Baltic biking tour
Vilnius-Tallinn
GBB01: 08.07-17.07.19
Tallinn-Vilnius
GBB02: 17.07-26.07.19
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, mud flaps, reflectors, bells and helmet. Child seat available upon request.
Max 21 guests in the groups.
The tours are recommended for guests in normal physical conditions between 35-65 years.
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-PALANGA-KLAIPEDA
We
get up early to continue the tour in the direction of Palanga where we
make a sightseeing tour and see the Botanical Gardens with the Amber
Museum in the former Tiskevicius Palace before we enjoy a 30 km biking
tour to Klaipeda. 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, check-in at Hotel Ibis Aurora*** or similar.
DAY 4: KLAIPEDA-NIDA-LIEPAJA
A
ferry from Klaipeda takes us to the 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. We go down the spit to Nida. With
its 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 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 from where we continue into Latvia and arrive in
Liepaja. Check-in at Hotel Liva*** 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 Riga
VEF*** or similar.
DAY 6: RIGA-SIGULDA-CESIS
Founded
in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three
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 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, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old
Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. Check in at Hotel Susi*** or similar.
DAY 10: TALLINN DEPARTURE
Optional transfer to the airport.
Services included
• 9 overnights at 3 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
EUR 945.00 (double occupancy)
EUR 250.00 (single supplement)
Meals supplement:
Half board (9 x 3 course dinner with coffee/tea ): EUR 150.00 pp