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Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia
Positioned in the north east corner of Europe the Baltic States provide one destination with 3 countries, each having a unique culture and varied cuisine/ history. See them now before they are changed forever, and whilst travelling at a time of year to enjoy the 10:30pm summer sunsets that occur being this far north.
All three Baltic capitals of Vilnius, Tallinn and Riga are included in the tour and we have English speaking guides arranged in each to ensure you miss none of the major sights. Outside of the main cities the States remain very rural with little traffic making for a relaxed driving experience. Crossing each country, you will see evidence of the Soviet occupation that lasted until 1991 when the States took their independence through the ‘Singing Revolution’.
Throughout the second half of the tour we travel along the Baltics Amber Coast, including a stay on the sea’s second largest island of Saaremaa, famed for its locally produced food and beers. Throughout the tour we have many group meals included, so trying local produce will not be a problem. Also try not to leave the Baltic States without taking home at least one small piece of Amber.
‘We learnt so much about these three emerging countries and all the meals were excellent. One of the most enjoyable tours we have done.’ Tom & Eileen – Baltic States – June/July 2019
‘Thank you for an excellent tour. We have learnt so much about the history and culture of the Baltic States. The excursions were amazing. Sue & John Small – Baltic States – June/July 2019
This tour can be preceded by the Poland tour to give a total holiday of 49 nights. It is just a 200 miles dive from the finish of the Poland tour to the start of the Baltic States tour.
Day One – Wednesday 3th July
We meet in the east of Poland in the heart of the countries Lake District region. This evening the Tour Directors will host a welcome drinks reception and tour briefing at their motorhome.
Day Two – Thursday 4th July
Today we cross into Lithuania and travel to our campsite located on the lake at Trakai. This evening we celebrate our arrival in the Baltics with an evening in the campsite bar/restaurant with Lithuanian beer & wine accompanied by some traditional foods. 160 miles
Day Three – Friday 5th July
Trakai is famous for its ‘Island Castle’ and today has been left free for you to visit. This is easy by boat running directly from the campsite jetty across Lake Galve to the castle entrance.
Day Four – Saturday 6th July
Today we visit the first of three Baltic capitals, Vilnius in Lithuania. The ‘Jerusalem of the North’, a city of 45 churches but whose bells never ring otherwise the city would not rest. Our coach collects and return us direct from the campsite and our guide will help us appreciate our time in this fascinating city. Included is lunch in an old city centre restaurant.
Day Five – Sunday 7th July
For the time being we leave Lithuania and arrive in Latvia. On this our first of two visits to Latvia we cross its rural eastern side where our destination is to the pilgrim town of Aglona; receiving around 250,000 people each year its basilica is the most important Catholic monument in the Baltic’s. For tonight we park (no facilities so we will use our motorhomes own) within the grounds of the basilica, which we tour in the afternoon. 165 miles
Day Six – Monday 8th July
Our drive today takes us across the Latvia – Estonia border and our first Estonian night is spent in the Lake District. Being more closely tied with Finland then its Baltic neighbours, Estonia has a different feel with Nordic connections particularly prevalent. 165 miles
Day Seven – Tuesday 9th July
A free day. Our campsite is situated within an area of lakes & nature with lovely walks all around. Late afternoon we take a boat ride to see some of this nature from the water. Being this far north the sun now sets around 10.30pm each evening with darkness arriving an hour later, so there is plenty of time for exploring.
Day Eight – Wednesday 10th July
Picturesque drive through rural areas to arrive at Vosu in the heart of the Lahemaa National Park, Estonia’s most protected area. 130 miles
Day Nine – Thursday 11th July
Late afternoon we are taken to an eighteenth-century Manor House for the evening. There is time upon arrival to wander in the grounds following which we have a tour of the baroque Manor House and from there we move to dinner for the evening.
Day Ten – Friday 12th July
Completely free for exploring the Lahemaa National Park. This can be done by walking, cycling or using the local bus which passes in front of the campsite.
Day Eleven – Saturday 13th July
Short drive to near Tallinn, Estonia’s beautiful capital. 65 miles
Day Twelve – Sunday 14th July
Today we go into Tallinn for a guided tour of the city including the historical centre. Lunch is included in a city restaurant and there is time in the afternoon to wander at leisure in this beautiful city.
Day Thirteen – Monday 15th July
We move to the Island of Saaremaa, the second largest in the Baltic Sea. Now part of Estonia it has in the past been ruled by Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Russia giving it many unique features still visible today. The islanders are known for their talents as brewers of beer and makers of traditional handy crafts. Ferry crossing time to Saaremaa is around thirty minutes (2022 – £35 return payable locally). 137 miles
Day Fourteen – Tuesday 16th July
A visit to the island’s capital, Kuressaare, today. The town is home to the medieval episcopal Castle, the only intact medieval fortress in the Baltic States and today houses the Saaremaa Regional Museum. Within the town the islands handy crafts can be viewed and there are many interesting coffee bars and restaurants to explore.
