The grand cross border tour - military heritage of the 100 years of independence of Latvia and Estonia

The Christmas Battle Memorial Park and Museum is located in Jelgava municipality, Valgunde parish, in the Mangaļi homestead. This museum is a branch of the Latvian War Museum. It was opened in 2005 and is located in the area where Christmas Battles took place. Unique World War I fortifications still remain in locations where battles took place. The indoor exhibit contains objects found in the battlefield. The open-air exposition has reconstructed fortifications. There are tourist routes and informative trails in the vicinity of the museum. The open-air exposition of World War I fortifications and indoor exhibits are available to visitors every day. Unique evidence of World War I fortifications can still be found in the vicinity of Ložmetējkalns. There is a 27 m tall observation tower that provides a panoramic view of the area where the Christmas Battle took place. The Christmas Battle is probably the best known and most dramatic event of World War I in Latvia. It has a special place in Latvia’s military and cultural history. This engagement is mainly associated with the attack of Latvian Riflemen on the German Army units in extremely harsh and unfavourable conditions. And it was also a unique situation where a large-scale combat operation was started without artillery support.

Located in Tukums region, Lestene, next to the church.

The construction of the Brothers' Cemetery in Lestene began in 1998. It is the second largest cemetery of soldiers in Latvia, where more than 1,300 Latvian legionnaires are buried together. Only after the restoration of the Republic of Latvia was it possible to bury Latvian soldiers who died in World War II from various places.

The Latvian Legion was a combat unit of the German army, formed mainly from illegally mobilized Latvians. The soldiers perceived their presence in the legion as a struggle for the restoration of Latvia's independence, despite the fact that it took place in the ranks of the German armed forces and that Germany had occupied Latvia. There was no other military force that could delay the return of the Soviet occupation. Latvian legionnaires fought against the Red Army, which had abolished Latvia's independence, destroyed its army and committed crimes against civilians. Between 110,000 and 115,000 soldiers fought in the ranks of the German army, and between 30,000 and 50,000 of them left their lives on the battlefield.

Today in Lestene you can see the Brethren's Cemetery, next to which is Lestene Church. It is an outstanding example of baroque sacred art. In the old church pub you can get acquainted with the exposition dedicated to the history of the Latvian Legion. The central image of the Brothers' Cemetery "Motherland - Mother - Latvia" was created by the sculptor Arta Dumpe. Nearby is Lestene Manor, which belonged to the Latvian Army General Mārtiņš Hartmanis before the Second World War.

Excursions to Lestene Church can be booked at the head of the parish of Lestene Evangelical Lutheran Church Inguna Kokina, phone +371 29993743.

The museum is located a few kilometres from the centre of Renda parish. The exhibit tells about the 50-year-long resistance movement in Latvia: resistance to the first Soviet occupation, resistance to the Nazi German occupation, and the armed and non-violent resistance to the Soviet occupation. The exhibit is located in two buildings. The first building houses evidence of the first Soviet occupation and German occupation. The exhibit showcases a restored barn building where the focus lies on the National Partisan War. Between the two buildings there is a bunker with an authentic layout and trenches used by soldiers. Located near the museum in Renda, excavations, blindages and an obstacle course serve as a training ground for youth guards and anyone interested. Visits must be booked in advance.

One of the largest battles of the national partisans, called the Āpūznieki Battle, took place in January 1946 not far from here. The battle saw the Kabile National Partisan Group overpower much larger forces of the occupying power. Featuring information stands, the battle site is now home to a rest area.

A country house near Dundaga. A room for celebrations with a firelplace (for 30 people), a sauna with a swimming pool and a tub. Bedrooms with WC and shower. On the lawn there are places for  tents and a campfire. A small island for the moorage of boats in the Dundaga pond. Driving trips by an army car GAZ – 66. 

The saloon is on the edge of the Rīga-Liepāja highway (A9) at the 22 km road marker. Most of the dishes are based on ingredients from the forest. The interior design is based on hunting, and there is a paddock of wild deer alongside the restaurant.

Latvian cuisine: Roast buck, roast wild boar, venison steak, roast lamb, stuffed river trout.

This saloon is in a lovely place – the ancient Abava River valley between Kandava and Sabile. It is housed in an historical building with among the largest chimneys in the Baltic States. A camp for water tourists is alongside the saloon.

Latvian cuisine: Chilled beet soup, dumpling soup, sorrel soup, sauerkraut soup, chicken livers, homemade steak haché, dried pork ribs, roast pork, grilled pork, potato pancakes with cream, crepes, herbal teas.

Special foods: Cabbage stuffed with smoked meat, cottage cheese and onions.

Located in Kalnmuižas Castle. The pride of the restaurant's menu are the greens, fruits and vegetables from the ancient valley of the River Abava, wild game and mushrooms from Kurzeme forests, meat, crayfish, trout, goat’s cheese and home-made bread from the district’s farms. The menu depends on the season. Offer includes seasonal specialities.

Atrodas Rendā, pie tilta pār Abavu. Mazs, jauks krodziņš, kas atrodas vēsturiskā ēkā ar patīkamu interjeru. Piemērota maltītes ieturēšanas vieta ne tikai tiem, kas pārvietojas pa ceļu, bet arī Abavas laivotājiem. Strādā g.k. vasaras sezonā.

Atrodas Dundagas centrā, Talsu un Pils ielas krustojumā. Bistro tipa ēdināšanas uzņēmums, ko iecienījuši vietējie iedzīvotāji un pilsētas viesi.

A country house near Dundaga. A room for celebrations with a firelplace (for 30 people), a sauna with a swimming pool and a tub. Bedrooms with WC and shower. On the lawn there are places for  tents and a campfire. A small island for the moorage of boats in the Dundaga pond. Driving trips by an army car GAZ – 66.