Self drive tours

Our self-drive tours will help you to get to know the Baltic States deeper and take to the places  beyond the main tourism sites. We provide a detailed information and maps for each day - sites, attractions, pubs as well as practicalities. Some of our tours are with specific focus. For example, castles and manors, local life, nature trails or the Baltic sea.

  • The tours can be taken whole year round however we recommend to travel from April to October when the snow has melted and roads are not slippery.
  • The packages does not include car rental but we can help you to rent a car of your preference.
  • Before your arrival, we shall send you a personalised tour program with dates, accommodations and extra services you booked (please see the optional extra services available in each tour description in the price section).
  • Upon your arrival at the first hotel of your tour you will receive detailed road maps for each day, descriptions with sites, attractions, eating places on the way,  travelling instructions from place to place, and vouchers for your booked services as well as tour . To see an example of the travelling instructions please click here (pdf file). GPS tracks are available for some tours.
  • For our clients, we operate 24h emergency phone.

If you have an idea how you'd like to travel around the Baltic, we can help you to put the tour together and you can count on our local advice.

What are the individual tours?
Overview Tour details
N/A
17 days
Total distance driving 2515 km
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
from 750 EUR / pers

Baltic Country Life

The tour introduces modern day life in rural Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and includes visits to small farms raising livestock and producing delicious foods, and to ethnographic villages preserving the traditional lifestyle in a contemporary environment. The tour also involves sites of historical and cultural interest.

The tour gives a look beyond the usual tourism sites to get to know the three Baltic states more deeply. It starts in the historic Latvian capital, Riga, followed by the Gauja National Park with its castles, manors and walking trails. Climb the tower of medieval Turaida Castle for amazing views over the valley and visit the ancient jewellery master in the castle of the charming town of Cesis. 

Across the border in Estonia, walk streets with elegant villas at Parnu sea resort before catching a ferry to Saaremma island. Ethnographic Koguva village, ancient churches and windmills are typical of the island, as is an embroidering tradition. Then it's off to Tallinn with its medieval Old Town and to the rocky landscapes of Lahemaa National Park with fishing villages and manors. Try Estonian national dishes at the pub in Altja. Driving back, stop at the university town of Tartu. In Latvia again, visit goat farms and a traditional black bread bakery. Then the tour heads towards the west coast with the cities of Liepaja and, across the border in Lithunaia, Klaipeda. Next is the incredible Curonian Spit. Before Vilnius, take a detour to Grutas Park with its bizarre Soviet statuary. Finish the journey at picturesque Trakai Castle in Lithuania and Rundale Palace in Latvia.

Local lifestyle Active season months4-10
N/A
10 days
Total distance driving 501 km
Latvia

Farms, Castles and the Sea

 From Riga the tour goes along the right bank of the river Daugava and crosses it over at Plavinas HES to Salaspils. Visit National Botanic Garden then continue along the left bank of Daugava. On the route there is a model of ancient wooden castle where you can walk about. . Then visit the Kingdom of Rabbits where their homes are made like a little castles too. Time to taste some wonderful home-made ice-cream at Skriveri and visit legendary Koknese castle ruins park. Next day visit ethnographic working farmstead where you can see wild horses and cows as well as various waterbirds in the pond. Then the route goes to private mini zoo "Ezerlejas" with some exotic animals, visit ceramics factory where you can see how the hand-made clay products are made from the beginning to the end, walk around Rauna medieval castles ruins. Cesis town with mighty medieval castle and pretty old town is the next on the route. At Ligatne walk nature trails where you can see local wild animals. At Sigulda kids would love to visit "Tarzans" adventure centre. There is also Olympic bobsled centre and two medieval castles located. From Sigulda the route goes towards the coast with a stop at elegant Birini Manor with large park where you can try horse ridding. Then you are at the sandy beach of Saulkrasti. Before returning to Riga you can visit a farm with goats and ponies to taste goats products and cuddle animals.  

