Stāmeriena Palace is the strongest side trip from Gulbene: a pale, romantic manor house by the lakes, rebuilt after the 1905 revolution and later tied to Alexandra von Wolff-Stomersee and the Sicilian writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa.
It is best combined with the Bānītis, since Stāmeriena is on the railway line. Check opening hours before setting out, then leave time to walk the park and lake edge.