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Cycling in Lithuania & Latvia (escorted)
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VILNIUS-KAUNAS-NERINGA-KLAIPEDA-SIGULDA-RIGA
(7 days / 6 nights)
This tour explores the unique countryside, coastline and towns that make up these fascinating countries that were formerly part of the USSR. It includes visiting two capital cities, Vilnius (Lithuania) and Riga (Latvia), both of which have old towns that are justifiably designated by UNESCO as world heritage sites. The biking is very leisurely as the country is not hilly.
We start our tour on picturesque country roads towards Kaunas before heading to the coast and the charming resort towns of Nida and Klaipeda. We cycle on asphalt bicycle paths of the newly reconstructed Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route; enjoy breathtaking views of the colossal sand dunes on the Curonian Spit (reached by boat trip across a lagoon); visit the memorable Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, and experience more than 500 years of authentic culture and architecture - on a bicycle it’s all within your reach!
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TOUR CODE: |
LANGUAGE: |
DEPARTURE DATES: |
TERMINATING DATES: |
RATE PER PERSON IN EUR: |
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G1-1 |
EN, DE |
July 20 |
July 26 |
DBL 744 SGL 914 |
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G1-2 |
EN, DE |
August 3 |
August 9 |
DBL 744 SGL 914 |
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G1-3 |
EN, DE |
August 17 |
August 23 |
DBL 744 SGL 914 |
Download the program with nice pictures in pdf format HERE (0.7 Mb)
ITINERARY (cycling app. 190 km)
Day 1 Monday: VILNIUS
Arrival in Vilnius. Individual transfer to the hotel (not included). Check-in at the hotel.
7:00 p.m. welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide. Optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Vilnius
HOTEL: TILTO or similar
Day 2 Tuesday: VILNIUS-TRAKAI-KAUNAS (cycling app. 30 km, by coach app. 110 km)
9:00 a.m. a city tour of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The tour includes: the Cathedral Square, St.Ann and Bernardines’ Church, the Gates of Dawn with a holy image of the Virgin Mary, Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Town Hall Square and Vilnius University (founded in 1579) with St. John’s Church. Afternoon trip to Trakai (25 km from Vilnius), the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit to the insular castle of the 14th century, erected on a small island in lake Galve. Then cycling on picturesque hilly road and transfer by coach to Kaunas. Arrival in Kaunas, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Kaunas
HOTEL: KLAIPEDA KAUNAS or similar
Day 3 Wednesday: KAUNAS-ZEMAITKIEMIS-VENTE-NIDA (cycling app. 30 km, by coach app. 200 km)
Morning transfer along the Nemunas River to the seaside region. En route passing by Veliuona mound hill and impressive 16th-17th century castles of Raudone and Panemune. Bicycling from Zemaitkiemis to the Vente Horn where visit the ornithological station and the 19th century lighthouse that was active for more than 100 years. Take a boat across the Curonian Lagoon to Nida and enjoy a beautiful view to sand dunes of the Curonian Spit separating the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. Arrival in Nida, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Nida
HOTEL: LINEJA or similar
Day 4 Thursday: NIDA-JUODKRANTE-KLAIPEDA (cycling app. 60 km)
Sightseeing around Nida, one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Exploring the Amber Gallery and a summer house of the famous German writer Thomas Mann. Cycling on the Seaside Cycle Route which takes you along the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda. En route stop at “Dead” sand dunes and colony of grey herons and cormorants, visit the Hill of Witches which houses a hundred fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures scattered along a forest path. Arrival in Smiltynë, take a ferry to the Old Town of Klaipëda, the main seaport of Lithuania. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Klaipeda
HOTEL: OLD PORT HOTEL or similar
Day 5 Friday: KLAIPEDA-PALANGA-Hill of Crosses-SIGULDA (cycling app. 25 km, by coach app. 350 km)
Early morning ride to Palanga through the Seaside Regional Park, a former soviet military polygon area. Arrival in Palanga, the biggest seaside resort of Lithuania. City tour including the visit to the Botanical Garden and Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz, with over 25000 pieces of amber and 15000 inclusions of insects on display. Afternoon transfer to Sigulda (Latvia). Stop at the Hill of Crosses (16 km from Ðiauliai), the unforgettable place with thousands of crosses on two small hills. Further drive to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia, situated in the Gauja River Valley. Arrival in Sigulda, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Sigulda
HOTEL: EZERI or similar
Day 6 Saturday: SIGULDA-TURAIDA-CESIS-RIGA (cycling app. 45 km, by coach app. 115 km)
Cycling from Sigulda through the Gauja National Park to Ragana. En route visit the ruins of the 13th century Crusaders Castle in Sigulda, Turaida Castle and Krimulda church, the oldest one in Latvia (built in 1205), enjoy spectacular views of the Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave. Afternoon transfer to Stalbe for the final ride and visit to Cesis, one of Latvia’s prettiest and oldest Hanseatic towns. Transfer to Riga for overnight, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Riga
HOTEL: TIA or similar
Day 7 Sunday: RIGA
9:00 a.m. a city tour of Riga, visiting medieval Hanseatic town, Riga castle, St.Peter`s Church, Dome Cathedral and the Old Guild Houses.
End of the tour.
THE TOUR INCLUDES:
- 6 nights stay at the hotels
- All hotel taxes
- Breakfast daily
- Welcome meeting
- Transportation by air-conditioned coach on days 2-3 and 5-6
- Luggage transport
- Guide escort on days 2-7
- Boat trip across the Curonian Lagoon
- Ferry ticket from the Curonian Spit to Klaipëda
- Excursions as per itinerary
- Entrances to: Vilnius University, Trakai Insular Castle, Thomas Mann’s House in Nida, Amber museum in Palanga, Turaida Castle, Riga Cathedral.
- Rent of trekking bicycle with waterproof pannier on days 2-6
- Individual information package (city guides, maps and program)
THE TOUR EXCLUDES:
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Lunches and dinners
- Tips
OPTIONS
TRANSFERS:
- Single person arrival or departure transfer – 26 EUR net per person
- Arrival or departure transfer for a party of 2 persons - 13 EUR net per person
MEALS:
- 3-course dinner package (6 dinners) – 98 EUR per person.
PRE/POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel in Vilnius TILTO or similar
SGL 69 EUR per room per night, including breakfast
DBL 76 EUR per room per night, including breakfast
Hotel in Riga TIA or similar
SGL 65 EUR per room per night, including breakfast
DBL 76 EUR per room per night, including breakfast
For more information and reservation contact travel@balticcycle.eu
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