DESTINATION: NORTH VIDZEME

Northern Vidzeme – a balance between urban and natural environments

The northern part of the cultural and historical region of Vidzeme borders Estonia. Northern Vidzeme towns have a unique charm and a Latvian mentality. The city of Valmiera boasts the Vidzeme University College, and is a town focused on development, as well as a place for knowledge, talents and regional entrepreneurship. The town of Smiltene has a peaceful environment with low residential buildings and a unique terrain with hillocks, valleys, forests, parks and several lakes. Limbaži is one of the oldest towns in Latvia. Wall paintings in the old city hall and the Live Silver Museum are just a few of the places to visit in Limbaži. The Northern Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve has been declared a protected environmental territory of international importance by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere programme. The reserve is Latvia’s largest specially protected environmental territory, and it covers approximately 6% of Latvia’s territory.

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Available activities

  • THE STORY OF BEER AT VALMIERMUIŽA

    THE STORY OF BEER AT VALMIERMUIŽA

    THE STORY OF BEER AT VALMIERMUIŽA

    Package type: half day
    Season: January–December
    For whom: individuals / groups max. 20 pers.

    Riga 111 km

    Valmiermuiža is on the northern border of the city of Valmiera.  Aristocratic estates were established there during the 15th and 16th centuries, and all of them had breweries and saloons.  Valmiermuiža had a Castle Saloon where beer was brewed and sold.  Latvians were allowed to brew beer for home consumption, and that kept traditional brewing techniques alive in Latvia.

  • DRUMMING AT THE “DZIRNUPES” HOMESTEAD

    DRUMMING AT THE “DZIRNUPES” HOMESTEAD

    DRUMMING AT THE “DZIRNUPES” HOMESTEAD

    Package type: half day
    Season: May–October
    For whom: individuals / groups (min. 2–max. 10 pers.)

    Riga 100 km

    “Dzirnupes” is a traditional farm in rural Vidzeme, located 15 km from Limbaži.  During the summer, the owners welcome guests, wishing to spend a night in the romantic granary.  Built in 1924 as a grain storage facility, the granary is now a cosy little place for guests, designed in an ethnographic style with antique furnishings, interior design objects and tool as well as a sauna.

  • BIRCH SAP ADVENTURE AT “BIRZĪ”

    BIRCH SAP ADVENTURE AT “BIRZĪ”

    BIRCH SAP ADVENTURE AT “BIRZĪ”

    Package type: half day
    Season: May–October
    For whom: individuals / groups (min. 10–max. 50 pers.)

    Riga 125 km

    The “Kainaži” homestead is nearly 150 years old, and located 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 the Canadian experience in the production of syrups, and they have done so successfully for several years.  Products at “Birzī” are biologically certified.

Latvia

DESTINATION: ABAVA RIVER VALLEY

DESTINATION: ABAVA RIVER VALLEY
DESTINATION: SĒLIJA

DESTINATION: SĒLIJA
DESTINATION: NORTH VIDZEME

DESTINATION: NORTH VIDZEME
DESTINATION: GAUJA NATIONAL PARK

DESTINATION: GAUJA NATIONAL PARK

Popular destinations in Baltic Sea region