si vis pacem para bellum
book now: +371 - 2914 6034
LATVIA OUTDOOR
Hellersdorfer Weg 35
12689 Berlin
© LATVIA OUTDOOR
© LATVIA OUTDOOR 2023
Self-drive tour Estonia - Lithuania
15 days / 14 nights
From April to September
Tallin - Sagadi - Tartu - Cesis - Riga - Jurmala - Kuldiga - Nida - Kaunas - Trakai - Vilnius
Embark
on
a
journey
to
discover
the
adventurous
side
of
the
three
Baltic
countries
-
Estonia,
Latvia
and
Lithuania!
Join
such
outdoor
activities
as
hiking,
biking
and
kayaking,
visit
places
and
have
experiences
that
will
make
your
vacation
memorable!
This
journey
will
bring
you
from
the
capitals
to
the
tranquillity
of
the
Baltic
nature.
You
will
have
a
chance
to
get
to
know
and
experience
local
traditions
that
are
still
alive
and
honoured
-
sounds
of
Latvian
traditional
music
instrument
“kokle”,
as
well
as
the
Russian
Old
Believers
tea
ceremony
at
the
shore
of
Lake
Peipus.
You
will
see
the
unspoiled
nature
of
Lahemaa
National
Park
at
the
Baltic
coastline,
and
the
ancient
Gauja
River
valley,
visit
the
vibrant
seaside
town
Jurmala
and
go
swimming
in
the
Baltic
Sea.
You
will
explore
the
Curonian
Spit
at
the
Baltic
coastline,
a
narrow
strip
of
land
where
you
can
find
sleepy
fishermen
villages,
isolated
pine
forests,
and
endless
sand
dunes.
You
will
visit
Trakai,
located
between
five
lakes,
and
tour
around
the
medieval
14th
century
island
fortress.
You
will
see
Kuldiga,
the
most
romantic
town
in
Latvia
with
small
winding
streets,
channels
and
the
widest
waterfall
in
Europe,
as
well
as
many
other
places.
What
is
waiting
for
you
on
this
adventure?
The
beauty
and
remoteness
of
the
Baltics and a lot of adventures!
DAY 1. ARRIVAL IN TALLINN
Welcome to Tallinn! Pick up your rental car at the Tallinn airport and check into the hotel.
Overnight: Tallinn at St. Barbara*** or similar.
DAY 2. DISCOVER TALLINN
On a guided walking tour of Tallinn you will explore a well-preserved medieval center known as
the Old Town. You will visit many historic sites including Toompea Castle, a stately baroque
castle which today houses the Parliament of Estonia, the 13th century Dome Church, the
Russian Revival Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and many more.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tallinn at St.Barbara*** or similar.
DAY 3. LAHEMAA NATIONAL PARK | TALLINN – SAGADI (DRIVE ~85 KM, HIKE ~7 KM)
After breakfast, drive to a scenic coastline northeast of Tallinn. Lahemaa National Park is
considered one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coastline. You will go on a 7 km
guided hiking tour starting from Sagadi to Kasmu Peninsula and back. On the Kasmu
Peninsula you will find the biggest natural accumulation of rocks in Estonia. You will see the
Kasmu village, one of the most beautiful seaside villages in Estonia. In the late afternoon, return
back to Sagadi and stay overnight at Sagadi Manor hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Lahemaa National Park at Sagadi Manor hotel*** or similar.
DAY 4. ALONG THE LAKE PEIPUS | SAGADI –MUSTVEE TARTU (DRIVE ~170 KM)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and afterwards drive along the shore of Lake Peipus, which is the
fifth-largest lake in Europe. It is also the largest transboundary lake on the continent, as it
shares borders with both, Estonia and Russia. The old traditions are still alive and honoured by
the Old Believers living on the shore of Lake Peipus. At the Old Believers Museum, a
tea ceremony is waiting for you. The ceremony will be led by an instructor wearing a headscarf
required by local customs.
After, continue to Tartu, the second-largest city in Estonia. Go on a Tartu Old Town walking tour.
Enjoy the historic streets, Town Hall Square with the statue of Kissing Students, St. John's
Church with its many terracotta sculptures, and Tartu University, which was founded in 1632.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tartu at Lydia hotel**** or similar.
DAY 5. GAUJA NATIONAL PARK | TARTU – CESIS (DRIVE~175 KM)
In the morning, cross Estonian-Latvian boarder and stop in Cesis, a medieval gemstone and the
third oldest town in Latvia. During the guided walking tour visit the charming ruins of the
Medieval Castle, explore the history and feel the medieval spirit in a candle light.
