Three Countries Tour Poland – Russia – Lithuania – 9 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 8 Nights
Distance: 25 Miles/day average
Dates: May 24; Jun 14, 28; Jul 12, 26; Aug 9, 23; Sep 6, 2014 (minimum 12 participants)
Tour price: €892
Start city: Gdansk, Poland
End city: Klaipeda, Lithuania
Tour Description
This tour begins in Gdansk, Poland, a city with over 1,000 years of history and an important European seaport with a spectacular old town.
After touring the fortress in Malbork, you cycle in Pomerania to the Russian border, which you cross and enter the Russian enclave in the EU. Kaliningrad, the former Koenigsberg, has been redeveloped after the war to become a true Soviet city – don’t miss your chance to witness it.
You leave Russia by bike, cycling along the Curonian Peninsula to Lithuania. Many bathing possibilities are on the way. After stopping in Nida, you finish in Klaipeda, Lithuania’s most important seaport.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: 1,000-year old Gdansk – Poland Day 2: Malbork – the medieval stronghold – Poland (23 miles/37 km) Day 3: Elblag Canal – Poland (28 miles/45 km) Day 4: Welcome to Russia (Rest Day) *Please note that crossing the Russian border requires the possession of a passport and a Russian visa. The visa applications will be handled by Nature Travel. You shall receive detailed information from us by post after booking. Day 5: Amber coast in Russia (25 miles/40 km) Day 6: Curonian Spit- Russia/Lithuania (34 miles/55 km) Day 7: Curonian Spit – Lithuania (9 miles/15 km) Day 8: Curonian Spit and the Klaipeda Region – Lithuania (38 miles/60 km) Day 9: End of the tour Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided Helmets:
After you arrive individually in Gdansk, your local guide awaits you in Gdansk before 5 p.m. at the hotel’s reception. Then enjoy dinner in a resaturant located in the Old Town followed by a guided tour of Gdansk.
Overnight in Gdansk.
After breakfast we take a train/bus to Malbork, where a guided tour of the mightiest European fortress awaits. In the afternoon you will start the first bicycle journey, quite an easy route with beautifully scenic views of the landscape. Afterwards, you transfer by bus to Elblag.
Overnight in Elblag.
After breakfast, we ride towards Frombork, the city of Nicholas Copernicus. On the way, we will have the opportunity to take a look on the Vistula Lagoon, between Poland and Kaliningrad. In the evening we will enjoy a presentation of the Cathedral’s organ.
Overnight in Frombork.
On this day we shall travel to Kaliningrad, formerly Königsberg (Russia). From Frombork we ride with a bus to Kaliningrad, where a guided tour awaits us. Lunch is also scheduled in the programme.
Overnight in Zelenograd/Kaliningrad.
Today we take a beatiful bicycle trip through shadowy tree alleys in Zelenogradsk. On the road we make a stop in Yantarny and visit the amber mine. We also take a walk in the resort of Svietlogorsk to end the day smoothly.
Overnight as on day four in Zelenograd/Kaliningrad.
Today’s bicycle trip leads us through the Russian part of the Spit. Riding over asphalt roads we reach the field station in Ribachnoye, a dedicated to bird observatory where almost a million birds can be seen each year. In the afternoon we head further into the Russian part of the Spit and observe sand dunes. Bathing breaks are also scheduled. In the late afternoon we pass the Russian border and head to Nida in Lithuania.
Overnight in Nida.
Right after breakfast we head for the summer home of Thomas Mann, German Nobel Prize laureate, today a museum. After visiting the museum we ride to the highest dune of the Spit, where we can admire panoramic views of the Baltic and Curonian Lagoon. The afternoon is free, the perfect opportunity to enjoy sea bathing.
Dinner and overnight as on day six in Nida/Lithuania.
We cycle along one of the most beatiful bicycle routes in eastern Europe we reach Klaipeda, having crossed the whole Lithuanian part of the Spit by bike. In Juodkrante we take a break to admire the bizarre sculptures of Lithuanian legends on the Witch Hill. In the late afternoon a guided tour of Klaipeda’s old town awaits us.
Overnight in Klaipeda.
After breakfast, you will depart individually.
Bikes available for rent on this tour (reserved in advance at the time of booking):
Helmet rental is not available on this tour. For safety and hygiene purposes, we recommend that you bring your own helmet or plan to purchase one upon arrival.