Riga-Kolka-Riga: A chance to unwind by the Baltic sea coast and lap up some culture at the same time.

Feeling tired, depressed or unable to know what step to take next? Kolka with its pristine forests and sea breeze will offer you the fresh air you crave. A slice of heaven on earth; protecting the gulf of Riga from wild Baltic sea waves.

I can guarantee that at any time of year, come rain or shine you will enjoy and remember it as something extraordinary for many years to come.

Itinerary:
1) 8.30 or 9.00 a.m. we leave Riga by car. You`ll be pickup and drop-off in your hotel.
We stop in Kemeri for to drink crystal clean water from Kemeri rejuvenating sulphurous springs, then we hike on Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk- imagine being in the middle of bog surrounded by thousands bonsai-looked polar pines and birch trees- this is like being in Nordic tundra.

2) Our second stop is close to a 1000 years old oak tree- the oldest and broadest in Eastern Europe. (Just imagine- this oak tree saw Vikings and German crusaders and is still alive today! Touch the oak and charge yourself with the energy it contains.

3) We have lunch in Talsi, one of the coziest towns in Latvia.

4)Arrival in Dundaga- short stop to see (outside) XIII-XVII century castle, the former residence of the barons: Osten Sacken family. Opportunity to drink healing, sweet spring waters from a local source.

5) Stop in Slitere , a haven in the heart of the nature reserve park. We admire the stunning “Zilie kalni” (“Blue hills”) and go hiking to get a breathtaking view of the Latvian forests and even of Estonian cost behind the sea.

6) Near Mazirbe we walk about 1 km to a small waterfall hidden in the forest

7) We arrive at Kolka- our main destination. Here we spend about 2 hours, observing wild boers and roes, sitting or resting in inner meditation.

Your guide will show you secret trails with the most majestical, mystical landscapes you have ever seen. In summer time you can swim in the blue sea and enjoy sunbathing on a soft, sandy beach. You can do Qicong exercises or go jogging along the seashore, as well as bird watch. (Binoculars provided by guide.)

The freshest air in the country, untouched nature, unusual landscapes, interesting stories about the history and traditions of the local people:the Livs or Livonians and hot tea from local plants.

8) On the way home- dinner in a romantic fishermen’s restaurant in Roja, full of authentic charm and delicious food.

9) Visit to archaeological monument, so called “devil`s ship in Bilava”- more then 2000 years old majestic tomb of ancestors of Vikings.

10) We touch 400 years old linden-tree in Valdemarpils (old Sassmaken), we admire there a XVII century church and XIX century synagogue building.

On the way home we drive along the sea shore- the sea always to our left , greeting us through a lattice of green pine and fishermen’s houses. I call this road “The paradise road”.

We return to Riga approximately 21.30

Total distance: c. 350 km