8 days / 7 nights from £645 ppThis 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.
Package price is £645 pp based on availability and two people sharing a twin or double room.
Package includes:
- Flights from London to Vilnius (we can arrange flights from other airports upon request).
- Airport transfers in Vilnius
- 1 night accommodation at centrally located 4* Hotel Artis or similar
- 1 night accommodation at 3* Hotel Margis in Trakai
- 1 night accommodation at 4* Hotel Gabija in Palanga
- 1 night accommodation at 3* Hotel Azuolynas in Judokrante
- 3 nights accommodation at 3* Hotel Nidos Smilte in Nida
- Breakfast at hotels
- 8 days AVIS B Group car including; unlimited milleage, theft protection insurance (TP), collision damage waver insurance (CDW), third part liability insurance (TPL), airport fee, registration fee, self liability 1000 EUR, 18% VAT
- Road map
- All taxes
Self Drive - Lithuania Coast Itinerary Day 1 Arrival in Vilnius and transfer to 4* Hotel Artis.
Day 2 VILNIUS- KERNAVE-TRAKAI (Distance ca. 50km) 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.
Day 3 VILNIUS - RUMSISKES – KAUNAS – PALANGA. (Distance ca. 250km) 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.
Day 4 PALANGA – KLAIPEDA - THE CURONIAN SPIT (Distance ca. 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 KLAIPĖDA, 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 JUODKRANTĖ, the second largest settlement of Neringa. Overnight in Juodkrante.
Day 5 THE CURONIAN SPIT : Juodkrante-Pervalka-Preila-Nida (Distance ca 30km)
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
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
Day 7 THE CURONIAN SPIT – NIDA Spend the day enjoying Nida‘s long stretches of white sand, Blue Flag beaches. Overnight in Nida
Day 8 NIDA – VILNIUS )Distance ca. 300km) Return to Vilnius for your departure flight.
We can arrange guides and guided tours upon request.