TOURISM NEWSPAPER

No 1 Ventspils 2014

Family and Recreation Friendly

Ventspils labiekārtošanas kombināts

Also in this issue:

Museum Night in Ventspils museums

Open your cycling season in Ventspils

On May 17 everyone is kindly invited Ventspils and singer Ivo Fomins with to participate in the cycling season the band will take care for the musi- opening event. As always, also this year cal accompaniment, while JSC “Druvas cyclists will have exciting routes, the saldējums” will offer special treats to the longest one of which is 9 km, while the youngest participants. younger cyclists will have an option to choose between 1.7 km and 2.1 km long Saules iela 141, Ventspils; routes. Enjoy summer attractions at the +371 28611333 Adventure Park 1 , explore the works www.piedzivojumuparks.lv and delicacies prepared by the Ventspils Blue Flag Celebration city and county craftsmen and landla- dies at “Tourist Picnic”. Musicians from

Ventspils Adventure Park 5th Half Marathon

The 5th Adventure Park Half Marathon bringing together many people from all over the world is to take place on June Children’s festival in Ventspils 15. This race will also be the Latvian championship in half-marathon dis- tance and the third stage of running se- ries “Skrien Latvija”. Before the start the Adventure Park will host concerts, sports fairs, and a variety of attractions, while the participants will take part in the unity race.

www.pusmaratons.lv www.piedzivojumuparks.lv Festive events at the Theatre House “Sea Gate”

Friday walk “Come into the evening light” On May 30, spring will bring summery to indulge into the special atmosphere notes to the streets and squares of Vent- in the square next to the fountain spils – three Latvian tenors, French sax- “Sun Boats” 5 , which will turn into a ophonist Fred Hormain and Latvian sax- meeting point of literature, music, art ophonist Ilze Lejiņa as well as the band and performances. Ventspils photogra- “Rock’n’berries” will give a concert at phers will share their visions and per- Dzir­navu Square 2 . Kuldīgas Street 3 ceptions in photo exhibition “My City”. will feature different genres of music, Musicians, dancers and circus artists and Latvian produced animated films will entertain the visitors at the Market- for children will be shown in the Chil- place 6 , and there will be an open-air dren’s Town 4 . Visitors will be invited cinema in the Town Hall Square 7 .

www.ventspils.lv · www.visitventspils.com 1 Events in Ventspils

Museum Night in Ventspils museums Knight Tournament at Castle With the final – amber theme – the three-year cycle of Museum nights will end on The knight tournament “Lilium Vin- to watch the heavily armed participants, May 17. Also in the branches of Ventspils Museum amber will be honoured this year: daviensis 2014” is to take place in the but also make medieval items, try on the at the Livonian Order Castle 8 marimba sounds and poetry of love will accompany Livonian Order Castle 8 yard on June armour and listen to the sounds of bag- the mini festival “Amber Youth Sings” and there will also be an express exhibition “Am- 7–8. The tournament will be supervised pipes and drums. ber throughout the History”. In the workshops of the House of Crafts 9 artists will by the Marshal of the Tournament, demonstrate how weaving can be done with an amber thread, talk about the healing strictly evaluating the 14–15th century Jāņa iela 17, Ventspils; power of amber and even make amber broth. At H. Dorbe Museum “Dust of Ances- wea­pons and fighting techniques. Visi- +371 63622031 tors” 10 visitors will be welcome to have a talk with Ventspils county beekeepers. tors will have an opportunity not only www.muzejs.ventspils.lv

Livonian Order Castle H. Dorbe Museum Jāņa iela 17, Ventspils; +371 63622031 “Dust of Ancestors” Ērgļu iela 1, Ventspils; House of Crafts +371 63625004 Skolas iela 3, Ventspils; +371 63620174 www.muzejs.ventspils.lv

