Rural Lifestyle

Program:

• Arrive at Bīriņi Castle and meet the guide. Tour of the yard and park. Highlights: climbing the estate’s water tower to the viewing platform; seeing the stables containing Latvian pedigree horses; stopping by the Lover’s Oak where, by tradition, wedding couples hang small bells; and swinging in the large Easter swings (1 hour).
• Lunch at the manor’s restaurant. Traditional cuisine is on ofer including: tasting platters, lamb soup with green buckwheat and layered dark bread cake. Tasting of herbal teas using locally gathered ingredients. Lunch duration approx. 1 hour.
• Transfer to the cranberry plantation (approx. 5 km/10 min.)
• Guided tour of the cranberry plantation and Laugas bog lake. Tasting of cranberry products from the plantation’s own production facility. The products are also for sale on site. Duration of visit 1.5 hours.
•  Return to Bīriņi Castle or depart depending on itinerary.

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.

The Arendole Estate is on the banks of the Dubna River.  Its park is a century old, and it has been preserved thanks to a protected plant -- the white viscum.  The owners of the farm have spent 20 years and more in restoring the estate and its surroundings.  The estate has sheep, chickens, turkeys, a goose, ducks and fish in the pond.  The garden produces herbs and vegetables for the kitchen.  Accommodations are available in historically designed rooms, with meals, tours and a smoke or black sauna.  

Owner Arvīds is a lawyer and historian, while his wife, Faimja, is a homemaker and a Tatar from Siberia.  She is also an engineer and technologist.  The owners will welcome guests to the estate and provide all of the services, including meals and tales about the estate and the history of Latgale.

THE PROGRAMME:

• A tour with the owner's tale about the estate and how it is operated;
• Tea and snacks.

We offer ancient dishes of Madona region (group catering), culinary master classes (ancient dishes, etc.), use home-grown berries (strawberries, raspberries), etc. agricultural products because they own a farm. The guest house is located in an old building, which is easily located. Participation in programs such as "Meet your master", "Real Latvian hosts 2017", etc.

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 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 opening of the folk tradition season in lively Alsunga!  Stay at the centre of the administrative district of the noble suiti people, with glamping available at Eglenieki.  Spend the night in a tent that is out in nature and just 15 km from the sea.  The location is sufficiently remote to enjoy the presence of the environment.  The glamping offers what’s necessary to spend the night so close to nature.  A coffee machine, a grill, kitchen appliances and, particularly, a comfortable bed for two … just like at home!

Guests at Eglenieki are welcome to visit the owner’s teahouse, Sapņotava, where the ceremonies of Latvian tea drinking can be enjoyed.  You’ll learn about the medicinal characteristics of teas and make friends with the local community of friends.

Order breakfast and dinner, and you’ll be able to rid yourself from the hurries of your everyday life.

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.

This company has been producing chicory coffee since 2009.  The landlady, Jolanta, has used her grandmother Alīda's recipe and processes. 

The farm produces chicory, and it buys carrots and grain from other farmers.  They also pick acorns from the greatest oak trees of Selonia.  The coffee recipe has been given a Culinary Heritage mark. 

Jolanta Kovnacka returned to her native Viesīte Administrative District after finishing her education and gaining work experience.  The idea of a chicory coffee factory was a response to a financial crisis.  Jolanta is delighted to do work that she enjoys and that is appreciated by her clients.  That's why she opened the company's doors to visitors. 

Guests will learn about the production of the coffee, the raw materials, the history of the process, the farm, the garden and the hothouse.  There will be a chance to prepare one's own coffee mixture.  After working with the coffee or doing other work at the farm, guests can spend some time at a coffee cup in the garden of the farm.  Guests can also go on a short walk in the area and buy products to take home with them.  An additional option is to take part in cracking acorns to prepare raw materials for the coffee.

