Virgabali

I built my visit to Latvia around three things: spending time with my children, visiting Boulangerie in Liepāja, and staying a night here — next to my birth town — in beautifully renovated classical houses that have something I miss so much in France: a traditional sauna.

The sauna was ready the moment we arrived. Two and a half hours disappeared like never before as we heated our bodies, sweating everything out, then washed it all away with cold plunges into the pond. We pērāmies with oak branches, inhaling the wet eucalyptus-scented air, and left the sauna feeling light, fresh, and deeply relaxed.

This place, close to Cēsis, holds a very special place in my heart — whether in summer or winter. It’s not only beautifully crafted and respectful of tradition, but it also belongs to people I’ve known since I was in my mother’s womb. Its closeness to Cēsis (where I was born) makes it even more special, as I still consider it the most beautiful place in Latvia. It’s near and dear because of our endless family memories here — of laughter, joy, sauna sessions, swimming, and even boiling onion soup in the snow.

This time, it was far too short. Just one night. Next time, I’m staying longer. Definitely.

Virgabali guest house
Araisi, Latvia
Instagram: @virgabali_guesthouse