Midsummer Solstice Celebrations (Jāņi) is the biggest celebration in Latvia which roots goes deep in ancient times. It is wildly celebrated and many pre-events take place few days before 23-24 June (when it is always celbrated) Some events are more traditional than the others. In our list - we have put only few events wich will give you traditional feel of Jāņi and activities surroounded with it.

The Hermitage, St. Isaac's Cathedral, The Peter & Paul Fortress, The Summer Garden and Palace are only few highlights of the Russian jewel on the Baltic Sea - St. Petersburg. We are freshly back from our inspection trip and ready to share with you our discoveries.
After popular demand we have put together a tour with the Baltic States plus St. Petersburg. The tour is focused on castles and manor houses in the Baltic States, St. Petersburg with its surrounding palaces. Apart of this tour St. Petersburg can be added to any other our tour, combined with Tallinn and Helsinki or bought on its own. There is excellent train connection from Helsinki and Riga which both we recommend and can help to book the tickets. We also offer cruise connections - St. Peter's Lines http://www.celotajs.lv/cont/cntr/ferry_en.html .
In terms of accommodation, we're cooperating with some small, cosy hotels in convenient locations to explore the city. For selection click on this link.

 Welcome to St. Petersburg!

In this issue(download): 

- Our new tour manual GO LOCAL! is out (EN,RU,DE)

-Sample spa packages in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania 

- New tours:

• From Gdansk to Helsinki through the Baltic States, 19 day 
• Castles and Manors from Riga to St.Petersburg, 12 days
• Winter in Northern-Latvia, 3 days
• Guided Day Tour at Kemeri National Park, 1 day

Info on our new publications.

We look forward to see you in ITB Berlin and MITT in Moscow!

Lauku ceļotājs has created a map of the Latvian, Estonian Heritage – a map with 150 magnificent places in Latvia and Estonia where customs which have been passed from one generation to another blend into modern life – whether these are grandmother’s potato pancakes, made not counting calories, or a clear homebrew with the nowadays mandatory excise stamps, and a tag of the owner-manufacturer, or the traditional sign of Jumis on the roofs of new buildings. The map encourages people to visit craftsmen and centres of craftsmen, masters of local and traditional dishes and drinks, small rural food manufacturing companies, fishermen, sites of annual traditional celebrations (such as solstice), farmsteads where visitors can participate in farm works and children can learn more about domestic animals, to visit organic and health holdings, pubs, museums and collections, historic centres of towns, ethnographic villages and territories, events with a theme related to history and reconstructions of historical events, sacred sites and buildings, castles and manors, traditional places for buying souvenirs, nature trails and routes. The map was composed by Lauku ceļotājs cooperating with the Estonian Rural Tourism Association (Eesti maaturism), the map is available in Latvian, Russian, English, German, Estonian, and Finnish.

You can download map here.

A new catalogue is published, where you will find practical information which will help you to plan your weekends and trips through Latvia's countryside – what to do, what to see, where to eat and where to spend the night.

Languages: English, Latvian, Russian,

Price (shipping within Europe included): 8,00 EUR

More about the catalogue and other publications read here.

Electronical version of the catalogue here.

Just as leaves have started to turn colourful - our newsletter is out too. /Read here/

In this issue:

•  What to do in autumn

•  Accomodation places with Latvian heritage

•  New tours: Cycling in national parks and islands

• Special Winter package

• Short breaks: Cycling at Curonian Spit and Canoeing along the Gauja River

• Message for tour operators.

Mushroom and berry picking is incredibly popular in Latvia. In autumn driving along the thicker forests on weekend, you can see many people with their baskets and knives in hand - all out for mushroom hunt.

We offer mushroom and wildlife tours for those who'd like to experience and learn about mushroom picking and preparation here.

At Riga airport's magazine "Gateway Riga", Justin Walley tells all about this healthy and tasty pass-time of many Latvians. Read here and  come to Latvia!

The Baltic Sea region is the most afforested territory in all of Europe. The forest is an inviolable component of the Northern European landscape and cultural environment.  Forests and trees have served as sources of inspiration for people over the course of ages, leading to countless legends, stories, fairy tales and riddles as a very important part of the intangible folklore heritage of Northern European peoples.  Neither can it be denied that the forest has always been an important source for timber and non-timber (mushrooms, berries) resources in the economies of the lands which encircle the Baltic Sea.

The first snow has arrived and still are still there. It makes to think about winter holidays. 

This itinerary allows to enjoy the Latvian winter at its best. Start with bustling city of Riga with its Christmas market, decorations, shopping facilities, many cultural events and museums.
Then head out to the countryside where one can enjoy winter pleasures at the skiing/sledging slopes. After active day relax at the spa hotel as well as try out healthy Latvian sauna ritual. For sightseeing visit Sigulda medieval Castle ruines, Turaida Castle and taste home-made wine at the Krimulda manor. Local wild animals easily can be observed at the Ligatne Nature Trails but enjoy a ride in horse-driven sledge at the nearby farm. Full itinerary here.

Please fill in a questionnaire and help us to create a new rural tourism product oriented on local heritage and people. The respondents will take part in the lottery. The main award is gift card of EUR 500 for the accommodation in the Baltic States. Questionnaire "Local heritae in rural tourism" is in English, German and Russian here