Exploratory exhibitions for Festive events at museum guests Alongside with the permanent ex- the Theatre House hibition of the Livonian Order Castle 8 , on May 17 there opens an “Sea Gate” exhibition “Historical amber”, which May 2014 marks five years since the re- will tell the story of the use of amber construction of the Theatre House “Sea throughout the centuries. Another – photo-exhibition “Japan’s Metamor- Children’s festival in Ventspils Gate” 12 . To celebrate this event on May 15 the Theatre House will host a phoses” is to open on June 20. The The first day of June will start with Ventspils Culture Centre concert by chamber orchestra “Sinfo- multimedia banknote design exhibi- th an exuberant parade to open the 14 Kuldīgas iela 18, Ventspils; nietta Rīga” with Maksims Beitāns (cello), tion, organised in collaboration with Children’s festival “The Hours of Sun +371 63624796 followed by Liepāja Theatre musical the Bank of from July 2 will in the City” dedicated to the Interna- www.kulturascentrs.ventspils.lv performance “Pūt, vējiņi!” by Kārlis Lācis, answer questions about the role of tional Day for Protection of Children. Jānis Elsbergs and Evita Mamaja on money as a cultural sign. Children, parents, teachers May 18. and city guests will enjoy The fifth season of the Theatre House concerts, sand cinema and “Sea Gate” will close on June 9 with a puppet animation work- concert by world-famous saxophonist shops and games in a Candy Dulfer. pirate ship, inflatable attractions and sports Karlīnes iela 40, activities. Ventspils; +371 63624271 www.jurasvarti.lv

The Seaside Open-Air Museum 13 will host exhibition “Reveal Rail- way!” and visitors will be invited to Blue Flag Celebration take a ride with narrow-gauge train Mazbānītis 14 . On Saturday, June 7 the blue flag will be raised on the Ventspils Blue Flag beach 11 already for the sixteenth time. The blue flag asserts compliance with the Livonian Order Castle international environmental standards. There will be a range of different musical Jāņa iela 17, Ventspils; +371 63622031 and theatrical performances taking place on the beach. Seaside Open-Air Museum www.ventspils.lv Riņķa iela 2, Ventspils; +371 63624467

www.muzejs.ventspils.lv Taste of VENTSPILS REGION

1. Vītolbergs cheese – semi-hard cheese 3. Sklandrausis – together with your from freshly milked milk obtained from friends or family bake a “sklandrausis” organic cow herd. yourself under the supervision of a skilled Z/s “Muižgaļi”, Vārves pag.; expert and receive a certificate from +371 63630715, 29274754; “Ances Sklandraušu Bakery Association”.

1 www.vitolbergasiers.lv “Ances muiža”, Ances pag.; +371 26307029 2. Goat cheese – visitors can taste and buy goat cheese, cuddle and feed 4. Bread baking – buy or bake a animals – goats, kids and a donkey. traditional loaf of wheat and rye bread “Upeslīči”, Zlēku pag.; in the 70-year-old +371 29266186 furnace. “Bērziņi”, Jūrkalnes pag.; +371 29471655 3 4

2 Recreation in Ventspils: even more advantegous with Vents!

Ventspils Adventure Park In the Adventure Park 1 visitors are offered a wide range of attractions, the newest of which is the bamper car area with 12 cars, the only syn- thetic ice rink in Latvia, bamper boat attraction with 12 electrical boats, Recreation in water amusement parks trampoline boats with a free fall ride from a 9 m high overpass and a chil- In the Water Amusement Park 24 Water Amusement Park dren’s driving school, mini paintball visitors can relax in the SPA facilities, Lauku iela 5, Ventspils; and ride with a rope “Tarzan’s Leap”. have a work-out in the fitness or aero- +371 25636777, 63623974 There is also a beautiful fountain visi- bics hall, or go for a swim in the large www.udensparks.lv tors can enjoy when taking a rest. or small swimming pool. In summer, many have become fond of the Beach Beach Aquapark Saules iela 141, Ventspils; Aquapark 25 with sliding rails, swim- Medņu iela 19, Ventspils; +371 28611333 ming pools Jacuzzis, a sauna, and a sepa- +371 26429684 www.piedzivojumuparks.lv rate area for children. www.pludmalesakvaparks.lv

Recreation for grown-ups and children

For children to have fun in daily walks there are playgrounds with attractive images of domestic animals all over Ventspils: along the streets, in city squares, and patios of apartment houses 21 . Sport enthusiasts can use the outdoor fitness equipment locat- Tours along ed at different places in the city 22 . Cow parade the mouth of exhibits in Ventspils the River The capital of flowers and fountains After two art and charity projects or cow parades, a number of beauti- Every day the excursion boat “Duke Ja- In the green, blooming and sparkling ful cow sculptures decorate streets, cob” (Hercogs Jēkabs) 15 takes visitors city of Ventspils there are flowers of dif- parks and squares of Ventspils. In the on rides along the smooth waves of the ferent colours and species, arranged course of time new cows have joined Venta River to Ventspils Port. The ride in dozens of flower beds, vases, flower this friendly: “Traveler Cow” 17 , takes less than an hour, and reveals the pyramids and sculptures, while spar- “Sailor Cow” 18 , “Rocking Cow” 19 picturesque views of the Old Town, the kling fountains freshen up the city on and “Flower Cow” 20 . The cows have harbour and the only Latvian drawbridge. hot days. become so beloved and popular that they graze in the streets of Ventspils For information call +371 26353344 throughout the year.

