Mazirbe, Dundaga Municipality, Latvia
Mazirbe has a very rich past and has an important role as the main centre of Livonian culture. Our households are right next to the Livionian Community Centre where you will be able to learn further and see the impressive building, which served as a key point of many historical events.
Mazirbe village center is not completely rural due to the villages' history - in fact, it is one of the most developed on this side of the coast. Surrounding the village are forests, fields and the Baltic Sea beach which are all part of the Slītere National Park and are wild locations. Even in the densest tourist season, you need to really try to find more than 100 people on the beach. If you don’t mind extra couple minutes’ walk, you can find a spot where you won’t have any neighbours for 100m-1km. :)
The village is in a perfect location to explore Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, Miķeļbāka, Ovīšu lighthouse, Slīteres lighthouse, Slīteres National Park and the surrounding villages which each are all significant to Livionian history. Košrags (& you can also include Pitrags) in Kolka direction and Sīkrags in Ventspils direction, are easily doable one-day walks.
MAY:
Flowers in bloom & they bloom later than in the city. Come to us if you wish to extend the beautiful spring for a couple weeks more. The weather is usually clear and crisp. It is slightly colder than inland. The village and nature are only occupied by locals, so it’s great to see how everyone is getting their spring chores done and to enjoy complete seclusion & tranquillity.
JUNE:
Flowers in bloom continue, the weather during the day is warm, often even full 20+C degrees, colder at night. This is the month when the days get very long; around the 21/22 of June, summer solstice can be observed – longest day and shortest night. It truly doesn’t get dark even when the sun is set.
In honour of this, the 23 & 24th of June is Latvian Summer celebration “Jāņi”or “Līgo”, where everyone in the country has a national holiday and goes full-out on festivities. Most people leave for the countryside, to light bonfires, cook food and enjoy beer. This is a very busy time and if you wish to book for these dates, please do so well in advance. Please be ready that there will be music and laughter until early hours during this time!
We suggest to stay up all night during the solstice and to observe how both sunset and sunrise can be seen setting & rising in the Baltic Sea! That is a very rare sight.
If you are lucky, you can find wild strawberries (very small & very cute) in the surrounding forests.
Be ready for mosquitoes!
JULY:
One of the warmest months in the summer. The Baltic Sea starts being warmer and, depending on the wind, the water can be very nice. However, please note that Baltic Sea is a Nordic Sea, so the water temperature will never be tropical! The weather is just divine, the sun is endless and the water is scarce. Events and festivals happening along the coast and there are many opportunities to visit crafts-markets, taste local food and learn about history.
A very bountiful time from local farmers and food producers.
This is the month when proper, wild blueberries get ready in the forest and you are more than welcome to collect and consume them (please check berry guides before doing so!). If you are lucky, you can also find wild strawberries (very small & very cute) in the surrounding forests.
Be ready for mosquitoes!
AUGUST:
1st of August 2020 (or every year on the first August Saturday) is Livionian Cultural Celebration (Lībiešu Svētki) where many prominent people from international politics give speeches, local groups and singers put on concerts and plays. Also, a crafts market is present, where food can be bought too. Get ready that this date will be very busy in the village (cars everywhere) and the night to the 2nd of August will be occupied with music, dancing and festivities.
On the same weekend, Ventspils City Celebration takes place as well.
August in general is a month of events and festivals across the entire country, so check-out what you are interested in.
August is the most bountiful time for vegetables and produce from the locals. Also the forests start producing mushrooms (such as chanterelles) after rain. At the end of August, lingonberries start growing in the forest as well.
August is very warm, hot during the day, all of the month. From, 20th date onward (depending on season), the nights start to get slightly colder. The Baltic Sea is very warm and depending on the wind direction, you can enjoy a lovely water temp. After the 20th, swimming will start to get more suitable for those that don’t mind colder temperatures.
The fireplace starts to become useful and cosy.
SEPTEMBER:
The Baltic Sea is at its warmest temperature at the first half of the month. The weather is usually very tame, last days of summer, warm during the day, colder in the evenings. This is a proper mushrooming season and lingonberries are available everywhere!
This is the perfect time if you prefer to go to a holiday after the summer rush, want to enjoy peace, have bountiful food and produce, as well as a warm sea.
Definite fireplace enjoyment month!
OCTOBER:
We close the 2nd floor of The Summerhouse as it becomes impossible to keep it warm. We heat the entire first floor and guests can stay in an autumn wonderland, with Sauna. Additionally, the leaves of the surrounding nature have an amazing golden-red colour, mixed with the green pine forest. Beautiful and reflective time to visit.
NOV-APRIL:
We are closed. However, Mazirbe remains a beautiful winter location to visit! Especially when there is snow.
