WHY THE LATVIAN COUNTRYSIDE?

Sanctuary of black storks. From the Rococo flamboyance of Rundale Castle to the spirituality of five hundred kilometers of white sand beaches.

Fine white sand blowing among windswept Baltic pines along the sea coast, amber treasures washed up onto the shore, lovingly tended national forests full of chanterelles and boletus cep mushrooms, and cranberries and blueberries hiding in low bushes among the thick moss. The Latvian countryside is a gently rising and burbling affair that is home to storks, frogs and bees still thriving in their natural habitat here. And in among the rivers, lakes and trees of this eco-wonderland is the occasional architectural pearl, such as Rundale Castle, that takes best advantage of it all.

With nature so close to the heart of the people, Latvia has a long tradition of conservation stretching back some 500 years to the first socially binding regulations on forest use. Close to half of Latvia’s territory is forestland, both state and private. The coastlands of Kurzeme in the west are beautifully undeveloped, dotted with harbors and fishing villages; unique lowland ecosystems attract both rare local species and many migratory birds. Zemgale in southern Latvia is known for its vast, even stretches of fertile farmland. Vidzeme, the central heart of the country has everything from river valleys and protected mires to forests, rural farmland and the highlands. And Latgale in the east, where the climate grows more continental, is known as the ‚Land of the Blue Lakes‘ for its over 2000 pure freshwater lakes.

The names of the various regions of Latvia come from the early tribes that lived more or less in those territories: Couronians in Kurzeme, Semigalians in Zemgale, Selonians and Latgalians in Latgale, but Vidzeme has a purely practical name meaning the 'land in the middle'. The historical territory of Livonia took its name from the Finno-Ugric speaking Livs who also lived here. These were the people who built the fortress at Turaida around which so many legends have sprung. The movement of various invaders across the land has also left its mark starting with the castles and churches built by the Livonian order in the early middle Ages, the baronial manors built by the Baltic German nobility such as Kuksu Manor near Kuldiga, and the exquisite Rundale Castle and impressive Mezotne Castle built by order of the Russian rulers of the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Apart from visiting these architectural monuments, the Latvian countryside offers many other activities: history and adventure along the Baltic coast at the Naval War Port at Liepaja; adventure sports challenges for all ages including Olympic bobsledding, a tree-top ropes course in Sigulda, and flying in a vertical wind tunnel at the Aerodium; a day on the Ligatne Nature Trails; baking authentic rye bread at the beloved Laci Bakery; engaging in the ‘national sport’ of mushroom hunting and berry picking or flying high above the patchwork countryside in a hot air balloon. And remember—this northern landscape is also one of the keepers of sauna culture. Whether at a luxury spa in the beach town of Jurmala or a traditional ‘black sauna’ in the countryside, prepare to be purified! This health giving art has developed for as long people have lived here. For health and eco-travelers Latvia’s white sand and pristine wildlife combine with fascinating local culture for a unique Baltic wonderland experience.