Despite the wars, the Old Town has remained almost unchanged. On the tour you will see such
highlights as the Roze Square, Princess’ House and St. John’s Church. Eight hundred years long
history of Cesis is visible not only on the streets but also in Cesis castle complex.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Cesis at Cesis hotel*** or similar.
DAY 6. KAYAKING ON THE RIVER GAUJA | CESIS – RIGA (DRIVE~90 KM, KAYAK ~4 KM)
The morning begins with a drive to the River Gauja where you have to start a self-guided
kayaking tour. On the 4 km long paddling distance you will see magnificent sandstone
outcrops. In the afternoon, continue driving south to Riga.
Make a stop at the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, located in a lovely pine-tree forest
next to the Juglas Lake. A meditative musical experience is waiting for you – ancient sounds of
Latvian traditional string instrument “kokle”. Latvians have a saying that “kokle” is given to
them by God. Relax and enjoy the ethno-music concert!
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Riga at AC Hotel Riga by Marriott**** or similar.
DAY 7. DISCOVER RIGA
Riga is the largest city in the Baltics. Take a guided walking tour to see the Art Nouveau most
famous buildings on the streets of Alberta and Elizabeth, as well as the Old Town with Riga’s
Castle and the Three Brothers houses, oldest dwellings in the city.
Make a visit to the Riga Central Market, one of the largest covered markets in Europe. Taste
smoked meat, pickled vegetables, Latvian bread, seasonal treats, and more. The market opened
in 1930, and it consists of five former Zeppelin airship hangars.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Riga at AC Hotel Riga by Marriott**** or similar.
DAY 8. LATVIA’S COAST | RIGA – JURMALA (DRIVE ~40 KM, CYCLE ~12 KM)
Nearby Riga, the Latvia’s most famous resort town Jurmala stretches 30 km along the seaside.
Take a break from the city on the sandy Jurmala beach. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the pine
forest dunes without any rush. Do a self-guided bike tour and explore Jurmala. In the mid-19th-
century holiday makers began escaping the city to relax in Jurmala, and it developed as a
resort, often called the ‘’Northern Riviera”. You will cycle along a pine-covered dune, see the
expressive wooden architecture, modern villas, and endless sandy beaches. Stop for a swim at
one of the eleven established swimming places.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Jurmala at Dzintari Hotel*** or similar.
DAY 9. THE MOST ROMANTIC TOWN IN LATVIA | JURMALA – KULDIGA (DRIVE ~120 KM)
In the morning, embark on a picturesque drive on the rolling hills of Courland and stop in
Kuldiga. Have a guided walking tour to see the romantic blend of architecture, small winding
streets and channels. The heart of the town is Venta River and the Ventas Rumba, the widest
waterfall in Europe. Discover this charming place at a slow pace. Free time in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Kuldiga at Jekaba Seta hotel*** or similar.
DAY 10. THE BALTIC SEA | KULDIGA – KLAIPEDA – NIDA (DRIVE ~190 KM)
In the morning, you will cross the Latvian and Lithuanian boarder and continue to Klaipeda.
Join the guided walking tour in the port city. It begins in Klaipeda's Old Town, known for its old
cobblestone streets lined with medieval guild houses. You will visit such landmarks as the
Theatre Square and the Ann from Tharau Fountain, a sculpture of a muse of the famous
German poet Simon Dach who was born in Klaipeda.
Afterwards, take a ferry to the Curonian Spit, a long, thin sand spit that runs 100 km between
the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. On this narrow strip of land you can find sleepy
fishing villages, isolated pine forests, and endless sand dunes.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Nida in Nerija Hotel*** or similar.
DAY 11. THE CURONIAN SPIT (CYCLE ~60 KM)
In the morning you will do a self-guided bike tour from Nida to Joudkrante and back. On this
route you will see several dunes and visit the Hill of Witches, located at the lagoon-side village
of Juodkrante. Despite the spooky name, this landmark is actually a collection of wooden
sculptures atop a forested sand dune. There are over 80 sculptures made by local artists that
depict themes of paganism and Lithuanian folklore. After that, you will return back to Nida to
stroll around the town, enjoy local fish restaurants, and try different kinds of smoked fishes.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Nida in Nerija Hotel*** or similar.
