The Baltic States

4th - 27th July(23 nights)pdfdownload

 





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

Day One – Sunday 4th 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 – Monday 5th 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 traditional hearty food. 170 miles

Day Three – Tuesday 6th July
Trakai is famous for its ‘Island Castle’ and today has been left free for you to visit. This is easy with boats running directly from the campsite jetty across Lake Galve to the castle entrance.

Day Four – Wednesday 7th 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 English speaking guide will help us appreciate our time in this fascinating city. Included is lunch in an old city centre restaurant.

Day Five – Thursday 8th 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 have been granted permission to park (no facilities so we will use our motorhomes own) within the grounds of the basilica, which we tour in the afternoon. In the evening we visit a nearby bread museum for a rustic supper. 165 miles

Day Six – Friday 9th 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 – Saturday 10th July
A free day. Our campsite is situated within an area of lakes & nature with lovely walks all around, where the pretty town of Voru is a comfortable 25 minutes walk away. 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 – Sunday 11th July
Picturesque drive through rural areas to arrive at Vosu in the heart of the Lahemaa National Park, Estonia’s most protected area. 160 miles

Day Nine – Monday 12th 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 – Tuesday 13th 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 – Wednesday 14th July
Short drive to near Tallinn, Estonia’s beautiful capital. 55 miles

Day Twelve – Thursday 15th 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 – Friday 16th 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 (2019 – £25 return payable locally). 130 miles

Day Fourteen – Saturday 17th July

An excursion 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 housing 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 – Sunday 18th July
A free day. Our campsite is located in a lovely rural setting and ideal for a relaxing day.

Day Sixteen – Monday 19th 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 – Tuesday 20th 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 – Wednesday 21st July
A completely free day. The beach and resort of Jurmula are nearby.

Day Nineteen – Thursday 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 evening there will be a guided tour of the Palace interior followed 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 – Friday 23rd 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 (2019 – £35 return, payable locally) and then pay an entry fee to the reserve (2019 – £25 for a motorhome to enter, payable locally). 180 miles

Day Twenty-one – Saturday 24th 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 – Sunday 25th 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 local music, dinner and drinks, a time to enjoy and reflect on the many places visited over the last 3 weeks.

Day Twenty-three – Monday 26th 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. From here it is a 2-day drive back to Calais. On board the ferry en-suite internal cabins are included for you along with breakfast and lunch menus.

Day Twenty-four – Tuesday 27th July
Upon arrival in Kiel our tour ends. 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 = £0000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £0000

DEPOSIT £400

2nd Deposit of £500 to secure ferry places payable 31/01/2021
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
  • Evening at bread museum with rustic dinner
  • Tour of Manor House with Dinner & wine
  • Guided tour of Tallinn, including lunch in a local restaurant
  • Excursion 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
  • Lithusnia to Kiel in Germany, overnight ferry with en-suite inside cabin, breakfast & lunch menu’s

This tour starts in Eastern Poland. If you would like to travel out from the UK with Tour Directors, please book the optional package so that everything can be arranged for you including your Dover/Calais return crossings.

OPTIONAL EXTRA PACKAGE

  • Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60 day Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
  • 8 additional campsite nights with electric hook-ups on the outward journey, starting in Kent on Sunday 27th June 2021 then in Belgium, 2 x Germany and 4 x Poland
  • Dinner at campsite in Poland
  • Tour information pack with suggested routes and GPS co-ordinates
  • Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £000