Baltic States in 13 days

The Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are located near the Baltic Sea. They are frequently visited and popular destinations in Eastern Europe.

The atmospheric, medieval capitals of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius, located a short distance from each other, rightfully belong on to the Unesco World Heritage List and all three have also been European Capitals of Culture.

You travel by ferry from Kiel to Klaipeda in Lithuania and vice versa. So you don't have to travel long distances, your journey starts and ends relaxed.

The outward journey (first day) and return journey (last day) you will drive on your own initiative.

You drive to Kiel (Germany) on your own initiative. From Kiel you take the ferry to Klaipeda, Lithuania. This is a long trip for 20 hours. The ferry departs at 8pm, you have your own cabin on board. You will arrive around 5 pm in Klaipeda, the National port of Lithuania.

You will arrive in Klaipeda around 5 pm local time. Do not forget to set your time to the local timezone. You will drive to the hotel which is 11 km away from the ferry. When you arrive at the hotel, park your bike and check-in at the hotel so you can go and taste the Lithuanian atmosphere in the old town. Everything in this city revolves around the harbour. The inland of Lithuania is supplied via this passage to the sea.

Today you can finally start on your ten-day route through the Baltic States. You will drive along a very beautiful route to Riga, where you will stay for two days. Along the way you will first visit one of the most famous sights of Lithuania, called; the Hill of crosses. This is an international place of pilgrimage. It is a mountain full of old crosses and a lot of stories. Your hotel is located in the heart of the city of Riga.

Today will be a little bit different, as you don't have a route to ride. You can stay in your hotel, enjoy the facilities and relax. Can't get enough of your motorbike? You can always explore the surroundings. There is also a motorbike museum. Riga is the capital of Latvia and the largest city. Riga has a beautiful and varied architecture on the Gulf of Riga. It has become very rich during the Hanseatic League and this can be seen in the old center. But also Jurmala on the white coast, emphasizes the glory of once. Or go see the charming wooden houses populate the streets of the left bank of the Daugava river. 

After a route along the wide white beaches of the Baltic States, you will arrive in Parnü after 185 km. Parnu is a cosy seaside resort a good reason to stop here for sometime. The second part leads through the inland of Estonia. The landscape is very sloping, which makes the ride very relaxed.

Just like in Riga, you will have a ''day off'' in Tallinn. Tallinn also belonged to the wealthy Hansa organisation. It is more compact than Riga and is one of the most beautiful cities around the Baltic Sea. You will stay 2 nights in this old Hanseatic city. Tallinn's Old Town encompasses endless treasures for history buffs and culture hounds alike. Known for being one of the world's best-preserved Hanseatic town centers, the vibrant village-like area features cobblestone streets, lively cafés, and architecture from long-ago centuries. Start your experience at the Town Hall Square. While you might be tempted to keep your eyes cast up at the colorful buildings, look down until you find the distinctive circular stone marked with a compass. Standing at the top gives you the unique vantage point to see the steeples of five historic churches around Tallinn. Then, make your way inside the church-like Town Hall. Build in1404, the oldest town hall in Northern Europe boasts magnificent Gothic arches and precious artworks. Have fun discovering Tallinn!

You leave Tallinn for a drive to the university town of Tartu. The route first takes you to a special place on the northwest coast of Estonia: the Jägala juga Waterfall. Jägala juga Waterfall is the highest natural waterfall in Estonia with a height of about 8 meters. You continue your trip through the inland to end up in the lively university town of Tartu. The terraces on the main square of Tartu are always a good place to be. Cheers!

Through the strongly hilly south-east of Estonia, you follow a beautiful extra winding route through a forested area to Sigulda. About 60 km from Tartu, you drive through Otepäa where the national biathlon stadium and a ski jump are located. This place is a very popular skiing resort.  

For this day, a beautiful trip to Vilnius with a lot of tourist attractions is on the program. After 180 km you pass the small town Birzai in Lithuania. There is a completely renovated country house with a restaurant. You can park your motorbike over the drawbridge on the premises and enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, you drive through the regional park of Anyksciai. A beautiful route follows. At the end of the afternoon, you drive into Vilnius. Park your motorbike at the hotel and you can visit the old historical center of Vilnius with for example the City-Tour bus. In the evening you can eat and drink at the many terraces in town.

Today you have the whole day to visit cosy Vilnius. The historical centre of Vilnius belongs to the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Besides that, the city has a very rich history and a lot to offer to culture lovers. The river Neris flows through the city. Vilnius is the centre of the country, of Lithuanian politics and the centre of the country's economy. Vilnius has its own airport and is, therefore, an excellent place for a short city break. The city is full of beautiful, mostly historical buildings and sights.

Today, a short drive to the south-east of Lithuania, to Druskininkai. Druskininkai is a spa town on the Nemunas River. You have enough time to visit the medieval moated castle of Trakai. It stands 30 kilometres outside of Vilnius. The castle of Trakai has a beautiful terrace on the water. It is possible to visit the castle and walk along the water promenade.
A beautiful route leads you after 149 km to another striking spot: Grutas Parkas. Definitely a place to visit! It takes you back to the Soviet time.

Your last day in the Baltic States brings you back to the port of Klaipeda. The boat leaves at 10 pm. So you have the whole day ahead of you for a nice drive.
This ride leads you through the south-west of Lithuania, along the border of Kaliningrad, a Russian area. Kaliningrad used to be German and part of East Prussia. The capital was Köningsbergen. After the 2nd World War, everything changed. The border is formed by the river Nemunas. Along this river you can see several country houses. 
Once an important region.

At 5 pm you will arrive in Kiel. This is the end of this wonderful motorbike trip! You will make our way home on your own initiative