It so happens that PRTBRT often broadcasts from the Baltic countries - one of its editorial bases is located in Latvia. We often look at how our friends and acquaintances travel around Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and clutch our heads. That’s why we decided to write this column about how to truly experience these small countries, where you really have to look for the flavor.

Do not take the route Tallinn - Riga - Vilnius at once

For several days you just walk around the Old Towns of three capitals, drink, eat, stare and spend money, and then say: yes, I was in this Baltic region, everything is the same. Although all three cities are unique and very different, this can only be understood by visiting each one separately.

During a trip to three capitals you will remember some passages, but everything will stick together into one lump of cathedrals, towers, food and booze. And at the same time, each city has its own face and its own unusual places, which you most likely won't see. Simply because the “three (five, seven) days - three cities” format does not imply anything other than an endless race and walks in the Old Town together with British lovers of cheap flights to stag parties and getting drunk, old people and tourists from ferries.

Advice: Don't be fooled by the size of the countries - each is best viewed individually. Therefore, do not try to travel around everything during the allotted vacation time.

Old town of Tallinn

But if you do go, don’t spend all your time in the Old Town

As already mentioned, each city has its own face and its own places of power: in Tallinn this is the Telliskivi district, which is located outside the Old Town. In Riga, for example, the best bars have never been located within the Old Town: just go for a walk along Krisjan Barona Street and turn onto small streets. That's where the most will be interesting places and establishments such as the editor’s favorite bar - Taka or the city's most current dance floor - Piens.

In the Old Town there is average entertainment, typical bars and restaurants, of which there are many in any city in Eastern and Northern Europe from Krakow to Stockholm. This is not why you come to see the country.

Advice: If you know that there is no life in the Old Town, then there is no need to rent housing there either. Look for apartments on Airbnb or hotels near places of power: you will save both time and money.

Telliskivi district in Tallinn

Another cool place outside of the old town of Riga – Kaņepes Kultūras centrs

Don't linger in cities

You won't get to see the country in cities, so be sure to plan to visit alternative or out-of-town attractions.

From Tallinn you can easily go to see the quarry in Rumma (there is still room to climb through, don’t be scared by the fence), and then go to the island of Saaremaa, where there are almost more attractions than in all of Estonia.

From Riga you should definitely go to Irbene - a ghost town with a huge radar, spend the night on Cape Kolka, see the seaside Ventspils and Liepaja. Who even knows about the existence of the Mark Rothko art center in Daugavpils? The famous artist was born in this city.

From Vilnius you should definitely go to the Hill of Crosses, visit the Europos Parkas landscape park - an analogue of the Russian Nikola-Lenivets, explore Klaipeda and cross the border with Russia on the Curonian Spit.

All three countries have many opportunities for diverse tourism: alternative attractions, eco-farms and national parks - plan your route so that you can stay in the capitals for one or two days, get acquainted with the main places and cultural life, and then go deeper!

Countries are replete with craft, family-run productions of everything from cheese to amber. A fair is held annually in Latvia, where you can buy not just handmade things, but modern and beautiful accessories and clothes. It’s nice to use such things not because they are crafted, but simply because they are convenient and beautiful.

Mountain of Crosses

Quarry in Rummu

But if you are still delayed, be sure to travel out of town at least one day

If it’s already late and you stay in each of the capitals for three days, then don’t be sad: there are many interesting places around each of the cities:

near Vilnius - the beautiful Trakai Castle;

from Riga you should definitely go to Jurmala or national park"Kemeri";

From Tallinn, go to Laachema National Park.

By the way, the locations from the previous paragraph also apply to this: this is the Baltics, and you can go back and forth to any place within one country! The main thing is not to be lazy and plan. It’s entirely possible to rent a car for one or two days, or find a driver using BlaBlaCar, use Lux Express buses, or maybe even stop hitchhiking. In summer, Estonia is overrun by friendly Finns, and Latvia and Lithuania are overrun by Poles and Germans (and less wary tourists in Russian cars).

Kemeri National Park

Spend more time searching

Not all good hotels, campsites and guesthouses are available on the usual booking sites. For example, the editor’s favorite campsite Saulesmājas with barrel houses on Cape Kolka (another chic Latvian location - the meeting place of the waves of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga) appeared on booking.com only in May of this year!

Or another great option is the Klaukas glamping site in the area of ​​Sigulda and the Gauja National Park. And this is just what is on the surface - there are dozens of such places, but you will have to prepare well and search.