THE PROGRAMME:

• A tour of the farm to learn about the history of chicory coffee, the way in which it is produced, the raw materials and the finished product;
• Selection of raw materials, preparation of a recipe and calculation of weight;
• Preparation and mixture of raw materials, toasting and cooling down the coffee;
• Preparation of packages, choosing a name, weighing and sealing;
• Brewing one's own coffee, tasting it, and enjoying snacks along with the beverage.

The family company Poļu nams was established more than 20 years ago, and it produces sweets that were popular during the Soviet era -- the Sweet Brunette chocolate sausage, as well as cookies filled with condensed milk that are known as Sweet Pearl or little nuts.  The owners started the work at their flat in Rīga, but now the manufacturing facilities are in a building which used to be a culture centre.  The products are still made by hand. 

Gunita has run the company from its origins and greets guests who wish to tour the manufacturing plant.  That will be of interest both to adults and to children.  Gunita designed her own house and initiates reanimation with the idea of dealing with the big building.  Step by step she is putting together a club, Lāde (Chest), to focus on esoteric issues, education and leisure.  Gatis supports Gunita in her efforts by handling all of the reconstruction and construction work. 

During tours, guests will visit the manufacturing facility, learning about the building and its history.  They will be able to taste the sweets and then have lunch with the owners.  A master class in preparing sweets can be arranged in advance and depending on the workload of the company.  People can learn how to prepare the Sweet Brunette or the little nuts.

THE PROGRAMME:

• A tour of the manufacturing facility to learn about it;
• A master class in preparing sweets;
• Tasting of sweets and a coffee break;
• A visit to the "Lāde" club to learn about Soviet-era film equipment and to take pictures;
• Lunch with the owners.

The Mailīši factory was established in 2018 to preserve handiwork traditions and skills.  The factory weaves textiles from wool, flax and silk, as well as blankets, shoulder wraps and linen towels.  Visitors can examine and try all kinds of hand-driven looms that were used in Latvia from the 9th to the 21st century.  Guests can start with vertical weaving stands or programmable looms.  There are two Viļumsons looms that were invented and patented in Latvia. 

Ilze is a fourth-generation representative of the family to be involved in weaving.  Her mother, Inese Mailīte, has been a weaver for nearly half a century. 

Visitors will learn about weaving textiles and the various technologies that are involved.  A creative workshop will allow guests to sew a small 30x30 cm pillow with textiles from the workshop, filling it with sheep wool.  Alternatively, guests can prepare a knot pillow, weave a sample of a belt, prepare an accessory for a costume, create yarn or twine.

THE PROGRAMME:

• Meeting Ilze and Inese Mailītis;
• Touring the company to try out weaving on various types of looms;
• Learning about the sheep wool of various kinds (looking, touching and smelling it), as well as woollen items;
• Sewing a small pillow after selecting the textile and the wool, then filling it with wool.  Guests will be able to take these pillows home.

The village of Leimaņi is found at the edge of the P27 highway between Birži and Ilūkste.  The village is at a crossroads where there was once a saloon in the early 20th century. 

The historical building is currently being occupied by the Akācija Plus organisation of local craftswomen.  There are thematic rooms in the building devoted to weaving, regional research, bread, household issues, antique objects and one room devoted to the age of Kārlis Ulmanis. 

Inita Lāce has chaired the Akācija Plus organisation for many years, and she has initiated many creative and social ideas.  Together with other women, Inita has put together a park of Latvian ornaments which features ethnographic Latvian signs. 

Guests will meet the craftswomen and see their work.  They will hear stories about the history of the homestead and the Leimaņi Parish, help to bake bread and then enjoy the fresh bread with lovage and pork.  Next there will be a tour of the park of ornaments.  Visitors will  have a chance to purchase woven textiles or apparel, as well as mats for the floor and for saunas.

