The Best of in 6 days 21-27 May 2016

We offer you: Organized by: The Baltic Rotary Club of

 A comprehensive - Celebrating 7 years... tour of Latvia  Guided visits to Dear Rotarians, selected places of Towards the end of May interest and sight- 2016, from the 21st to 27th, seeing (English The Baltic Rotary Club of speaker guides) Riga will host Rotarians  Reserved luxury and their guests to an buses exciting and thrilling tour  Lunch and dinners of the best in Latvia, as part included of its 7th Anniversary celebrations. We will guide Best Kept Secret”! and join us in celebrating  Club 6th Anniver- you through the one of best (www.huffingtonpost.com/2 sary Gala evening country to travel in 2016 - our 7th Anniversary in www.lonelyplanet.com/ 014/03/24/lativa- style, friendship and best-in-travel - and its travel_n_4981083.html). comfort. capital: Riga, UNESCO An almost untouched natu- World Heritage Site, ral ecosystem and unforget- Proceeds from the event chosen as the prettiest table historical destinations European city by USA will be donated towards Costs: TODAY. Discover Latvia are waiting you. Come and the many charitable  EUR 690/ person with us and it won't be witness this beauties during projects, of The Baltic  EUR 1280/ Cou- anymore for you "Europe the summer of 2016. Rotary Club of Riga, for ple orphans and pensioners. (accommodation excluded) Reservations

In the following pages please limited to 50 persons only find the sightseeing and at- Book early to avoid disap- tractions that will be seen pointment during the Tour, plus the Minimum number of persons events , subject to discretion- for the event to be conducted al changes. is 25. Maximum number of entries

For further details and Tour reservation please contact Alberto De Luca or James Samuel on [email protected] . Riga Baltic Rotary Club 7th Anniversary: The best of Latvia in 6 days

Riga and Jurmala

Old Riga (in Latvian Vecrīga) House of the Blackheads recall is the historical and geograph- the Hanseatic times. These ical center of Riga on the right were built by the Guilds of bank of the . Old Riga craftsmen and artists buildings comprises a fairly small interior in a growing city. Old Riga is a fortification system area (built masterpiece of architecture during XIII-XVIII centuries), which has retained the atmos- where unique middle-aged phere of old times . architectural monuments are concentrated. During medieval times, Riga was a mighty har- bor and was a member city of the which joined the traders of the Baltic Region and North . The Large and the Small Guild, as well as the reconstructed Jurmala is the city by the Gulf are significant and unique cultural of Riga stretching along 33 km heritage. The architectural fea- of coastline with modern relax- tures of Classicism, Art Nou- ation and resort facilities. The veau, National , and look of Jurmala in the 19th Functionalism harmoniously co- century and the beginning of exist here. 414 buildings have the 20th century is its wooden been included in the List of Ar- houses with fascinating wood chitectural Monuments. The town engraving decors in building of Jurmala is also proud of its facades and rooftop structures. unique natural resources – thera- Romantic streets and wooden peutic thermal waters, peat mud, cottages surrounded by pine pine forests, healthy maritime trees also nowadays create the climate, dunes and beaches cov- vision of the olden days. The ering 32.8 kilometres. wooden buildings of Jurmala Zemgale

Zemgale is a historical region takes its name from the Baltic located in the central part of people known as . Latvia, to the South from Riga. The Bauska is sur- The Zemgale region is located rounded by a picturesque scen- along the border of Lithuania ery on the land strip between and is also bordered by the the rivers Musa and Memele. Latgale, , Kurzeme The castle represents an exam- and Riga planning regions. The ple of military architecture in region has the status of one of the period from 15th to 17th the four historical and cultural century . regions of Latvia, the region

Page 2 Riga Baltic Rotary Club 7th Anniversary: The best of Latvia in 6 days

The Rundale ensem- Ernst Johann Biron. famous for its old and especial- ble, one of the most outstanding ly tall pine trees. The trees for monuments of and The Mezotne Palace is one years have been used to make Rococo architecture in Latvia, of the brightest examples of ornate wooden sculptures, some was built between 1736 and classicism architecture in Lat- of which have been placed in 1740 as a summer residence for via, The present building of the park to reflect the fairy tale Mezotne Palace characters of the famous Latvi- was constructed an writer Anna Brigadere's from 1797 to work. 1802 according to the design of Palace is the largest Italian architect Baroque style palace in Giaccomo the Baltic states. It was built in Quarenghi. the 18th century based on the design of Bartolomeo Rastrel- Tervete Na- li as a residence for the Dukes ture Park is of .