Camping Saulesmājas

Don’t forget that these are already different countries

If in the minds of the older generation this is still a homogeneous Baltic region, then the modern traveler is struck by striking differences: Estonia and especially Tallinn are full-fledged Northern Europe, Lithuania gravitates towards Poland, and Latvia is still at an undefined crossroads, but with European features. At the same time, each of these countries has preserved unique original places and cultural features. Understanding this simple fact will help you take a different look at these neighboring countries and choose the one that is closer in spirit for a full-fledged trip!

Check tickets to Tallinn, or maybe Riga or Vilnius

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The Baltic states are the three Baltic republics of the “Soviet border”: Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. These European countries are located in close proximity to Russia and thereby attract thousands of tourists from our country every year. Diverse cultural and nightlife, many architectural monuments under UNESCO protection, a wonderful climate - all this makes the Baltic states a real tourist paradise. The hospitality and good nature of the local residents knows no bounds, and the second unofficial language here is, of course, Russian. Therefore, if you are still wondering where to spend your vacation, feel free to pack your bags and go on a trip to the Baltic countries. You will always be welcome here!

Visa regime

The close proximity to the Baltic countries, unfortunately, is overshadowed by the fact that Russian citizens need to obtain a visa to visit them. You can submit documents to receive it at the consulate, embassy and visa centers of the countries you visit in the cities of the Russian Federation. The requirements for the package of documents are standard “general Schengen”. The visa application form must be filled out online, and documents will be accepted by appointment. The visa will be issued quickly, in 6 working days, and you will have the opportunity to visit not only the Baltic countries, but also visit their European neighbors for a day or two.

How to get to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia by car

There are several inexpensive, fast and convenient ways to get to the Baltic countries. You can travel from Russia to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia by train, plane, bus and car.

Let's consider the most interesting and unforgettable way of traveling - a car rally.

Latvia

So, to get to Riga, you need to follow the Moscow-Riga highway E22*M9 (Novorizhskoe highway). You will cover the distance from Moscow to Riga - 918 km and if you are traveling from St. Petersburg - 641 km.

To travel by personal vehicle, you will need:

• New registration plate;
• New driver's license;
• Car insurance policy “Green Card” (tourists apply for it themselves and present the original).

Estonia

To get to Estonia, you need to follow the route St. Petersburg - Talin along the European section of the E20 highway, also designated as the federal public road A-180. Distance from Tallinn by highway: Moscow - 995 kilometers, St. Petersburg - 362 kilometers (just under 8 hours) through the checkpoints of Narva, Pechora and Luhamaa. However, keep in mind that there may be a long queue at the border, so it is better to book your border crossing time online in advance. It will be useful for motorists to remember the following information about border checkpoints: Pärnu is located at an equidistant distance from Narva and Kunichnaya Gora (near Pskov), but, as a rule, the queue is much shorter at Kunichnaya Gora. When you get ready for your return trip, take a place in line on the GoSwift website in advance. Reservations can be made 90 days before travel for 1 euro. Then everything is simple: drive up to Narva, go to the “settlement station” (when entering the city, turn right immediately after the first gas station), look for a sign on the concrete fence on the left side and as soon as the reservation number is displayed, go to the window, go through all the necessary procedures, and then proceed directly to the checkpoint.

Lithuania

You can get to Lithuania through Belarus or Latvia. The most convenient way to get there is by route through Belarus, a trip along which will take only a day.

To the attention of tourists crossing customs border Republic of Belarus!!! If you are traveling through the territory of Belarus by car in transit, then you do not need a visa! You just need to pay the transit fee and travel on the toll road.

You can travel to Lithuania through the following border points: From Belarus – via Lavorishkes (motorway 103), Medininkai (road A3), Raigardas (motorway A4) and Šalčininkai (motorway 104).

From Russia (Kaliningrad region) – via Nida (motorway 167), Panyamune (motorway A12) and Kybartai (highway A7), Obeliai (highway A122) and Smelin (highway A6).

From Poland: Kalwariski (highway A5), Lazdiyski (highway 135).

The distance Vilnius-Moscow along the highway is 902 km, and along a straight road - 791 km.

How to rent a car in the Baltic countries

If you don't like long car trips, then you can rent a car immediately upon arrival in the Baltics. Renting a car here is convenient and fast. The car will be delivered to you wherever you want, and you can leave it in any other city, including neighboring countries Europe, and even Portugal.