Day Fifteen – Wednesday 17th July
A free day. Our campsite is located in a lovely rural setting and ideal for a relaxing day.
Day Sixteen – Thursday 18th July
We cross back to the mainland by ferry and with our drive leave Estonia returning to Latvia, this time to its Amber coast. Our first stay on the coast is near the Baltic’s largest city of Riga, capital of Latvia and home to one of Europe’s leading collection of Art Nouveau architecture. 240 miles
Day Seventeen – Friday 19th July
Riga is our destination for today. We visit the Art Nouveau district by coach and take a walking tour of the pedestrian historic centre, both guided in English. Included will be a restaurant lunch within the old city and free time for a wander.
Day Eighteen – Saturday 20th July
A completely free day. The beach and resort of Jurmula are nearby.
Day Nineteen – Sunday 21st July
We drive south from Riga to Latvia’s grandest Baroque building, the Rundale Palace, which has 138 rooms furnished in the Rococo style. We will stay in our motorhomes overnight in the Palace car park, no facilities so an opportunity to use your motorhomes own. Throughout the afternoon you will have access to the magnificent grounds and gardens. This afternoon there will also be a guided tour of the Palace interior, followed in the evening by dinner in the Palace’s own restaurant, from where it is no more than a short walk back to your motorhome bed at the end of the evening. 65 miles
Day Twenty – Monday 22nd July
We leave Latvia and cross back into Lithuania, heading for our next campsite on the UNESCO protected Curonian Spit nature reserve. To reach the Curonian Spit we first need take a short ferry journey across the Curonian Lagoon (2022 – £35 return, payable locally) and then pay an entry fee to the reserve (2022 – £25 for a motorhome to enter, payable locally). 190 miles
Day Twenty-one – Tuesday 23rd July
Sandwiched between the Curonian Spit and the mainland is the Curonian Lagoon Nature Reserve. Today we see much of this protected area with a boat cruise on the lagoon accompanied by a light lunch.
Day Twenty-two – Wednesday 24th July
A free day to relax in preparation for the evening. Having spent 22 days in the Baltic’s, tonight we have a ‘Farewell Evening’ in the campsite bar/restaurant with dinner and drinks, a time to enjoy and reflect on the many places visited over the last 3 weeks.
Day Twenty-three – Thursday 25th July
A relaxing start to the day following last night. Later we make our way to Klaipeda where we take the overnight ferry to Kiel in Germany. On board the ferry en-suite internal cabins are included for you along with breakfast and lunch menus. 30 miles
Day Twenty-four – Friday 26th July
Upon arrival in Kiel our tour ends. From here it is a 2-day drive back to Calais. If the Tour Directors are returning to the UK, you may accompany them as they make their way back to Calais (campsite fee’s from here on are not included and payable locally).
PRICE
Motorhome with 2 people = £1999 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £2949
DEPOSIT £400
2nd Deposit of £600 to secure ferry places payable 31/01/2024
Balance 10 weeks before start of tour
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- 20 campsite nights with hook-up
- 2 nights overnight parking – No facilities
- 1 night overnight on Ferry
- All transfers required for included excursions
- Entrance fees on guided excursions
- Services of two experienced Tour Directors in their own motorhome
- Tour Information Pack including suggested routes, GPS co-ordinates
- Michelin National Map, Baltic States
- DK Baltic States Guidebook
EXCURSIONS, EVENTS & MEALS INCLUDE
- Drinks reception with Tour Directors
- Welcome to the ‘Baltics’ evening with drinks and local food
- Guided excursion of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania with city restaurant lunch
- Tour of Aglona Basilica
- Boat trip in Estonia lake district
- Tour of Manor House with Dinner & wine
- Guided tour of Tallinn, including lunch in a city restaurant
- Visit to Kuressaare, capital of Saaremaa Island
- Guided excursion of Riga, capital of Latvia with city restaurant lunch
- Entrance to Rundale Palace grounds and gardens
- Guided tour of Rundale Palace interior
- Dinner in Rundale Palace restaurant with wine
- Boat trip on Curonian Lagoon with light lunch
- Farewell Evening with Dinner & wine
- Lithuania to Kiel in Germany, overnight ferry with en-suite inside cabin, breakfast & lunch menu’s
Please Note: This tour starts in Eastern Poland where our Tour Director’s will be there to welcome you having completed the Poland tour. For your journey UK to Poland, GB motorhome Tours can provide you with a suggested route and recommended campsites. Your Dover/Calais return ferry crossing can also be booked for you, making use of GB Motorhome Tours fully flexible ticket including Club Class Lounge entry in both directions.