THE PROGRAMME:

• Arrival at Rūķīši to learn about the Akācija Plus organisation;
• Preparation of loaves of bread and putting them in the oven to bake;
• A tour of the Rūķiši crafts house to learn about the history of the Leimaņi Parish, the work of weavers, regional research materials, antiquities and rooms;
• Tasting of bread, solving of riddles and chats over a cup of tea in the household room of the building;
• A tour of the Latvian ornament park, which contains an information stand and 11 ethnographic signs and symbols that have been made of oak by a local craftsman.  Each ornament has its own explanation and importance in Latvian mythology.  During holidays and events, the ornaments are lit up during the dark part of the day.

The farm is surrounded by biologically valuable grassland meadows and forest, and has its own forest lake. The nearest neighbours are 2 km away. This is one of the first businesses in Latvia where, after the restoration of independence, tea production began using Latvian wild and garden plants. For more than 20 years now, the brand "Lauku tējas" (country teas) has been available on store shelves.

Evita and Martins Lukini has overtaken family business and continue herbal tea production as well as sustainable forestry and create events to reconnect people with nature to awaken their mindfulness. The main business activity is still production of ecological teas continuing the usage of ancestral knowledge, collecting teas and preparing them according to ancient methods, using fermentation - suturing.

Guests will get acquainted with plants and tea making by participating in the Mandala tea workshop and creating one’s own tea to take along. Participation in herbal meditation will enable each person to choose the most suitable and necessary herbs for her or him to be used for making the tea. 
By prior arrangement a rural life experience can be arranged with guest participation in some seasonal tea production work such as planting, harvesting, sorting, preparing for drying, fermentation, packing.

PROGRAMME:

• Arrival at the farm, meeting with hostess Evita. 
• Walk around the farm, get acquainted with the plants and gather them to make your own tea. The unique opportunity of summer is to make fresh tea from picked plants during the walk.
• Tea workshop:
• Meditation, during which participants stand or sit with one’s eyes closed and breathe deeply and calmly, allowing all the attention to descend into the body to allow the intention to come - what do you need tea for now: peace, energy, specific health problem?
• Choice of plants from the 12 plants offered: seeing, smelling and feeling with the whole body and your essence, choose 3-5 plants that support your intention.
• Making a tea mandala - form a circle from the selected plants, thus obtaining the proportions of your tea mixture. The mandala is an ancient form of healing, the circle as a symbol of the universe.
• Preparation of the ready tea mixture to take away – put the tea mixture into the bag, write the name and composition of the mixture.

Briežuciems is some 35 km from Balvi and was established as the central village of the Soviet Briežuciems kolkhoz after World War II.  The Briežuciems craftsmen village is a place where traditional jobs are nurtured, honoured and involved in modern life. 

The Kronīši homestead in Briežuciems bakes wheat and rye bread in a real country oven, using clean grain from the farm.  Owners Vija Jermacāns is a teacher and Jāzeps Jermacāns is a bus driver.  They merge these jobs with management of their biological farm. 

Owner Andris Ločmelis of the Liepu homestead is a farmer, but his hobby and delight is leather processing.  He will be delighted to talk to guests about it.  Andris owns the "Leatherely" brand (Fb:  @Leatherely), and he collects sewing machines. 

The Punduri family at Bilgas will invite guests to taste homemade and ecologically made cheese and herbal teas which the family have gathered, as well as take a look at the owner's collection of hunting trophies. 

The Atspoles crafts workshop involves several local women who weave rag carpets, carpeting, bags, blankets, mittens, jewellery and souvenirs. 

Briežuciems also boasts of folk musicians, an ethnographic ensemble and a youth folklore group.  Visitors can hear ancient Northern Lettigalian songs and spend some time dancing merry folk dances.  All of the farms are 500 metres to five kilometres from one another, and visitors are welcome to discuss a programme that will satisfy their interests and needs.

THE PROGRAMME:

Baking bread at Kronīši (~2 h)

• The lady of the farm will talk about bread baking traditions, and then guests will help to knead the dough, shape loaves and put them in the oven;
• While the bread is baking, there will be a folk music concert, festive dances and soup cooked on a campfire;
• The bread will be taken out of the oven.