For children and teenagers Castles and manors By the sea
N/A
16 days
Total distance driving 1210 km, walking 110 km
Latvia

Drive and Walk Along the Seacoast and Through National Parks

This tour is a road trip from Rīga to Vilnius, stopping along the road to hike on nature trails of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route. In Latvia the route mainly follows the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route/ the Baltic coast, continuing along the coast and the Curonian Spit in Lithuania. Further, the route includes some smaller sections of the Forest Trail in Lithuania leading to Druskininkai and near the Lithuanian/Polish border. This tour will suit travellers who are ready to indulge in some nature trails and have a peek in urban landscapes, but who are not prepared for longer distances with backpacks, tenting and similar.

A car will take you from one short hike to the next. Another transfer is planned from the island of Rusnė to the Dubysa valley, thus linking the Lithuanian sections of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route and the Forest Trail. The tour includes Latvian and Lithuanian nature’s jewels – the national parks of Ķemeri and Slītere, Cape Kolka, Pape Nature Park, the Curonian Spit, the island of Rusnė, the river Nemunas, the Dubysa river valley regional park with its rolling terrain, the most forested and secluded area of Lithuania – the Dzūkija National Park.

Besides the capital cities of both countries, the route will take you to other major cities – Ventspils, Liepāja, the popular resort town of the Curonian Spit – Nida, as well as historical bathing resorts: Ķemeri, Birštonas and Druskininkai. You will also see the city of Kaunas and the beautiful riverscapes of the river Nemunas.

Active season months5-9
N/A
6 days
Total distance driving 1195 km, walking 8 km
Estonia, Finland, Latvia

Explore the countryside of the Baltic Sea

The tour introduces a variety of attractions and values outside big cities revealing the true character of the countries. Visitors will experience the beauty of nature in national parks, charming ambience of rural manors, visit traditional rural farms and skilful traditional artisans and craftsmen.

National park Local lifestyle
N/A
10 days
Total distance driving 738 km
Latvia

Through National Parks, along the Sea Coast to the "Kids Town"

From Riga the tour goes to Sigulda where you can see the Olympic Bobsled truck, visit Sigulda medieval castle and take a cable car across to Turaida medieval Castle with beautiful views across the Gaujas Valley. Kids would love activities at the adventure centre Tarzans. At Ligatne walk Nature trails to see the local wild animals at their enclosed territories and wonder around the historic village originally formed around the Paper Mill. Further on visit impressive medieval castle ruins at Cesis town and the picturesque Devonian Zvarte outcrop at Karli. Then the route goes along the coast with sandy beaches great for walking, playing and swimming. There visit museum of the biggest liar in the world - Munhauzen and listen to his fantastic adventure stories.

Then the route goes to the Western part of Latvia and focuses on the sea and coastal life. From Riga visit the sea resort Jurmala, stop at Pure Chocolate Museum and then continues to Cape Kolka where open sea meets Riga Bay. There explore trails at Sliteres National Park, visit villages of Livs which is one of the smallest ethnic nations in the world, enjoy freshly smoked fish. At Ventspils enjoy endless facilities for children - kids town, narrow gauge train, aqua parks, well equipped beach and adventure park. On the way to Riga visit charming Kuldiga with well preserved wooden architecture and stop at the farm where kids could enjoy different farm animals

By the sea For children and teenagers
N/A
3 days
Total distance cycling 58 km
Estonia, Latvia
from 80 EUR / pers

By car and bicycle to Saaremaa Island

From Riga the route goes to the historic Estonian sea resort and then by ferry to Muhu island. On the way there is ethnographic village of Koguva, the Liiva church and the elegant Padaste Manor. Overnight at Muhu island. 28 km cycling there juniper fields, its small fishing villages, and the magnificent Juigu cliffs, which open up a view of the other small islands in the Monzunda archipelago. Then drive to Saaremaa and stay in Kuressare, the island's capital. There the rooute covers such attractions as Kaali meteorite crater, impressive Valjala church and castle mound, Piretikivi rock and Poide church. Cycle along the Tagameisa Peninsula, up to 30 km. Driving to the ferry take a loop along Viidumae National Park with its viewing tower, Kihelkonna Church, the Odaletsi streams and nature trail and the dolomite Panga cliffs.

