Pieredzes apmaiņa | Nature tourism

This FAM trip invites UK tour operators and media representatives to explore winter tourism in Latvia and Estonia. The program includes practical experiences in Latvian sauna rituals, dog sledding, nature hikes and many other nature activities. Participants will also visit local restaurants to sample Baltic cuisine and tour Soomaa National Park in Estonia, known for its bog trails. Through activities and community interactions, the trip
provides insight into regional practices and seasonal tourism opportunities.

The FAM trip kicked off on the 28th of January with a beautiful and spiritual visit to Ziedlejas for a pirts ritual, followed by a stay and dinner at SPA HOTEL EZERI This time, the FAM trip welcomes seven tour operators and media representatives from the UK!

We started the day two with breakfast and an excursion at SPA HOTEL EZERI, then traveled to Dodkepu.lv to meet the huskies and go on a hike with them. The route passed by the historical landmarks of Āraiši, adding a cultural element to the experience.

At Pernigele, we enjoyed a meat tasting, sampling local specialties. Pernigele also provides accommodation with 20 rooms, offering a comfortable stay for visitors.

In the evening, we explored Soomaa National Park, beginning with a lantern wetland hike. The day ended with a locally sourced dinner, herbal tea workshop at the bonfire and a guided sauna ritual, rounding out the experience with traditional Estonian hospitality.

On the third and final day of the FAM trip, the morning began with a kayaking experience in the “Fifth Season” of Soomaa National Park, followed by a wetland hike in the same area leaded by Aivar Ruukel from Soomaa.com. Afterward, we visited two guesthouses—Põnka puhketalu/Põnka guesthouse and Kõveri Guesthouse. At Koveri Guesthouse, we met several Estonian entrepreneurs specializing in wildlife watching. The trip concluded with dinner at Baltvilla restaurant near Riga.

Thanks to all the SMEs that provided an excellent service, the tour guide Valdis Čeičs from Baltic Nature Travel. And the FAM trip organisers LatviaTravel, Eesti Loodusturismi Ühing, Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays, Dabas Tūrisms, Puhkus Maal

The event is part of the campaign for the promotion of Baltic nature tourism in the project “Baltic Nature Tourism – Exporting Baltic Nature Tourism to UK (CB0100030)”, which is implemented with the support of the Central Baltic Program of the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund for 2021-2027. #balticnaturetourism

On April 18th in London, the Embassy of Latvia in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with the Tourism Department of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), organized a seminar-presentation to introduce our nature tourism offerings under the theme “Baltic Nature Tourism.” The seminar was attended by more than 40 tour operators and media representatives specializing in nature tourism, with a particular interest in the Baltic countries. The key topics of interest this time included the natural landscapes of Latvia, the accessibility of nature, opportunities to travel from cities to the countryside, the diversity of nature tourism activities, especially nature trails and hikes in bog shoes, bird watching, water activities, cycling, wildlife, and “coolcations” – holiday trips as a respite from summer heat.

Nature tourism entrepreneurs also participated in the seminar to provide specific offers and forge new collaborations with tourism professionals from the United Kingdom. Special thanks for the cooperation to Baltic Travel Group, Baltic Nature Travel, Riga Kayaking, Spalva, and Movement Spontaneous.

A highlight of the event was the preparation of traditional Latvian dishes by the outdoor chef Renārs Purmalis of Gatavo dabā (Cooking in nature), along with sparkling ciders made from our own Latvian apples.

A heartfelt thank you to the Embassy of Latvia in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for hosting us in their London premises and for their collaboration in organizing the event. The participants were addressed by Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The seminar was organized with the help of cooperation partners Nordic Tourism Collective – an organization for cooperation in the tourism industry in the United Kingdom.

Category: Pieredzes apmaiņa

Tour Operator / Media Fam Trip, 28-31 January 2025

NAT-TOUR-EXPO reception at the Embassy, London, United Kingdom, 18.04.2024.