Estonia is among countries that start with E listed on Countryaah.com. The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are culturally closely interwoven. A total of 6.3 million people live in the region: in addition to Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians, there are also many Russians who have settled in the flat land on the Gulf of Finland since the 9th century.
The Baltic capitals Tallin (Estonia), Riga (Latvia) and Vilnius (Lithuania) are also often mentioned in the same breath.
- Day 1: Arrival by plane to the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and city tour
- Day 2: raisedbog, moated castle & the old town of Kaunas
- Day 3: Boat trip on the Curonian Lagoon, sand dunes & fragrant pine forests
- Day 4: Moorland & Thomas Mann’s summer house
- Day 5: Desert hike on the dead dunes, witch mountain & jungle
- Day 6: Hike in the Žemaitija National Park & free time
- Day 7: Hill of Crosses & Jurmala coastal hike
- Day 8: The city of Riga & free time
- Day 9: On a voyage of discovery in Gauja National Park – the oldest national park in Latvia
- Day 10: Pure nature experience: Hike around Lake Pühajärv
- Day 11: Moor hike in the Endla nature reserve & the old university town of Tartu
- Day 12: The Käsmu Peninsula, erratic boulders & the Estonian capital Tallinn
- Day 13: journey home
For almost half a century it was cordoned off and equipped with missile positions: the Curonian Spit, a headland almost a hundred kilometers long that separates the lagoon from the Baltic Sea. It is a world of fishing villages, reed belts and dunes up to 60 meters high, according to legend, piled up by the giantess Neringa to protect the cures from the sea god Bangputis. We walk along beaches, also discover the somewhat swampy and darker side of the lagoon. You cross the Curonian Lagoon by boat, and in the Memel Delta, cormorants nest in the trees. We return to lively Nida and visit the summer house that Thomas Mann had built here: in “ox blood” red and “Nidden blue”, covered with thatch (reeds), just like the other houses.
This journey takes us from the winding alleys in the Jewish quarter of Vilnius to Tallinn and thus across the eventful history of the Baltic States. In between we enjoy the peace and quiet on the most beautiful coastlines, lakes and national parks. We walk through moors on wooden walkways, land on moated castles and bishop’s castles and visit the Cold War military museum.
Finally we hike the Käsmu Peninsula with its huge boulders on the north coast of Estonia. The village of Käsmu was once known as the “Captain’s Village”: It was the location of the Estonian Navigation School. Many alcohol and salt smugglers also lived here in the 19th century. Today it is quieter, only swans crash into the lake from the sand, the water sloshes to the edge of the forest.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Flight arrival in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and city tour
Arrival by plane to Vilnius and collective transfer to the accommodation.
In the evening we take a guided city tour through the Lithuanian capital. Magnificent baroque churches, the winding alleys of the Jewish quarter, one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe and the miraculous Madonna above the Dawn Gate are just a few of the sights of the city, which is a UNESCO cultural heritage site.
Overnight at the City Hotels Rüdninkai *** + in Vilnius. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(- / – / A)
2nd day:
Raised moor, moated castle & the old town of Kaunas
After breakfast we first drive to Trakai. The small town, about 20 km from Vilnius, is the former seat of the Lithuanian grand dukes. Your medieval moated castle from the 14th century is located on an island in the middle of the unique lake landscape.
The Varniku nature trail in the high moor area enables a tour on a wooden path. Here we start our hike, which ends at the castle. Then we drive to Kaunas to our hotel. In the evening we can explore Kaunas on a stroll through the old town.
Hike: approx. 3 hours.
Driving time: 2 hours (approx. 120 km)
Overnight at the Hotel Ibis Kaunas Center *** in Kaunas. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
3rd day:
Boat trip on the Curonian Lagoon, sand dunes & fragrant pine forests
First we drive over the former Memelland to Kintai. Here we take an approx. 2-hour boat trip across the Curonian Lagoon.
The fact that the Memel Delta is a bird’s paradise becomes clear to us on the way to Nida.
In Nida we go on a hike that takes us through the village, on sand dunes and to fragrant pine forests. The view from the 55 meter high Parnidis dune is one of the most beautiful in the Baltic States.
Hike: approx. 3 hours (approx. 9 km)
Travel time: 3 hours (approx. 200 km) Boat
trip: approx. 1.5 hours.
Overnight at the Hotel Juraté *** or Hotel Nidos Banga *** in Nida. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
4th day:
Moorland & Thomas Mann’s summer house
The narrow stretch of land between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon is the world of mighty sand dunes, idyllic fishing villages and endless beaches. On a hike we explore the marshy side of the lagoon and the Vecekrugo dune, which at 67 meters is the highest in the Curonian Spit. Then we visit the summer house of Thomas Mann, who enjoyed spending time here with his family.
The afternoon is free for your own discoveries in Nida or for relaxation by the sea.
