ITINERARY
(cycling ~351 km / 219 miles, by coach ~1215 km /759 mi., by boat ~76 km/48 mi.)
Day 1 Monday (Lithuania): VILNIUS
Arrive in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. Individual transfer to the hotel (not included). Check-in at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Vilnius
HOTEL: COMFORT HOTEL LT*** or similar
Day 2 Tuesday (Lithuania): VILNIUS-TRAKAI Insular Castle-KAUNAS (cycling ~33 km/21 miles, by minibus ~75 km)
After breakfast a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town. Afternoon trip to Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here you may visit the famous 14thC Gothic island castle erected on a small island in Lake Galvė. Start your first cycle ride through picturesque countryside on gentle hills, then transfer by coach to Kaunas. Arrive in Kaunas, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Kaunas
HOTEL: VICTORIA HOTEL KAUNAS**** or similar
Day 3 Wednesday (Lithuania): Along the Nemunas River: KAUNAS-KLAIPĖDA (cycling ~35 km/22 miles, by minibus ~220 km)
Morning bike ride around Kaunas and further on picturesque cycle trail along the Nemunas River. En route you may stop in Zapyškis famous for its unusual small 14thC gothic church. Finish the ride with a bus transfer to the Baltic coast. Arrive in Klaipeda, a modern town at the Baltic Sea, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Klaipėda
HOTEL: OLD MILL*** or similar
Day 4 Thursday (Lithuania): CURONIAN SPIT NATIONAL PARK (cycling ~57 km/36 miles, by bus or boat~50 km)
Today go for the longest ride to Nida. Follow 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. Sightseeing around Nida, one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Transfer by bus or boat back to Klaipėda, optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Klaipėda;
HOTEL: OLD MILL HOTEL*** or similar
Day 5 Friday (Lithuania-Latvia): KLAIPĖDA-PALANGA Resort-Hill of Crosses-RIGA (cycling ~32 km/20 miles, by minibus ~290 km)
Early morning ride to Palanga through the Seaside Regional Park, a former soviet military training area. Palanga is the well-known Lithuanian seaside resort. Enjoy a break here; perhaps visit the renowned Botanical Park, Amber Museum and the 470m pier heading out into the Baltic Sea. Afternoon transfer to Riga (Latvia). En-route stop at the Hill of Crosses, the unforgettable sight of thousands of crosses on two small hills. Continue to Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Arrive in Riga, check-in at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Riga;
HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND **** or similar
Day 6 Saturday (Latvia): RIGA & JURMALA Seaside resort (cycling ~30 km/19 miles, by train ~25 km)
After breakfast you may take part in a guided tour of Riga Old Town, a medieval Hanseatic town famous for its Art Nouveau buildings. In the afternoon free time in Riga or cycling on a bicycle path to Jurmala, a renowned Latvian seaside resort well known for its long, white, sand beaches, mineral waters and mud with healing properties. We recommend that you take the opportunity to bath in the sea and try cycling along the beach – its well worth it! In the evening take a local train back to Riga (30 min; not included).
OVERNIGHT: Riga;
HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND **** or similar
Day 7 Sunday (Latvia): Riga & GAUJA National Park (cycling ~40 km/25 miles, by minibus ~50 km)
Transfer to Saulkrasti, where you may visit the Latvian bicycle museum. Start your bike ride to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia. Cycling through Gauja National Park, en route enjoy spectacular views of Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave, Turaida Castle and the oldest Latvian Church, Krimulda, built in 1205. Arrive in Sigulda, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Sigulda
HOTEL: SIGULDA*** or similar
Day 8 Monday (Latvia-Estonia): SIGULDA-SAAREMAA (cycling ~38 km/24 miles, by minibus ~330 km, by ferry 6 km)
Morning transfer 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 the perfect rural setting for cycling. Travel on picturesque roads along the Baltic Sea Coast to the village of Angla where the iconic windmills are located. Transfer to Mändjala or Kuressaare, check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays at the seaside, optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Mändjala or Kuressaare
HOTEL: SAAREMAA*** or JOHAN SPA**** or similar
Day 9 Tuesday (Estonia): SAAREMAA ISLAND (cycling ~46 km/29 miles, by minibus ~40 km)
Enjoy a day ride across Saaremaa Island’s wild beauty – Sorve Peninsula famous for its lighthouse. You may finish the day with a visit to Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa, a home to one of the finest preserved medieval Episcopal Castles in the Baltics, dating from 13thC. Optional dinner at the hotel or city restaurant in Kuressaare.
OVERNIGHT: Mändjala or Kuressaare
HOTEL: SAAREMAA*** or JOHAN SPA**** or similar
Day 10 Wednesday (Estonia): SAAREMAA & TALLINN (cycling ~40 km/25 miles, by minibus ~210 km, by ferry 6 km)
Take a morning ride to the Kaali meteorite crater which is listed on the world’s giant craters list and it is the rarest nature wonder in Estonia. En route stop in Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa. Transfer by bus to Tallinn. In the afternoon arrive in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel followed by a guided tour of Tallinn Old Town.
OVERNIGHT: Tallinn
HOTEL: HESTIA ILMARINE**** or similar
Day 11 Thursday (Estonia): TALLINN
Breakfast at the hotel. You can extend your stay in Estonia; please ask for details.