Take advantage of a comfortable travel option - renting a camper (motor home).

Required documents

To rent a car, you need to have with you:

• a driver's license corresponding to an international standard;
• international insurance (“ green card") or a local road insurance policy, which can be taken out when crossing the border;
• bank credit card.

Your driving experience must be at least 1-2 years, and your age must be from 21 to 25 years (depending on the conditions of the rental company).

Where can I get a car?

As a rule, you can pick up a rental car from the parking lot of the rental company office. International car rental companies have their branches at airports. In this case, you can drive your car directly from there. But even those companies that do not have their representative offices at air terminals can deliver the car to the address that you specify.

Where can I park my car?

If you are planning a route in one direction, then for an additional fee you can leave the car in any other city or even country. As a rule, most rental companies allow you to travel in a rented car throughout the European Union.

Technical nuances of renting

You receive the car with a full gas tank, and you must return it in the same condition, otherwise you will be charged a fine. All cars are insured under the Compulsory Insurance program, but before the trip, be vigilant and inspect the car for damage and its technical condition. From the moment you sign the technical condition report, you are responsible for all subsequent damage, unless it is caused by an accident. It would be useful for you to clarify what measures are taken in the event of material damage or theft of a car (what additional insurance options exist), late return to the specified place under the contract, and also take contacts in case of vehicle breakdown.

Rental cost

The rental price varies depending on the car class and rental period. The average price is 30-70 euros/day (except for executive class). There is an opportunity to save on rent if you use the “Weekend Package”: pick up the car on Friday and return it no later than Monday morning. In this case, you are guaranteed a 10-25% discount from the regular rate.

When paying or making a reservation with a bank card, the required amount is not immediately debited, but simply blocked. Thus, the rental company is insured against unforeseen expenses that are specified in the rental agreement (delay in returning the car, return with an incomplete fuel tank, etc.). Full debit will be made only after the final return of the car.

Keep in mind that the cost of renting and returning a car at the airport may be higher than at the city office of the same company.

Additional services

If necessary, you can also rent a child restraint and navigator by notifying the rental car in advance.

Traffic Laws

Speed ​​Limit

Standard speed limits in the Baltic countries:

Cars and motorcycles:

• in a populated area - 50 km/h
• on a country road - 90 km/h
• on the highway - 110 km/h

Alcohol

The maximum permissible dose of alcohol in the blood is 0.2 ‰.

If the blood alcohol level is 0.2 ‰-0.49 ‰, then the fine will be 400 euros and withdrawal of rights for six months.

If the blood alcohol level is 0.5 ‰-1.49 ‰, then the fine will be 1,200 euros and the license will be suspended for a year.

Low beam

Driving is permitted only with low beams. During daylight hours, instead of low beam headlights, you can turn on daytime running lights, which can operate without turning on the side lights and license plate lighting. Front fog lights can be turned on when driving together with the headlights in case of insufficient visibility caused by rain or fog

Fine – up to 200 euros.

Carriage of children and seat belts

It is prohibited to transport children under 3 years of age without a seat belt. A child can be transported in the front seat of a car only if he is firmly fastened with a seat belt or is well secured in a special child car seat.

In addition to children, all other passengers in the front and rear seats, including, of course, the driver, must also be fastened.

Fine – up to 400 euros

Talking on a mobile phone

Negotiations are prohibited while driving. mobile phone without a special Hands Free device, which allows you not to hold the phone in your hands during a conversation.

The fine is 16 euros.

Fines

Traffic police officers may collect fines at the scene of the violation.

Fines for some traffic violations in the Baltic countries:

In case of repeated violation, fines for some violations can be several times higher.

Speeding	Fine (EUR)
up to 20 km/h	120
from 21 km/h to 40 km/h	400
from 41 km/h to 60 km/h	800
over 60 km/h	1,200

The use of radar detectors is prohibited. Fine € 400 and confiscation of the device itself.

Mandatory equipment

The car must have:

• Warning triangle
• Car first aid kit (for legal entities)
• Fire extinguisher
• Two wheel chocks
• Winter tires are required for vehicles with a total weight of up to 3.5 tons from December 1 to March 1. The minimum tread depth should be 3 mm. These dates are subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Toll roads

In the Baltic countries there are no fees for using highways.

Parking

Estonia

Parking in the center major cities paid. Payment for parking can be made using a special parking card (parking clock), which can be purchased from parking employees or in shops and kiosks.

