Page 358 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

356 TRA VELLERS ' NEEDS

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND

SPECIALIST HOLIDAYS

Bereft of dramatic peaks and raging rivers, the discover the region on horseback are endless,
Baltic States neverthe less abound with subtle with excursions for both novices and experi-
charms and this has helped develop rural enced riders. Winter changes the landscape,
tour ism in the three countries. Exploring the and skiing, ice-skating, snowboarding and
lakes and rivers allows the scenery to unfold at snowmobiling take over. For visi tors who
a leisurely pace, while back on land, the forests simply want to relax, the region has a series
are perfect for ramb ling. Fishing, berry- and of stylish spa resorts which draw on decades of
mushroom-picking and bird-watching are tradition. Brewery tours tempt those impressed
among the most popular activities and can by local beer. However, the infrastructure varies
easily be arranged by reputable tour operators. from region to region and it is best to contact a
The opportunities for those who wish to reputable tour operator.

Information
Tourism, Latvia‘s Country
In the Baltic States, most tourist Holidays (Lauku ceļotājs) and
information centres have lists of the Lithuanian Countryside
both state-run and private tour Tourism Association.
operators, who organize a
variety of outdoor activities
depending on the time of year. Bird-Watching
Most companies have their own Located on major migration
dedicated websites (see p361). routes, with a high proportion
of fish-rich wetlands and little
intensive farming, the Baltic
Rural Tourism
States are an ideal destination
The development of rural for bird-watchers. Ducks, geese,
tourism as an organized activity swans, corncrakes, bitterns,
began in the mid-1990s with common coots and white storks
support from the Ministry of are easily spotted. Bird-watching tower near Lake
Agriculture, along with other It has been estimated that Lubans, Latvia
organizations. It has now around 50 million waterfowl,
become one of the biggest including most of the world’s best in October at Põõsaspea
tourist attractions in the Baltic tundra swans and barnacle Cape, close to Haapsalu. Several
region, and it is often advisable geese, visit Estonia’s coastal tour operators, including
to arrange for accommodation wetlands every spring. The peak Estonian Nature Tours, arrange
well in advance. Bookings can time for bird-watching is the bird-watching trips. For further
be made through the various beginning of May at sites such as information contact Estonian
rural tourism associations (see Matsalu National Park (see p93). Ornithological Society.
p295), such as Estonian Rural The autumn migra tion is at its Good bird-watching spots in
Latvia include Gauja National
Park (see pp190–93) and Lake
Lubans (see p202). The Engure
Ornithological Centre, situated
in Lake Engure (see p176), has
been monitoring and
protecting duck populations
since 1958. The Latvian Birding
website keeps up-to-date lists
of sightings in the country.
Over 330 species of birds can
be spotted in Lithuania, including
great snipes, white-tailed eagles,
ferruginous ducks, corncrakes
and aquatic warblers, among
which are endangered species
that breed in the country. The
Latvia’s Ķemeri National Park, home to a large number of birds main migration route follows the