The leather processing workshop at Liepas (1-1.5 h)

• The master will talk about the operation and take guests on a tour of his sewing machine collection;
• A master workshop to prepare a souvenir (a key fob, a bookmark).

The Bilgas farm (~1.5 h)

• A visit to the hunter hut to see hunting trophies and hear the owner's story about them;
• Enjoying herbal teas and homemade cheese while the lady of the house talks about the teas, nature, the history of the homestead and life in the countryside.

The Atspoles crafts workshop (1-1.5 h)

• A tale about how the workshop was established and the types of handiwork, with a chance to look at the things that have been made;
• A master workshop on weaving on a loom or a shawl frame, with a chance to prepare a pin or other souvenir from textile and floristics materials (there is room for 10 visitors at a time at the workshop).

Guest house "Ausmas" is located in Valka region, and can accommodate up to 30 people. Catering services are also available both on site and off-site. Guests have access to a wet sauna, as well as a sauna ritual with a skilled bather. The guest house organizes various events, as well as tours and groups of children. There is also an animal farm on the farm, where children can feed and love a variety of animals. The owners actively cooperate with the neighboring farms.

The owners of the guest house are home-grown producers who offer guests a variety of smoked meats, cheeses and homemade bread. Master classes are offered in both cheese tying and bread baking. It is possible to visit and organize tastings both with home-made products and with the offer of the surrounding farms.

The owners of "Indrāni" are farmers and inhabitants of Skujene parish in countless generations. This is evidenced by the oldest church register books. Now the "young", Margēviči family, livea and work here. The current owners of "Indrāni" have been operating in Indrāni since 1988. The landlord's parents exchanged the overgrown patches of land with the ruins of old buildings for a "Līvāni" type house. There came better and worse times, joys and sorrows. But the main thing is and remains - work, land, family. The owners are proud that everything they offer to their customers is made on the farm. From the seeds in the bed to the full baskets in the cellar, from the berries in the bog to the jar. Recipes made in Indrani are not found elsewhere in the world - red clover marmalade, linden candies in chocolate, heather syrup, chamomile kvass and more, and more. "Indrāni" is organic farm. For many people a year is white at both ends and green in the middle, but in  Indrāni it is green throughout. And year after year!

Liene and Aleksandrs Margeviči, Ilva Margeviča and Jānis Jasulis. The Margeviči family is not entrepreneurs or businessmen, they are simply the owners of their land. Aleksandrs is a forester by profession, but the new generation is a professional chef. All other work is done with a body of knowledge that has been inherited and accumulated from experience over the years.

PROGRAMME: 

• Arrival at the farm “Indrāni”, getting acquainted with the owners.
• Insight into the confectionery workshop and getting acquainted with how Indrāni delicacies are made.
• Walk on nature trails.
• Making your own necklace from self-found pebble (approx. 30 min)
• Tasting of local delicacies:

1. Marmalades;
2. Jams;
3. Herbal teas;
4. Candied fruit;
5. Bread;
6. Canned food.

This farm is at the edge of Balvi between the urban and natural environment. 

Owner Arnita is a professional sauna manager and home producer.  Her Arnita's Workshop of Good Feelings includes homemade bread and other goodies, sauna rituals and the use of wild plants for health and good feelings.  Arnita prepares plant teas and syrups, body scrubs and masks. 

Guests will accompany the lady of the house in a tour around the farm to gather wild plants.  Then she will teach each guest how to prepare a sauna switch and a body scrub.

THE PROGRAMME:

• An introduction to Arnita and her workshop;
• A tour of the farm to gather plants to make a sauna switch and a body scrub;
• Preparation of the switch and scrub while enjoying the aroma of the plants;
• A cup of tea and homemade bread and fruit syrups.

The village of Zasa originated at the estate of Baron Zass.  The pride of the village is the lovely landscape park of the estate with foreign trees and stands of oak.  The little Dzirnupīte River flows through the park with little bridges, islands and places to relax. 