In some places there are parking machines that issue tickets with the permitted parking time. In the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, to pay for parking you can buy a scratchable parking ticket, which costs 0.26; 0.51; 1.15 and 2.30 euros. The parking start time is scratched off on the ticket in the following fields: year, month, date, hours and minutes. The marked parking ticket must be placed behind the windshield of your vehicle. If nothing else is specified, parking is paid from 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays, and from 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays parking is free. Parking costs 1-2 euros per hour. Incorrectly parked cars are towed, and violators are punished with a fine of up to 70 euros.

Latvia

In the capital of Latvia, Riga, all parking lots located in the center are paid. RP SIA Rigas satiksme parking lots are open from 8.00 to 20.00 on weekdays and from 9.00 to 17.00 on Saturdays. On other days, including Sundays and holidays, parking lots can be used free of charge.

Parking prices vary depending on the zone in which it is located.

The cost of parking in Vecaki is 2.00 euros for the entire period from 8 to 20 hours.

Lithuania

In the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, in the central part, all parking is paid. From Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm you must pay for parking. Parking is free on Sunday (with some exceptions).

There are 4 paid parking zones: blue, yellow, red and green.

A parking lot in the blue zone allows you to park a car in all other zones too. Parking in the green zone allows parking only there, parking in the yellow zone allows parking in the green zone. Paying for parking in the red zone allows you to park your car in the yellow and green zones.

The minimum parking fee is 10 cents. Funds are collected by parking meters that accept coins of 10, 20, 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 euros.

In addition to the machines, you can pay for parking via SMS to the service number.

Violation of parking rules is punishable by a fine of 23 to 40 euros. If paid on the spot, the fine can be reduced to 11 euros.

Gasoline cost

Latvia

Unleaded gasoline (98 and 95) and diesel fuel are available in Latvia. Not all gas stations have 92 gasoline. Gas filling stations (LPG) are available.

According to Statoil data, average prices for all types of fuel as of 08/31/2015 are as follows:

• Bezsvina 95 - 106 euros
• Bezsvina 98 - 1.161 euro
• Dizelis - 0.999 euros
• Autogāze - 523 euros

Estonia

In Estonia on at the moment Gasoline of all types is available: ecto95, E85, 95, 98. Also gas and diesel fuel. The average price fluctuates approximately 17.4 EEK, which is approximately 42 rubles or 1.11 euros. Not the highest cost for the whole of Europe.

The most common gas station company is LukOil; on the website you can find out the cost of gasoline in any city in Estonia.

http://www.lukoil.ee/rus/index.php?id=111

The price of gasoline in Estonia is higher than in Latvia, but lower than in Lithuania, so if you are going to transit through Estonia, it is advisable to refuel in Latvia.

Lithuania

In Lithuania you can refuel with 95 and 98 unleaded gasoline, as well as diesel fuel and gas. Not every gas station has 92 gasoline available.

Average prices for all types of fuel according to Lukoil data as of 09/01/2015:

• Benzinas 95 - 159 euros
• Benzinas 98 - 208 euros
• Dyzelinas - 037 euros
• LPG - 494 euros

Sights and hotels of the Baltic countries

We offer you the following enough interesting route for the Baltic countries. You can go on a trip by car, both during long weekends and on holidays, not to mention vacations. In one trip you will visit three countries and see a lot of sights. Your trip by car will be quite comfortable, since in the Baltic states you will find a large number of campsites that optimize living costs.

Lithuania

Vilnius

When entering Lithuania, the first stop is the capital - Vilnius. The old town of Vilnius is one of the largest in all of Europe.

The capital of Lithuania – Vilnius – is a city of Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic:

The Renaissance is represented by the Church of St. Michael, the Medinin Gate of the city wall and the university courtyards.

Baroque decorates the churches of St. Catherine, St. Peter and Paul, St. Casimir, Dominicans, Trinitarians, Augustinians, St. Raphael, St. James, and Missionaries.

Gothic – these are the churches of St. Anne, St. Nicholas, Franciscans and Gedeminas Castle.

In Vilnius you can stay in the following hotels:

• Congress 4*
• Europe Royal 4*
• Ecotel 2*+
• Panorama 3*

Trakai

When traveling around Lithuania, do not miss the opportunity to visit amazing city Trakai, the ancient capital of the Principality of Lithuania, located just 30 km from Vilnius.

The main attraction of Trakai is the world-famous Trakai Castle, located on an island in the middle of Lake Galvė. Note that this is the only castle on the island of Eastern Europe.

