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.

The  4th European Congress on Rural Tourism, organised jointly by EuroGites and our Romanian partners of ANTREC, is now officially launched to take place in Romania, October 7-10, 2012. Detailed programme here. Follow program updates in the congress web site: www.europeanrtcongress.org 

Lauku ceļotājs announces the results of the tender within the framework of project „Heritage Tourism“.

Description of Services: Arrangement of the study tour of Latvian rural tourism businesses and Lauku Celotajs project staff to Estonia, including accommodation and catering.

Date of the decision: 04.09.2012
Decision published: 07.09.2012

Winner: OÜ Reisibüroo MERE

Content of the publication reflects the author’s opinion and the Managing Authority is not responsible for the information published by project partners.

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!

Within the framework of project „Heritage Tourism“ we are looking for following services:

Arrangement of the study tour of Latvian rural tourism businesses and Lauku Celotajs project staff to Estonia, including accommodation and catering.

Size of the group: 38 persons
Dates: 18.-20.09.2012
Description of the route:
18.09.2012: Laiksaare village/Pärnumaa-Paide-Vihi village/Viljandimaa-Intsu village/Viljandimaa
19.09.2012: Põltsamaa- Avinurme- Alatskivi-Mooste
20.09.2012: Obinitsa- Vastseliina- Rõuge

Description of services:
-    Arrangement of accommodation for 2 nights for the group on the route in 18.09.12 and 19.09.212.
-    Arrangement of 3 lunches for the group in 18.-20.09.2012 on the route
-    Arrangement of 1 coffee break per day in 18.-20.09.2012 on the route 

The price offer should be in EUR and include:
-    the price of 1 accommodation per night/per person and for the group 2 nights
-    the price of 1 lunch per person / for the group and for the group 3 lunches
-    the price of 1 coffee break per person / for the group and for the group 3 coffee breaks

More detailed programme here.

If You are interested to involve, please send us the price offer till 3rd September, 2012 to e-mail elina@celotajs.lv. For any questions please contact us +371 29135813.

Content of the publication reflects the author’s opinion and the Managing Authority is not responsible for the information published by project partners.

The 6th Pan-European Green Belt Conference took place in June 27. – 29., 2012 in Mavrovo, Macedonia.

The Green Belt conference is an annual event taking place each time in a different Green Belt site. This time the conference was hosted by Mavrovo national park in Balkan Macedonia. The conference gathered 100 professionals from 21 Green Belt countries. Asnāte Ziemele, the president of the Latvian Country Tourism Association presented the experience and results of the Green Belt Military Heritage pilot project in Latvia. The representatives of the Green Belt countries approved new territories joining the Green Belt. Asnāte Ziemele was approved as the Baltic Green Belt NGO representative. The European Green Belt initiative is presently headed by the EuroNatur foundation (Germany). There are the following sections in the European Green Belt:

1) Feno-Scandinavian Green Belt (the northern part with Norway, Finland and Russia);

2) Baltic Green Belt (the area along the Baltic coast);

3) Central European Green Belt (the Baltic coast to the river Drava)

4) Balkan Green Belt (from the river Drava to the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea).

12 European Green Belt coordinators meet twice a year. The next meeting will take place in Finland, in winter 2012. 

Press release see here.

Ķemeri Festival 2012 form 10.08.-12.08.2012. Festival programme here.   

All activities are held in Latvian!

More information (in English) by phone: + 371 26424972

Additional information on Orienteering games “Ķemeri 2012” by e- mail: orient@navigator.lv

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