Vidzeme

In the region Vidzeme you can teur of tall tales. He joined of the most visited ones in Lat- enjoy the picturesque beauty of the Russian military and took via. In the room of Munchaus- rivers and lakes, rejoice in the part in two campaigns against en's wife Jacobine you'll find a landscapes of forests, meadows, the Ottoman Turks. Upon re- real corner of 18th century hills and valleys. The oldest turning home, Münchhausen is ladies paradise. In baron Mun- towns of Vidzeme keep the most said to have told a number of chausen's turn you'll find a significant cultural and architec- outrageously farfetched stories dozen of fresh game birds hunt- tural heritage, each with its about his adventures. ed down with a single shot. own charm, history and culture. Münchhausen's reputation as Munchausen's trail on the mu- a storyteller has been exagger- seum’s territory is 5.3 km long The Munchausen's museum ated by writers, giving birth to and reaches the sea. It is the is located at the picturesque a fully fictionalized literary longest footbridge made of seaside of Vidzeme in Dunte. character usually called simp- aspen planks in Europe. Hieronymus Carl Friedrich von ly Baron Munchausen. The Münchhausen was a German Munchausen's museum is one nobleman and a famous racon-

Turaida Museum Reserve Visitors of Museum includes and the Reserve can familiarise them- surrounding area, and is the selves with the more striking largest protected cultural monu- elements of medieval castle- ment in the country. The name building while taking a walk Turaida means “God’s garden” along the castle ramparts. The in the language of the ancient museum contains Dainas Hill a inhabitants, the . Tu- garden of sculptures dedicated raida castle rises above the to Latvian folklore. green foliage like an imposing ship built out of red brick.

Page 3 Riga Baltic Rotary Club 6th Anniversary: The best of Latvia in 6 days

Kurzeme

Kurzeme is situated in the west scapes. of Latvia. From the western is a meeting place side Kurzeme is washed by the created by nature. Seas and peo- , from the northeast - ple meet here. Man with nature, by the . Kurzeme sunrise with sunset. Near the has always been associated with cape is a lighthouse and the the sea, sand dunes, prosperous village of Kolka. There is a line towns, thick forests, mysterious of picturesque marshes and picturesque land- old Livonian settlements along the Baltic Sea shore, includ- ing , , The Livonians are the near- was closely ,Košrags and Sīkrags. ly extinct indigenous inhabitant related to Estonian and Finnish. is one of twelve Livoni- s of , a large part of The last native speaker of Livo- an villages on the Livonian north-western Latvia and south- nian, died in 2013. Coast. It is the cultural capital western_Estonia. of the Livonians.

Jaunpils Castle is one of the few medieval which has retained its original appearance. Jaunpils Castle was built in 1301 as a fortress of the Livoni- an Order. The castle was built by Gottfried von Roga, Master of the Livonian Order. The scenic surroundings and the social folklore serve as the backdrop for tourist attractions. A romantic atmosphere prevails here because everything is tak- ing place in a seven century old castle. Re-enacted theatrical tours of the castle are offered. Latgale

Latgale Region borders with Diverse relief, woods and fields scapes and special beauty Russian Federation in the east, replaced by lakes and hills in- Castle is a complex Republic of Belarus in south- terlaced with serpentine high- in Koknese, dating from the east, and Republic of Lithuania roads account for the typically 13th century. The castle was in the south. mosaic Latgale landscape. There are three areas of protect- situated on a high bluff over- ed landscapes in the region – looking the Daugava river val- that of Augszeme and along the ley. In 1965 a hydroelectric bends of the Rivers Augsdauga- dam was built downriver, creat- va and Daugava, which are ing a reservoir that partially famous for their outstanding submerged the castle and flood- picturesque and diverse land- ed the surrounding valley

Page 4 Riga Baltic Rotary Club 7th Anniversary: The best of Latvia in 6 days

Preiļi is one of the oldest set- bles had become an integral tlements in Latvia. It was first part of the 19th century land- mentioned in written sources in scape and architecture in the 1250. Country estate ensem- Periļi district.

