10. Ventspils and Liepaja – Seaports of Kurzeme.

The Gulf of Riga and the Baltic Sea always had a great impact of the cities development at the seacoast. Even two cities situated closely in the northern coast can differ a lot, as it is in relation to Ventspils and Liepaja.

Itinerary of excursion:

1st day.
We depart from Riga in an early morning. Road in the direction to Ventspils goes through Jurmala, which is widely known as the largest resort of Latvia near to the Baltic Sea. You will have a chance to compare different coastal cities of the Baltic Sea. Administrative division of Jurmala districts.
Talsi. Small sightseeing tour. We will get acquainted with one of the oldest trade cities in the seacoast of the Gulf of Riga. Talsi today.
In the afternoon we will arrive at Ventspils. We will get acquainted with one of the oldest Livonian cities – Ventspils. Historical part of Ventspils. Livonian Order and the Castle. Specific location of the city, by the coast of Venta. Passage with small ship “Duke Jacob” (“Hercogs Jēkabs”). Visitation of the Fishing Museum. Free time in the city, resting in the camping.

2nd day.
Breakfast. Passage to Liepaja. Sightseeing tour in Liepaja, today it is the third largest city in Latvia. Excursion on foot in the centre of the city, visitation of architectural monuments – St.Ann’s Church, St. Nicola’s Orthodox Maritime Cathedral. Sightseeing of maritime park – the largest park of this kind in Baltic States. Free time.
Liepaja was the closed type city of Soviet army. Nowadays infrastructure of Soviet Army is used in modern and unconventional way – they use jail and fortress as the place where scenic performances are shown. Only Liepaja gives a possibility to become a short time jail inmate.
At 19.00 pm – departure to Riga, we arrive in Riga late in the evening.