Baltics on a Bike

Day 1 Monday: Arrive in Vilnius (Lithuania)

Transfer to your accommodation. If you arrive early, we recommend you start exploring Vilnius on your own. Venture over to Užupis district, an eclectic mixture of Soviet Bloc architecture and artistic flair. In 1997, a group of artists declared their neighbourhood of Užupis independent from the rest of Lithuania. Although Užupis is not recognised by foreign governments as an official nation, the micro-nation has become a source of pride in Vilnius and throughout Lithuania.

 

In the evening a welcome meeting at the hotel with your tour guide. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Vilnius.

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Day 2 Tuesday: Trakai Island Castle & Kaunas (Lithuania)

After breakfast a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town followed by a bus transfer outside the city. Today we cycle through picturesque countryside dotted with lakes and gentle hills. En route we stop in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where you have time to visit the 14th century island castle built on a small island in Lake Galvė (not included).

 

In the afternoon  we transfer by bus to Kaunas. Located on the junction of the rivers Nemunas and Neris, Kaunas with its population of 430 000 is the second largest city in Lithuania. Kaunas was not destroyed during the Second World War and thus now has a number of interesting architectural monuments.

 

Arrive in Kaunas, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kaunas.

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(Cycle ~33 km/21 miles, minibus ~100 km).

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Day 3 Wednesday: Along the Nemunas River to Klaipėda (Lithuania)

This morning we explore Kaunas by bike along the picturesque cycle trail that follows the Nemunas River. We stop for a picnic lunch along the way (included). We finish our ride in Zapyškis famous for its unique 14th century Gothic church. We then continue by bus to the Baltic Sea coast and the town of Klaipėda. Klaipėda is often called the "Gateway to The Sea" because it is Lithuania's main seaport. 

 

Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.  Overnight in Klaipėda.

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(Cycle~40 km/23 miles, by bus ~230 km)

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Day 4 Thursday: The Curonian Spit National Park (Lithuania)

Today we go for the longest ride of the tour to Nida following the Seaside Cycle Route along the Curonian Spit famous for its amber and fine sand beaches. En-route enjoy beautiful views of the Curonian Spit which separates the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. This UNESCO World Heritage Site  is shared by Lithuania and Russia - ts southern portion lies within Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, and its northern portion within southwestern Klaipėda County. We enjoy sights around Nida, one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania, and return to Klaipėda either by bus or boat. Tonight we enjoy dinner together at the hotel (included). 

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(Cycle ~58 km/36 miles, minibus or boat ~50 km)

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Day 5 Friday: Klaipeda to Palanga by bike then drive to Riga (Lithuania - Latvia)

This morning we ride to Palanga through the Seaside Regional Park, a former soviet military training area. Palanga is the most popular summer destination in Lithuania with its wide long sandy beaches surrounded by sand dunes. Palanga is home for beautiful Botanical Gardens and the famous Amber Museum.

 

In the afternoon we travel by bus to Riga, the capital of Latvia. En-route we stop at the Hill of Crosses. The exact origins of the Hill of Crosses remain a mystery. Thousands upon thousands of metal and wooden crosses have been placed here for nearly two centuries. Despite many attempts to destroy it, this unusual pilgrimage site endures as a powerful testament to perseverance and determination of the Lithuanians.

 

Upon arrival in Riga, we check-in and enjoy dinner at the hotel (included). Overnight in Riga.

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(Cycle ~32 km/20 miles, minibus ~290 km)

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Day 6 Saturday: Riga & Jurmala Beach (Latvia)

After breakfast a guided tour of Riga Old Town, a medieval Hanseatic town famous for its many Art Nouveau buildings.  In fact, Riga has Europe's largest concentration of them. In the afternoon you can enjoy some free time or join a cycling trip to Jurmala, the largest resort in the Baltic States well known for its long, white, sandy beaches, mineral waters and mud with healing properties. Transfer by coach from Jurmala back to our hotel in Riga. Overnight in Riga.

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(Cycle ~30 km/19 miles, minibus ~20 km).

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Day 7 Sunday: Gauja National Park & Bicycle Museum (Latvia)

After breakfast we travel by bus to Saulkrasti where we visit the Latvian Bicycle Museum. After the visit we continue on our bikes  to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia, in the Gauja River Valley. Cycling through Gauja National Park offers spectacular views of Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave and Turaida Castle.  We stop on the way at the Krimulda Church (1205) which is the oldest church in Latvia. Upon arrival in Sigulda, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.  Overnight in Sigulda.

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(Cycle ~45 km/28 miles, minibus ~50 km)

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Day 8 Monday: Sigulda - Saaremaa (Latvia - Estonia)

Today we travel by bus and ferry to the largest Estonian island of Saaremaa which has preserved all that is best about old Estonia. With little traffic and flat roads Saaremaa provides a perfect rural setting for cycling. We ride on picturesque roads along the Baltic Sea coast to the village of Angla where the iconic windmills are located. From here we travel by bus to Kuressaare, the capital of the island and the home of one of the finest preserved medieval Episcopal Castles in the Baltics, dating from 13th Century. We stay at a hotel in the Old Town for two nights. Dinner at the hotel (included).  Overnight at Kuressaare.

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(Cycle ~38 km/24 miles, minibus ~330 km, ferry ~6 km)

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Day 9 Tuesday: Saaremaa Island (Estonia)

After breakfast we continue exploring this beautiful island on our bikes. We visit the  Sorve Peninsula famous for its lighthouse and return back to Kuressaare, where you have free time to explore the town and the bishop's castle. Optional dinner at the hotel or city restaurant. Overnight in Kuressaare.

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(Cycle ~56 km/34 miles, minibus ~50 km)

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Day 10 Wednesday: Saaremaa Island & Tallinn (Estonia)

This morning we ride to the Kaali meteorite crater which is included on the 'World's giant craters list' and  is one of the natural wonders of Estonia. In the afternoon we travel by bus to Tallinn, the Capital of Estonia.  After arrival in Tallinn, we check-in at our hotel and embark on a guided tour of Tallinn Old Town. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant (included). Overnight in Tallinn.

 

(Cycle ~28 km/18 miles, by minibus ~210 km, by ferry 6 km)

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Day 11 Thursday: Tour ends in Tallinn (Estonia)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure transfer.

 

End of the tour.