Blogs from Vidzeme Region, Latvia, Europe

Lähdettiin liikkeelle puolenpäivän aikaan. Valtatiellä oli tietyö. Siinä olisi ollut normaalisti ajorata kumpaankin suuntaan, mutta nyt toinen oli suljettu, ja toinen ajorata oli kaksisuuntainen, normaali maantie. Pidettiin kahvitauko Valmierassa. Sehän on Pohjois-Latvian suurin kaupunki, asukkaita tosin vain 23000. Rauhallinen pikkukaupunki. Sieltä jatkettiin Valkaan. Auto tankattiin vielä Latvian puolella. Lisäksi käytiin Super Alkossa. Ostin kahdeksan pulloa viiniä. Totesin kyllä että suurimittainen halvan viinan hamstraaminen ei kiinnosta minua. Viinit tuli ostettua vähän summan mutikassa, ja tuli ikävä Alkon asiantuntevaa palvelua. Olin ottanut selvää Tarton seudun uimapaikoista. Siksi pysähdyttiin vielä Elvassa, noin 20 kilometriä ennen Tarttoa, ja käytiin uimassa pienessä Verevin järvessä. Vesi oli mukavan lämmintä, ja uimarannalla riitti väkeä. Majoittauduttiin hotell... read more

Today Pam and I biked 31 miles for a total of 424 miles. Started partly cloudy, but eventually partly sunny. Very good biking weather. Had a tailwind for a short time. Had a nice breakfast at Igate Pils. Left at 9:11 am. Road did not have much of a shoulder, but most drivers were respectful of us. Made good time. Stopped at Brinini castle. One of many castles in this area. Built in the beginning of the 11th century, but the current building is from the 18th century. Beautiful grounds and buildings. A Big manmade lake in front of it. Storks have taken up residence in one of the towers. They called to us by smacking their bills together rapidly. Later made it to the Turaidas Pils complex. There is much to see here. Lots of ... read more

Sigulda near Riga in Latvia 29 August 2014 After finishing some emails and blogging and watching all the group Dutch motor homes slowly leave the camp site at Cesis, we drove to Sigulda which is about 50kms NE of Latvia's capital, Riga. And hooray, the roads were excellent. Located in the picturesque Gauja valley, with its steep banks and cliffs, Sigulda has become known as the 'Switzerland of Latvia'.....without the mountains. We got our maps of the area from the tourist office again. We saw the following: Turaida castle was about 4km outside of Sigulda. It's been rebuilt in the Soviet area and now houses exhibition space and a small café. It also has fabulous views over the valley and the river. Gutmanis cave lies half-way between Sigulda and Turaida castle and has a little creek ... read more

Did you know that in this country 80% is forest and that its entire population is 1/3 of Paris population? Well, until going there in June, I also didn’t know that fact. So, for those, who prefer big citites, Latvia is definitely not the country to visit, except a trip to Riga will satisfy you, but for all the others, I can tell you that Latvia amazed me a bit more every day I was there. Even now, I still remember this country, as one of the best, if you are a nature lover, don’t like over touristy places and look for quietness! This country is for sure not rich but the people there are rich in their mind and attitude, which is far more important I think when you want to have a happy life. ... read more

The BBA V2 felt it was time to get back to nature and up the adventure a bit so we booked a log cabin for the night in rural Northern Latvia.Yes,believe it or not,www.booking.com does list properties such as this! We had had a very comfortable night in Daugavpils and enjoyed the English channels on the 50" TV set but it was going to be a good drive onto what we expect will be rural roads especially as we get closer to our destination and it was time to get going. We hadn't been able to stop to get a picture of the Russian warrior just before the bridge coming into the city yesterday so drove back and found a place to park and then walk to find the statue again.Well that turned out more difficult ... read more