Country Holidays
1-20 / 103
No Name Description
N/A

Gaiziņkalns Hill is the highest hill in Latvia, and it is a typical example of the hillocks of the Vidzeme highlands. This is a place of wonderful landscapes, even though there are not all that many good viewing areas. At the centre of this park is Gaiziņkalns Hill itself – the highest place in Latvia and the second highest in the Baltic States (311.6 metres above sea level). The viewing tower, alas is not open to the public, because it is in dangerous condition. There is a well-appointed hiking trail around Gaiziņkalns Hill, and during the winter the hill and its surroundings are popular for downhill and cross-country skiing. Lake Viešūrs (Lake Kaķītis) is popular among licensed fishermen. This territory is part of a region of protected landscapes around Vestiena.
N/A

The trail climbs up and down along the bluffs of lower River Pilsupe and reveals a fascinating sight of three white dune exposures (the largest is called the White Dune). The trail is 900m long, and the White Dune is ca 20m high. It has formed ca 6000 years ago, in the period of the Littorina Sea which is a foregoer of the Baltic Sea. Here the first Stone Age settlement on the North Western coast of Latvia has been found in 1934 by geologist S. Burhards. In the sand, some 500m from the sea, he found some pottery fragments, a sandstone hone, a piece of flint, parts of bones and an amber bead. He handed the findings over to the National Museum of History. In October 1934, the site was checked by archaeologist E. Šturms, who found the archaeological layer, typical for such settlements, in the landslides of the Pilsupe riverbanks. In 1936 he started larger excavations to continue by 1938. Totally seven, chronologically different settlements were detected and many artefacts found, including fragments of the so called Sārnate and pit-comb pottery, as well as some pieces of corded pottery. Based on these findings, the settlement is dated back to the beginning or middle of the 3rd millenary B.C., and it has been inhabited till the beginning of the 2nd millenary B.C. Especially remarkable are three clay figures in human shape which have probably been used for some religious cult purposes.

Since 1993, archaeologist Ilzes Loze has discovered several pit-comb ware culture settlements in large area around Pūrciems village. They are known in research literature as „the Ģipka settlements”.
N/A
This park is located along the shores of the Tērvete River Valley. It is a vast forested area which has been adapted successfully for travellers. In 2004, it was nominated as the most family - friendly destination in the land. There is a web of trails for one-day hikes. Viewing tower on the shore of the Tērvete River, views also from the Tērvete castle hill and Zviedru (Swedish) Hill.
N/A

The forests of Zvārde are located on land which used to be a Soviet air base. The territory was unpopulated and was not accessible to civilians. The vast area includes various types of forest - boreal forest, bogs of black alder, etc. The fact that the military used to control the territory is one of the reasons why the forests of Zvārde are a location where many rare and protected birds live, reproduce and find food. Some of the elements of the old air base are still in place, including a unique surveillance platform. It is recommended that visitors to the area drive only along general use roads.
N/A

The mouth of the most beautiful river of Vidzeme. On the seashore between the mouths of River Gauja and River Daugava, one of the largest dune ranges in Latvia with distinctive parabolic dunes overgrown with forest (wooded dunes) is situated. The Mouth of River Gauja is unique as it is one of the few major rivers in Latvia and in EU countries to flow into the sea naturally. There is no harbour or other hydro-engineering construction. It is a popular recreation area in the vicinity of Riga and Saulkrasti while, unfortunately, the lack of infrastructure makes it suffer from anthropogenic load.

Not far from the rivermouth, hidden in dunes, there are pillboxes which were built in 1920 or 30ies as anti-airborne barriers. There was a whole range of them along the coastline from the mouth of the River Lielupe to the mouth of the River Gauja forming a part of the Daugavgrīva Fortress fortifications. The pillbox is made of concrete, ca 1.5m thick.

Every year, on the 3rd Sunday in August, a lamprey festival takes place in Carnikava town by the Gauja rivermouth. Carnikava is called the Lamprey Capital as it is famous for its lamprey fishing tradition and generous catches.

The Mouth of the River Gauja is a good bird-watching area, especially in spring and autumn when one can observe the highest variety of species. Just few of the many bird species that can be observed near the Gauja rivermouth
N/A
This park was set up to protect the lovely ancient valley of the Dubysa River. This is one of the most popular rivers for water tourism in Lithuania, because it has a significant drop with rapids and beautiful shorelines.
N/A

The viewing tower is on the western part of the Blue Hills of Ogre, not far from the Dubkalni quarry.  Paths lead to the tower, as does a wooden staircase.  The viewing platform offers a very broad view of the Ķegums hydroelectric power plant reservoir and the towers of Rīga.  The platform is part of the nature park of the Blue Hills of Ogre.

