Sometimes I wonder why I travel so much ... I'm almost at the end of my tour of Latvia and a cool Friday morning, I go to Rundale near the Lithuanian border, to discover the "Latvian Versailles". The resemblance is uncanny, although the size is ridiculous compared to that of the famous palace of the Louis XIV. But the spell is the same, the architecture restored shines in the morning sun. The remains of aristocracy and Courlandian style of Pils Rundale Courlandian welcome me.

Still travelling on the Baltic coast and particularly in the north, I get interested in the Livs, a nation considered as one of the oldest in Europe.

Cape Kolka, both empty and full of meaning. An afternoon of bus is needed to join the northern-most point of Courland. Villages passe and the bus is getting empty, I'm finally the only one to get off in Kolka. The excitement grows, I'm coming soon Kolka, the highlight of my trip to Latvia.

Ventspils, up north in Courland and on the Baltic coast is the next step of my journey. The town considered as "the most beautiful city of Latvia" is dotted with wooden houses and wide streets with flowers.
I'm starting to get used to the rural atmosphere and after a few detours to see the colorful attics, I meet with Janis, from the cultural center, for a guided tour of the city.

After leaving Liepaja on the coast, I'm going to Kuldiga, a charming town in rural Courland. During a two-hour bus ride through the green fields my imagination has jumped from Britain to Ireland and then returned to the Alps in summertime and stops in Latvia.

I came to Liepaja with one objective: to attend the Baltic Beach Party, a famous pop rock and electro festival in Eastern Europe, on the beach. The atmosphere will change me from the decked streets of Riga I thought.
After three hours by bus, I arrive in a gray, gloomy and rainy city. Although it is the third city of the country, we cross it in 20 minutes.