DAY 12. LITHUANIA’S SECOND CAPITAL | NIDA – KAUNAS (DRIVE ~270 KM)
In the morning, you will continue to Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania. Upon arrival,
a guided walking tour will take you around the Old Town and show you such landmarks as the
Town Hall Square and the House of Perkunas, a gothic merchant house that dates back to the
15th century. You will also visit Kaunas Castle, a gothic fortress built on a hill overlooking the
Nemunas River, dating back to the middle of the 14th century.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Kaunas in Best Western Santakos hotel****
DAY 13. ANCIENT LITHUANIA / KAUNAS – TRAKAI ISLAND CASTLE – VILNIUS (DRIVE ~110 KM)
After breakfast, drive from Kaunas to Trakai. Join a guided kayak tour on the Lake Galve. The
tour will bring you around the medieval Trakai Castle, the landmark of the area. Afterwards you
will visit this impressive gothic fortification, built in the second half of the 14th century out of
red brick and stone. Next, continue to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Vilnius at Hotel Vilnia**** or similar.
DAY 14. CITY TOUR OF VILNIUS
Spend the morning on a guided walking tour of the Old Town, the medieval heart of Vilnius.
The highlight of Vilnius is the Cathedral Square. The Cathedral was consecrated in 1783. It is
Lithuania's premier Roman-Catholic church. Moreover, its mausoleum is the final resting place
for some notable figures throughout the history, including grand dukes of Lithuania and even
King Alexander of Poland.
On the tour you will see the Gediminas Tower, the 15th-century
St. Anne's Church, Vilnius University, the oldest university in the Baltics, the Gate of Dawn, and
the city's medieval defensive fortification, built around a chapel that remains a major catholic
pilgrimage site in Lithuania. Free time in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Vilnius at Hotel Vilnia**** or similar.
DAY 15. DEPARTURE FROM VILNIUS
Departure day, drop off the rental car at the Vilnius airport.
Services included:
•
14 overnights per program in
centrally located 3-star / 4-star
hotels;
•
VW Polo car rental for 14 days
•
uided walking tours in Tallinn, Tartu,
Cesis, Riga, Kuldiga, Klaipeda,
Kaunas and Vilnius;
•
Tea ceremony at Lake Peipus
•
Ethno-music concert in Latvian
Open-Air Museum;
•
Guided hiking tour in Lahemaa
National Park
•
Guided kayaking tour in Trakai;
•
Bicycle rental in Jurmala and Nida;
•
Entrances in Cesis Castle, Kaunas
Castle, and Vilnius University.
In double occupancy:
Two persons traveling is 1570 EUR per
person.
Physical rate from 1 to 10:
4
Level of difficulty:
The tour has easy biking and hiking
trails with a few steep climbs. The
terrain is mostly flat. The hiking tours
include small footpaths through the
woods, walking around the town,
boardwalks and countryside roads. In
the rivers and lakes, the current is slow
and safe to kayak without any previous
experience.
Season:
From April to September.
Bookings:
Bookings are on the request and
should be made at least one week
before the departure date. The itinerary
can be modified according to the
client’s wants and needs.
LATVIA OUTDOOR
book now: +371 - 2914 6034
si vis pacem para bellum
LATVIA OUTDOOR
Hellersdorfer Weg 35
12689 Berlin
© LATVIA OUTDOOR
DAY 1. ARRIVAL IN TALLINN
Welcome to Tallinn! Pick up your rental car at the Tallinn
airport and check into the hotel.
Overnight: Tallinn at St. Barbara*** or similar.
DAY 2. DISCOVER TALLINN
On a guided walking tour of Tallinn you will explore a
well-preserved medieval center known as the Old Town.
You will visit many historic sites including Toompea
Castle, a stately baroque castle which today houses the
Parliament of Estonia, the 13th century Dome Church,
the Russian Revival Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and
many more.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tallinn at St.Barbara*** or similar.
DAY 3. LAHEMAA NATIONAL PARK
TALLINN – SAGADI (DRIVE ~85 KM, HIKE ~7 KM)
After breakfast, drive to a scenic coastline northeast of
Tallinn. Lahemaa National Park is considered one of the
last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coastline. You will go
on a 7 km guided hiking tour starting from Sagadi to
Kasmu Peninsula and back. On the Kasmu Peninsula
you will find the biggest natural accumulation of rocks in
Estonia. You will see the Kasmu village, one of the most
beautiful seaside villages in Estonia. In the late afternoon,
return back to Sagadi and stay overnight at Sagadi
Manor hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Lahemaa National Park at Sagadi Manor
hotel*** or similar.
