TOURISM GUIDE 2013 - Smiltene

The third dayIn Trīssaliņas as the wildlife awakens, you can slowly climbout of bed too and enjoy this beautiful nature place a littlemore before you head off to the next destination – Launkalniwhere different birds and animals will be awaiting yourarrival.sembles our country - Latvia. And if you are lucky, there willbe clouds, clouds.... It is a fantastic adventure.Excursions and flights need to be booked in advance andcheck the prices by calling on the telephone number indicatedabove.Once you are on the land again, take the road towardsBlome to enjoy the land of goats, created by Muižniekifarm.12Catering12Accomodation14 Ezerlejas farm (Ezerlejas, Launkalne parish, Tel.:+37129140178- Guntis or 26357959-Evita; www.ezerlejas.lv)18 „Muižnieki” farm, yeanlings, goats and horned Billy-goats,cheese (Cerieši, Blome parish, Tel.: +37126863259;+37164772563)3344565On the Ezerlejas guided tour you will see different types ofpheasant and other birds, feed ostriches and get to knowthe big fallow-deer family. You will be able to have fun withthe dwarf goats of Cameroon and the Netherlands, as wellas get to know the two Soay sheep and other animals. Youcan catch different fish in the ponds, swim, enjoy the sauna,as well as take a rest in the facilitated English type houses.You can treat your tummy with products made at thefarm and buy them in Ezerlejas shop. You can have a nicetime on the big swing, play in the playground, play somevolleyball and have a picnic on the island.Get more information on visits and prices on the websiteor by calling on the telephone; excursion in the territorytakes ~1h.A lot more surprises are awaiting us, so let’s get on the roadagain. On the way to Blome, the road will again take youthrough Smiltene city. Here, be sure to visit the NationalDecorative Arts Studio and visit the Brūzis hotel.15 „Smiltene” National Decorative Arts Studio(Atmodas Street 2, Smiltene, Tel.: +37126765927)„Muižnieki„ farm is one of the biggest goat breeders in Latvia,where one can see the industry leading contemporarygoat milking and milk preserving technologies. Here youcan cuddle the little baby goats, talk to them and showrespect to the horned ancestors – the bucks. If agreed inadvance, the hostess will make some cheese for degustationand to take-away.The excursion and degustation should be booked in advance,visit 1Ls per person, visiting time ~ 1-1.5h.In „Donas” homestead one can enjoy a real bread makingprocess and have a tasty meal so be sure to visit this placeas well.19 „Donas”-homestead culture-educational program„Bakery” (Donas, Blome parish, Tel.: +37126425426, http://maizesdarbnica.blogspot.com/)Here you can visit ,,the Bakery”, where you will have a78910111267891310The main activity of NDAS „Smiltene” is weaving, crochetingand knitting. The crafts women make different things– Vidzeme stripy blankets, pillows, scarfs, shawls, rugs, linentowels, table cloths, table linen, gloves, socks etc. You canalso see a little exhibition of the works, as well as the workprocess and the tools. You will have an opportunity to tryout weaving on the loom, to try on the shoulder scarves orother things, as well as purchase them for remembranceas a gift.The visit will take around 1h, it is free, book in advance.16 The park hotel „Brūzis” and Smiltene cider factory(Brūža Street 2, Smiltene, Tel.: +37164773708; www.hotelbruzis.lv)In the hotel Smiltene cider factory can be food, which offersexcursions to get to know how wine and cider made ofLatvian nature produce is made in Smiltene. The adults willhave an opportunity to taste and purchase the produce totake away. You can also taste and purchase the wine in thecoffee-shop of the hotel. Here you should definitely takeadvantage of the opportunity to have a real Latvian meal.The hotel also offers accommodation in facilitated rooms,a sauna and other Services.Excursions in the cider factory and the Latvian meal needto be booked in advance; the visit