STORY

This is a family story filled with soul, respect for our roots, and a deep love for this place. It is a place where family heritage becomes a true value in today’s fast-paced world.

As Imants Ziedonis wrote in his book “The Rural Homestead is Wise” (Lauku sēta ir gudra) after traveling across rural homesteads and visiting ours as well:

“Rural homesteads in Latvia are uniquely beautiful compared to the rest of the world. So richly embedded in nature. With such beautiful proportions between the yard and buildings, between buildings and nature… The rural homestead is beautiful. And everything must be done—alongside harvest, profit, and wealth—to ensure the rural homestead is and remains even more beautiful.”

In the spring of 1994, my parents—Juris Indāns (a historian, ethnographer, and long-time director of the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum) and artist, ceramicist Envija Indāne—purchased the rural property “Lūķi” in Labrags, Jūrkalne. It was a farmhouse built in 1926 with a granary barn, located on the land of the ancient Labrags Manor. They did so with a purposeful look to the future and a love for the Kurzeme region—a desire to create a place situated halfway between their hometowns: Juris’s childhood town of Aizpute and Envija’s native Ventspils. Moreover, the main element was here—the proximity to water. The place is located between two rivers—Ēnava and Rīva—and right here, just 2 kilometers away, the endless Baltic Sea rustles.

The “Lūķi” homestead unites Juris’s love for Latvian cultural history and ethnography: at its core, the ancient single-farmstead model is preserved, while the new buildings carefully incorporate old materials from near and far. The homestead also reflects the aesthetic, slightly minimalist, yet cozy and warm atmosphere created by Envija. She honed this ability to tastefully arrange environments over many years of working in the Ventspils and Riga Open-Air Museums, where she curated exhibitions.

Considering the financial possibilities of that time, the homestead was restored gradually, but always carefully preserving its historical heritage and story. Step by step, the windows of the Main House were restored, and the first vestibule and Garden Veranda were built. The granary barn got a new roof, and trees were planted to shape the landscape of the homestead. Over time, a new country sauna was built near the site of the old one, and later the Oak (Ozols) and Garden (Dārzs) cottages were created.

I, Elīna, vividly remember the day and the feeling when my parents brought me to our country house for the first time. At that time, I confidently announced: “I have been here before.” This feeling hasn’t left me to this day—time stands still here. Here is peace and an embracing silence; a place where the Soul feels alive and beautiful. I also remember almost every weekend—Friday evenings or early Saturday mornings—squeezed into the back of the car among countless materials and furniture we were transporting from Riga to “Lūķi”. That was our life – building and creating in ‘Lūķi’.

In 1998, my mother started hosting guests, and we became one of the first in the Jūrkalne area to engage in rural tourism. Initially, two rooms were furnished in the Main House with a heartfelt invitation: “Everything is as it used to be, but you can feel right at home.” For over 20 years, my mother’s main occupation during the summers was hosting guests. Meanwhile, autumn and winter were the time for rest and homestead improvement works. My summers, too, from early childhood until university, were spent working at “Lūķi”—helping with chores and cleaning the rooms.

In 2010, we realized our first European fund project and carried out the renovation of the Main House. In 2021, my husband Kristaps Beitiks, our son Karls, and I moved from Riga to Kurzeme. We became the second generation to run “Lūķi”, so that in the summers we can joyfully welcome you, traveler, inviting you to be in a place where you can “restore your inner resources”.

Elīna, hostess of the rural homestead “Lūķi” since 2021

VISION

Welcome to the Rural Homestead “Lūķi”—a place where time stands still
In the daily rush, we often forget what silence sounds like and how true holidays smell. “Lūķi” is not just a resting place on the Kurzeme seacoast; it is our family’s cherished labor of love, now in its second generation. Here, where the breath of history meets the power of nature and tasteful countryside aesthetics, we have created a space for you to safely step out of the daily rush and restore your inner resources.

All our operations are based on genuine care and hospitality. Our vision is clear: to create a place where people’s care for themselves meets peace, well-being, and the presence of nature.

We believe that pausing in an unhurried and harmonious environment helps to regain one’s natural rhythm of life. It gives the opportunity to live more fully, more vibrantly, more deeply, and more meaningfully. That is why we create and protect such an environment—so you always have a place to return to yourself.

VALUES

What we believe in and what we pour into every detail of the “Lūķi” homestead forms the foundation of your rest. Our values are not just beautiful words on a website—they are our family’s way of life and a sincere promise to every guest who crosses our threshold..

PEACE

Peace is our natural source of strength. In this hurried age, it is vitally necessary for the human nervous system and mind. A rested nervous system grants inner balance, stability, and clarity, allowing you to build a deeper connection with yourself and your loved ones. Our greatest wish is to share this special space so you can safely pause here and replenish your inner source of strength.

WELL-BEING

Well-being to us means genuine, selfless care for a person—their body, mind, and soul. It is attention to detail: from comfortable sleep and a tidy environment to unhurried floral sauna rituals. We create a caring and accepting space where you can fully relax, let go of daily control, and simply be.

NATURE

Nature is our truest healer and teacher. “Lūķi” exists in harmonious connection with the majesty of Kurzeme—between forests, two rivers, and the endless sea. We believe that time spent in the presence of nature restores human’s natural rhythm, relieves accumulated tension, and returns us to core values. Here you can breathe in the same rhythm as the earth.

HERITAGE AND AESTHETICS

With deep respect, we guard the cultural and historical heritage of the Latvian rural homestead, combining it with a refined, thoughtful, and harmonious environment. “Lūķi” is not just buildings; it is a story cherished for generations, where an ancient breath meets modern rural elegance. This respect for our roots and for beauty is what gives our homestead its unique, living soul.

CHARACTER

The character of the countryside homestead “Lūķi” is calm, natural, and truly authentic. We are a family-run business rooted in heartfelt presence and a deep respect for people and the rhythm of nature.

In our partnerships and in the care we provide to our guests, we are best described by the following values:

Responsible Entrepreneurship we are open to new ideas and a reliable partner in collaboration. We work sustainably, thoughtfully, and with a strong sense of responsibility toward every task and event entrusted to us.

Unhurried Tranquility We create a space where time slows down. It is an environment free from unnecessary stress, where natural simplicity and emotional ease prevail—allowing both teams and individuals to truly step away from the pace of everyday life.

Heartfelt Care Our hospitality is not a learned function—it is our essence. We are present, kind, and genuinely devoted to ensuring that every guest feels emotionally welcomed and cared for.

Respectful Openness We deeply value authentic, honest, and human relationships—within our family and with the businesses and people we collaborate with.