In April 2010 ALF Latvian network is implementing an initiative – a study visit/travel competition “1001 faces of the Mediterranean”. As part of this initiative 2 students, the winners of travel plan competition, will have the chance to travel to 2 Mediterranean countries for up to two weeks – Turkey and Israel – and will share their experiences with the help of blog on the website of ALN Latvian network. The winners of competition among dozens of applications were selected according to originality of their travel plans and methods of interaction with local people.

The main idea of this competition is to show the Latvian society the Mediterranean region from a non-typical and non-touristic perspective and promote intercultural dialogue.

One of the winners, Kristine Visnevska, a student of electronics from Riga Technical University will visit Turkey from 9-th of April until 20-th of April 2010. Her travel route will be Istanbul – Bursa – Kytahya – Konya – Nigde – Kayseri – Sivas – Samsun – Sinap – Ankara – Istanbul. As this will be the first trip of Kristine in this region (and a Muslim country), her emphasis during the trip will be on observing everyday life of people. She will try to avoid main touristic places, be hosted in homes of locals (by couchsurfing) and make small interviews on different topics with locals. As part of the visit, she will visit also one of ALF network organizations in Ankara – System&Generation. She will be hosted by S&G Youth House where EVS Volunteers of Youth Caravan Project "You There Youth Here" are accomodated.

Another winner, Ildze Pravorne, a student of Theology of Latvian University, will visit Israel from 19-th of April until 28-th of April. Her travel route will be Telaviv- Jerusalem – Cfata – Aful – Akko – Ein Gedi – Beersheba – Bet Guvrin – Tel Aviv – Jaffa – Tel Aviv. During her trip Ildze is planning to visit many interesting places, observe traditions, stay in homes of local people and also visit some organizations (‘Combatants for Peace”).

This project is created as part of cooperation between ALF Latvian network, Latvian national airline company Airbaltic and Turkish and Israeli embassies. Travellers get the chance to fly for free by Airbaltic to chosen destinations and receive a small travel money from ALF Latvian network and embassies.