Aglona Basilica was built in the late baroque style and it is decorated with two 60 metre high towers. Every year on the 15th of August, pilgrims con- gregate in Aglona to mark the day of the Assumption of the place in Eastern Europe where Virgin Mary into Heaven. This Daugavpils Mark Rothko the original masterpieces of the is one of the best known sacred Art Centre is a multifunction- famous painter and the founder sites in the world; groins vaults, al complex of contemporary art, of the abstract arches and columns richly dec- culture and education situated Mark Rothko can be seen. orated in rococo style can be in the Arsenalbuilding at Dau- found inside gavpils Fortress. It is the only VII Anniversary Riga Baltic Rotary Club Gala

The Tour will be concluded with a grand event: the Gala Evening for the 7th Year Anni- versary of the Club.

Take the opportunity to cele- brate with our friends and us in a joyous dinner with orchestral live music, dances, games and various other entertainments.

Venue and details will be fi- nalized once we will have the definitive number of partici- pants.

Dress Code: For GENTLE- MEN - Formal, dark suit. For LADIES – evening gown, ball gown, cocktail dress.

We obtained special rates for your accommodation with Albert Ho- tel (http://www.alberthotel.lv), a comfortable 4 stars hotel, conven- iently located in the heart of the enchanting Art Nouveau district within the very center of the city. Different rooms typology are available (see reservation form ); trips will start and end at Albert Hotel premises. Please send your reservation form filled in directly to the hotel via email, fax or mail at the addresses therein specified. Thank you. Riga Baltic Rotary Club Page 5

To The Baltic Rotary Club of Riga. (hereafter Organizer).

Application for the participation in “The Best of Latvia in 6 days’’ Tour

Please hereby find my request to participate to the Tour and connected events taking place from 21st to 27h of May 2016 in Riga:

Name:______Surname:______Birthplace:______Date of birth:______Belonging to club______District:______Phone nr______e-mail:______Residence address______Country______Accompanied by:

Name:______Surname:______Birthplace______Date of birth______

Name:______Surname:______Birthplace______Date of birth______

Name:______Surname:______Birthplace______Date of birth______

The participation fees in the tour amount to 690€ per person or 1280€ per couple. (hereafter The Fee) The Fee includes a comprehensive tour of Latvia with English spoken guides during the whole Tour, exclusive use of luxury touring bus, lunch and dinners, participation to the Gala Dinner for the 5th year Anniversary of the Club, tickets and entrance fees to museums and the other selected attractions as described in “The Best of Latvia in 6 days” brochure I received from the Organizer

I understood that: the Fee does not include transports costs from my city to Riga and return nor accommodation costs; the programme may be subject to changes due to organizational reasons, atmospheric conditions and other force majeure events and that the event will take place only if the Organizer will receive a minimum of 25 applications within the date of 21st of March 2016. My payment shall be performed within 31st of March 2016 via bank transfer, after confirmation by Organizer that the minimum number of participants is reached, to the following account:

RIGAS BALTIJAS ROTARI KLUBS, BIEDRIBA, (Baltic Rotary Club of Riga) REG. NR. 40008134665, IBAN LV58UNLA0050013381733 SWIFT: UNLALV2X A/S SEB BANKA Date: ______Signature of the applicant

______Reservation request

33rd Dzirnavu street, Riga, LV‐1010 Ph. +371 67331717, Fax. +371 67331718 e‐mail: [email protected] www.alberthotel.lv

Accommodation request ______ALBERT HOTEL______

Reservation details: Block CODE: __Rotary Club _____ Ordered by: _____Rotary Club______Contact person: ______Una Plumane/Ieva Relina______

Guest Name ______/please use capital letters/

Arrival date 20.05.2016 Departure date 28.05.2016

Room: Standard Single ______Standard Double/Twin______Superior Single*______Superior Double/Twin*______Executive*______

Rates: 74 EUR per standard Single room / 79 EUR per standard Double room / 89 EUR per Superior Single room / 94 EUR per Superior Double/Twin room / 109 EUR per Executive room

- Rates include buffet breakfast, WIFI and 12% VAT.

*Number of superior and executive rooms is limited

Please, note that hotel rooms are only guaranteed if the booking is made until 15.04.2016., afterwards – subject to availability

Payment: Credit Card______/cc number/ /exp. date/

Albert Hotel accepts a cancellation of reservation 24 hours prior to arrival free of charge. In case of no arrival or later cancellation, the hotel reserves the right to charge 100% of the first night’s accommodation as a No‐ Show fee.

Guest Signature ______

Date______

Notes:______