Kaunas

Next, your route goes to Kaunas. This is a conveniently located, perfectly preserved Old Town, where there are many valuable architectural and cultural monuments: Kaunas Castle, the churches of St. Gertrude and Vytutas the Great, the Gothic Perkūnas House, Kaunas Town Hall - “White Swan”, Čiurlionis Museum, Adam Mickiewicz House Museum, etc. .

Klaipeda

Then your route lies to Klaipeda, the only Lithuanian port city and the northernmost ice-free port of the Baltic Sea. Here you can take a tour of maritime museum-aquarium and visit the dolphinarium. Sailing enthusiasts can head to the yacht club.

Palanga

Palanga is located close to Klaipeda - largest resort coast of Lithuania. In recent years, the tourism infrastructure has developed greatly, as a result of which the resort has been equipped with many good hotels and guest houses of various levels, such as:

• Jellyfish;
• Alanga;
• Gabia;
• Raje.

The most beautiful corner of Palanga is botanical garden, where the Tyszkiewicz Palace is located, in the courtyard of which there is the Amber Museum.

Latvia

Liepaja

Coastal Liepaja is a “town of musicians” and favorite place holidays for members of the royal family.

Various musical events are constantly held here, the Flower Festival is held twice a year, and the Kalvene Zoo is open year-round.

Be sure to visit Rundeli Castle, from where you can go to Saldus.

Saldus

The suburb of Saldus is famous for the Kalnsetas Park, through which the Tsiecere River flows. This is an amazing place for boating and fishing. Ancient estates and other cultural monuments preserve memories of the years of rule of the German barons.

Riga

• Gutenbergs 4*
• Conventa set 3*
• Tia 3*
• Livonia 2* +

Jurmala

Then we recommend that you have a good rest famous resort Baltics - Jurmala. The cleanest air, the unique aroma of centuries-old pine needles, amazing wooden houses dusted with New Year's snow create a picturesque winter atmosphere. The winter climate of Jurmala is very calming and tonic at the same time. Our advice is to make a stop at the most famous hotel of the legendary resort. At the Wellness Oasis recreation and sports center, you can completely forget about the everyday hustle and bustle and get the maximum charge of overflowing energy. Five types of saunas, a jacuzzi, an ultra-modern solarium, swimming pools with various temperature conditions and a water bar at your disposal.

You can also stay at the following hotels:

• Jurmala spa
• Lielupe
• Wind rose
• Daina

Sigulda

From Jurmala you can head straight to Estonia, but still stop by the city of Sigulda along the way. Just an hour's drive and you will already get acquainted with the ancient castles of the city and walk along the paths of the banks of the Gauja. Here you can see the massive stone castle of the Livonian Order - Zegevold, Turai Castle, the Livonian fortification and the huge Gutmania Cave.

Estonia

Tartu

We know Tartu as the university capital of Estonia. Ancient Tartu has a thousand-year history - it is the city of Lotman and Ber, a favorite place of Russian emperors and Pushkin’s comrades, the cradle of the famous Dorpat University.

You will definitely feel the unique aura of Tartu, where the romance of student traditions is intertwined with the mysterious Middle Ages.

The highlight of the city is Toomemägi Park, built in English style on the site of an ancient Estonian settlement. The park contains the Angels and Devil's Bridges, the ruins of the Dome Cathedral dating back to the 15th century and an observatory.

Tallinn

In Tallinn, you can relax in hotels near the old town Grand Hotel 4*, Hermitage 3* or Central 3*. These hotels offer free parking.

For those wishing to combine a spa holiday and walks around the city, we recommend staying at the Pirita Top Spa 3* hotel, which is located 5 km from the old town, or at the Laulasmaa 3* hotel, located 35 km from Tallinn.

Our advice: it is not advisable to travel around the city by car, as there may be problems with parking.

Among other things, Tallinn can surprise you with a variety of exciting excursions.

Rakvere

On your way back to Russia, we strongly advise you to visit the town of Rakvere. The main attraction here is the ruins of the Order's castle, which houses a stage and an open-air museum, a windmill and the symbol of Rakveri - the sculpture of the tour.

