Senior Travel Writer & Coastal Heritage Specialist
Documenting accessible harbour and lighthouse routes for retirees across the Baltic coast
I've spent 16 years exploring Latvia's coastline with a single focus: making sure older travellers don't get left behind. What started as research into my family's maritime history in Ventspils became a mission to document every accessible route, rest stop, and hidden gem along the Baltic shore. I'm not interested in generic travel guides—I test every route personally, note the exact locations of benches and cafes, and talk to local residents who actually know these places.
My background in Tourism Management from Latvijas Universitāte gave me the framework, but four years working at Ventspils Lighthouse Museum gave me the real knowledge. That's where I learned the stories behind the navigation systems, understood how the harbour evolved, and recognised a massive gap: there weren't proper resources for retirees who wanted to explore thoughtfully and safely. So I started writing them.
Now at ecolebenito SIA, I lead content development for coastal tourism initiatives. But the work remains the same—creating guides that respect your pace, acknowledge accessibility needs, and celebrate the genuine character of these seaside communities. Because good travel writing isn't about selling experiences. It's about giving people the information they need to create their own.
2005–2009
Guided visitors through navigational history while documenting the harbour's evolution. Developed expertise in maritime heritage and understood firsthand which routes were genuinely accessible for older visitors. This role shaped my understanding of how to communicate complex history in accessible ways.
2012–Present (12+ years)
Published extensively on Baltic harbour walks, lighthouse trails, and promenade accessibility. Test every route personally and maintain relationships with local tourism boards. Work focuses specifically on creating practical, detailed guides for mature travellers who want depth without unnecessary complexity.
Current
Lead content development for coastal tourism initiatives across Latvia. Oversee editorial strategy for accessible travel content and guide development. Direct a focus on authentic, verification-backed information that actually serves the communities we write about.
Deep knowledge in accessible coastal exploration for mature travellers
Detailed documentation of walking routes along Ventspils south pier and surrounding harbour areas. I've mapped exact distances, identified rest points, noted surface conditions, and photographed accessibility features. Routes are designed for steady paces and regular breaks—not speed.
In-depth knowledge of Baltic maritime history and navigational systems. Can explain the why behind the structures you're seeing, not just what they are. This comes from years at the museum and ongoing research into Ventspils' role in regional maritime networks.
Real-world experience documenting what "accessible" actually means. I note bench locations, toilet facilities, shaded areas, weather protection, and surface types. Every recommendation comes from personal testing and conversations with locals who know these spaces intimately.
Established relationships with cafe owners, tourism boards, heritage organisations, and long-term residents. This network provides authentic insights you won't find in standard travel writing—stories, seasonal patterns, and genuine local knowledge.
Latvijas Universitāte, Riga
Foundation for understanding tourism systems, heritage management, and sustainable visitor engagement. This degree combined theory with practical experience, but the real education came from four years at the lighthouse museum where I could apply these principles to actual communities.
12+ years, multiple platforms
Over a decade of published travel writing focused specifically on Baltic coastal destinations. Work has been featured in tourism guides, lifestyle publications, and heritage journals. Every article represents personal research, on-site verification, and conversation with local sources.
Ventspils maritime archives
Contributed research to local heritage collections and tourism development projects. Work focuses on making historical information accessible to general audiences while maintaining academic rigour. This bridges the gap between scholarly knowledge and practical travel information.
Practical guides for accessible coastal exploration
Complete breakdown of the south pier walking route with exact distances, rest stop locations, and accessibility notes. Includes seasonal considerations and what to expect in different weather conditions.
Historical context for the promenade's development and architectural features you'll encounter. Stories from local residents about how these spaces have changed over decades.
Everything you need to know before heading out—footwear, hydration, timing considerations, and what to bring. Based on conversations with dozens of regular walkers in Ventspils.
Detailed information about facilities along the route—quiet cafes, comfortable seating areas, and places that actually welcome walkers who want to sit for a while and enjoy the view.
Questions about routes, accessibility, or coastal heritage? I'm here to help.
I'm based in Ventspils and actively involved in coastal tourism development. You can reach me through ecolebenito SIA's contact page, or explore the full range of harbour and lighthouse guides available on this site.
