Tukuma Novads: Accommodation, Nature and Culture
Accommodation in Tukuma Novads
In the nature park at Lake Engure, 186 bird species breed. Around Lake Engure, approximately 844 species of vascular plants have been recorded. Lake Kaņieris is located in the municipalities of Lapmežciems and Smārde, mostly within the nature protection zone of Ķemeri National Park; a small part lies within the nature reserve zone. The ecosystem of Lake Kaņieris includes 68 breeding bird species.
File:Alksnene, Džūkstes pagasts, Tukuma novads, Latvia - panoramio.jpg
Photo: M.Strīķis via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Nature
The Kaņieris Birdwatching Tower is a suitable place for birdwatching and enjoying the lake landscape. The Kaņiera pilskalns trail is a well-equipped path offering views of the lake and the historic hillfort.
Culture
At Durbe Palace, the historic interior conveys an impression of Baltic German culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The exhibition “Rainis and Tukums” is located in the room where the first Rainis Museum operated from 1929 to 1937. In the palace tower, the exhibition “Savējo stāsti, ne svešo” explores 20th-century events in Tukums through the life stories of local people.
Jaunmoku Palace was built as a hunting lodge in 1901. The Jaunmoku Palace Forest Museum offers interactive exhibitions about forests. Another hands-on experience is provided by the weaving workshop “Audēju darbnīca”: visitors can actively participate in weaving and learn simple techniques.
Routes
The “Tukuma apkārtnes pilis” cycling route begins and ends at Tukums I railway station and is signposted with bicycle route markers bearing the number 574. It is approximately 29 km long; around 11 km runs along gravel and field roads. Visitors arriving from Riga can take the train to Tukums and start the cycling tour at Tukums I railway station.
The “Apkārt Engurei” route is an approximately 14 km circular trail and can also be partly completed by bicycle. The route connects to the cycling paths around Lake Valgums created by “Valguma pasaule”. Along the coast runs the long-distance hiking trail Jūrtaka (E9), which makes it possible to extend the hike into the following day. The route is suitable for outings with children. The one-day route is approximately 21 km long.
Regional Specialties
Abavas Winery offers tastings and guided tours on site. At the Abava wine tasting, six different beverages are served. At the family-run Jaunpils Brewery in the centre of Jaunpils, housed in a barn built in 1860, guided tours and tastings can be arranged by prior agreement.
The tavern at Jaunpils Castle also has a historical focus: it offers medieval feasts prepared according to old recipes, which must be ordered at least two days in advance. At the Pure Chocolate Museum in Pūre, workshops on making chocolate are offered. The herbal tea experience at Jaunmoku includes tasting ten different herbal teas as well as unusual jams and syrups.
For further regional destinations, the links lead to Tume, Tukums, Cēsu Novads, Amatas Novads and Engures Novads.
For the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.
