Page 361 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES 359

Mushroom- and
Berry-Picking
Picking berries in spring and
mushrooms during autumn
are popular activities in the
Baltic States. In fact, mush-
rooms are often a source of
income in rural areas.
Often, the best way to
arrange mushroom- and berry-
picking is to ask your hotel or
guesthouse to organize it. It is
advisable to take a local along
for guidance on both where
to look and which varieties of
mushroom are edible and tasty.
The Estonian Rural Tourism Canoeing in Soomaa National Park, Estonia
website has details of farms
which can offer mushroom- skiing in Latvia is Žagarkalns, Water Activities
and berry-picking. The Džukija located close to Cēsis, but there With hundreds of rivers and
and Aukštaitija national parks are numerous other options lakes, and an extensive coastline,
offer some of the best listed in the Country Holidays the Baltic States offer ample
opportunities. Visitors must website (see p295). Visitors opportunities for canoeing,
bear in mind that it is usually seeking adventure should try kayaking, windsurfing and
illegal to pick the cran berries the bobsleigh run in Sigulda rafting. The lack of any serious
which grow on peat bogs. oper ated by Taxi Bob. In rapids may deter keen white-
Berry-picking with Vaskna Lithuania, Ignalina is a favoured water enthusiasts, but it is perfect
Turismitalu near Võru also destina tion for skiers. The for leisurely river excursions.
teaches visitors how to make Lithuanian Winter Sports Canoeing is one of the best
traditional alcoholic Christmas Centre is one of several options ways to explore the wilder ness
drinks. The website of in the area, with four downhill of Soomaa National Park in
Countryside Tourism of pistes, cross-country skiing and Estonia, where visitors can also
Lithuania has useful infor- a ska ting rink. For ice-skating on try to build haabjas (longboats).
mation on mushroom- frozen lakes, including Trakai, A number of water activities are
and berry-picking. visitors may contact Kempingas provided by Vesipapp, Surf
Slėnyje. Camping Villa Paradise and Reimann Retked.
Ventainė regularly organizes Of the Baltic countries, Latvia
Winter Sports
snowmobiling and ice-fishing has the most developed water
With long winters usually on the Curonian Lagoon. tourism and the Gauja river is a
providing several months popular spot. Specialist
of snow coverage, it is not operator Campo offers
surprising that cross-country a range of river trips
skiing is popular. What may be and Pāvilosta Marina
more unexpected is the number arran ges catamaran
of downhill ski runs in a region sailing lessons. In
where the highest point is just Lithuania, the Aukštaitija
about 318 m (1,043 ft) above region, with almost
sea level. Although the Baltic 300 lakes linked by
States do not attract hardcore waterways, allows
skiers and snow boarders, there tour companies to
are adequate opportunities for create multi-day sailing
those who enjoy the sport. trips. Else where, the
In Estonia, some of the best Trakai National Sports
skiing, snowboarding, and Health Centre
snow mobiling, snowtubing and offers kayaking,
ski-jumping are found around canoeing, yachting and
Otepää (see p122), such as diving. Similarly, the
at Kuutsemäe Resort. Cross- Zarasai Water Sports
country skiing is also possible at Centre offers water-
the Soomaa National Park. skiing and windsurfing.
Details for winter activities are Klaipėda’s Oktopusas
listed on the Estonian Rural diving centre arranges
Tourism website (see p295). Enthusiasts enjoying skiing in Kuutsemäe, dives in lakes and
A premier spot for downhill Otepää, Estonia the Baltic Sea.