Project No. C034
On 12 February 2026, the off-season tourism product “Steps into Silence” was tested at Trīsuļi homestead as part of the “Light in the Dark” project. The testing took place in true winter conditions, with deep snow and cold temperatures, which strongly highlighted the essence of the experience – calmness, silence and mindful presence in nature.
This product is one of those selected through the competition “Light in the Dark: New Off-Season Tourism Products in Kurzeme”, organised by the Kurzeme Planning Region in cooperation with the Kurzeme Tourism Association. The aim of the competition is to support the development of high-quality and creative tourism offers that extend the tourism season and attract visitors during quieter periods of the year.
“Steps into Silence” offers a guided, slow-paced walk in nature, focusing on silence, awareness and the ability to pause. The experience concludes with a tea ritual by the campfire and shared reflection, creating a simple yet meaningful sense of togetherness.
The pilot results confirm the strong potential of the product. Participants particularly appreciated the peaceful character of the experience, the opportunity to disconnect from everyday routines and the high-quality guidance, which was highlighted as one of the key strengths. The product was also rated highly as suitable for off-season travel, with participants noting that autumn, winter and spring best support the intended atmosphere. The evaluation further shows that this is a distinctive and well-defined offer for audiences seeking calm, mindfulness and a deeper connection with nature, especially urban visitors and international guests.
Overall, “Steps into Silence” demonstrates how unique, nature-based off-season tourism products can be successfully developed in Kurzeme. It highlights that the off-season is not a limitation, but an opportunity to offer visitors deeper and more personal experiences.
Project “Light in the Dark”
The testing of off-season tourism products was organised within the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme project “Light in the Dark” (No. C034). Light in the Dark is an Interreg Baltic Sea Region project aimed at developing innovative experiences to extend and create new seasons beyond the traditional summer season. The Challenge Inventory survey is conducted in all participating countries: Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It is aimed at SME’s in the Northern Baltic Sea region and explores the interest of small and medium-sized businesses in expanding their operations beyond the traditional summer season as well as the challenges they face regarding seasonal variations in tourist flows.
More about the project: https://www.kurzemesregions.lv/en/projects/tourism/light-in-the-dark/
Project manager:
Anna Elizabete Upsava
+371 26369876
anna.upsava@kurzemesregions.lv
