Latvia

The Pape Lighthouse (Latvian: Papes bāka) is a lighthouse located on the Latvian coast of the Baltic Sea. I paid a short visit here during my 33 birthday in August 2018. The lighthouse was built in 1910; in a place of a former lighthouse (which existed since 1887); on the southernmost tip of Latvia's coast to the Baltic Sea. Although this lighthouse doesn't impress as much as Akmenrags lighthouse located close to Pāvilosta, an interesting historical fact is that the lighthouse was known as a…

I'm continuing to explore manor houses located in Latvia. This time a short stop at Padure manor near Aizpute Padure manor in 2018 In 2018, there was located Laža special school in Padure manor. See: http://lazasskola.lv/

Dubulti church, the most expressive object and the visual dominant of the surrounding area is the most monumental and exquisite Art Nouveau building in Jurmala from the viewpoint of historical and sacral architecture. The size and details of the building clearly show the tradition of national romanticism that may be seen in the rich sculptural elements of the building in the placement of the elements, decor of ornamental sculptural details, as well as the diversity of the facade decoration…

You can have a look at the city from the bird’s eye view from the 19 meters high viewing tower located next to the Ventspils Southern quay. When visiting a new place for the first time I'm always looking for some observation desk to make some great landscape photography, that's how I discovered this Venstpils viewing platform - offering great views across the Baltics and some urban cityscape. 19 meters high viewing platform in Ventspils I have climbed in more dangerous constructions and…

The Castle of the Livonian Order, which houses Ventspils Museum since September 2001, is the oldest preserved building in Ventspils, built in the second half of the 13th century (first mentioned in 1290). The castle was built as a convent-house type building with an inner yard and can be regarded as the oldest medieval fortress in Latvia to have retained its original form virtually unchanged. Indeed, after visiting a couple of Livonian Order Castle Ruins (Dobele Castle Ruins, Livonian Order…

Rāmkalni is a popular recreational area near Murjāņi (some 60km from Riga), this place features a traditional Latvian Cusine restaurant/bistro The venue is on the edge of the Murjāņi-Valka road (A3) and in the Gauja River Valley. It offers Latvian and Western European cuisine, as well as a shop at which you can buy local goodies and homemade treats. An active leisure park is alongside the restaurant. Goodies at Rāmkalni Typical Latvian cuisine Interior at Rāmkalni​

Valmiera market is another market I've visited latelty in Latvia (See: Riga Central Market, Liepāja market and Kuldiga market).  Though I believe some could buy here goodies grown by local farmers, last time I visited this market (July 2017) all I could find was just flowers and plants. Valmiera market Residents of Valmiera come here every day for produce grown by local farmers, gardeners, ranchers and artisan food producers. Flowers and plants for sale at Valmiera market

Mazais Ansis is a popular roadside cafeteria/restaurant located some 15 km from Valmiera town (if driving from Riga). This place serves a traditional Latvian cuisine. When traveling to the Vidzeme region in Latvia, I love to take a stop here and have a lunch. Here comes my latest review back from Summer 2017. The outdoor terrace at Mazais Ansis Seems that at the nearby lake there are some water attractions available Interior at Mazais Ansis Classical Latvian decors with modern touch…

When thinking about bathhouses the first thing that arrives in my head is the sulphur bathhouses located in Tbilisi, should they be located in the Abanotubani district or the old and neglected Kiev's bath.  Turns out there is not less interesting bath-house (though former) in Latvian Jūrmala - Former bath-house of Emilija Racene Again, when thinking about something former - I always remember the lovely former hotel London building in Tbilisi.  Now, back to the subject, according to…

Ķīšezers is a lake in Riga, Latvia, with a primary inflow of the Jugla River. The lake is 1,730 ha (4,300 acres) large, it has 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) of average depth and reaches 4.2 metres (14 ft) at the deepest point. Lake Ķīšezers is a popular recreation area both for locals and foreign guest in the Mežaparks neighborhood. Riga Zoo is located close to the lake.  A recreational area near Lake Ķīšezers in Riga