| No | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
The craftswoman is prepared to offer practical activities which allow you to learn about clay, use a potter’s wheel, and release your inner creative abilities. After the firing of the products in a kiln, you will be able to take them along as a fine souvenir which confirms our newly discovered skills. The craftswoman also grows herbs and teas which you can sample. |
||
|
The restaurant is in the Grand Hall of the restored Liepupe Estate. Ancient cooking traditions are merged with modern culinary methods. The restaurant works with local farmers and grows greens and herbs in its own garden. Guests are welcome to help with preparing foods on a wood-fired stove in the antique kitchen. Latvian cuisine: Rye bread canapé, a plate of Latvian cheeses, country salad with greens, grilled seasonal vegetables, estate stock, local fish dishes, baked port chop, baked herb-crusted mutton. |
||
|
The castle was commissioned by Baron Alexander von Fittinghof and built between 1859 and 1863 in the late Tudor Neo-Gothic style. It is one of the most important monuments to this style in Latvia and has an ornate limestone façade. The 7th Sigulda Infantry Brigade was housed in the castle from 1921 until 1940. Today it is home to the Alūksne Museum with a permanent exhibition and an “environmental labyrinth.” One of the most unusual exhibits is a set of fluorescent minerals that can be viewed under lights with various spectrums. |
||
|
Saimniecība specializējas kazas piena produktu apstrādē, pieejami dažāda veida svaigie sieri, piens, kefīrs, biezpiens, fetas siers, krēmsiers. |
||
|
The Lācīši farm can be found in the Galgauska Parish to the Southwest of Gulbene. One of the largest farms in Northeastern Vidzeme, it specialises in grain farming (577 ha), rapeseed farming (295 ha), and various grasses. It is also a dairy farm with some 100 cows to produce meat and breed calves. There is an interesting room for meetings and presentations, with large glass windows opening up to the cattle barn. The farm actively makes use of EU funding. Contact the farm in advance for tours and exchanges of experiences. |
||
|
The Cheese hut dates back to 1768 and was once part of the Kalnamuiža (Smiltene) Estate. It is the only object of industrial heritage that is still found in Latvia. On the first floor there was the storage of milk and a set of cheese pots. Stairs to the second floor have been lost. The second floor was used to dry cheese, and the process was facilitated by holes in the walls of the hut so that the wind could help in the process. Although the holes have been filled up, their placement can still be easily seen. The Cheese hut is alongside the ruins of the Medieval castle in Smiltene. Sadly, it is in terrible shape and can only be viewed from the outside. |
||
|
Rokdarbniece Vineta Meistere piedāvā apskatīt, pasūtīt un nopirkt gleznas, dienasgrāmatas un recepšu grāmatas, kas izšūtas krustdūriena tehnikā. |
||
|
The saloon is alongside the Ieriķupīte River in the centre of town. There is a nature trail to look at local waterfalls and a windmill. The saloon offers homemade baked goods. Latvian cuisine: Valmiera salad, cold soup, bean soup, sliced pork, baked cod, sausages, stacked rye bread. Special foods: “Ieriķi salad” – tomatoes, cured meat, mushrooms. |
||
|
Possibly the highest bee apiary in the Baltics, about 300 m above sea level. Organic beekeeping products are harvested in Gaiziņkalns and its surrounding area. We offer excursions in the farm, bee apiary workshops, tasting of beekeeping products. |
||
|
The café is in the basement of the Līgatne Cultural Centre. There is a summer terrace alongside the Līgatne River. Latvian cuisine: Herring, cold soup, sausages, pork haché, hunter’s sausages, pork ribs, pancakes with cottage cheese, potato pancakes. Special foods: The “Pie Jančuka” pork chop. |
||
|
72 types of wild rhododendrons with 193 different species
This is the only specialised rhododendron nursery in the Baltic States. Specialists there work on different kinds of rhododendrons, seeking to produce decorative and winter-resistant types of the flower. The nursery also sells plants. In the facility’s pine forest, which covers 11.8 hectares, you can see a large collection of rhododendrons from all over the world.
