11 days guided small group cycling tour of the Baltics from Vilnius to Tallinn (Code G1)

Explore the Baltic coast and the National Parks of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on very scenic routes. The tour includes the three capital cities – Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn – with their Old towns designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO; and the previously-closed Curonian Spit and the largest and most beautiful Estonian island of Saaremaa. Travel from Lithuania in the south, through Latvia and 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

Day 1 Monday: Arrive in Vilnius (Lithuania)

Welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide. 
OVERNIGHT: Vilnius; HOTEL: COMFORT HOTEL LT*** or similar

Day 2 Tuesday: Trakai Island Castle & Kaunas (Lithuania)

After breakfast a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town followed by a bus transfer outside the city. Start your first cycle ride through picturesque countryside with many lakes and gentle hills. En route stop in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where you may visit the 14thC island castle built on a small island in Lake Galvė. Afternoon transfer by bus to Kaunas. Arrive in Kaunas, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~33 km/21 miles, minibus ~100 km).
OVERNIGHT: Kaunas; HOTEL: VICTORIA KAUNAS**** or similar

Day 3 Wednesday: Along the Nemunas River to Klaipėda (Lithuania)

Explore Kaunas by bike on picturesque cycle trail along the Nemunas River. En route stop for a picnic lunch (included). Finish the ride in Zapyškis famous for its unusual small 14thC gothic church. Bus transfer to the Baltic coast. Arrive in Klaipeda, a modern town at the Baltic Sea, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~40 km/23 miles, by bus ~230 km)
OVERNIGHT: Klaipėda; HOTEL: NATIONAL**** or similar

Day 4 Thursday: The Curonian Spit National Park (Lithuania)

Today we go for the longest ride to Nida. Follow the Seaside Cycle Route along the Curonian Spit famous for its amber and fine sand beaches. En-route enjoy beautiful views of the Curonian Spit which separates the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. Sightseeing around Nida, one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Transfer by bus or boat back to Klaipėda, dinner at the hotel (included). (Cycle ~58 km/36 miles, minibus or boat ~50 km).
OVERNIGHT: Klaipėda; HOTEL: NATIONAL**** or similar

Day 5 Friday: Klaipeda to Palanga by bike then drive to Riga (Lithuania - Latvia)

Morning ride to Palanga through the Seaside Regional Park, a former soviet military training area. Arrive in Palanga, the biggest Lithuanian seaside resort famous for the Botanical Garden and the Amber Museum. Afternoon transfer to Riga, the capital of Latvia. En-route stop at the Hill of Crosses, the unforgettable sight of thousands of crosses on two small hills. Continue to Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Arrive in Riga, check-in and dinner at the hotel (included). (Cycle ~32 km/20 miles, minibus ~290 km).
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar

Day 6 Saturday: Riga & Jurmala Beach (Latvia)

After breakfast a guided tour of Riga Old Town, a medieval Hanseatic town famous for its Art Nouveau buildings. In the afternoon free time in Riga or cycling to Jurmala, the largest resort in the Baltic States well known for its long, white, sand beaches, mineral waters and mud with healing properties. Transfer back by coach to the hotel in Riga. (Cycle ~30 km/19 miles, minibus ~20 km). 
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar

Day 7 Sunday: Gauja National Park & Bicycle Museum (Latvia)

Morning transfer to to Saulkrasti. After visiting the Latvian bicycle museum start your bike ride to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia, in the Gauja River Valley. Cycling through Gauja National Park to Saulkrasti, en route enjoy spectacular views of Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave and Turaida Castle. En route visit Krimulda Curch (1205) which is the oldest in Latvia. Arrive in Sigulda, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~45 km/28 miles, minibus ~50 km). OVERNIGHT: Sigulda; HOTEL: SIGULDA*** or similar

Day 8 Monday: Sigulda - Saaremaa (Latvia - Estonia)

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 willage of Angla where the iconic windmills are located. Transfer to Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa island, check into hotel for 2 stays in the Old Town. Dinner at the hotel (included). (Cycle ~38 km/24 miles, minibus ~330 km, ferry ~6 km)
OVERNIGHT: Kuressaare; HOTEL: JOHAN SPA**** or similar

Day 9 Tuesday: Saaremaa Island

Enjoy a day ride across Saaremaa Island`s wild beauty - Sorve Peninsula famous for its lighthouse. Finish the day in Kuressaare, 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. Optional dinner at the hotel or city restaurant. Overnight in Kuressaare (Cycle ~56 km/34 miles, minibus ~50 km)
OVERNIGHT: Kuressaare; HOTEL: JOHAN SPA**** or similar

Day 10 Wednesday: Saaremaa Island & Tallinn

Morning ride to 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 transfer by bus to Tallinn. Arrive in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel followed by a guided tour of Tallinn Old Town. Farewell dinner in local restaurant (included). (Cycle ~28 km/18 miles, by minibus ~210 km, by ferry 6 km)
OVERNIGHT: Tallinn; HOTEL: HESTIA ILMARINE**** or similar

Day 11 Thursday: Tour ends in Tallinn

Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.