The Daugava is the largest river in Latvia and the river of destiny for the Latvian people.  Since the end of the Ice Age, plants and animals travelled into what is now Latvia along the Daugava River valley, followed then by humans.  The shores of the river have some of the oldest settlements in Latvia, as well as a true wealth of different kinds of plants.  The density of outstanding cultural and historical monuments is why tourists love the shores of the river.  The Rīga-Daugavpils rail line offers comfortable travel between Rīga and Jēkabpils.  Below, find other train stations where it is worth disembarking to take circular hikes that last for a few hours or half a day before returning to the station.

Route information from Latvijas Lauku forums

Lai nokļūtu līdz šim tornim, ir jāveic apmēram 20 – 30 min ilgs pārgājiens pa dabas taku no Penijē muižas gar Penijegi (Penijõgi) kreiso krastu. Te redzami bebru darbi un to celtās zaru mājas. No torņa paveras skats uz Kazari deltu, kas dabā izpaužas kā monolīts un nepārskatāms niedrājs. To vairākās daļās sadala Kazari un mazāka izmēra upītes. Katrai deltas daļai ir savs vēsturiskais nosaukums: no torņa pa kreisi no Penijegi redzama Lihula meri (Lihulas „jūra”), bet tās labajā pusē - Kloostri meri (Klostri „jūra”). Putnu vērotāji var iziet garāku (7 km) dabas takas loku, kas ved pa palieņu pļavām. Jārēķinās, ka pavasaros būs nepieciešami piemēroti apavi! Pļavas ierobežotās platībās apsaimnieko mājdzīvnieki, tādēļ neaizmirstiet aizvērt vārtiņus aiz sevis un netraucējiet to ikdienas gaitas! No maršruta nav atļauts novirzīties, lai netraucētu putnus.

The first part of this section of the Forest Trail winds along the magnificent River Piusa valley, then, at Härmä Village, it turns towards Obinitsa, an important cultural centre of Setomaa, the Land of Setos. Here you can discover the traditions of the local Seto people, for example the fine handicraft of the Seto women. After Obinitsa, the Forest Trail leads through beautiful pine forests rich in heather, descends back into the depths of the River Piusa valley and ends at the Piusa caves. The Piusa sandstone caves are the result of hand-mining glass sand from 1922-1966. The biggest wintering colony of bats in Eastern Europe is located in the caves. When accompanied by the guide, you can visit the observation platform at the Museum cave.

This is a unique open-air museum in South Estonia with displays on farming and school life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its 5 ha grounds comprise a school, a court and a poorhouse with outbuildings, a communal granary, dwelling houses, and a Dutch windmill. Farm tools and machinery are also displayed.

Guest house “Hilda Villa” is located in Estonia, in Viljandi town center. Guest house has special family room for 4 person and smaller families also. 

On the first floor there are Hilda's room and the Tenant's room, bathroom, living room, and kitchen. On the second floor there are 3 bedrooms for accommodation, 2 showers, and 2 toilets.

The Baltic Sea gave this territory one of the old names of Jūrkalne – Felixberg, and people still talk about the interesting legend that is the origin of the name.  Several wrecked ships have been found in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Jūrkalne.  An exhibition in the museum visualises the underwater world as the deck of a ship that has sunk into the depths of the sea.  The exhibition focuses on the cultural and historical heritage of underwater Latvia, allowing visitors to learn all about the history of sailing ships, steamships and other objects that have been raised from the depths.  Small children will start to learn about the underwater world, and researchers with broader knowledge will find something new here.

The capital of Estonia. The Old Town of Tallinn - excellent medieval (14.-15th century) building monument. The former city of Hanza.