Cycling Tour Baltics

2010 Departures

July	18
August	01, 15
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Prices From	$1413 per Person Double $304 Single Supplement
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The Baltic coast and National Parks of Lithuania and Latvia explored on highly scenic routes, including the two capital cities –Vilnius and Riga – with their old towns designated by UNESCO as the World Heritage Sites; and featuring the previously-closed Curonian Spit. Start your tour in Vilnius, travel to the Baltic Sea Coast in the West and further on to Latvia in the north, enjoy a great variety of towns, villages and landscapes, and get an excellent feel for the different characters of these distinctive sister countries.

Non-cyclists welcome!

Arrival in Vilnius. Arrival transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel.

7:00 p.m. welcome meeting at the hotel where you will be greeted by your tour guide. Overnight at Hotel Tilto or similar. Dinner at the hotel.

Cycling 30 km, driving 85 km

9:00 a.m. a city tour of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The tour includes: the Cathedral Square and Town Hall Squares, a complex of St. Annes, St. Francis and Bernardine Churches, the Gates of Dawn with a holy image of the Virgin Mary, and Vilnius University (founded in 1579). In the afternoon transfer to Trakai, a former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, to visit the insular castle of the 14th century, erected on a small island in Lake Galva. Start bicycling towards Kaunas on picturesque hilly country road. Transfer by bus to Kaunas. Overnight at Daniela Hotel or similar. Dinner at the hotel.

Cycling 30 km, driving 200 km

Morning transfer along the Nemunas River to the seaside region passing by Veliuona mound hill and impressive 16th-17th century castles of Raudone and Panemune. Biking from Zemaitkiemis to the Vente Horn where there is an ornithological station and a 19th century lighthouse which has been 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. Arrival in Nida for overnight at Hotel Lineja or similar. Dinner at the hotel.

Cycling 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. Then start biking on the Seaside Cycle Route which takes you along the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda. En route stop at `Dead` sand dunes and the 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 Smiltyne to take a ferry to the Old Town of Klaipeda, the main seaport of Lithuania. Overnight at Old Port Hotel or similar. Dinner at the hotel.

Cycling 25 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 Riga (Latvia). Stop at the Hill of Crosses (16 km from Šiauliai), the unforgettable place with thousands of crosses on two small hills. Further drive to Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Dinner at the hotel.

Cycling 25 km

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. In the afternoon cycling to Jurmala, the largest resort in the Baltic States well known for its long white sand beaches, curative mud and mineral waters. Transfer back by coach to the hotel in Riga. Dinner at the hotel.

Cycling 40 km

Morning transfer to the Baltic Coast in Saulkrasti where get ready for cycling to Ragana and further through the Gauja National Park to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia, situated in the Gauja River Valley. En route visit Turaida Castle and Krimulda church, the oldest one in Latvia (built in 1205), enjoy spectacular views of the Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave and explore ruins of the 13th century Crusaders Castle in Sigulda. Check-in and dinner at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport following breakfast.

Notes