DAY 4. ALONG THE LAKE PEIPUS
SAGADI –MUSTVEE TARTU (DRIVE ~170 KM)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and afterwards drive along
the shore of Lake Peipus, which is the fifth-largest lake in
Europe. It is also the largest transboundary lake on the
continent, as it shares borders with both, Estonia and
Russia. The old traditions are still alive and honoured by
the Old Believers living on the shore of Lake Peipus. At
the Old Believers Museum, a
tea ceremony is waiting for you. The ceremony will be
led by an instructor wearing a headscarf required by
local customs.
After, continue to Tartu, the second-largest city in
Estonia. Go on a Tartu Old Town walking tour. Enjoy the
historic streets, Town Hall Square with the statue of
Kissing Students, St. John's Church with its many
terracotta sculptures, and Tartu University, which was
founded in 1632.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tartu at Lydia hotel**** or similar.
DAY 5. GAUJA NATIONAL PARK
TARTU – CESIS (DRIVE~175 KM)
In the morning, cross Estonian-Latvian boarder and stop
in Cesis, a medieval gemstone and the third oldest town
in Latvia. During the guided walking tour visit the
charming ruins of the Medieval Castle, explore the
history and feel the medieval spirit in a candle light.
Despite the wars, the Old Town has remained almost
unchanged. On the tour you will see such highlights as
the Roze Square, Princess’ House and St. John’s Church.
Eight hundred years long history of Cesis is visible not
only on the streets but also in Cesis castle complex.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Cesis at Cesis hotel*** or similar.
DAY 6. KAYAKING ON THE RIVER GAUJA
CESIS – RIGA (DRIVE~90 KM, KAYAK ~4 KM)
The morning begins with a drive to the River Gauja
where you have to start a self-guided kayaking tour. On
the 4 km long paddling distance you will see
magnificent sandstone outcrops. In the afternoon,
continue driving south to Riga.
Make a stop at the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air
Museum, located in a lovely pine-tree forest next to the
Juglas Lake. A meditative musical experience is waiting
for you – ancient sounds of Latvian traditional string
instrument “kokle”. Latvians have a saying that “kokle” is
given to them by God. Relax and enjoy the ethno-music
concert!
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Riga at AC Hotel Riga by Marriott**** or
similar.
DAY 7. DISCOVER RIGA
Riga is the largest city in the Baltics. Take a guided
walking tour to see the Art Nouveau most famous
buildings on the streets of Alberta and Elizabeth, as well
as the Old Town with Riga’s Castle and the Three
Brothers houses, oldest dwellings in the city.
Make a visit to the Riga Central Market, one of the
largest covered markets in Europe. Taste smoked meat,
pickled vegetables, Latvian bread, seasonal treats, and
more. The market opened in 1930, and it consists of five
former Zeppelin airship hangars.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Riga at AC Hotel Riga by Marriott**** or
similar.
DAY 8. LATVIA’S COAST
RIGA – JURMALA (DRIVE ~40 KM, CYCLE ~12 KM)
Nearby Riga, the Latvia’s most famous resort town
Jurmala stretches 30 km along the seaside. Take a break
from the city on the sandy Jurmala beach. Enjoy a
peaceful walk along the pine forest dunes without any
rush. Do a self-guided bike tour and explore Jurmala. In
the mid-19th-century holiday makers began escaping
the city to relax in Jurmala, and it developed as a resort,
often called the ‘’Northern Riviera”. You will cycle along a
pine-covered dune, see the expressive wooden
architecture, modern villas, and endless sandy beaches.
Stop for a swim at one of the eleven established
swimming places.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Jurmala at Dzintari Hotel*** or similar.
DAY 9. THE MOST ROMANTIC TOWN IN LATVIA
JURMALA – KULDIGA (DRIVE ~120 KM)
In the morning, embark on a picturesque drive on the
rolling hills of Courland and stop in Kuldiga. Have a
guided walking tour to see the romantic blend of
architecture, small winding streets and channels. The
heart of the town is Venta River and the Ventas Rumba,
the widest waterfall in Europe. Discover this charming
place at a slow pace. Free time in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Kuldiga at Jekaba Seta hotel*** or similar.
DAY 10. THE BALTIC SEA
KULDIGA – KLAIPEDA – NIDA (DRIVE ~190 KM)
In the morning, you will cross the Latvian and Lithuanian
boarder and continue to Klaipeda. Join the guided
walking tour in the port city. It begins in Klaipeda's Old
Town, known for its old cobblestone streets lined with
medieval guild houses. You will visit such landmarks as
the Theatre Square and the Ann from Tharau Fountain,
a sculpture of a muse of the famous German poet Simon
Dach who was born in Klaipeda.