Kuremäe

Next, visit the Orthodox Holy Dormition Pyukhta Convent in Kuremäe, built in 1891. The Estonian governor, Prince Sergei Vladimirovich Shakhovskoy, who contributed to the founding and construction of the monastery, is buried within the monastery. Legend says that it was here that the image of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was found on a sacred oak tree. This is the only monastery that is related to the Moscow diocese, unlike all others subordinate Orthodox Church Estonia. In summer you can meet many pilgrims from St. Petersburg and Latvia here.

Toila and Narva-Yesu

You can put a final point on your journey by car in most interesting resort Toila, with a popular park and Narve-Jesu - a resort town with a long sandy beach.

Here you can comfortably stay in the best SPA hotels Toila 3* or Narva-Yesu 3*.

Conclusion

Baltic tourism is a real long-liver in our tourism market: going to “almost real” Europe - with Catholic churches, developed infrastructure and such a detached view of life from socialist pseudo-seriousness - was considered happiness by any Soviet employee. Times have changed, but the feeling of belonging to the elite remains with the Baltics to this day. Feel the Baltic culture too! Take the “iron horse” as your assistant and go explore the mysterious culture of the Baltics.

We present you the following video story about the sights of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

The Baltic states acquire a special harmonious beauty in autumn, thanks to the natural change of colors. For those who want to go on a trip abroad on their own, an interesting route through three countries has been developed.

Traveling the Baltics by car - the dream of many tourists, which can come true. Comfortable travel on weekends or holidays, vacation days with numerous campsites for cars and motorcycles of tourists, allows visitors to reduce the cost of accommodation and tours in general.

Lithuania in autumn

It’s best to start your trip around the Baltics on your own from the capital, the oldest and one of the largest European cities. The capital is imbued with three characteristic styles:

• gothic;
• Renaissance;
• baroque.

The next destination, thirty kilometers from the capital, is Trakai, the oldest capital of the Principality of Lithuania. The main attraction of the city is the only castle (Trakai), located on an island in eastern Europe.

Traveling through the city of Kaunas by car allows tourists to get acquainted with many architectural attractions and cultural monuments: the Gothic-style Perkūnas House and churches. Also attracting attention: the town hall in the form of the White Swan and museums dedicated to Mickiewicz and Ciurlionis.

The route continues through the port on the Baltic Sea – Klaipeda. Tourists are recommended to visit: a dolphinarium, an aquarium museum, small and large yacht clubs.

Located near Klaipeda famous resort coast - Palanga, with places to stay for the night for different budgets: Zidrodzhi Liepsna, Osteja, Gabija, Kerpe. In this area, tourists continue their journey through the Baltics on their own and enjoy the atmosphere.

Autumn Latvia

It is better to continue your journey through the Baltic states through Liepaja - the musical city of the country, where the royal family loved to relax. This city annually hosts celebrations in honor of flowers, various events dedicated to music, and a zoo is open year-round for everyone. Visiting Rundel Castle, tourists find themselves in the city of water tourism and fishing - Saldus, in the suburbs of which there is Kalnsetas Park and the Tsiecere River.

The most famous Baltic resort with the aroma of air of centuries-old pine trees - Jurmala, is also worthy of attention. The Baltic states are beautiful not only in autumn, but also in winter time year. The most popular holiday destination is the legendary Wellness Oasis. Hotels that are popular and well-established, according to tourists: Semarah Hotel Lielupe, Kurshi, Villa Joma, Amber Sea Hotel& Spa, Beltes Street.

You can complete your tour of Latvia in the city of legendary historical castles – Sigulda. After a couple of hours of traveling around the Baltic states by car, you will reach the country that ends a long trip.

Autumn fairy tale Estonia

From now on car trip in the Baltics, finance is available to every Russian. Previously, the city of Tartu, the university capital of the country with a century-old history, was visited mainly by the upper strata of the population - the emperors of Russia, poets and other creative people. The romance of the area and the mystery of the Middle Ages are intertwined in the park with bridges in the form of a devil and an angel - Toomemägi.

After visiting local attractions and the 15th century Dome Cathedral, it is recommended to head towards the capital – Tallinn. There, tourists can relax in the following hotels: Braavo Spa Hotel, Meriton Old Town Hotel, Rixwell Gotthard Hotel, Three Crowns Residents.

When going on a trip to the Baltics on your own, take care in advance of places where you can stop and relax. Famous hotels in Tallinn with a positive reputation are Tallink Express Hotel and Laulasmaa.

Returning to Russia, after visiting the city of Rakvere, make a stop in Kuremäe, pay attention to the convent, which contains many legends and was built at the end of the 19th century.