Rūme is a place where creative craftspeople from Sēlija can gather.  An impressive log building with a reddish tiled roof offers people who know a great deal about Sēlija, still speak Selonian, wear Selonian folk costumes and are proud of the prickly and revolutionary nature of Selonians.  These craftsmen preserve traditions and honour spiritual heritage.  They offer things that are appropriate for modern homes and people. 

Daina Alužāne originated the crafts centre.  She also established the "Sēlija Islands" tourism network for the local community, and she brings together craftspeople from the nearby area.  Anda Svarāne is a well-known artist in the field of ceramics and an art teacher.  Daughter Ieva also takes part in the process.  The two women produce traditional dishware that is based on ancient pottery traditions, as well as modern designs.  They mostly work with white clay, and their glazes offer the silvery and grey foggy mornings of Sēlija, as well as the lichen of the local swamps.  Aivars is a carpenter and leatherworker who uses ancient tools and modern technologies in his work. 

Visitors to the craftspeople centre will help to prepare a Selonian meal, hear the living Selonian language, test their abilities at making leather bracelets and ceramicware, and learn about the archaeological costumes of Sēlija.

THE PROGRAMME:

• Arrival at Rūme to meet the owners and tour the crafts centre;
• Preparing a meal in locally produced clay pots which are put in the oven so that they ensure a proper sauté while guests are engaged in other activities;
• Making leather bracelets under the supervision of the master craftsman;
• Learning about the work of ceramicists and potters along with a story abut how clay magically turns into a sonorous and durable dish.  Watch as a lump of clay is turned into a cup, pot or bowl.  Look into the depths of the kiln, and purchase some of the finished dishware;
• A review of archaeological costumes and their history, learning about how the apparel was worn.  There are local folk costumes, and Marta from Aizupieši or Vallija Slate will visit the granary of the young ladies.
• A meal with conversations.

Bērzzemnieki is a farm in the park of the Zasa Estate, and it was once owned by the famous Latvian horse breeder Vilis Stukuls.  A few years ago, the Kalnājs family bought the farm.  The family restored and improved the historical house, which was built in the style of Eclecticism.  They also reintroduced horses to the large stone stables.  There are six horses, a sheep called Bučiņa, a ram called Alfrēds, a dog called Baron Louis, and two cats.  The animals behave well, and visitors can look at them, pat them, cuddle them and feed them with treats which will be provided by the owners.  Accommodations are available for travellers. 

The Kalnājs family gathered in Latvia from all corners of Europe to satisfy the dream of living at a farm.  Anna is responsible for the animals and horse tourism.  She has an appropriate education from Latvia and the UK.  She gets along wonderfully with children and teenagers, teaching them to ride horses.  She is very familiar with the nature and the needs of horses.  Sister Laura takes care of the house and makes sure that guests find the little estate clean and polished.  Laura is a master at brewing tea or coffee.  She bakes cakes and prepares tasty bean soup with smoked ribs for her guests.  Grandmother Īrisa, meanwhile, is active in the flowerbeds and garden. 

The Kalnājs family offers you a chance to learn about horses, do some work at the stable, learn about everyday handling of horses, and take a horseback ride in the Zasa park.

THE PROGRAMME:

• Arrival at the farm to meet its owners;
• Encountering horses and other animals to learn about their characteristics and behaviour;
• Assisting with everyday or seasonal stable work -- cleaning boxes, adding water, preparing hay, weeding carrots and repairing or installing parts of the paddock;
• The horses will be brought in and cleaned, and visitors will be able to comb their manes, clean their hair and hooves, and prepare for a walk, ride or travel;
• A horseback ride to study the Zasa park and its surroundings;
• Returning to the stable to take pictures with the horses (the photos will be available to take home), with a chance to purchase souvenirs that are related to horses;
• Feeding the animals with treats and snacking with cakes and tea.

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.