Publications

Publications of "Lauku ceļotājs"

Our publications in English: accommodation catalogue „Country Holidays”, maps and travel guides for touring Latvia by car, bike, boating or hiking offer practical information and are most useful to plan and experience your holidays in Latvia. We have inspected all sites and tested all routes which are described. See below the details about contents of each of our publications.

To order the publications please send a request to the e-mail: lauku@celotajs.lv. You can pay for the publication with credit card or bank transfer. To read regular news about our new publications, please follow this link.

Publication	Description
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	National Parks of Latvia (English version) This guidebook is meant to offer practical advice and information. Please bring it along with you when travelling. We have written the book for people who like to observe wild nature, learn about various cultural and historical monuments, or be active tourists who will visit national parks on foot, on a bike, by boat or on skis. We have not forgotten about those of you who want to drive a car, either. The guidebook offers information about the most important environmental, cultural and historical values of Latvia’s four national parks, also listing the most interesting tourist destinations. Maps are included, and GPS co-ordinates are offered for the most interesting objects so as to make it easier for you to find your way around the parks. This guidebook is written under the project „Parks&Benefits” (No. 21), EU Interreg IVB Baltic Sea Region program, and promotes implementation of the European Charter for Sustainable tourism in protected areas www.european-charter.org. These projects are partly financed by the European Union (ERDF) within the Baltic Sea Region
	Map of Military Heritage This map of Latvia’s military heritage is aimed not just at inviting people to go on a unique trip to learn about Lat- via’s military history, but also at oﬀering a single source of information about little known, but very interesting objects about which we have very little evidence. Military heritage in terms of this map refers to histor- ical outdoor objects such as redoubts, fortresses, certain castles, shoreline defence batteries, bunkers, dugouts, locations of major battles, former military bases, army airﬁelds and bases, as well as museums and collections located in places where history can be studied close up. The map mostly covers military objects from the last few centuries – objects which are related to diﬀerent military forces and the things that they did. Many of the destinations are well-appointed, and everal have available guides. There are a few destina- ons which are accessible only in accordance with spe- ﬁc rules. Others are not well-appointed or are closed o visitors. In the latter case (the army base at Skrunda, or instance), it is worth visiting the destinations anyway o as to place them on the list of military heritage objects hat you have seen. This map includes descriptions of 60 military objects, complete with photographs, including histori- al ones. There is also information about 239 places which oﬀer accommodations. Many of the objects re in NATURA 2000 territories, and some are cultural monuments.
	Atpūta laukos 2011-2012 The countryside accommodation catalogue "Country holidays 2011-2012" contains information on 338 accomodation properties in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, open farms, 45 touring routes in national parks and other nature areas, sites and services for bird, animal, insect, mushroom and plant watching activities. Printed copies can be ordered from the office of "Lauku ceļotājs". The catalogue is also available in the largest book stores in Latvia.
	Nature Holidays The “Weekends Out in the Countryside” map is meant to ofer practical advice about places to go, how to get there, and what you can see once you arrive. It is meant for bird, animal and plant watchers, as well as for those who love active leisure – hiking, biking, boating and crosscountry skiing. This map includes information about 100 destinations that are of importance at the Baltic level in terms of tourism facilities. These are wellappointed environmental territories such as national parks, nature parks, reserves, nature reserves, protected landscapes and interesting objects therein. There are also notable natural monuments such as trees, rocks, clifs, etc. In each territory, we have ofered you our thoughts about the best way to travel there and which routes you should take. Most of the locations are in NATURA 2000 territories, while others are protected environmental monuments or cultural monuments. The map also ofers information about 383 accommodations where you can spend a night or two.
	Botanical guide. The Plant Finder The main goal of the authors of this guide is to help you to spot the types of plants and mushrooms that are all around us. We really want to tell you interesting things about them. “Worth Seeing” is our section on Latvia’s most interesting botany-related nature trails, including information about huge and/or interesting trees of various species, alleys of trees, botanical gardens, dendrology parks, other types of plant collections, museums, interesting farms, etc. You can visit each of them for yourself. We chose destinations in all of Latvia’s historical regions. “Plant and Mushroom Routes” contains a list of ready-made routes, al- though we suggest that you bring along a guide to make sure that you en- joy the route thoroughly. Still, you can take the trips individually, adapt- ing the process to your own interests and capabilities. “Plant Finder” is the biggest and most important part of the guide. There are included the photos of more than 400 different most common plants, lichens and mushrooms species in order to help you to recognize them in the field. Each species has got some interesting facts or stories as far as its possible. “Protect and preserve” is our list of all of the protected species of plants which are often plucked for bouquets and other compositions, often with the person not even realising that he or she has picked a protected plant. These are species which need to be left alone right where they are. This guide can be used as a workbook in your practical observations. Each of the «Worth seeing» objects has a check-box. Mark the sites you have visited. In the «Plant Finder» section, write the date you spotted the plant in the line «When ... », and the name of the place in the line “Where...”. With the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Communitys under the project POLPROP-NATURA (LIFE07 ENV/LV/000981)
