraktu vai destilātu, kas veidots no augiem un ko var izmantot losjona vietā. Saimniecībā ir neliela aušanas darbnīca. Tajā ir iespēja aust savu zāļu paklājiņu, piemēram, pirts rituāliem. Ja atļautu laiks un viesi izrādītu vēlmi, būtu iespēja iemācīties aušanas pamatus, piemēram, no veca T-krekla izveidojot paklāju. 

Inese un Valdis Stibe jau 15 gadus apsaimnieko Elka kalnu, galvenokārt dzīvojot galvaspilsētā Rīgā un sākotnēji pavadot tikai vasaras savā lauku sētā, taču pēdējo gadu laikā - arī ziemas periodā. Viņi ir pielikuši daudz pūļu, lai uzturētu ainavu dabisku un saglabātu dabisko vidi. Inese apguvusi bioloģiskās lauksaimniecības principus Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitātē un pabeigusi arī kursus par permakultūras pamatiem. Inese aizraujas ne tikai ar dārzkopību, bet arī ar rokdarbiem - dzijas aušanu un krāsošanu, izmantojot augus. Valda aizraušanās ir augļu dārzs, ogu dārzs un bites.

Saimniecība piedāvā trīs iespējas meistarklašu programmām. Par izvēli ieteicams vienoties nedēļu pirms vizītes, lai varētu veikt nepieciešamos sagatavošanās darbus. Visās darbnīcās tiek izmantoti augi un zāļu tējas no saimniecības bioloģiski vērtīgajām pļavām, dārza, lauka, bišu stropa un meža. Pusdienas tiks gatavotas no vietējiem produktiem uz atklātas uguns, un viesi tiks iesaistīti gatavošanas procesā.

PROGRAMMA:

• Ierašanās un tikšanās ar saimniekiem.
• Ekskursija apkārt saimniecībai. Saimnieki viesus izvedīs pa saimniecību un kopā dosies nelielā pastaigā līdz Gaujas sākumam Elkas kalna pakājē.
• Radošā darbnīca. Viesi piedalīsies vienā no trim meistarklasēm, par ko iepriekš būs vienojušies:

1. variants. Īpaša tējas maisījuma pagatavošana veselīgam ķermenim un garam.
2. variants. Ziedu ūdeņu pagatavošana skaistumkopšanai.
3. variants: dabīgu ziepju pagatavošana ķermeņa labsajūtai.

• Saimniecības produkcijas degustācija. Saimniece piedāvās nobaudīt saimniecībā gatavotus sezonas produktus. Tiks piedāvāta arī zāļu tēja un bērzu sula.
• Pusdienas. Saimniece vadīs gatavošanas procesu, līdzdarbojoties ar viesiem. Pusdienas tiks pagatavotas uz atklātas uguns.