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 Latgale is one of the regions of Latvia where rural tourism is well developed. Here you can boil berry syrup, swim in a wooden barrel and chat with forest spirits.
In Latgale, for a long time, they made teas from medicinal herbs, looked after apiaries, made jam and molded clay products. There are many themed villages and recreation centers, where you can see the life of rural Latvia from the inside. The local hosts are very welcoming and will gladly teach you the finer points of traditional crafts.
Whole families go on excursions to Latgale. Since the villagers are already full of worries, it is better to agree on the dates of the trip with them in advance.
On the farm Turku pirts ciems ("Bannoe village in Turki"), medicinal plants are collected and herbal teas according to old Latvian recipes. Together with the hostess, you can go on an excursion through the forests and fields, collect herbs and prepare delicious medicinal syrups and tinctures. The cost of a master class with lunch is 10 €.
By the way, the hostess is an excellent bathhouse attendant, in her bath you can join the ancient bath rituals (bath rent from € 40, procedures from € 10) and chat with the spirits of the forest. For a fee, you can stay overnight in the house.
In the village of Nakotnes ozolu ciems ("Oak Village of the Future") you can follow the life of the oak, the national symbol of Latvia, and participate in the planting of an oak alley. Weddings and other special ceremonies are often celebrated here. If you are not going to go down the aisle, then you can act as an observer and get acquainted with old Latgalian traditions.
The village of Kotleru vina ciems (“Wine Village in Kotlery”) has long been engaged in the cultivation of various berries. Delicious homemade wine, currant and raspberry juices and preserves are produced here. You can take part in the wine making and tasting process, as well as explore the berry orchards (from 8 €).
The village of Visku amatnieku ciems ("The village of craftsmen in Viski") is famous for the best ceramic workshops in the country. Here you can visit the Viskovska church with a bell tower, where you can listen to the sounds of a kokle (7 €) - a traditional Latvian folk instrument, taste local cheese and beer, and take part in a ceramics and vine weaving workshop. You can spend the night in a comfortable camping on the shores of Lake Vyrogna, in winter the houses are heated.
The village of Lielie Mulki (“the village of Big Fools”) is located in the Daugavas Natural Park and, oddly enough, is proud of its name. It offers excursion routes to the holy spring and the burial place of the family with the name Fool.
But the main thing why tourists come here is bees... Local farmers have been engaged in beekeeping for decades and offer to learn its intricacies, taste and purchase flower honey, wax, propolis and bee bread. The cost of the excursion is from 7 €.
In the village of Indras Rozu ciems ("The Village of Indra Roses") you can get acquainted with the objects that the locals collected for a dowry - Latgalian embroidered towels, pillows, scarves, knitted mittens and socks with national ornament, household items. You can try yourself as a spinner in a workshop, or simply sample some delicious herbal tea. The cost of the excursion is from 7 €.
Every summer in the village the Jam Festival is held, when all the housewives fight for the title of the best jam.
Recreation center Salinas ("Ostrovki") attracts tourists with untouched nature, delicious dishes from local hostesses, baths and a clean lake. In addition, hairy bulls with bangs are raised here, which thrive in any weather. If you make friends with the shepherd, you can even feed them.
After meeting the bulls, it is worth taking a walk into the forest for boletus and swimming in a hot wooden barrel by the bathhouse.You can stay overnight in a sauna (15 € per person) or one of the guest houses (from 25 € for a double room).
Yarmolenko V.O.
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