Spāres Prieduļi

So first stop? Perhaps it’ll be at Pūsēnu Hill (five minutes’ drive), the biggest sand dune in Latvia and accessed by wooden steps, or the sculpture trail laid out in Bernāti Nature Park (also five minutes). Go hiking in the wetlands of Lake Pape (25 minutes), or introduce the kids to birdwatching (you may see marsh harriers and ospreys if you’re really lucky) at the Kalnišķu hide (20 minutes). Heading north up the coast, Liepāja (25 minutes) has much to offer, from fine examples of amber jewellery and Latvian black, red and cream national costume in Liepāja Craftsmen House to military history in the fascinating Naval Fortress and a soaring art nouveau pavilion hosting Pētertirgus (Peter’s Market). Turning south, you can hop across the border to the Lithuanian seaside resort of Šventoji (35 minutes) to admire the landmark ‘Fisherman’s Daughters’ sculpture on the beach, or carry on south to the famed resort of Palanga (45 minutes), which has more than its fair share of sandy Baltic beach, as well as exquisite displays in the Amber Museum, housed in the restored Tiškevičiai Palace.