MUSHROOM TOUR / GROUP

Mushroom Tour at region

Tallinn This is for people who enjoy forests, wildlife and has an interest in mushrooms- different species as well as their various ways of preparation. The tour is lead by the professional mycologist and combines the misterious world of mushrooms with local culinary tradi- tions. The group is introduced with mushrooms growing at the various biotops – natural as well as man made. The tour goes in different forests, pass several historic sites and Rīga beautiful views on the way. During the tour you will learn not only about various species of mushrooms, different forests with their typical habitat but also find out how locals prepare and preserve wild mushrooms. Vilnius (7 days)

Cowberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) General Route: Rīga - Lielstraupe Day 3 - Cēsis - Zilais kalns - Strenči - - - National Park: Zvārte Āraiši - Sigulda - Mālpils - Rīga Cliff – Cēsis – Ungurmuiža - Breakfast. We walk nature trail along the Day 1 Amata river which gurantees spectacular Arrival in Rīga views, including impressive sandstone Departure to the hotel in the city centre. Zvartes Cliff as well as mushrooms typi- Introductory meeting with the guide at cal for river banks. Also Chaga (Inonotys the Latvian Nature Museum which can obliquus) which is used in medicine as be followed by the excursion to the Cen- well as Alder Bracket (Inonotus radiatus) tral Market. Free time in Rīga. Accomo- which changes its colour depending of dation in Rīga. the light. We’ll make a stop at Cēsis to look at its mighty medieval castle ruines Day 2 and charming Old . Ungurmuiža Spiny puffball (Lycoperdon echinatum) Transfer Rīga – Silciems-Ragana-Inci- Manor is unique example of the 18th ems- Lielstraupe - Sigulda century wooden baroque architecture. Breakfast. One of the most popular The interior paintings on the walls and mushroom pickers routes at sub- ceilings have still survived. The manor urb. Here we might find popular in Lat- has the park with impresive old oaks. via eadible mushroom like cchanter- There we look for (Hapalopilus croceus) elles, russulas and various boletus. Also and other typical mushrooms growing Chestnut Bolete (Gyroporus castaneus), by oaks. Walking along the Lake Vaidava Lurid Bolete (Boletus luridus), eadible we might find summer boletus (Boletus tree-fungus – Sheep polypore (popu- reticulatus). We end the mushrooming by lar in Scandinavian cooking) (Albatrel- stopping at the shitaki mushroom grow- lus ovinus), Golden corall (Ramaria au- ers at Dulbeņi. Accomodation in Valmi- rea) and others. Short stop at Krimulda era district. King Boletus (Boletus edulis) Church in Ragana to look for rare mush- room in European level - pretty saffron Day 4 yelllow coloured (Hapalopilus croceus). Valimera - Zilaiskalns – Strenči – Zīle Forest At Inciems we look for Chestnut Bolete - Valmiera (Gyroporus castaneus), European bolete Breakfast. Zilaiskalns is a very distinct (Boletus edulis), as well as golden Coral hillock covered by forest, and from where Tooth (Hericium coralloides). At Liel- there is a “narrow” landscape featuring the northern part of the highlands, as straupe forest there is a chance to find well as the Lake Burtnieks flatlands. It is the largest boletus mushroom in also a good place for different types of which can be eaten uncooked – The boletus. Zīle Forest, Pirtslīča brach of the Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota pro- river is a rare biotp in Europe with an- cera). Accomodation in Sigulda. cient oak forest and park type meadows.

Baltic Country Holidays / Lauku ceļotājs Kalnciema Str. 40, Riga, LV-1046, Latvia, T: +(371) 67617600, [email protected] www.countryholidays.lv / 2011

Mushroom Tour at Vidzeme region ...getting to know at least 100 different mushroom species

View to Castle Ungurmuiža Manor and park TRIP DETAILS

Package price per person: from EUR 695.00 Based on group of 8 persons

INCLUDES: • Accomodation based* on shared DBL room with breakfast • Bus transfers • Five dinners • Mushroom preparation class • Visit to shiitake grower • Guide/mycologist Looking at mushrooms with mycologist • Information pack

* depending of the group size 2 nights might need to share facilities

EXTRA COSTS: • Single supplement • Other meals • Possible fees

TOUR GUIDE: Diāna Meijere, mycologist

PERIOD OF TRAVEL: Mid August-First half of October the typical pine-tree forests with Cla- settlement from Bronze Age built on donias on white lichen. Chanterelles, lake. Here is a good example how mush- Suillus, Boletus, Leccinum and others. rooms can damage and destroy the man WALKING: Natural coniferous forest at Mežole - one made objects. We will see Gloeophyllum Easy short walks in woods from of the richest from biological diversity sepiarium, which growth on wooden 1 to 2 hours combined with bus point of view. Here one can find mush- constructions not only here but often drives. Waterproof boots, hats rooms which is indicators of natural for- also on fences, wooden roofs and wood- and mosquito repelent reco- est, like Wood-rotting fungus (Phellinus en parts of railway tracks. Lielie Kangari 6 mended. nigrolimitatus), (Junghuhnia collabens), is unusual geological object. Mush- needled covered Asterodon ferrugino- rooming along the slopes and edge of sus. Stop at Jaunannužēni – growers of the bog. Possible to find bolete (Suillus Chance to find (Hapalopilus croceus), Ce- ramic Parchment (Xylobolus frustulatus) oyster mushrooms. Accomodation in flavidus) and Suillus piperatus (can use as well as other mushrooms growing by Valmiera district. as a spice), Earthstars (Geastrum sp). oaks. Accomodation in Valmiera district. Accomodation in Rīga. Day 6 Day 5 Valmiera - Āraiši – Sigulda – Mālpils – Day 7 Valmiera - Valka - Mežole - Valmiera Suntaži - Lielie Kangari - Rīga Breakfast. Free time. Transfer to the air- Breakfast. Mushrooming near Valka at Breakfast. Āraiši reconstructed ancient port. www.countryholidays.lv