Cycling

Activities on this tour are cycling, walking and canoeing.

If you enjoy an active lifestyle then this tour is the perfect way to enjoy the heritage hidden in the Gauja National Park, from several different perspectives. Cycling starts at Strenči and passses two local breweries at Brenguļi and Valmiermuiža with nice cafes and good beer. From Valmiera the route goes through beautiful forest to Cēsis with its charming medieval Old Town. Canoeing takes place from Cēsis to Līgatne, which is one of the nicest parts of the Gauja river with its sandstone banks, remote farmsteads and old fashioned water-powered ferry. Ligatne historic centre is connected with the development of its paper mill. Here you can also visit local wine and handicraft producers located in one of the artificial caves typical of the area. Walking the Ligatne Nature trails to see local wild animals in a forest setting. Cycling the surprisingly hilly, winding roads of Sigulda, you'll see Turaida and Sigulda medieval castles, Gutmana Cave and other picturesque views.

On this tour there are the finest cultural and historical heritage left behind over the course of several centuries – medieval castles, different manors and splendid palaces. Part of the route goes through Gauja National Park with some excellent views of meadows and ancient forest, where  farmsteads carry on with their unchanging lives. A picturesque road connects three castles - Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda - situated on the high valley sides of the Gauja river. Further on, the road passes one of the oldest churches in Latvia and heads to two attractive 19th century manors at Birini and Igate. Next day, relax in luxury at Dikļi manor hotel. The tour then goes through charming medieval town Cesis with mighty castle ruins and a newer castle alomgside.

The other part of the tour makes a loop formed by Zemgale's distinctive castles and palaces. It includes Jaunpils Castle, barely changed since medieval times, Dobele Castle ruins and Tervete ancient hillock. Located a short ride from each other are 15th century Bauska Castle, strategically situated between two rivers, the classically styled Mežotne Palace hotel and the most famous pearl in the Baltics - splendid baroque and rococo style Rundāle Palace surrounded by a French park.

The route includes some of the most authentic local expediencies travelling through blue lake districts along the Eastern part of Latvia and Lithuania. This is a region where mass tourism has not yet arrived, and you find very sincere and hospitable people, traditional villages, many churches and cult locations which bring together paganism, Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, Russian Orthodoxy and Old believers, 
The route weaves through the Rāzna National Park surrounding lake Rāzna which provide scenic views, contains traditional farmsteads and ancient castle mounds. There is Aglona Basilica, pilgrimage place and Bread Museum worthwhile a visit. The route goes through Daugavpils with impressive 19th century' s fortress where the Art Centre of the world's famous abstractionist Mark Rothko is located.  Several pottery workshops producing traditional “black” ceramics are along the way. 
The route continues through Aukštaitija National Park across the border in Lithuania. It goes through ethnographic villages, along wooden churches and many lakes. Ancient Bee-keeping Museum at Stripeikiai is worthwhile a visit. To keep the contrast the route goes also to European Park, an open-air contemporary art museum and the centre of Europe.
Surely, you will taste the local beer of Latgale in Latvia and traditional dish Cepelinai in Lithuania. 

This route will allow you to see Latvia's most impressive medieval castles or their ruins, as well as outstanding manor houses from aristocratic estates dating back th the 18th and 19th century. The mansion of the Ungurmuiža Estate is one of the only wooden palaces left in Latvia from those that were built in the early 18th century. The ruins of the Cēsis Castle are among the most impressive Medieval ruins in the country. The tower of the Turaida Castle offers panoramic view of the ancient Gauja River Valley. About one-half of  the route passes through the Gauja National Park. You will arrive at the place where the oldest crossing of the Baltic rivers exists - the rafts which transport people across the river are still powered by the stream itself. 
Accommodations is organized at baronial estates and castles wherever its possible. Suggested meals are organized at the upper class restaurants or places where traditional Latvian atmosphere and dishes can be tried.

The route leads mostly through the Gauja National Park where you will see the most beautiful river valley in the Baltic States. It is the ancient Gauja River valley with gorgeous flora and fauna and the mightiest Devonian-period sandstone cliffs, in the region. While riding the route, you can study Latvia's most brilliant medieval city, Cēsis. You can visit medieval castles and castle ruins there and in Sigulda. A guide will take through underground bunkers in Līgatne which were secret in soviet times and have no analogue in North-eastern Europe. You will then pass through the beautiful Otepaa highlands and the Lahemaa National Park in Estonia. The old town of Tallinn is on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage.