Fly & Drive 11 days and 10 nights
Detailed itinerary: Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius – Kaunas –Klaipeda – Nida – Klaipeda – Hill of Crosses – Rundale – Riga – Sigulda/Turaida – Parnu – Kuressaare – Tallinn.
Day 1: Vilnius (arrival)
Arrive in Vilnius and pick up your car at the Vilnius International Airport. Drive to hotel, check-in.
Day 2: Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius
Approx. total time 4 hours driving time 0 hours, sightseeing 4 hours.
First part of the day you should spend visiting the old Town of Vilnius.
Main places of interest are Cathedral Square and the Cathedral, Castle Street, Town Hall square, Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, St. Ann and Bernadine’s Church known as the Gothic corner of Vilnius, the Gate of Dawn with the holy image of the Virgin Mary, the Jewish ghetto, Vilnius University and Presidential Palace. Accessible by public transport or rented car - Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church, referred as the pearl of Lithuania for the dazzling white and gorgeous decorations made by Italian craftsmen.
Approx. total time 3 hours 30 min driving time 1 hour 30 min (60 km), sightseeing 2 hours.
After lunch you should drive about 28 km from Vilnius to see Trakai. There you will discover a beautiful red brick castle built on an island in the middle of the lake. This will be a very relaxing, calm and without rush part of a day, where you will be able to enjoy wonderful sights, learn a bit of the history of castle and buy local souvenirs.
Day 3: Vilnius – Kaunas
Approx. total time 3 hours 30 min driving time 1 hour (80 km), sightseeing 2 hours 30 min.
Depart to Kaunas. En route you should visit The Open Air Museum of Lithuania. It is located 80 km from Vilnius and 20 km to Kaunas. The museum is dedicated to XVII-XX century household of Lithuania. You will visit five different parts of museum that represent Lithuanian ethnographical regions. Each part of museum displays traditions and way of life common to Lithuanians who lived there.
Approx. total time 3 hours 30 min driving time 30 min (20 km), sightseeing 3 hours.
Arrive in Kaunas and check-in at the hotel. Have an exploring walk trough Kaunas old town and central area. Main places of interest Kaunas old castle ruins, St. George’s Church, Town Hall square and the Town Hall building, also known as the Kaunas White Swan; Jesuit owned St. Francis Xavier Church, Merchant Guild Houses, Vytautas Church, Perkunas House, Kaunas Cathedral and Liberty Avenue, where you will see the old Presidential Palace, the Statue of Grand Duke Vytautas and the Square of Unity, where eternal flame burns.
Day 4: Kaunas – Klaipeda
Approx. total time 2 hours 30 min driving time 1 hour (40 km), sightseeing 1 hours 30 min.
Just before leaving Kaunas we would recommend to visit St. Virgin Mary Church and the Monastery of Pazaislis, which is one of the most important baroque monuments in this part of Europe. The ensemble is situated on a peninsula of the Kaunas lagoon and can be described as a pearl between sparking waters and forests that are surrounding it. In the church you will see frescoes of extraordinary beauty and unique architecture; or Ninth Fort, which it is one of the saddest Kaunas places, but very interesting and historically valuable. This building is known as the infamous Nazi death camp during the Nazi occupation. The exposition lets the visitor to discover the sad fate of Jews during the Nazi period in Lithuania, as well as the deportations of Lithuanians carried out by the Soviet regime.
Approx. total time 4 hours driving time 2 hours 30 (215 km), sightseeing 1 hour 30 min.
Depart to Klaipeda, check-in at the hotel and have acquaintance with the city. During your walk you should visit a German style old town, which has many merchant houses and warehouses with ‘fachwerk’ decorations. You should pass by the theatre square and enjoy a little statue of the Ann of Thar, she is the main character of the traditional German love and marriage song. The song was created by Simon Dach, famous German poet born in Klaipeda in 17th century. You should also visit the old post building and the symbol of Klaipeda sailing ship Meridianas.
Day 5: Klaipeda – Nida – Klaipeda
Approx. total time ALL DAY driving time 1 hour (50 km), sightseeing ALL DAY.
In the morning take a ferry to Curonian Spit. Drive along one of the most beautiful places in the country to discover fishermen style village Juodkrante and Hill of Witches. Continue your journey to Nida and while driving have wonderful Curonian lagoon, pure white sand beach and forest views. Once in Nida climb on the top of the dune of Parnidis, from which the Sahara scenery will reveal in front of your eyes. Later on pay a visit to world famous German writer Thomas Mann summer house and V.K. Mizgiriai amber gallery to discover exceptional art from amber. This day doesn‘t have a lot of driving. Try to enjoy little things, chose a location in the beach to spend some time there or just spend your time exploring Nida and its surroundings.
Approx. total time 1 hour driving time 1 hour (50 km).
In the evening you should depart to Klaipeda.
Day 6: Klaipeda – Hill of Crosses – Rundale – Riga
Approx. total time 3 hours driving time 2 hours (170 km), sightseeing 1 hour.
At Hill of Crosses you will find thousands of big and little crosses built on an old mound making the place unique in the world. After visiting the hill you can stop for a pray at the nearby Franciscan monastery chapel.
Approx. total time 3 hours driving time 1hour 15 min (80 km), sightseeing 1 hour 45 min.
You will cross the border between Lithuania and Latvia. You won’t be stopped or you need to stop, because both countries are in Shengen zone. The palace is known as the only surviving baroque style palace in the Baltic countries. During the visit you will discover the beauty and exceptionalness of a master work of the author of the winter place of St. Petersburg - F. B. Rastrelli. You will be surprised by decorative details found in the Gold Hall, White Hall, living rooms and the palace original owner’s J. E. Biron’s bedroom. The palace is interesting not only from the architectural side, but also for its history and various stories.
Approx. total time 1 hour 20 min driving time 1hour 20 min (90 km).
Recommended stop at Bauska medieval castle, which is located within 15 min drive from Rundale Palace. That would take additional 30 min. This castle is one of the most important ones in the history of Latvia. Only a part is restored and the rest is waiting for its turn. This in an interesting touristic object which will allow the visitor to see castle defences and get a closer look to the history of Latvia.
Day 7: Riga
Approx. total time 3 – 4 hours driving time 0 hours, sightseeing 3 – 4 hours.
First part of the day you should be visiting Riga’s old town.
Main places of interest Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s church, guild houses that once belonged to the merchants of Hanseatic League, the Sweden gate, the ensemble of three buildings erected in the Middle Ages and often called the three brothers, St. Jacob’s church, Parliament House, the old Riga Castle, the Tower of Sand, Livu square, Latvian National Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the beautiful Statue of Liberty and the surrounding park with its water channels.
Approx. total time depending on selection boat trip 1 hour, Art Nouveau district 1 hour 20 min, museum 2 hours 30 min (driving 1 hour in total).
After lunch we highly recommend to visit Art Nouveau district for Jugendstil style impressive buildings, which can be accessed by public transport, rented car or by 15 min walk (one way) trough beautiful Riga area. Also we recommend having a boat trip on river Daugava for beautiful Riga panorama views. Second part of the day also can be spent by visiting Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia or Jurmala most popular Latvia‘s summer health resort on Baltic sea shore.
Day 8: Riga – Sigulda/Turaida – Parnu – Kuressaare
Approx. total time 3 hours 15 min driving time 1 hours 15 min (90 km), sightseeing 2 hours.
Have a drive to Sigulda/Turaida.
Places of interest in Turaida - Turaida medieval castle and Dainu hill with the sculptures; in between Sigulda and Turaida – Gutman cave; in Sigulda – Sigulda modern caste of 19th century (no entrance) and Sigulda medieval castle ruins.
Approx. total time 3 hours driving time 2 hours 30 min (180 km) sightseeing 30 min.
Depart from Sigulda/Turaida to Parnu. You will cross the border between Latvia and Estonia. You won’t be stopped or you need to stop, because both countries are in Shengen zone. In Parnu you should stop by the main pedestrian street. Have a walk, stretch your legs and enjoy Estonian atmosphere.
Approx. total time3 hours driving time 3 hours (155 km).
Depart to Kuressaare. You will have to take ferry. Check-in at the hotel.
Day 9: Kuressaare - Tallinn
Approx. total time 5 driving time 1 hour 30 min (80 km), sightseeing 3 hours 30 min.
In the first part of day you should visit Kuressaare town. You may have a walk in the town’s park and definitely you must visit best preserved medieval castle in Baltic countries, whose fortifications, cells, environment and history will surprise and impress everyone. After acquaintance with the town visit the windmills and Angla Karja church. Drive to the Muhu Island which has a very wild nature, dominated by birds, rocks and junipers. Visit museum located in Koguva village to find out what was the lifestyle and daily routine of local fishermen in the past.
Approx. total time 3 driving time 3 hours (170 km).
Depart to Tallinn. Check-in at the hotel.
Day 10: Tallinn
Approx. total time 4 hours driving time 0 hours, sightseeing 4 hours.
First part of the day you should be visiting Tallinn’s old town.
Main places of interest the upper part of old town called Toompea Alexander Nevsky Orthodox church built in 1900, the oldest country’s church Toomkirik built in 1233, the Estonian parliament and the upper part of the old town surrounding fortress walls and towers, two different viewpoints for panorama views; lower part of old town Town Hall, Merchant Guild Houses and a market of local handicrafts.
Approx. total time 3 hours driving time 1 hour, sightseeing 2 hours.
After lunch we recommend to visit Kadriorg Palace and the surrounding park, Pirita Monastery and the Song festival grounds; or you could visit Estonian ethnographical museum Rocca al Mare. All these places can be accessed by your rented car.
Day 11: Tallinn (departure)
Arrive at the airport. Drop off the car.
End of our services.
The package includes:
- Rental car with AC Auto or similar, insurance and unlimited mileage
- Hotels and daily breakfasts at the hotel restaurant
- Support for emergencies by calling company’s office number
- Map for driving between major cities
- Guides for old towns are provided by the hotel you are staying in
We highly recommend:
- GPS navigation system
- Vilnius, Kaunas, Riga and Tallinn city walking tours
