Canoe Camping

The five-kilometre Līgatne Nature Trails (10 minutes’ drive) are a highlight of the area – these paths beside the Gauja river, running through woodland crisscrossed by ravines, are set up for wildlife watching. Look out for all sorts of creatures native to Latvia while on your wander round here; roe deer, wild boar, bears and elks are some of the animals you might see. Scurry underground afterwards at the Soviet Secret Bunker (10 minutes), a former shelter reserved for the elite during Communist-era Latvia. Thanks to the well-preserved USSR artefacts on display, from extensive maps to communications equipment, tours of this complex are fascinating. If descending nine metres underground sounds a touch too much of a scary experience for the smallest members of your group, take them off to Vienkoči Park (10 minutes) instead and have a wander among the wooden structures. Kids keen for a go at carving can do so in the carpentry workshop in the middle of the complex.