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Charming fishing ports
Artūras’ family from Klaipėda visit neighboring Latvia almost every month.
The closest route for Klaipėda residents runs from Būtingė to Liepaja along the Latvian coast, continues to Ventspils and reaches Jūrmala and Riga by a road that continues along the coast.
“Why go to Vilnius when Riga is closer? We often go for coffee in Liepaja, and this time we decided to visit invisible Latvian cities. The roads in Latvia were once bad and now they are very well renovated. Latvia attracts tourists with a certain exclusivity. “Spacious, longer than Lithuania, so there are many more freedoms there,” said the traveler.
The second criterion that makes Lithuanians vacation in Latvia is the least threat of a pandemic.
“This summer we will all have to relax differently. Flying to foreign resorts becomes dangerous and people are still looking for new experiences. Therefore, Latvia can become a great route. Lithuanians already know Riga, Ventspils or Jurmala well. But there are many small cities where you can experience great impressions, “said Arthur.
The closest route to Klaipėda residents runs from Būtingė to Liepaja along the Latvian coast, continues to Ventspils and reaches Jūrmala and even Riga on the road that continues along the coast.
“Latvia is sparsely populated; moving away from Liepaja, there will be fewer and fewer homes. Perhaps only Paviluosta is a more populated and orderly city. And from Ventspils to the promontory of Kolka, where the Baltic Sea connects with the Gulf of Riga and “Besides the three big ports, Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja, Latvians have small fishing ports, which also account for about 5 percent of Latvia’s cargo.” Arthur shared about the neighboring country.
Cheaper than in Palanga
For leisure travelers, it will be easy to find accommodation in small towns or cheap lunches in restaurants.
“Currently accommodation by the Gulf of Riga is half cheaper than in Druskininkai, Molėtai, Anykščiai or Birštonas. A family of three can find a five-day accommodation for 200 euros. And even by the sea, with a kitchen and all the comforts. We found two nights for two people with breakfast for only 70 euros. It would be difficult to believe that we would find those prices in Palanga, in a three-star hotel, “said a neighbor from Klaipeda.
Photo session with horses
Klaipėda residents saw those prices after turning from the Kolka promontory to Jūrmala and spending the night in Tukums, also known as the city of roses.
Dinner in two of the cheapest restaurants in the city costs 18 euros.
“From this beautifully landscaped town, very close to the sea, where there is no parking fee. Not far from Lake Engure. In the Lake Engure nature park, wild horses graze, which we feed carrots,” Arthur said.
Nature: Wild horses graze in the Lake Engure Natural Park. / Reader’s photo
For hungry travelers, Klaipeda residents offer to visit the town of Ragaciems, located on the seashore, where for lunch you can visit one of several fish restaurants.
“There is not much worse food than in the best restaurants in Klaipeda. Maybe just a little cheaper. But there are catering establishments and lower prices. Latvia is a land of discoveries. Although we have visited more than once, this time we visited those towns we haven’t seen before. “There is a chocolate factory and a museum. Here you can buy not only chocolate, but also local alcohol. We continued to Kandava, which I really liked. A very well organized city, “recalls a Klaipėda resident.
In Sabile – a puppet party
The next stop on the Klaipeda highway was made without any plans.
“Driving in the direction of Lithuania, beyond Kandava, there is a small town of Sabilė. It is inhabited by people with a special sense of humor. A puppet installation in a private courtyard attracted my attention. But all this makes you smile, it is fun, “Arthur smiled.
Installation: Cheerful people live in Sabile Town. Thus they entertain tourists by placing fifty dolls in their backyards. / Reader’s photo
Continuing in the direction of Kuldiga, travelers have another pleasure to travel about 30 kilometers, continuing through the valleys.
“This section is called Latvian Switzerland. This road is a pleasure. When you get to Kuldiga, it will not leave you indifferent. It is one of Lithuania’s favorite and visited cities. It is a beautiful city with beautiful restaurants. It is famous on the threshold of Sale. Latvia has the widest waterfall in Europe. It is quite small, about two meters, but the length is impressive, almost one hundred and a half meters, “said Arthur.
17th century Kuldiga was one of the most important cities of the Duchy of Curonian, and today only 12,000 people live in Kuldiga. population.
The house tested on the road
And here, the experience in the small town of Laucienė simply put the people of Klaipėda out of control.
Laucienė, located ten kilometers from Talsi, is home to the largest one-day garden in Eastern Europe.
“When we see such a large field of these wonderful flowers, we freeze. We agreed that we would buy some seedlings and other seedlings. Suddenly, a stall with local drinks caught my eye. Get acquainted with the production of drinks, taste products of one or the other taste “, – stated the residents of Klaipėda.
Castle: The castle of Turaida is one of the many medieval objects of great interest to tourists. / Reader’s photo
In fact, on the website, this selection farm advertises that in Laucienė you can taste 15 different wines made exclusively from Latvian fruits and berries.
The owner of the estate is dedicated to the production of homemade wine and is pleased that due to the persistence of the “Rural Tourism” association, the sale of the wines he produces has been legalized.
Now they can be offered not only to visitors to the selection garden located here, but also for sale in markets and during wine festivals, for example in Sabile itself.
“But we tried much stronger drinks. We bought a bottle of Rowan vodka and calvados. It is an apple brandy distilled from natural cider without sugar. We pay 24 euros for both, but small souvenir drinks are also sold. The Latvian who sold these drinks definitely not drinking. “We had a good day. We had a good conversation. There are no such strict requirements for the alcohol trade there, and I have not seen as many alcoholics as in Lithuania, “recalled Klaipėda residents who visited Latvia.
No Latvian dishes found
However, another family, who left Kaunas for the weekend, recalled that they not only had entertainment but also disappointments in that country. For example, traditional Latvian dishes were missing.
“We didn’t find any national heritage dishes in restaurants and cafes. The chefs joked that they had sold their businesses to Europe and offered only regular European dishes to diners. The Latvians developed a service sector for travelers with children. One of them, the Tērvete Natural Park, had to be visited during the weekend and trails, bridges and bridges that lead visitors through the Tērvete river valley to the fairy tale kingdom of the Latvian writer Anna Brigadere. The five hours that we passed here they evaporated like they went unnoticed, “said Donatas from Kaunas.
The Lithuanians then made their way to Sigulda, where they spent the night.
In this city, most tourists are interested in medieval castles: Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda.
Coupon – for glass
Another entertainment is the cable car that connects the banks of the Gauja River, which has been in operation for more than 40 years. It is probably the only device of its kind in the Baltic countries. On this road that is more than a kilometer long, you can admire views of the Gauja River from a height of about 40 meters. It is not cheap, but the impression remains for a long time. A winding track part of the rock, “said the Kaunas resident.
The Lithuanians found a hotel in the center of Sigulda, where they managed to rent a room for 45 euros with a rich and rich breakfast.
Rope: The cable car that has been operating in Sigulda for over 40 years, connecting the banks of the Gauja River, is probably the only one of its kind in the Baltic countries. / Reader’s photo
“And here in Ventspils I had to be disappointed. Many tourists, including every second Lithuanian. The city did not leave an impression, ruined flower beds and Soviet-era sidewalk tiles in ruins. Services, you can see this year that the gates won’t open this summer, the grass is broken because no one is mowing it.
However, the arrangements in place at this resort surprised visitors.
“There is an entrance fee of two euros. There are special parking lots in the city, where you can leave your car for free. All you have to do is leave a ticket sealed in glass to pay the entrance fee,” noted the Lithuanian.
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