A trip to the Sēlija region

A varied school trip to Skrīveri and Jēkabpils

This itinerary combines three distinct experiences. In Skrīveri, pupils can learn about ice cream making and take part in a hands-on workshop. At Krustpils Castle, they can learn about the history of the castle, Jēkabpils and the surrounding area, whilst Kartingu Halle offers an active and exciting team-building activity for the class.

The itinerary is ideal for teachers who wish to balance educational content with hands-on activities and entertainment in a single day’s excursion. The order of the attractions can be changed to suit the booked times, but if travelling from the Riga direction, it is convenient to start with Skrīveri and then continue on to Jēkabpils.

1st stop – ice cream making and tasting

Skrīveri Homemade Ice Cream

Skrīveri Homemade Ice Cream invites pupils to learn about the ice cream-making process and take part in a delicious hands-on workshop. During the masterclass, pupils learn how homemade ice cream is made from various ingredients, gain an insight into the production process and get to taste the finished product.

The session is suitable for pupils of various ages and combines an understanding of food production with hands-on activities. It can be linked to topics such as design and technology, natural sciences, entrepreneurship and healthy eating.

Why include it in a school trip? Pupils do not just listen to a talk, but also get hands-on experience of making ice cream. It is an exciting and team-building activity, well-suited to the start or end of a school trip.

Approximate duration of the visit: 1–1.5 hours.

Prices: 10 EUR per participant.

Group size: 15–30 participants. A minimum charge may apply for smaller groups.

Address: Skrīveri, Aizkraukle District.

Stop 2 – the castle’s history and hands-on workshops

Krustpils Castle

Krustpils Castle is one of the oldest castles in Latvia and houses the Jēkabpils History Museum. Under the guidance of a guide, pupils can learn about the castle’s history, its inhabitants, the development of Jēkabpils and everyday life in different eras. The exhibitions are complemented by interactive tasks, orienteering games and themed lessons.

Depending on the pupils’ age, you can choose between a tour of the castle, the orienteering game ‘In the Footsteps of the Lynx’, lessons on the history of Jēkabpils or one of the hands-on workshops. Pupils can make paper from recycled materials, print on fabric, or make candles or soap.

Why include this in your excursion? The castle’s offer can be tailored to pupils at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary school levels. The history lesson is complemented by physical activity, tasks and hands-on activities, so the visit is not just a traditional guided tour.

Approximate duration of the visit: around 1–1.5 hours for a tour of the castle; if combining the tour with a creative workshop, allow around 1.5–2.5 hours.

Prices: admission for pupils is approximately 4 EUR; guide services for a group of up to 30 people – approximately 20 EUR; creative workshops – approximately 2–3 EUR per participant.

Address: Rīgas iela 216b, Jēkabpils.

Krustpils Castle’s offers for schoolchildren are also available as part of the ‘Latvian School Bag’ programme .

Stop 3 – active team-building

Kartingu Halle in Jēkabpils

Kartingu Halle in Jēkabpils offers pupils the chance to try out go-karting rides on a professionally equipped indoor track. Before the rides, participants are briefed on safety rules, whilst on the track they can test their reaction times, coordination and ability to make quick decisions.

Children’s karts are designed for drivers between 120 and 150 centimetres tall, whilst adult karts can be used by participants taller than 150 centimetres. Whilst one group of pupils is driving, the others can spend time in the lounge and play the arcade games.

Why include this in your excursion? Karting provides an active and exciting part of the day following a historical or educational session. Rides can be organised in groups, creating a friendly competition and fostering team spirit within the class.

Approximate duration of the visit: 10 or 15 minutes for the ride itself, but for a school group visit, it is recommended to allow approximately 1–2 hours in total, depending on the number of participants and the number of karts available at any one time.

Pricesfor children’s karting: 10 minutes – 12 EUR; 15 minutes – 15 EUR.

Prices for adult karting: 10 minutes – 15 EUR; 15 minutes – 19 EUR.

Address: Ausekļa iela 3a, 2nd floor, Jēkabpils.

Important: children under the age of 16 are only permitted to ride in the presence of a parent or guardian. Therefore, before including Kartingu Halle in a school trip itinerary, it is necessary to check with the service provider how this requirement applies to an organised group of pupils and whether written consent from parents is sufficient.

Recommended itinerary for the day

Full-day itinerary

1. Skrīveri homemade ice cream – 1–1.5 hours;
2. RIDES from Skrīveri to Jēkabpils – approximately 1 hour;
3. Krustpils Castle – 1.5–2 hours;
4. lunch and rest break – 45–60 minutes;
5. Karting Halle in Jēkabpils – 1–2 hours.

In total, allow approximately 6–7.5 hours for the attractions, travel time and lunch break. Including the journey from school to Skrīveri and the return journey from Jēkabpils, the total duration of the excursion for most schools will be approximately 8–11 hours.

A shorter history and culinary route

1. Homemade ice cream in Skrīveri;
2. Krustpils Castle and a selected creative workshop.

This option is suitable for pupils in the lower years or for classes that do not wish to have too intensive a day’s programme. Visits to the attractions and travel time will take approximately 4–5.5 hours.

Jēkabpils history and active leisure route

1. Krustpils Castle;
2. lunch break in Jēkabpils;
3. Karting Halle in Jēkabpils.

Both attractions are located in Jēkabpils, approximately 2.7 kilometres apart. The local itinerary takes approximately 4–5 hours, not including the journey to and from Jēkabpils.

Transport and getting around

The most convenient way to travel this route is by chartered coach, as Skrīveri and Jēkabpils are about one hour of rides apart, and the attractions in Jēkabpils are not easily accessible on foot for a large group of pupils.

A coach allows you to adhere more precisely to booked visiting times, transport pupils safely and, if necessary, leave outerwear or belongings on the coach. Before the rides, it is advisable to agree with each attraction on the pick-up and drop-off points for the pupils, as well as where the bus can be parked.

When planning a full-day ride, the bus driver’s working and rest time requirements must also be taken into account. If the excursion, including rides, exceeds the usual length of a school day, the route and timings must be agreed with the transport service provider in good time.

View transport service providers for school trips

What should a teacher bear in mind?

• Book all attractions in advance. For each attraction, a specific arrival time for the group, programme and number of participants must be agreed.
• Check the pupils’ heights. The type of go-kart is chosen based on the driver’s height, so this information must be collected before the trip.
• Clarify the conditions for taking part in karting. In particular, check the requirements for children under 16 and the necessary parental consent.
• Choose a Krustpils Castle programme suitable for your class. Orientation games and hands-on workshops are more suitable for younger classes, whilst for older pupils you may opt for an in-depth history lesson.
• Plan a lunch break. For a full-day itinerary, it is advisable to allow at least 45–60 minutes for lunch and a rest.
• Allow for a time buffer. It is advisable to allow at least 15–20 minutes between bookings to account for possible delays.
• Check current prices. The content and prices of offers may change, so these should be confirmed at the time of booking.