Overview:
This self drive holiday starts in Vilnius, the historic capital of Lithuania, and features the Curonian Spit, a unique strip of sand created 7,000 years ago. Seventy percent of the Spit is covered by fragrant pine forests, while the remaining landscape features some of the highest sand dunes in Europe. There are over 960 species of plants growing on the Spit and every spring and autumn over 15 million migrating birds fly over it. There are also four quaint fishermens' settlements with their unique, colorful houses with thatched or red tiled roofs.
Holiday price is from £845 per person based on availability and two people sharing a standard twin or double room.
Departure dates |
Departure |
Arrival |
Arrive |
Leave |
Apr - Oct |
London |
Vilnius |
Daily |
Daily |
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Vilnius
Upon arrival in Vilnius pick up your rent a car and head to Vilnius Old Town. Overnight stay at the 4* Hotel Amberton or similar centrally located hotel.
Day 2: Vilnius - Kernave - Trakai (50 km)
In the morning explore Vilnius. Visit the Old Town sights such as Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Castle, St. Anne's Church, Vilnius University and the Dawn Gate with a holy icon of Virgin Mary. In the afternoon drive to Trakai, stopping along the way in Kernave, the pagan 13th century Lithuanian capital with five castle mounds. Arrive in Trakai, the ancient Lithuanian capital, famous for its 15th century Gothic Castle on an island in Lake Galve. Overnight in Trakai at Hotel Tresalis or similar.
Day 3: Vilnius - Rumsiskes – Kaunas – Palanga (250 km)
After breakfast depart for the seacoast, stopping in Rumsiskes Open- Air Museum featuring 18-19th century Lithuanian peasant life. Stop in Kaunas, Lithuania's second largest city, situated at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers. Coninue on to Palanga, passing Raudone and Panemune castles. Arrive in Palanga, the most popular Lithuanian seaside resort. Overnight in Palanga at Baltic Inn Hotel or similar.
Day 4: Palanga – Klaipeda - The Curonian Spit (45 km)
Enjoy the morning in Palanga, famous for its beaches of white clean sand, the Amber Museum and a beautiful botanical garden. In the afternoon drive for Klaipeda, Lithuania's main sea-port, site of the tribal fishing village of the ancient Balts and 13th century castle built by the German Crusaders. Take a 15 minute ferry ride across the Curonian Lagoon to Smiltyne where you can visit the Lithuanian Sea Museum and Dolphinarium. Drive 20 km along the narrow asphalt road that leads you through the entire Curonian Spit National Park called Neringa, until you reach the twon of Juodkrante, the second largest settlement of Neringa. Overnight in Juodkrante at Hotel Vila Flora or similar.
Day 5: The Curonian Spit: Juodkrante-Pervalka-Preila-Nida (30 km)
Explore Juodkrante, Amber Bay, Rock Sculpture Park on the embankment of the lagoon, the Hill of Witches and the site of one of Europe's largest colonies of grey herons and great cormorants. Take a hike in the Nagliai Nature Reserve on a pedestrian path made of boards winding through the reserve for 9 km. Continue your drive to Pervalka, the smallest settlement of Neringa, founded by Curonians who moved their houses piece by piece to avoid being buried by the shifting sand dunes. Stop in Preila, the third biggest settlement of Neringa town, which was founded by sandbound nearby villagers. It features the highest dune of the Curonian Spit (67 m). From Preila, make the short drive to Nida, the largest settlement of the spit, resting only 4 km from the Russian border. Overnight in Nida at the Hotel Nerija or similar.
Day 6: The Curonian Spit - Nida
Enjoy the sights of Nida, such as the Thomas Mann Memorial House where this famous German writer liked to spend his summers. Visit the Fisherman‘s Ethnographic Homestead, the lighthouse on Urbo Hill (51 m), the Amber Gallery and the sand dunes. Overnight in Nida at the Hotel Nerija or similar.
Day 7: Nida – Vilnius (300 km)
Return to Vilnius. A day to explore Vilnius on your own. Overnight in Hotel Amberton or similar.
Day 8: Departure from Vilnius
Breakfast at the hotel. Drop off your rent a car at the airport. Return flight.
Package Includes:
- Flights from London to Vilnius (we can arrange flights from other airports upon request)
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler
- 1 night's accommodation in Vilnius
- 1 night's accommodation in Trakai
- 1 night's accommodation in Palanga
- 1 night's accommodation in Judokrante
- 2 nights' accommodation in Nida
- 1 night's accommodation in in Vilnius
- Breakfast daily
- 8 days car rent (group ECMR) including; unlimited milleage, theft protection insurance (TP), collision damage waver insurance (CDW), third part liability insurance (TPL), airport fee, registration fee, VAT
- Road map of Lithuania
- 24 hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
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