Islands, Spas and Beaches

This coastal route follows the Baltic Sea from the medieval old town of Tallinn, through the historic spa town of Haapsalu, frequented by Tsars and Tchaikovsky, to the white sand beaches of the Estonias summer capital, Pärnu. The route then takes you through some of Estonia’s 1500 islands via the fourteenth century castle at Kuressaare on Saaremaa Island where a ferry links Estonia with Ventspils; the bustling maritime port of Latvia. From there it’s a short drive to Riga, the historic capital, via the nineteenth century spa town of Jûrmalâ.

(Suggested duration: 4 nights minimum)

Kingdoms, Churches and the Amber Coast

The route begins in Vilnius with its romantic skyline covered in church spires and crosses. Drive via Trakai lakeside castles to the spa town of Druskininkai, known for its healing salt treatments. Depart Druskininkai via Grûtas, where here you can visit Lenin and Stalin in the Soviet statue park. Take the back roads to the city of Kaunas, marvel at the view of the old and new towns from surrounding hills and visit the peculiar Devil Museum.  Drive further on towards the western coast of Lithuania to Klaipéda and spend the day exploring the UNESCO world heritage listed national park of the Curonian Spit.  Venture only as far as Nida, the town believed to be gradually disappearing into the sea, where Lithuania ends and the Russian Kaliningrad begins. Stay overnight in Klaipéda but wake up early and head to Palanga, the lively summer capital of Lithuania, to see the stunning sunrise from the beach.  Journey back to Riga via the hill of crosses at Ðiauliai.

(Suggested duration: 4 nights minimum)

Empires, Manor Houses and Castles

The inland route takes you east of Tallinn via the fishing villages of Estonia’s famous Lahemaa National Park to some of the best preserved German manor houses in the country. As the border with Russia approaches, you have the opportunity of visiting the secret Stalin era USSR ‘closed town’ of Sillamäe before viewing the historic fault line of competing empires at Narva Castle as it faces Ivangorod Castle in Russia. The route then winds its way along the sandy beaches of Lake Peipsi through the villages and onion dome orthodox churches of Russian Old Believers to the cultural heart of Estonia; the eternally youthful historic university town of Tartu. From there you head south into Latvia and the spectacular Knights of the Sword crusader castle of Cçsîs before heading to Riga via Gauja National Park.

(Suggested duration: 4 nights minimum)