Afterwards, take a ferry to the Curonian Spit, a long, thin
sand spit that runs 100 km between the Baltic Sea and
the Curonian Lagoon. On this narrow strip of land you
can find sleepy fishing villages, isolated pine forests, and
endless sand dunes.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Nida in Nerija Hotel*** or similar.
DAY 11. THE CURONIAN SPIT (CYCLE ~60 KM)
In the morning you will do a self-guided bike tour from
Nida to Joudkrante and back. On this route you will see
several dunes and visit the Hill of Witches, located at the
lagoon-side village of Juodkrante. Despite the spooky
name, this landmark is actually a collection of wooden
sculptures atop a forested sand dune. There are over 80
sculptures made by local artists that depict themes of
paganism and Lithuanian folklore. After that, you will
return back to Nida to stroll around the town, enjoy local
fish restaurants, and try different kinds of smoked fishes.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Nida in Nerija Hotel*** or similar.
DAY 12. LITHUANIA’S SECOND CAPITAL
NIDA – KAUNAS (DRIVE ~270 KM)
In the morning, you will continue to Kaunas, the second-
largest city in Lithuania. Upon arrival,
a guided walking tour will take you around the Old
Town and show you such landmarks as the Town Hall
Square and the House of Perkunas, a gothic merchant
house that dates back to the 15th century. You will also
visit Kaunas Castle, a gothic fortress built on a hill
overlooking the Nemunas River, dating back to the
middle of the 14th century.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Kaunas in Best Western Santakos hotel****
DAY 13. ANCIENT LITHUANIA / KAUNAS – TRAKAI
ISLAND CASTLE – VILNIUS (DRIVE ~110 KM)
After breakfast, drive from Kaunas to Trakai. Join a
guided kayak tour on the Lake Galve. The tour will bring
you around the medieval Trakai Castle, the landmark of
the area. Afterwards you will visit this impressive gothic
fortification, built in the second half of the 14th century
out of red brick and stone. Next, continue to Vilnius, the
capital of Lithuania.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Vilnius at Hotel Vilnia**** or similar.
DAY 14. CITY TOUR OF VILNIUS
Spend the morning on a guided walking tour of the Old
Town, the medieval heart of Vilnius. The highlight of
Vilnius is the Cathedral Square. The Cathedral was
consecrated in 1783. It is Lithuania's premier Roman-
Catholic church. Moreover, its mausoleum is the final
resting place for some notable figures throughout the
history, including grand dukes of Lithuania and even
King Alexander of Poland.
On the tour you will see the
Gediminas Tower, the 15th-century St. Anne's Church,
Vilnius University, the oldest university in the Baltics, the
Gate of Dawn, and the city's medieval defensive
fortification, built around a chapel that remains a major
catholic pilgrimage site in Lithuania. Free time in the
evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Vilnius at Hotel Vilnia**** or similar.
DAY 15. DEPARTURE FROM VILNIUS
Departure day, drop off the rental car at the Vilnius
airport.
Services included:
•
14 overnights per program in
centrally located 3-star / 4-star
hotels;
•
VW Polo car rental for 14 days
•
uided walking tours in Tallinn, Tartu,
Cesis, Riga, Kuldiga, Klaipeda,
Kaunas and Vilnius;
•
Tea ceremony at Lake Peipus
•
Ethno-music concert in Latvian
Open-Air Museum;
•
Guided hiking tour in Lahemaa
National Park
•
Guided kayaking tour in Trakai;
•
Bicycle rental in Jurmala and Nida;
•
Entrances in Cesis Castle, Kaunas
Castle, and Vilnius University.
In double occupancy:
Two persons traveling is 1570 EUR per
person.
Physical rate from 1 to 10:
4
Level of difficulty:
The tour has easy biking and hiking
trails with a few steep climbs. The
terrain is mostly flat. The hiking tours
include small footpaths through the
woods, walking around the town,
boardwalks and countryside roads. In
the rivers and lakes, the current is slow
and safe to kayak without any previous
experience.
Season:
From April to September.
Bookings:
Bookings are on the request and
should be made at least one week
before the departure date. The itinerary
can be modified according to the
client’s wants and needs.
LATVIA OUTDOOR
Self-drive tour Estonia - Lithuania
15 days / 14 nights
From April to September
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Kaunas-Trakai-Vilnius