Tracing Traditional Recipes in Zemgale

Day One: Jelgava, Dobele

• Departure to Jelgava. Latvian pies baking workshop. Latvian pastries are an integral part of festive and everyday Latvian cuisine. They symbolize coziness, hospitality, and ancient culinary traditions.
• Jelgava Palace – the largest Baroque-style palace in the Baltics, built according to the design of Rastrelli as the residence of the Dukes of Courland. Although damaged during the war, the palace remains grand and impressive, with a spacious park and views of the Lielupe River.
• St. Trinity Church Tower – the site where the world’s first Lutheran church with this name once stood. Today the tower features a panoramic viewing platform and an interactive exhibition about Jelgava.
• Tasting of ancient Latvian dishes.
• Dobele Castle ruins – one of the most impressive historical sites in Zemgale. In 1335, the Livonian Order built a stone castle here.
• Fruit or fruit-processed product tasting at the P. Upītis Arboretum. The garden features more than 2,000 species of trees and shrubs. In spring, it is famous for Europe’s largest lilac collections; in summer, visitors enjoy cherry tastings; in autumn, the garden delights with vibrant foliage colors.
• Check-in at a 3*+ hotel.Dinner (can be booked separately).

Day Two: Bauska

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Rundāle Palace – the most magnificent Baroque and Rococo palace in Latvia, the summer residence of Duke Ernst Johann von Biron of Courland. The palace is surrounded by a French formal garden with symmetrical layouts, elegant alleys, fountains, and sculptures. Visit also includes the Rundāle Palace herb garden.
• Visit to the palace’s medieval kitchen exhibition and tasting of noble dishes prepared according to 18th-century recipes.
• Rundāle Mill and beer tasting offer an opportunity to explore a historic setting where traditional milling meets modern brewing craftsmanship. During the visit, you will learn about the history of the mill and the beer-making process.
• Bauska Castle – a 15th-century Renaissance and Baroque fortified castle built during the Livonian Order period.
• Mežotne Palace – an elegant example of Classicist architecture with an English-style landscape park by the Lielupe River.
• Tasting of traditional smoked meat and fish products.
• Check-in at a 3* hotel and dinner (can be reserved separately).Visit to a retro car museum.

Day Three: Sēlija, Koknese

• Breakfast at the hotel, departure to Sēlija.
• Visit to a modernized dairy farm in Nereta. A tasting prepared by local home producers will feature delicious cheeses and other dairy-based specialties.
• Visit to a Sēlian homestead and tasting of Sēlian dishes, offering insight into the traditional rural lifestyle of Sēlija, ancient farming skills, and warm hospitality.
• Krustpils Castle – built in the 16th century, one of the most significant castles along the Daugava River, preserving its majestic appearance and legendary tales through the centuries. The surrounding park, with historic alleys and centuries-old trees, invites visitors for leisurely walks.
• Tasting of homemade ice cream and the legendary Skrīveri fudge “Gotiņa.”
• Return home.