Gardens of Destiny (two-day tour)

Two-day Tour (No. 2) Price 175.00 Euro

Day One: Skrīveri, Koknese

Morning
Departure to Skrīveri, on the way a private landscape garden tour
Coffee break at Skrīveri Mājas Ice Cream Café
Walk through the Skrīveri Dendrological Park, which is one of the most remarkable and oldest dendrological parks in Latvia, established at the end of the 19th century.
Garden of Destiny – a reflection of the history, culture and stories of individual destinies of Latvia, a uniquely planned park with sculptures, memorial stones and installations. World-famous architects – Japanese Shunmjo Masuno and Latvian Andris Kronbergs.
Lunch in one of the cafes in Koknese city*
Afternoon
Visit to the ruins of the Koknese castle – a walk through the ruins of the fortified Livonian Order castle and the park surrounded by the confluence of the Daugava and Pērse rivers.
Check-in at the hotel Divas upes, or equivalent
“Olala” – a creative and flavourful place in Bilstiņi, where quail farm products are transformed into delicious and original delicacies*
Walk around the Bilstiņi Manor area
Evening
Dinner*

Day 2 Krustpils, Jēkabpils, Nereta, Daugmale

Morning
Breakfast at the hotel, check-out
Road to Krustpils
Krustpils Castle, built in the 16th century, is one of the most significant castles on the Daugava River, which has preserved its majestic appearance and mythical stories throughout the centuries, while ancient alleys and century-old trees in the park invite guests to leisurely walks.
Walk along the wooden streets of the old town of Jēkabpils, which is one of the most unique and historically significant urban elements in Latvia. It has been preserved mostly in the old part of the city by the Daugava River, where wooden residential buildings built in the 18th–19th centuries form a special architectural ensemble.
Lunch in Jēkabpils city
Afternoon
Visit to the Sēļi farmstead “Gulbji” is a Sēļi farmstead, where you can get to know the old buildings and the landscaped garden, taste Sēļi dishes
Zanda Magele’s pottery workshop, where clay pots, dishes, vases and various souvenirs are made, trying to follow the Sēļi ceramic traditions.
Coffee break in Jaunjelgava
Daugmales peonies – a bulb flower collection and nursery for more than 40 years: magnificent from early spring to late autumn: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, muscari, irises, gladioli, dahlias, phloxes, emurs, peonies.
Evening:
Homeward journey