www.cowparade.ventspils.lv

Skate park for active recreation Ventspils Deer Park The summer skate park 23 offers the New films at Ventspils Creative House’s highest level of quality and service. The Not far from Būšnieku Lake 26 there central part of the park is a construction of planetarium is a Deer Park 27 with the total area of approximately 40 elements, which is suit- 32 ha where visitors can observe red able for mastering all kinds of tricks. The Ventspils Creative House 16 wel- participate and observe the Sun in deer, roes, and wild boars from the 6.5 m park hosts the largest annual street sports comes visitors with news in the plan- the observatory. high watchtower. Next to the Deer Park and cultural festival “Ghetto Games”. etarium programme and offers 360 there is also a convenient parking place degree film “Exoplanet”, searching Maiznieku iela 11, for visitors. Sporta iela 5, for answers to questions about life Ventspils; Ventspils on planets outside our solar system, +371 63622805 Talsu iela 240, (In the territory of and the film “What else is out there?” www.jaunradesnams.lv Ventspils; +371 29102584 Olympic Centre Venstpils) about the Moon. Visitors can also www.vlk.lv

5. Dairy products – homemade cheese with 8. House wine – at least a year old caraway seeds, cottage cheese, and other clarified house wine, made from dairy products. garden and forest berries. “Lejas”, Popes pag.; +371 27545220 “Grodi”, Ugāles pag.; +371 26475388, 26289592 6. Honey – ecologically clean bee products; 6 visitors can get acquainted with the honey 9. Užava Beer Brewery – live or making process, bee life and apiary work. natural beer from barley malt, “Bitnieki”, Leči, Vārves pag.; +371 29720288 water, brewer’s yeast and hops. Tours and tastings. 7. Smoked meat products – with alder wood “Zaksi”, Užavas pag.; smoked chicken and pork, sausages. A place +371 63630632; for picnic, grill and a carp pond. www.uzavas-alus.lv “Irbītes”, Vārves pag.; +371 29331292 9 8

3 USEFUL INFORMATION FOR VISITORS

FERRIES WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION “THE BEST ACCOMMODATION BUSINESS IN VENTSPILS IN 2013” Ventspils – Nynäshamn (), Ventspils – Travemünde (Germany) 1 1 2 1 Holiday house 3 1 More information and booking at “Namelis” www.stenaline.lv and Stenaline office – Address: Piltenes iela 28, Hotel “Raibie logi” Dārzu ielā 6, Ventspils Ferry Terminal; Guest house Ventspils Address: Lielais prospekts 61, “Veldzes nams” Phone: +371 29150063 +371 63620782 Ventspils Address: Saules iela 83, Ventspils E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +371 29142327 Phone: +371 29262431 www.namelis.lv E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.raibielogi.lv Intercity bus schedule www.veldzesnams.lv for route 25 41 10 Ventspils - - Ventspils Departure Arrival Route Days Price (€) Buses to Riga International Bus Station Accommodation 4 1 Tourist hostel of Ventspils 5 1 6 1 4:30 7:30 Ventspils-Rīga 1 7,54 in private property University College 5:30 8:30 Ventspils-Rīga 123456 7,54 “Dzintari” Address: Inženieru iela 101, 6:00 9:00 Ventspils-Rīga 5 7,54 Address: Meža iela 41, Ventspils Ventspils Seaside Camping 6:30 9:40 Ventspils-Rīga 1–7 7,54 Phone: +371 29873679 Phone: +371 63629202, 20278255 Address: Vasarnīcu iela 56, 7:20 10:20 Ventspils-Rīga 1–7 7,54 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: Ventspils [email protected] 9:50 14:05 Ventspils-Talsi- Phone: +371 63627925, 22008805 E-mail: [email protected] -Rīga 234567 7,90 www.camping.ventspils.lv 10:00 13:00 Ventspils-Rīga 1–7 7,54

