Trip to Vidzeme, Spring'10

(Photo by Jeanne De Préval)

Student’s tour to Vidzeme

On the Saturday morning Erasmus students and ESN team were gathering at the Faculty of Economics and Management. They were waiting for the trip to one of the most historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The trip was planned for two days. Students had a chance to get to know better Latvian history and culture, see beautiful views of nature, visit historical sites and some towns of Vidzeme.

The first object of the trip was the White sand-dune. However, there wasn’ t any white sand that day, because aeverything was covered with snow, even the frozen sea. Students walked and enjoyed beautiful sights of the nature. We also took pictures with the beautiful landscape in the background.

Then we visited Birini castle. We saw rooms in gothic style in the castle, accompanied by a guide, and got to know interesting facts about history of the building. Students also enjoyed walking in the surroundings of the castle.

The next object of the trip was Krimulda Church. We had the opportunity to see a Lutheran church, which is one of the oldest in Latvia. Afterwards we went to see Turaida with it’ s beautiful environment and significant historical experience. Students went up in the one of the first and most ancient castle buildings – Turaida tower, where they saw winter landscape from 38 meters height. They also went to a museum, where everybody could try a digital map and see ancient things like building materials, implements, household objects etc. Then we went to Sigulda to have dinner before going further.

When we arrived at the hotel in Cesis, everybody received keys of their rooms to settle in and the map of the town in case if somebody gets lost. Students had some hours of free time before going to the club “Aroma”. In the club everybody was able to dance, to meet new people and to spend great time.

The next morning started with breakfast. We went sightseeing to Cesis castle, accompanied by a guide. Everybody received lanterns with candle inside and got the feeling of adventure. Students could climb down in the prison of the castle and imagine the life in the castle hundreds of years ago. Afterwards everybody had time for lunch.

Lastly we went to see Ligatne bunker – a secret object of the Soviet Union. Erasmus students felt the atmosphere of those times and saw the equipment and facilities used in the Soviet Union. We had a little surprise prepared by our guide. Everybody was offered to taste the meal in a dining room exactly the same way like staff of the bunker had years ago.

ESN team hopes that now everybody knows Latvian culture much better. Thank you for participating!

By Margarita Solovjova, ESN Riga Team member