There are 64 winter-resistant types of rhododendrons at “Babīte,” including “Alma Mater,” “Academia Scientiarum,” “Emeritus,” “Eduards Smiļģis,” “Dita Krenberga,” and others (these were developed by Rihards Kondratovičs). All of these are appropriate for Northern Europe.
|
||
|
A unique farmyard that includes a full set of buildings typical of this area. The farmstead buildings reflect at least 300-400 years of Latvian nation-building development. In the area it is possible to stay in a dwelling house (2 rooms, two people each) and in the tents. Picnic places available. It is also possible to organize different events and activities. |
||
|
The Rāmkalni recreation park is located on the side of the Murjāņi-Valka highway (A3), in the Gauja valley. It offers skiing in winter and cycling, boating, and tobogganing in summer. The restaurant and bistro serves both Latvian and Western European cuisine. Various countryside goods can be purchased in the shop. |
||
|
The nature park in the city of Jūrmala was set up to protect dune, pine forest and shoreline habitats. This park features one of the most attractive nature trails in the Rīga area, and it is found near the famous Ragakāpa dune, which can be as much as 17 metres high. This is an excellent opportunity to study dune habitats and the plants, birds, insects, etc., which live there. Visitors can also see pine trees that are 100 years old and older. |
||
|
In 2006, a wooden pathway was installed across the Planči swamp – 500m long, which means that the visitor will spend around 20 minutes there. This is probably the only nature trail in Latvia for which there are plans to post information in Braille for people with impaired vision.
|
||
|
The area known as the territory of high hillocks has several heights – Lakta Hill (250 metres above sea level), Egļu Hill (268 metres above sea level), and Bākūži Hill (272 metres above sea level). They are connected by an earthen road – it’s worth hiking the trail to find the best viewing areas. A very fine view of the backs of hillocks in the Vidzeme highlands can be seen from the northern side of Lakta Hill.
|
||
|
This is one of few open air objects to honour the globally unique Baltic Way demonstration, during which several million residents of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined hands in an unbroken chain that stretched from Tallinn all the way to Vilnius. The monument is at the former border crossing point at Unguriņi on the border between Latvia and Estonia, and it was installed on the 20th anniversary of the demonstration on August 23, 2009. It was designed by the metal artist Andris Dukurs. |
||
|
A marked hiking route (a guide will be needed) begins at the Jēči windmill, which was built in 1878. Nearby is a dendrology park and a collection of rocks. You will learn about moraines and other geological features in the region, study various kinds of swamps, see the unique piles of rock at Pugas, as well as the Kraujiņi rock. The route is 7 or 5 km in length, returning at the starting point, and it will take some four hours to traverse. Be sure to put on waterproof boots!
|
||
|
This is appropriate for active hikers who enjoy looking at nature and learning about cultural and historical environments. The hike is down the valley of the most impressive river in the Baltic States – the Gauja, as well as the deep and ancient valley of one of its tributaries – the Amata. Lovely Devonian sandstone cliffs rise above both sides of the rivers. The Līgatne Paper Factory village is an outstanding example of industrial heritage at the European level, with a unique environment from the 19th and 20th century. The Cēsis castle that is at the end of the route was once the mightiest Medieval fortress in Livonia. Route information from Latvijas Lauku forums |
||
|
These sandstone cliffs were once known as the Pieškalni or Pieškaļi cliffs. They are around 7 km to the North from the centre of Cēsis. These are the most monolithic sandstone cliffs in the Baltic States – around 700 m long (with some 330 m along the Gauja River) and a maximum height of 22 m. There is a viewing area which offers a grand view of the Gauja River valley. Water tourists will boat up to the majestic wall of the cliff and will be surprised at what they see! The name of the cliffs, Ērģeles, is the word for "pipe organ" in Latvian, and the name was supposedly given to the cliffs because of the echoes which can be heard there – they reputedly sound like an organ. Hikers and boaters must be very careful when in this area – please make sure that you are safe! Please note, too, that the infrastructure of the cliff is scheduled to be renovated in 2012. |
||