For most tourists, the route ends with the city of Toila and the wonderful park located in it.

Careful preparation

The Baltic states are incredibly beautiful in autumn. If you manage to get there during the warm autumn period, you will be able to create many colorful photographs for a long memory of your trip. To make your trip hassle-free, study the rules of stay in each country and be sure to follow the main ones:

• keep the speed (outside the city 90 km/h is permissible, in populated areas– 50 km/h);
• headlights must be turned on 24 hours a day;
• if there will be a child in the car, a car seat is required;
• use seat belts in all seats;
• worry about obtaining a Green Card in advance and prepare a Technical Inspection to take with you;
• prepare the car, it should be without cracks on the windows and damage to the body.

Having a great time in the Baltics and enjoying local attractions by going on a trip on your own is a great solution for a Russian tourist!

We set off along the most interesting roads of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. This trip will allow you not only to get acquainted with the main historical and architectural monuments, sights, culture and traditions of the Baltic countries, but also to have a great rest.

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are three small states on the Baltic Sea. The history, traditions and flavor of these countries are directly related to the sea. In addition, these lands historically found themselves at the junction of two civilizations - Catholic and Orthodox, so it is not surprising that from the Middle Ages until the twentieth century there was a constant struggle here, which had a significant impact on the features of the local architecture. Nowadays, only the ruins of majestic castles and fortresses and amazingly beautiful bas-reliefs that can be found in Tallinn, Riga and other old cities remind us of the Order of the Swordsmen or the Livonian Knights in the Baltics.

But times have changed. Today, calm and harmony reign in this region. The leisurely, measured way of Baltic life seems to transport you to another world, where there is no fuss and haste, and time obeys only the rhythms of nature. It is not customary to build fences around houses here, and, for example, Tallinn at night is perhaps one of the calmest cities in the world. If you strive for even greater solitude and complete harmony with nature, we recommend going to the islands of Muhu or Saaremaa. And when you have rested and tuned in to the rhythm of the modern Baltics, it’s time to take an excursion into history by visiting the picturesque fortresses and castles of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The route can be started from Moscow or St. Petersburg. To truly enjoy the trip, it is advisable to allow at least 10 days for the trip.

The Baltics are good at any time of the year, but it is best to visit here in summer or autumn. In summer you have a chance to catch hot sunny days and enjoy sea ​​swimming on the magnificent beaches of Jurmala, Palanga, Pärnu or the protected Curonian Spit. But perhaps only in autumn you will be able to fully appreciate all the beauty of the Baltic nature. And even though the sea is already too cold, the waves of tourists have subsided, the gardens are full of excellent fruits, and the generous colors of autumn turn simply beautiful rural landscapes into pastoral scenes from artists’ paintings. The golden Baltic autumn with its bright, gentle sun and riot of colors is perhaps best time to wander around the old castles and parks here. Another charming place on the coast is the protected Curonian Spit. Wandering along the coast, especially after a storm, you will certainly find a piece of amber in the surf.

When passing through Latvia, be sure to spend a day in Riga, the capital of the country, and visit Bauska Castle. And just to the north lies picturesque Sigulda, where the most popular resorts Latvia. And don’t forget to stop by the town of Cesis, where Wenden Castle, the residence of the master of the Livonian Order, has been preserved.

When the route crosses the Estonian border, we recommend driving through Tartu and visiting small towns on the shores of Lake Peipsi. The next notable point of the route is the island of Saaremaa. It is the third largest island in the Baltic Sea. Here life flows especially measuredly and calmly. Estonians are generally the most balanced inhabitants of the Baltic states, and here they are national color is revealed in its entirety. It seems that only in Saaremaa can one feel how leisurely every minute of life passes. Only here you can enjoy amazing peace, taking a break from the crazy rhythms of the modern metropolis. Here you can achieve a special state of mind, which many will want to immerse themselves in for several days; all that remains is to choose the format of your vacation. You can stay in a comfortable hotel, or, if you wish, choose to live on a farm that is for rent in one of the coastal villages.

In contrast, after Saaremaa, Tallinn will seem noisy, bright and crowded. You will certainly appreciate the charm of its historical center, which looks like a fairy-tale town with labyrinths of narrow streets, red tiled roofs, small souvenir shops, amazingly delicious pastries and cozy bars. And then, having enjoyed the special flavor of this city, you can go to Rakvere and Narva, and from there home to Russia.

Information from the site www.travel.landroverlife.ru

Finally, I got around to writing a text about our road trip route around the Baltics.