 

 
N/A

The wooden tower was built and stands 28 metres high. It is at the top of the highest hillock of the Northern Courlandian Highlands – Kamparkalns Hill (175 metres above sea level). The tower offers one of the loveliest views in the region of the hillocks of Talsi. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Bay of Rīga and Talsi.
N/A
This territory in the northern part of the Dzūkija Highlands with lots of hillocks and lakes. The most interesting tourist destination is Velnio duobė (Devil’s Flowerbed) – a funnel-shaped hole that is up to 40 m deep and 200 m wide and is thought to have originated during the Ice Age.
N/A
It is rare type of lake in Latvia and there are only of few this type of lakes in Kurzeme region. The lake is characterized by high water limpidness (very attractive for tourists) and very rare plant species for Latvia. Nature park includes the lake, costal area and forest on the East from the lake, few smaller lakes and Sarlote Pond. There are several tourist accommodations located around the lake.
N/A

This nature park covers an area of the Baltic Sea coast and part of newly established sea protected area "Nida - Pērkone" with sand dunes which once used to move around but have now settled. These are the highest dunes in Latvia. Visitors will enjoy the coastal landscape, sandy beaches and small fishing villages of the area. A nature trail has been established on Pūsēni Hill (one of the highest dunes in Latvia) for those who wish to tour the nature park.
N/A
There are three large lakes at the centre of this park – Lake Dusia, Lake Metelys, and Lake Obelija. Lake Dusia has very clear and transparent water, and its southern and south-eastern beaches are popular among swimmers. The lakes and their nearby wetlands are important during the migration season of birds.
N/A

One of the most important locations for migrating water birds in terms of rest and feeding in Latvia is the Svēte flood-land, which overflows in the spring time, along with the Svēte polder. It has been calculated that when circumstances are good, tens of thousands of birds can be seen in the area – swans, geese, corn-crakes, pintails, predatory birds, plover-type birds, etc.
N/A
This lovely part of the Nemuna River between Alytus and Pakuonis meanders through cliffs that are up to 40 m high.
N/A
No ģeogrāfiskā un kultūrvēsturiskā viedokļa interesanta teritorija Latgales augstienes Rāznavas paugurainē, kuras nozīmīgākie resursi ir dažāda veida biotopi, ainavas, reljefs un Šķaunes ezers. Istras pauguraines dabas parkā nav ar tūrismu saistīti labiekārtojumi, bet šo teritoriju var apskatīt arī „no malas”, braucot pa grantēto ceļu no Soboļinas uz Osinovku, kas iet līdztekus parka ziemeļu robežai (skats uz Šķaunes ezeru).
N/A

This nature park features the most beautiful and distinct parts of the Vanema hillocks in Northern Kurzeme, and the aim is to protect the hillocks of Talsi. This is one of the loveliest parts of Kurzeme, with small but distinct hillocks and ravines among them. There are small but fairly deep lakes in the area – the Lake Ābeļi, Lake Čumals, Lake Sirdsezers, etc. Some of them are reminiscent of nothing other than deep craters. The territory is very good for active tourists – hikers (there are nature trails), bicyclists, etc.
N/A

The Svene Nature Park is in the central part of the Augšzeme highlands, and Lake Svente is at its centre. This is one of the cleanest lakes in Latvia. There is also Egļukalns Hill, which offers one of the most beautiful views in all of Zemgale from its viewing tower. Visitors can gaze at the hillocks and lakes of the Svente area. Egļukalns Hill also has ski trails and a nature trail.
N/A
The ancient Abava River Valley between Kandava and the place where the river flows into the Venta River is the most expressive river valley segment in Kurzeme in terms of landscape and terrain. The valley is 30 to 40 metres deep and as much as 300 metres wide. The territory is distinguished by great diversity of a biological nature (more than 800 kinds of plants), featuring many different biotopes and natural monuments such as streams, waterfalls, cliffs, huge rocks, and many cultural and historical monumentssmall towns such as Kandava and Sabile. In both cases, the town centres are national monuments of urban construction. Popular tourist destinations include Vīnakalns hill in Sabile, where wine-making grapes are grown, as well as the open-air art museum at Pedvāle. To protect cultural treasures, a cultural and historical territory, “Abava River Valley” has been established. Wild livestock live at Drubazas and Tēvkalni to “maintain” the landscape. There are nature trails for tourists, and the Abava is the most popular river for water tourists in Kurzeme. Information is available at the tourist information centres in Kandava and Sabile. such as castle hills, churches, ancient burial grounds, and

N/A
Open landscape area within farming lands on both banks of Uzava River about 10 km before it flows into the Baltic Sea. There is a good open view over the area from the Vendzava-Ziri road going through the nature park. Protection of migratory birds and corncrakes has been one of the main reasons for establishment of the nature park. Bird watching is possible from the road Vendzava-Ziri during migration period in spring and fall. There is no tourist infrastructure in the nature park.
N/A

Ap 9 km garā taka (vienā virzienā) sākas Skaņākalna dabas parkā (Mazsalacā) un beidzas pie Ramatas. Tā iepazīstina ar Salacas ielejas dabas parka nozīmīgākajām vērtībām – smilšakmens atsegumiem (Skaņaiskalns, Dauģēnu klintis u.c.), alām, nozīmīgu izmēru laukakmeņiem u.c. Taka marķēta. Tajā izvietoti informācijas stendi, norādes. Jāpadomā par loģistiku – kā nokļūt sākuma punktā.