5 day Latvia tour – Latgale

Latgale is one of the most specific regions of Latvia, representing pure nature and distinct traditions of locals. Most latgallians are respectful Catholics and the heritage of culture is closely connected to craftsmanship.
This 5 day Latvia tour starts in Riga and follows on with a trip to most favored travel sites of the Latgale region.  Comprising various “must see” places, the tour gives you an opportunity to feel the Real Latvia in its entirety.
Riga travel highlights, local culinary heritage, beautiful landscapes of Latvia and national food traditions are the matter to join this tour now!

Day 1
Arrival to Riga.  After meeting you at the arrival point, the tour host will transfer you to the hotel.
Check-in and have some rest before going out to explore Riga at night-time.  The evening starts with Riga Welcome Dinner at locally beloved restaurant Lidojosa Varde (The Flying Frog). It’s located in a historical Art Nouveau area, which is one of the Riga travel highlights. Before starting to explore the Old Riga nightlife let’s have a stroll around the area to see the largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe.
Overnight at 3 * Riga hotel.

Day 2
After hearty breakfast you will join the Private Walking tour – Discover Riga. This two and a half hours long tour is planned to experience historical heritage of Latvia and local traditions. The tour starts with a visit to St. Peter’s Church and its tower where you can enjoy a wonderful panorama view of the city. Here a local guide will introduce you with main facts about the capital of Latvia. The city overview and interesting narration will let you know about other places in Riga not included in this tour – Pardaugava, Riga Port, Central Market and Mezaparks. Within this tour you will visit all major historical and culture attractions settled in Old Riga.
Afterwards let’s head to Sigulda, which is one of the most favored travel sites in Latvia. Because of its wonderful nature it’s often called as the Switzerland of Vidzeme  
Before starting the sightseeing let’s have lunch with an overview of the Gauja Valley. Thanks to electromobiles used as a tour transport you will be able to reach various nature objects, which are quite unreachable with common transport – car or bus. Within this tour you will also have an opportunity to enjoy a drive with the popular Sigulda air tram.
This 3 hour long tour includes most favoured travel sites of the city - Sigulda Medieval and New castles, Turaida Medieval Castle and Museum Reserve, Gutmana cave and Serpentine road.
Further let’s get closer to the border of Latgale region. The next stop is the picturesque town Aluksne settled on the shores of Aluksne Lake. Here you will get on a narrow gauge railway train. With a history of almost 100 years the line Aluksne – Gulbene has been recognized as a cultural monument of national significance.  And by the way it’s the last section of narrow gauge railway in general use in Latvia. Passing by the beautiful landscapes the train will lead you to Stameriena village, where the ancient and wonderful Stameriena castle is settled. 
After a short visit of Stameriena castle you will head to your accommodation – Guest House Vonadzini. Let’s finish the day with delicious dinner.

Day 3
Let’s wake up early and have hearty breakfast as it’s going to be a long day of travel!
Today you’re going to visit the heart of Latgale. On your way to Rezekne you will see one of the eldest wooden churches in Latvia – Pilcines Church. As there is a huge list of “must do things” for today, let’s have a short drive through the city to see all main Rezekne travel sites. The next stop is one of the numerous potteries found in Latgale – one of the “must do” things while travelling around this Latvia region. Within an interactive excursion you will be introduced with the history and process of the pottery. The highlight of it is a chance to get your own genuine Latgalian souvenir. 
To follow the list you’ll head to the ethnography museum Andrupene Farmstead to explore the Latgalian culinary heritage. It’s the complex of 20th century buildings, including a dwelling house, barns, cow sheds and country sauna. The local guide will introduce you with Latgallian traditions and to make it more real you will be offered to grind the grain in a hand-mill or work with real flail. Enjoy your lunch of local cuisine, including home-made cheese and bread.
Afterwards let’s drive to Aglona, which is the site of the most important religious shrine in Latvia – the Basilica of Aglona. For more than 300 years it has been a traditional place of pilgrimage for Latvian Catholics. Pilgrims gather here for major church holy days, but the most popular of course is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15.
At the end of the day you will visit the Aglona Museum of Bread. Here the owner of the place - kind and good-humored lady, will introduce you with local traditions of bread bakery. The homelike atmosphere of this museum makes it more special and real. Candles on the table, cup of self-gathered and organic tea and the aroma of freshly baked bread will make you feel wonderful.
The today’s final stop is the camping Dridzi, located on the banks of the deepest lake of Latvia. Picnic - Dinner with an overview of Dridzi Lake and overnight in the camping.  To guarantee you a good night’s sleep we do recommend you to visit the bathhouse settled in each camp house.

Day 4
After breakfast let’s start our trip back to Riga. Still there’s one more thing left on a list! Let’s head to Horse Ranch Klajumi. Here you will spend a wonderful day in a horse riding tour led by local guide. Amazing landscapes of Latgale, fresh air and high possibility to see wild animals and birds are not the only things you will be able to enjoy during this tour. You don’t need a visa to have a look on Belarus as the tour will allow you to enjoy the landscapes of the country.
After this bang-up tour and lunch at Horse Ranch Klajumi you will head back to Riga.
Return to the capital city and have some rest before going out for a Riga Goodbye Dinner at one of Old Riga restaurants.
Overnight at 3* Riga hotel.

Day 5
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be at your own leisure so take an opportunity to have a stroll around Old Riga.
Transfer to the departure point and saying farewells to Riga.

 
The price is per person including:

• Accommodation services as described in the itinerary (double or single rooms – depending on the amount of persons)
• Daily breakfast;
• Activities as described in the itinerary, including all entrance fees
• All transfers  with private driver as described in the itinerary;
• Catering services as describe in the itinerary
• English speaking local guide – tour host;
• Taxes (VAT 21%)

Optional expenses you may have during the trip:

• Souvenirs and gifts
• Free time expenses