The total length of the route is 2975 kilometers, but taking into account trips within cities and to nearby attractions, we covered significantly more - 3672 kilometers. I’ll say right away that you should hit the road only if you have a love for traveling by car, and if you are traveling with a child, it is advisable that he shares this passion.

Our daughter, fortunately, is growing up as a tireless traveler, and takes long trips more than favorably - after all, during this time you can listen to a whole bunch of fairy tales!

So, the route broken down by day:

In the morning we leave Moscow along the M-1 highway and drive towards Smolensk (380 km). To save time and nerves, I highly recommend using the Odintsovo toll bypass.
We have lunch in Smolensk (I highly recommend the Peter Push cafe @restoran_peterpush on Lenin Street, 14) and move further towards Belarus. There are no borders between countries, even the most formal ones.
We didn’t like any of the hotels in Minsk, so we spent the night in the “Quiet Courtyard” agro-estate in Lagoisk (306 km from Smolensk)

We have breakfast and go to Minsk (distance from Lagoisk - 40 km).
There we went to the zoo @minsk_zoo_official (Tashkent street, 40), had lunch and moved towards the border with Lithuania (191 km to the Benyakoni crossing point)
We cross the border and go to Vilnius (distance from the border - 53 km), where we settle in for the night

The third day takes place in Vilnius - we have already been here, so we did not repeat the inspection of the historical center. Instead we visited:
Open-air museum “Park of Europe” (Joneikishkiu village, LT-15148)
Cafe with a huge game “World of Dwarves” (Laisvės pr. 88)
Interactive “Toy Museum” (Shiltadarzho str., 2)

We begin to move towards the sea. We leave Vilnius towards Trakai, but on the way we stop at a wonderful corn maze (Vilnius–Trakai 16 km)
Having got out of the labyrinth, we go to Trakai and walk around the castle there (the drive is only 11 km)
From there we go to Kaunas for a walk and lunch (the journey is 87 km)
After Kaunas we continue driving to the sea. Our correspondent office on the coast was the town of Sventoja (250 km from Kaunas)

We come to our senses after a busy day and explore the surroundings. We went to the beach in the morning, and then went to the entertainment complex HBH Palanga (Zhibininkai, Lepu 23). You can easily hang out there for the whole day.

In the morning - the sea, and then we go to the dinosaur park DINO.LT (Radailiai, Klaipeda region). After the lizards, you can have lunch and take a walk in Klaipeda or Palanga, they are very close.

We have breakfast and go to the old port of Klaipeda, where we take a ferry to the Curonian Spit. In this part of the spit you should definitely visit the Lithuanian Maritime Museum, it is beautiful.
We return by ferry, get into the car and drive towards the border with Latvia. Again, there is no border between countries.
We spend the night in the small but wonderful town of Liepaja (from Sventoji to Liepaja - 61 km)

We walk around Liepaja, swim, if the weather permits, and go to Riga (the drive to the capital is 216 km)
There we went to the Latvian Museum of Nature (4 K. Barona St.), had dinner and went to bed

This day takes place in Riga - we dedicated it to a walk through the huge open-air Ethnographic Museum of Latvia (10 Bonaventuras Street).
Then I recommend stopping by for lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants of the Lido chain - it’s delicious, cheap and very colorful

We have breakfast and go wander around historical center Rigi. To appreciate all the beauty of the city, we climb the tower of St. Peter’s Church (Skarnu St., 19).
Then we leave the capital and go to Cesis to look at the local castle (88 km)
Afterwards we say goodbye to Latvia and leave for Tallinn (the journey is 300 km)

We walk around Tallinn, although one day here, of course, is criminally not enough.
We went to the Tallinn Zoo @tallinnzoo (Ehitajate tee 150 / Paldiski mnt 145), the medieval restaurant Olde Hansa @olde_hansa (Vene 1) and went to Pirita beach 15 minutes from the city center.

In the morning we walk around Tallinn, and then we move towards the border with Russia - it was more convenient for us to leave through Narva (211 km). Don't forget to sign up for the email queue!
Once at home, we go to rest and sleep in Veliky Novgorod (distance - 272 km)

We have breakfast, walk around the Novgorod Kremlin and head towards Moscow. I would use paid Leningradka as much as possible, because it saves a lot of time.
We have lunch and stretch our legs in Tver (387 km from Novgorod)
The last push to Moscow (176 km)