takes ~ 0.5-1h, price 2Lsper person.In order to enjoy unforgettable panoramic views over Smiltenecity and region you need to go to Rožkalni.17 „Rožkalni” farm, visit the farm and fly in the clouds(Rožkalni, Smiltene parish, Tel.: +37129193642)„Rožkalni” farm mainly does farming (rapes, rye, barley,wheat, caraway, and clover seed growing and forest exploitation).The hosts don’t only offer excursions aroundthe farm, but also flights with a pilot in a plane which isflown by the Rožkalni host himself. You will have the opportunityto see the Smiltene Evangelic Lutheran churchfrom above, and notice that it has been built in the shapeof a cross. You will also see the lake with a shape that re-chance to participate in bread making according to ancestraltraditions; to see how you make bread from thekneading dough, how it is scalded, kneaded, and put inthe wood heated bread oven. You will make bread rolls onmaple leaves and take them home as a gift to your lovedones. Nothing can be better than a warm slice of breadmade on the hearth with homemade milk, bacon, butter,honey or jam. You can really fill your belly in Donas! Youcan also order all kinds of real Latvian countryside goods,grain-sausages and roasts here and if you wish there willalso be „17 types of cheeses” and „one little piglet”. Here youcan also enjoy the sauna and have a wonderful sleep.Book the visit in advance; check the prices on the websiteor by calling on the telephone number indicated above.The Smiltene Region’s Biggest Culture and SportsEvents of the Year 2013DATE EVENT PLACE03.03 Folk-race, Latvian Automobile Federation Cross commission cup Smiltene01.04 Smiltene region competition for little vocalists „Cālis 2013” Smiltene28.04Latvian autocross championship for passenger cars stage 1;NEZ and Baltic Buggies CupSmiltene01.05 “top!” street relay-race Smiltene12.05 SEB MTB Cycle marathon Smiltene25.05 The opening of the summer season at Jāņukalna open-air stage Smiltene26.05 Smiltene Open Championship and the “Small prize” in orienteering sport Smiltene01.06 Charity campaign „White, white is my heart” Smiltene15.06 Smiltene city festival Smiltene20.06 Latvian Championship in individual cycling Smiltene22.06 Latvian Championship in group cycling Smiltene23.06 Midsummer festival in Smiltene Smiltene20.07 „Apvedceļš” schlager-music festival Smiltene28.07 Veloprofs MTB Cycle marathon Smiltene03.08 Smiltene region celebration Grundzāle18.-25.08 “Baltic Chain Tour 2013” multi-day cycle race Smiltene24.08 Smiltene region sport celebration Grundzāle24.08 The end of the summer season at Jāņukalna open-air stage Smiltene25.08 NEZ autocross and the 5th stage of the Latvian autocross championship Smiltene07.09 International javelin-throwing competition “Smiltene-Valga Javelin Cup’2013” Valga06.10 National run “Smiltene circles ‘2013” Smiltene31.12 The New Year’s event in Smiltene city centre Smiltene(Some changes to dates may occur; please follow the information on the Smiltene District Council website www.smiltene.lv !)Smiltene Region Culture DepartmentDārza Street 11, Smiltene, Smilteneregion, LV-4729T.: +37164774884, F.: +37164707583kultura@smiltene.lvwww.smiltene.lvwww.draugiem.lv/smiltenesnovads141516Smiltene region Tourism Information CentreDārza Street 3, Smiltene, Smiltene region,LV-4729T/F.: +37164707575tourism@smiltene.lvwww.smiltene.lv11121314151617Pictograms, symbolsfor accomodationBar, Restaurant, CafeCateringSeminars, ConferencesRooms for celebrationSaunaWaterbikes, BoatsBicyclesHorse ridingSkiingFishingSports groundsTent placesPicnic placesPossibility to swimJacuzzi, TubThe year 2013The publisher – Smiltene District Council in collaboration withregional tourism entrepreneursPrepared by – Smiltene Region Tourism Information CentreLayout – SIA „Arteum”Published – SIA „Dardedze hologrāfija”Photos: A.Bērtiņa, M.Mūze, V.Paeglis, D.Matule, S.Veismane, as well as photosfrom the archives of Smiltene District Council and TIC and tourism entrepreneurs.