Hike: approx. 3.5 hours (approx. 10 km),
bus journey approx. 20 minutes.
Overnight stay in the Hotel Jurateé *** or Hotel Nidos Banga *** in Nida. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
5th day:
Desert hike on the dead dunes, witch mountain & jungle
The desert hike on the Dead Dunes deepens our acquaintance with the Curonian Spit. In Juodkrantė we go to the Witch Mountain, which is the key to the Lithuanian world of legends. Our hike through the only primeval forest on the Curonian Spit begins here. Finally, we take a short tour of the port town of Klaipėda (former Memel) and then continue to Plateliai in the Žemaitija National Park.
Hike: approx. 4 hours (approx. 8 km)
Travel time: approx. 2.5 hours.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Linelis *** in the Žemaitija National Park. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
6th day:
Hike in Žemaitija National Park & free time
The Žemaitija National Park is considered a natural pearl in western Lithuania. Wooded hills, full of tranquility, stretch around the crystal clear Lake Plateliai.
On the way to Plokštinė we visit the Military Museum of the Cold War, a former missile site.
The afternoon is free. We have time to relax by the lake and take a closer look at the area.
Hike: approx. 4 hours (approx. 10 km)
Overnight at Hotel Linelis *** in the Žemaitija National Park. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
7th day:
Hill of Crosses & Jurmala Coastal Hike
On our way towards Riga we will visit the Hill of Crosses, the symbol of Lithuanian faith and resistance.
In the afternoon we go on a coastal hike in Jurmala.
Hike: approx. 3 hours (approx. 15 km)
Travel time: approx. 3 hours.
Overnight stay in the Hotel Riga Islande Hotel **** or Bellevue Park Hotel **** or Hotel Hanza *** in Riga. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
8th day:
The city of Riga & free time
In the morning we take a guided tour of Riga’s old town. We visit the medieval cathedral, see the House of the Blackheads and the Schwedetor – the eventful history of the Baltic capital can be felt at every step.
The afternoon is free.
Overnight at Hotel Riga Islande Hotel **** or Bellevue Park Hotel **** or Hotel Hanza *** in Riga. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
Day 9:
On a voyage of discovery in Gauja National Park – the oldest national park in Latvia
Gauja, the oldest national park in Latvia, is also the most diverse in terms of landscape. We visit the Ordensburgruinen and Gutmannshöhle. Another jewel of the region is the Turaida bishop’s castle, built in the 13th century.
After the sightseeing we undertake a short hike in the valley of the Gauja river to Sigulda. Then continue towards Otepää.
Hike: approx. 3 hours (approx. 8 km)
Travel time: approx. 3.5 hours.
Overnight at Hotel Karupesa *** or Hotel Pühajärve Spa & Holiday Resort *** near Otepää. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
10th day:
Pure nature experience: Hike around Lake Pühajärv
“Pühajärv” means holy in Estonian: the lake is not called that for nothing. The blue, clear water and its picturesque banks together with the gently rolling surroundings form a unique landscape. We enjoy pure nature on the hike around the lake.
The afternoon is free.
Hike: approx. 4 hours (approx. 10 km)
Overnight at Hotel Karupesa *** or Hotel Pühajärve Spa & Holiday Resort *** near Otepää. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
11th day:
Moor hike in Endla nature reserve & the old university town of Tartu
On our way to the Endla nature reserve, we stop in the old university town of Tartu to visit it. In Endla we go on a moorland hike where we can spot numerous species of birds.
Then continue to Sagadi in the Lahemaa National Park.
Hike: approx. 2.5 hours (approx. 8 km)
Driving time: approx. 3 hours.
Overnight at the Hotel Park Hotell Palmse *** in the Lahemaa National Park. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
12th day:
The Käsmu peninsula, erratic boulders & the Estonian capital Tallinn
The Lahemaa National Park offers an incredible variety: primeval forests, a rich animal world, magnificent mansions and stony coasts. Our hike takes us to the beautiful peninsula of Käsmu. The numerous, sometimes very large boulders give the landscape a particularly graceful and mystical flair.
A visit to the village of Käsmu, once known as the “Captain’s Village”, is a worthy end to our last hike on this trip.
With a bit of sadness we say goodbye to this beautiful area and drive to the Estonian capital Tallinn. During an evening tour of the city, we let the medieval flair of the Estonian capital work on us. From Domberg you have a wonderful view of the lower town with the town hall, the Olav church and the defensive towers. The panorama comes into its own in the evening light.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours (approx. 8 km) Driving
time: approx. 1.5 hours.
Overnight at the Hotel Rija Oldtown *** in Tallinn. The accommodation will be announced for the dates 2021.
(FA)
13th day:
Home trip
After breakfast, depending on the departure time, transfer to the airport (without assistance) and return home.
(F / – / -)
