Travel Scandinavia Baltic Tours Antarctica Expedition Cruises

Explore the Baltic coast and the National Parks of Latvia and Estonia on very scenic routes. The tour includes the two capital cities – Riga and Tallinn – with their Old towns designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO; and the previously-closed beautiful Hiiumaa island. Start and finish the tour in Riga, travel on to Estonia in the north, experience a wide variety of towns, villages and countryside for an excellent introduction to the very distinct characters of these quite different countries.

Itinerary

Arrive in Riga. a transfer to the hotel and check-in. 7:00 p.m. (19:00) a welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide. Optional dinner at the hotel.

cycling ~35 km, by coach ~340 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 Mandjala, check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays at the seaside. Dinner at the hotel (included).

cycling ~55 km, by coach ~40 km)

Enjoy a day ride across Saaremaa Island’s wild beauty – Sorve Peninsula, with a finish at the Sorve lighthouse. Historically, the peninsula had considerable military significance, dominating the Irbe Strait and the Baltic Sea route to Riga. Transfer back to the hotel. Optional dinner at the hotel

cycling ~10 km, by coach ~216 km, by ferry 6 km)

Take a short morning ride to Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa, a home to one of the finest preserved medieval Episcopal Castles in the Baltics, dating from 13thC. Free time to explore the town and the Bishop’s castle. Then transfer by coach to Tallinn. En route stop at the Kaali meteorite crater which is listed on the world's giant craters list and it is the rarest nature wonder in Estonia. In the afternoon arrive in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel followed by a guided tour of Tallinn Old Town. Optional dinner in local restaurant.

Cycling -52 km, by coach -90 km)

The morning is free to explore Tallinn. After short bus transfer cycling through National Park Lahemaa, which is one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast. Its nature is rich and unique. Here we shall observe thick woods, marshes, lakes and waterfalls. Here is the realm of mooses, wild boars and over 220 bird species. Check-in and dinner at the hotel (included).

Cycling -53 km, by coach -150 km

Morning transfer to Mustvee. There we start a pleasant bicycle trip along Peipsi Lake shore to Varnja. Peipsi is 4th largest lake in Europe, divided in two by the Russian border. On the road, we pass many fishing villages. We reach our hotel after coach transfer to Tartu, a famous university town where Estonia gained its statehood. Arrival in Tartu followed by a night walk around the Old Town and its university founded in 1632. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.

Cycling -30 km, by coach -235 km

After a short bus transfer to Otepää, a lovely place with many lakes, start cycling through the so-called „Estonian Switzerland“ and admire the environment. Finish the tour in Sangaste, famous for its 19th century romantic castle built following the example of Windsor Palace, and transfer to Sigulda (Latvia) with a stop in Cesis. Arrival in Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia, in the Gauja River Valley. Check-in and dinner at the hotel (included).

Cycling -20 km, by coach -50 km)

Morning circular tour through Gauja National Park, en route enjoy spectacular views of Gauja River valleys with Gutmana and Devil’s Caves, ruins of the 13thC Crusaders Castle in Sigulda and Turaida Castle. In the afternoon transfer to Riga. Check-in at the hotel, followed by a guided city tour of Riga Old Town, the medieval Hanseatic town famous for its Art Nouveau buildings. Optional dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast a transfer to the airport.

Notes