10:40 13:30 Ventspils-Rīga 5 7,54 20 300 172 250 70 12:30 15:30 Ventspils-Rīga 15 7,54 14:00 17:00 Ventspils-Rīga 123457 7,54 2 8 Hotel “Jūras brīze”, 2 12 Strādnieku viesnīca (Worker’s Hostel), 15:00 18:10 Ventspils-Rīga 1–7 7,54 7 3 15:40 18:30 Ventspils-Rīga 7 7,54 Vasarnīcu iela 34; +371 63622524 Siguldas iela 19; +371 63661966 2 9 3 13 16:25 19:25 Ventspils-Rīga 1–7 7,54 Hotel of the Olympic Apartaments “Rubīni”, Guest house “Kupfernams”, Centre “Ventspils”*** 17:10 20:05 Ventspils-Rīga 5 7,54 Tārgales iela 34; +371 29218300 Kārļa iela 5; +371 63626999 Address: Lielais prospekts 33, 2 10 Holiday house “Jūra”, 3 14 Holiday house “Mazie brocēni”, Buses from Riga International Bus Station Ventspils 8:20 11:20 Rīga-Ventspils 1 7,54 Phone/fax: +371 63628032 Jūrmalas iela 4; +371 22492206 Brocēnu iela 11; +371 29524080 10:40 13:40 Rīga-Ventspils 123456 7,54 E-mail: [email protected] 2 11 Accommodation in 3 15 Accommodation in a private house www.hotelocventspils.lv 11:20 14:20 Rīga-Ventspils 23457 7,54 www.ocventspils.lv a private house “Mazā magnolija”, “Bērzi”, Bērzu iela 1; +371 29459691 13:10 16:10 Rīga-Ventspils 15 7,54 Ugāles iela 7; +371 29286735 15:00 17:55 Rīga-Ventspils 1–7 7,54 154 1 , 2 , 3 – place in the competition; – vents are accepted here 16:00 19:00 Rīga-Ventspils 1–7 7,54 17:00 20:00 Rīga-Ventspils 123457 7,54 17:40 20:30 Rīga-Ventspils 56 7,54 Winners of the competition “The Best 18:10 22:02 Rīga-Tukums- Travel Catering Business in Ventspils in 2013” ts Talsi-Ventspils 1–7 7,90 with ven 18:30 21:30 Rīga-Ventspils 5 7,54 In the restaurant-pub group: 19:00 21:55 Rīga-Ventspils 1–7 7,54 1 1 medieval tavern “Melnais sivēns”; 19:30 22:25 Rīga-Ventspils 7 7,54 +371 63622396 Publisher – 20:20 23:20 Rīga-Ventspils 1–7 7,54 Ventspils City Council; www.ventspils.lv 2 2 restaurant “Tex-Mex”; +371 63607567 VENTSPILS TOURISM 21:10 23:59 Rīga-Ventspils 5 7,54 Prepared by – 3 3 café “Skroderkrogs”; +371 63627634 INFORMATION CENTRE Ventspils Tourism Information Centre; AND THE BANK OF VENTS In the café group: www.visitventspils.com Address: Dārzu iela 6, Ventspils, LV-3601 Cartography, design – 1 4 café “Ukraina”; +371 28686808 Phone: +371 63622263, 29232226 SIA “Karšu izdevniecība Jāņa sēta”; www.kartes.lv 2 5 café “Kupfernams”; +371 63626999 E-mail: [email protected] Translation – “DM grupa” 2 6 Print – SIA “Poligrāfijas grupa Mūkusala”; www.pgm.lv “Ventspils Reiss” café “Pūpēdis”; +371 27861862 www.visitventspils.com Robežu iela 7, Ventspils, +371 63629904 3 7 café “Stenders Pica”; +371 26181923 [email protected] In the fast food catering group: BRANCH OF THE BANK of VENTS www.ventspilsreiss.lv Hotel of the Olympic Centre “Ventspils”, 1 8 café “Mūsmājas”; +371 27057892 Lielais prospekts 33, Ventspils VENTSPILS BUS STATION 2 9 café “Centrs”; +371 26470311 Phone: +371 63628032 Kuldīgas iela 5; +371 63622789 3 10 bistro “Latta”; +371 63624535 www.visitventspils.com 4