	Environmentally friendly and sustainable guiding principles for nature watching The purpose of the guidelines is to promote environmentally friendly, sustainable and non-depleting tourism both within and outside nature conservation areas. This edition is intended for rural tourism entrepreneurs, municipal employees, and others who plan to design, offer and promote a nature tourism product using the diversity of the species we are so rich in. The booklet contains essential information on how to observe plants, fungi, beasts, birds, insects, and how to behave in natural areas. Here you will find practical tips for creating and marking active tourism routes in the nature. Also included is an overview map of the 30 most prominent nature sites in Latvia with great potential for a nature watching product. Useful sources of information are also added.
	COASTAL BUILDING GUIDELINES. Principles of seacoast construction. Regional peculiarities of construction. Guidelines for New Construction. We all own a beautiful, diverse, almost 500 km long and still unspoiled treasure - the Baltic Sea coast. In order to preserve the coastline and to keep it traditionally tasteful for the benefit of both residents and guests, we, the Baltic Country Holidays, suggested writing these "Coastal Building Guidelines". The guidelines are intended for landowners, residents and businesses, all those involved in the construction process and coastal municipalities who plan and implement coastal construction in harmony with traditional and contemporary values. They describe the general building principles of the Baltic Sea coast of Latvia, briefly describing the regional differences and peculiarities of building in Vidzeme, Northern Kurzeme and Southern Kurzeme in each section of the historical building review.
	Analysis and description of traditional buildings in Slītere National Park As most of Slītere NP territory was historically inhabited by Livs and in order to preserve Liv cultural and historical territories and to ensure preservation of Liv language traditions and other cultural and historical values, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia On December 14, 1999 the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia approved the action plan of the state long-term target program “Livs in Latvia”. Within the framework of the plan, S. Cimermanis prepared a list of preserved objects of national construction. Inventory and photo fixation of the volume, details, construction joinery, facade decoration of the villages, fences and buildings in the territory of Slītere NP is based on the aforementioned research by S. Cimerman. The purpose is to give those interested the familiarity with the building traditions of the former Liv villages, to understand the local building style and to use it for the construction of new buildings.
	The Slitere National Park Tourism guide This is the first traveller’s guide, so comprehensive in its contents and scope, which has ever been published on a national park and a Natura 2000 site in Latvia. For the first time, such a traveller’s guide in Latvia is based on local stories. More than 30 local residents, people from the administration of the Slītere national park and the Regional council of Dundaga were all involved in creation of this guide. In the Slītere Traveller’s guide you will find: The most significant events and facts on the history of nature and people which are related to the Kurzeme penninsula, the Livonian coast and the Slītere national park; Worth seeing and knowing,– descriptions of more than 100 natural and cultural heritage sites, especially highlighting the 12 treasures of Slītere; Touring itineraries – a variety of routes for walking, cycling, boating, bird and animal watching and driving; Annual events – a calendar with time schedule of the regular events, taking place in the Slītere national park; ”Green” and practical advice for every mode of touring the Slītere national park. Services and facilities – accommodations, food, equipment rentals, banks and other practical information. The map of the Slītere national park. Languages: Latvian, English Price: Free of charge in the office of the Latvian country tourism association.By post upon request, covering the postage costs. With the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Communitys under the project POLPROP-NATURA (LIFE07 ENV/LV/000981)
	Baltic Cycling map 2010 This cycling map of the Baltic States has brief descriptions of 14 cycling routes with a total length of more than 3,700 km. The map includes information about boating routes along the rivers and in the sea. These provide different perspective to the landscapes as well as add another experience. The necessary inventory should be arranged in advance (see “How to Book a Tour”). The map also has information about 403 tourist accommodation. Baltic Country Holidays has inspected all of the routes, but please understand that the information and the situation can change very quickly. The routes pass several protected environmental areas and NATURA 2000 territories as well as historic sites and cultural monuments
	Hiking map The map covers 23 hiking routes with a total distance of more that 500km. There are six popular hiking teritories with trails that are appropriate for different tastes. Most of the routes are 10km long and are along "corridors" made by nature or people. Some go along the seashore, others go down lovely forest roads or along river valleys which serve as good guideposts. The map also has information about 283 tourist accommodations. The map is produced under the project ""Sustainable use and management of nature resources in the Natura2000 sites - popular and potential tourism destinations in Latvia."
	Great Views in Latvia The new map includes 101 great views' sites in Latvia created by nature or people - viewing towers, hills, riverbanks from where travellers can enjoy the landscapes of Latvia in different seasons. For each site, there is a description, a photo and contact details to book excursions or other services, where provided. Tourist accommodations provided by the Latvian Country Tourism Association are also included. The map is available from the office of "Lauku ceļotājs", and as a free supplement to the catalogue "Country Holidays 2009-2010". The map is produced under the project ""Sustainable use and management of nature resources in the Natura2000 sites - popular and potential tourism destinations in Latvia."
	Country Holidays 2009-2010 The catalogue features 366 vacation sites in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia: B&B, self-catering cottages and apartments, guesthouses, hotels, castles, manor houses and campsites with colour photos, full descriptions and contact information. The catalogue offers sections with hotels and guesthouses in the Baltic capitals Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn and self-drive tours and cycling tours in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia. This year we started a new section with open farms (animal breeding, crop, food production, etc.), craftsmen, and other, offering guests to observe their production processes, try one's hand at crafts, taste and buy fresh local produce. A Baltic states map is enclosed to the catalogue where all the accommodations are marked with special symbols. Languages: English, German, Latvian, Russian