3. How to Talk About Local Tourism

 

 

Vidzeme is a key region for domestic tourism, especially for a weekend getaway in Cēsis or Sigulda. Visitors often book accommodation in a guesthouse or small apartment in Cēsis Old Town to explore the area around the medieval Cēsis Castle, an important historical site built by the Livonian Order in the 13th century. In Sigulda, travellers visit Turaida Castle, part of Latvia’s rich cultural heritage. Many tourists enjoy traditional local food such as grey peas with bacon and rye bread from Vidzeme bakeries. Travelling within the region helps reduce travel time and encourages people to discover new places close to home.

 

 

Kurzeme offers a unique local destination experience. In Kuldīga, visitors see Ventas Rumba, the widest waterfall in Europe, and visit a craft market selling handmade ceramics and linen textiles. The town preserves wooden architecture that forms part of Latvia’s cultural heritage. In Liepāja, travellers may choose a campsite near the Baltic Sea or a bed-and-breakfast in the city centre. During summer, people attend the Summer Sound music festival, a well-known traditional event in the region. Tourists often meet local people and learn about fishing traditions and coastal local customs. Choosing to support local businesses in Kurzeme helps promote tourism in western Latvia.

 

 

Zemgale is known for its historical architecture and agricultural traditions. Many travellers recommend a place such as Rundāle Palace, a famous historical site built in the 18th century by architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. In Jelgava, visitors can explore the area around Jelgava Palace and attend regional harvest celebrations, which are important traditional events reflecting farming local customs. Tourists often taste local food such as honey products and traditional caraway cheese from Zemgale farms. Choosing domestic tourism in this region encourages visitors to protect nature by supporting sustainable rural tourism.

 

 

Latgale has a strong regional identity and religious traditions. A visit to Aglona Basilica, a major Catholic pilgrimage centre, is an important cultural heritage experience and a significant historical site in Latvia. Many travellers choose a staycation in Latgale and book accommodation in rural farm guesthouses near lakes such as Lake Rāzna. Visitors often meet local people during the Assumption Day pilgrimage in August, one of the most important traditional events in the region. Travellers taste local food such as Latgalian clay-oven bread and potato dumplings known as "buļbešņiki". By travelling locally, tourists help support local businesses and strengthen domestic tourism in eastern Latvia.

 

apartment — [əˈpɑːtmənt] — a set of rooms for living usually in a larger building; dzīvoklis

architecture — [ˈɑː.kɪ.tek.tʃər] — the art and practice of designing and making buildings; arhitektūra, celtniecība
bed-and-breakfast (abbreviation B and B); (B & B)— [ˌbed ən ˈbrek.fəst] — a small place to stay that provides a room and morning meal; viesu nams ar brokastīm
book accommodation — [bʊk əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃən] — to reserve a place to stay iepriekš; rezervēt naktsmītni
campsite — [ˈkæmpsaɪt] — an area where people can stay in tents or caravans; kempings

ceramics — [səˈræm.ɪks] — the art of making objects by shaping pieces of clay and then baking them until they are hard; keramika, keramikas izstrādājumi

craft market — [krɑːft ˈmɑːkɪt] — a market where handmade products are sold; amatnieku tirgus
cultural heritage — [ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈherɪtɪdʒ] — traditions buildings and objects that represent a country’s history; kultūras mantojums
discover new places — [dɪˈskʌvə njuː ˈpleɪsɪz] — to find and explore locations for the first time; atklāt jaunas vietas
domestic tourism — [dəˈmestɪk ˈtʊərɪzəm] — tourism within one’s own country; vietējais tūrisms
explore the area — [ɪkˈsplɔː ði ˈeəriə] — to travel around and learn more about a place; izpētīt apkārtni
guesthouse — [ˈɡesthaʊs] — a small house offering accommodation for visitors; viesu nams

handmade — [ˌhændˈmeɪd] — made using the hands rather than a machine; rokām darināts

historical site — [hɪˈstɒrɪkəl saɪt] — a place important because of historical events; vēsturiska vieta
local customs — [ˈləʊkəl ˈkʌstəmz] — traditional behaviour and practices of a community; vietējās paražas
local destination — [ˈləʊkəl ˌdestɪˈneɪʃən] — a place within your own country that people travel to; vietējais galamērķis
local food — [ˈləʊkəl fuːd dishes] — and products typical of a specific area; vietējais ēdiens
promote tourism — [prəˈməʊt ˈtʊərɪzəm] — to encourage people to visit a place; veicināt tūrismu
protect nature — [prəˈtekt ˈneɪtʃə] — to take care of the natural environment; aizsargāt dabu
recommend a place — [ˌrekəˈmend ə pleɪs] — to suggest a location to others; ieteikt vietu
reduce travel time — [rɪˈdjuːs ˈtrævəl taɪm] — to make the duration of a journey shorter; samazināt ceļošanas laiku
staycation — [steɪˈkeɪʃən] — a holiday spent in your own country or near your home; atvaļinājums, brīvdienas savā valstī
support local businesses — [səˈpɔːt ˈləʊkəl ˈbɪznɪsɪz] — to help companies in your area by buying their products or services; atbalstīt vietējos uzņēmumus

textile — [ˈtek.staɪl] — a cloth made by hand or machine; audumi, tekstilpreces, tekstilmateriāls

traditional event — [trəˈdɪʃənəl ɪˈvent] — a celebration or activity connected to long established customs; uz tradīcijām balstīts pasākums, notikums
weekend getaway — [ˌwiːkend ˈɡetəweɪ] — a short holiday taken at the end of the week; nedēļas nogales izbrauciens

 

Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Think how you would answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise how to express your opinion — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you.