Drinking maple and birch saps is old Latvian tradition. Though maple is introduced species, Latvians have discovered that its saps taste as good as birch, and it starts earlier. Usually saps start running with the first warm days when temperatures stay above zero and stop with the first green leaves. This year maple sap has started to run as early as mid February. At Ragāres farm they collect maple saps and bottle it for own use and for visitors willing to enjoy this seasonal treat.  Saps are collected by drilling a hole in the trunk some 30-40cm from the ground and using a tube to lead the sap into a container. Maple and birch saps are renowned for their detoxicating and curative properties. People drink it fresh and also fermented.

Authentic ethnographic experiences are guaranteed to tourists in guest houses and open farms that are awarded with the “Latvian Heritage” sign. 19 rural tourism businesses joined the “LH” sign holder community on January 11 this year, on a regular “LH” award ceremony with participation of the Latvian Minister of Culture. Today over 70 keepers of Latvian national traditions in the countryside are prepared to show things, tell stories, offer Latvian foods, teach crafts and skills, and celebrate Latvian traditional festivities with their guests.

We are ready with a new theme in our web site – Tasty Cheese Tour.
Find out about types and sorts of cheese that are produced in small facilities located in rural areas, and venture for a cheese tour to enjoy the variety of tastes and products! Farms and manufacturing facilities that prove mastery in cheese making, can talk about the process with visitors, and offer samples for tasting or buying are awarded with the title Cheese Master.

Latvian Country Tourism Association "Baltic Country Holidays" (Lauku celotajs) together with Estonian Rural Tourism association and regional tourism association in southern Finland "Visit South Coast Finland" have developed promotional material for Japanese target audience about tourism possibilities in the countryside and nature of The Baltic States and southern Finland.

Latvian Country Tourism Association "Lauku ceļotājs" has developed a brochure "Tasty Cheese Tour" (Gardā siera ceļš). The title "Sierzinis" is awarded to farms and manufacturing facilities that prove mastery in cheese making, can talk about the process with visitors, and offer samples for tasting or buying.  The title is also awarded to rural saloons, restaurants and other venues that offer locally made cheeses on their menus.

To developing the Culinary Routes network in the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea in order to strengthen identity and the feeling of belonging together the Baltic sea Culinary Routes project partners have produced a brochure.

After almost 18 month of work, the “Seniors Go Rural” project presents the results of its activities.  A reduced yet comprehensive list of rules and requirements sets the frame for age-group friendly tourism services.  Based on these criteria, new and innovative products were created and tested.  The “Silver Suitcase” logo identifies adequate services to the target group, and the associated Guest Card provides special conditions and value-added services to them. 

All offers for seniors you can find here: http://www.celotajs.lv/en/c/accomm/seniors

We have arranged a new section on our website - wellness tourism.

There are leisure offers intended to provide you with feelings of emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Peace, quiet, open spaces, fresh air, pampering yourself, a healthy lifestyle, gentle exercise, beautiful surroundings, closeness to nature – all of these are skilfully merged to provide you with a sense of harmony, balance in your inner world, and to revitalise your energy. In Latvia, people has known for centuries how to use nature materials for their health and wellbeing. The knowledge about preparation of herbal teas, sauna switches, body masks and scrubs are inherited from generation to generation.

We have also developed wellness tourism brochure in Latvian and English. The brochure is available in our office and an electronic version here.

20. - 24.06.2015: Closed
25. - 27.06.2015: 09:00 - 17:00
28.06.2015: Closed

The main prize is a holiday voucher of  EUR 300 in the Baltic States. You could use your voucher buying any Baltic Country Holidays products found on our website www.countryholidays.lv.

Eight participants will receive one of the vouchers for the stay or discounts at the Latvian manors, country hotels, spas or self-catering cottages. 

All winners will receive useful Baltic Country Holidays' tourism publications – guidebooks and maps.

The winner will be announced on the 11th of May, 2015 and published on our website www.countryholidays.lv, Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as informed by e-mail.
 
Fill in the questionnaire and participate in the lottery: http://serv.celotajs.lv/qst/en