Vilnius - Trakai - Kaunas - Nida - Klaipeda - Palanga - Liepaja - Jurmala - Riga - Sigulda - Cesis - Tartu - Lahemaa - Tallinn OR UPSIDE DOWN
July - August 2012, 10 days / 9 nights
MBB01: 15.07-24.07.12
MBB03: 02.08-11.08.12
Baltic Biking tour from Tallinn to Vilnius dates:
MBB02: 24.07-02.08.12
Day 1: Arrival Vilnius
Arrival in Vilnius, optional transfer to Hotel Europa City Vilnius*** or similar, check-in, welcome meeting.
Day 2: Vilnius-Trakai-Kaunas
Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning sightseeing tour include a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anna’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. In the afternoon we continue to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. We enjoy a 15 km biking tour in the surroundings of Trakai. We continue to Kaunas and take a short stroll in the Old Town with its elegant Old Town Hall and Gothic cathedral. Check in at Hotel Magnus*** or similar.
Day 3: Kaunas-Nida-Klaipeda
We get up early to continue the tour in the direction of the Curonian Spit, a 100 km spit of land between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon with small fishing villages, pine forests and endless sand dunes. A ferry from Klaipeda takes us to the Spit and we do down the spit to Nida. With it location at the Curonian Lagoon and its combination of old-fashioned fishing village and fashionable sea resort, Nida is one of the most attractive places on the entire Baltic Sea Coast. We visit the High Dunes, Thomas Mann’s summerhouse and get acquainted with the charming resort town. In the late afternoon we enjoy a 30 km biking tour from Nida to Juodkrante before we go back to Klaipeda and check-in at Hotel Park Inn Klaipeda*** or similar.
Day 4: Klaipeda-Palanga-Liepaja
Klaipeda first became a part of Lithuania in 1923 and has a long history as a German town called Memel. The sightseeing tour takes us to the Old Town with its narrow cobblestone streets and old guild houses and we visit the Theatre Square and the Aennchen von Tharau Fountain. We now enjoy a 30 km biking tour to Palanga, where we make a sightseeing tour and visit the in the Botanical Gardens with the Amber Museum in the former Tiskevicius Palace before we continue into Latvia and arrive in Liepaja. Check-in at Hotel Europa City Amrita**** or similar.
Day 5: Liepaja-Jurmala-Riga
Liepaja takes its name from the numerous lime trees in the city and we start the day with a short stroll in the Old Town with its Trinity Church. Afterwards we drive through the former Duchy of Courland to Kemeri, where we enjoy a 25 km biking tour through the Kemeri National Park, The balance of the day is spent for visiting Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. We reach Riga early in the late afternoon. Check-in at Hotel Days Hotel Riga VEF*** or similar.
Day 6: Riga-Sigulda-Cesis
Riga founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert is the largest of the 3 Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, Swedish Gates, Three Brothers, Large and Small Guild House and the Freedom Monument. In the afternoon we continue to Saulkrasti and do a 30 km biking tour to Sigulda, a popular holiday resort. We see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and the ruins of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword. We continue to Cesis and check-in at Hotel Kolonna Cesis*** or similar.
Day 7: Cesis-Tartu
Cesis is a Hanseatic city with winding streets, castle ruins and beautiful gardens. During the morning tour we see the ruins of the Castle of the Livonian Order and St. John’s Church. We head to Estonia and the Hanja Nature Park where we do a 30 km biking tour through the national park and around the Munamagi Hill, the biggest hill in the Baltic countries at just 300 m. We continue on to Tartu. Check-in at Hotel Tartu*** or similar.
Day 8: Tartu-Lahemaa
Tartu is the university town, where Estonia gained its statehood. During the morning tour we see the charming Old Town and the University founded in 1632. After the tour we head for Lake Peipus and in the middle of the day we enjoy a 40 km biking tour from Kolka via Kallaste to Raja along the lake. The balance of the day is spent on a drive to the Lahemaa National Park. Check-in at Hotel Sagadi Manor*** or similar.
Day 9: Lahemaa-Tallinn
The day starts with a 45 km biking tour through the Lahemaa National Park from Vihula via Sagadi and Palmse to Kasmu and the Kasmu Peninsula and afterwards we continue to Tallinn. Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, out-doors cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, the Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Medieval Old Town Hall. Check in at Hotel Park Inn Central*** or similar.
Day 10: Tallinn Departure
Optional transfer to the airport.
Package prices per person:
EUR 895.00 (double occupancy)
EUR 250.00 (single supplement)
Including:
- 9 overnights at 3-4-star hotels
- 9 x buffet breakfast
- Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice
- Personalized welcome package
- Service of English and German speaking tour escort on all tours
- Service of 1st class motor coach throughout the itinerary
- Ferry tickets Klaipeda – Smiltyne – Klaipeda and ecological fees for the Curonian Spit
- Bicycle rental
- Service and VAT
Optional:
- Transfer airport to Hotel Europa City Vilnius: EUR 35.00 for private car (1-3 persons), EUR 55.00 for private minivan (4-7 persons)
- Half board (9 x 3 course dinner with coffee/tea ): EUR 150.00 pp
- Transfer Hotel Park Inn Central to airport: EUR 35.00 for private car (1-3 persons), EUR 55.00 for private minivan (4-7 persons)
Bikes are new modern Estonian produced tour bikes, model comfort and cruiser, 3-6 speeds, hand or foot brakes, equipped with bike bags, luggage boots, mudflaps, reflectors, bells and helmet. Child seat available upon request.
Max 21 persons in the groups.
The tours are recommended for guests in normal physical conditions between 35-65 years.
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