Cycling
N/A
12 days
Total distance driving 2570 km
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
from 495 EUR / pers

Grand tour of the three Baltic States

The tour introduces visitors to varied landscapes, local traditions and historic sites. Travellers are usually surprised that such a small territory holds so many contrasts. Riga offers a medieval Old Town and elegant Art Nouveau district, then comes Sigulda with three castles on the high banks of the Gauja river valley. Saaremaa island is a pleasure to drive around with good quality, quiet roads, windmills, medieval churhes and ethnographic villages. Tallinn has its walled Old Town while Lahemaa national park has an almost mystical landscape There is also elegant Palmse Manor. The tour goes through sleepy villages in eastern Latvia with distinctive pottery, ancient culinary traditions, and the Catholic pilgrimage site of Aglona. Vilnius' historic centre has distinctive baroque churches. The massive sand dunes of the Curonian Spit and Nida with its characteristic blue framed windows are among Lithuania's most attractive sights. Trakai has its picturesque medieval castle on the lake as well as the small Karaitis ethnic comunity with their unique traditions and food. Port towns Klaipeda and Liepaja have both developed into bustling modern cities with lively cafe culture.

N/A
3 days
Total distance cycling 25 km
Latvia, Lithuania
from 80 EUR / pers

By car and bicycle to the Curonian Dunes

This three-day route will allow you to visit one of the most unusual landscapes in the Baltic States - the Curlandian dunes. You will also visit interesting territories here in Latvia - the Pape Nature Park and the Liepāja Naval Port. The port is worth visiting while it still retains some of its Soviet-era "charm". New and unprecedented impressions will also be assured by two unique manmade objects - the "Town of Rock" and the "Town of the Absurd", which are both unique not only at the Baltic level, but in a far more extensive sense.

N/A
9 days
Total distance driving 517 km, walking 3 km
Estonia, Finland, Latvia

Baltic - Scandinavian route

This tour offers visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites – Helsinki, Stockholm, Riga, Tallinn, travelling by ferries and cruise ships and adding value to the trip by exploring the Baltic countries beyond the capitals. The sites outside cities present traditional folk cultures of Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia and a variety of farms showing today’s life in the countryside. The roundtrip includes two overnights on cruise ships.

Castles and manors Local lifestyle
N/A
14 days
Total distance driving 1796 km
Latvia, Lithuania
from 560 EUR / pers

Along the Baltic National Parks - Latvia and Lithuania

A panoramic tour of Lithuania and Latvia with highlights of nature experiences in the National parks and nature reserves. A variety of landscapes, nature attraction sites, birds and wild animals, forests and seashore. The tour also offers some cultural and historical insights.

Baltic States are lucky to have plenty of untouched natural territories. During the Cambrian, Silurian and Devonian eras, the territory of the current Baltic States was often covered by seawater, which is why there are places where lots of geological evidence can be found about these periods in history.  These are manifested not just in fossils and various geological objects, but also in the unique landscape. For example, The Gauja River basin is an outstanding locations for Devonian cliffs and caves. Other interesting elements of the terrain relate to the development of the Baltic Sea in the past – the Baltic Ice Sea and the Littorine Sea. That is well presented at he landscape of hillocks and valleys in the Slītere National Park. Many forests  and bogs have remained virtually untouched as biotopes here.  The Ķemeri, Slītere national parks were all established to protect wetlands. Rivers in the Baltic States have not been straightened and dense areas of buildings are not common.  There are two “lands of lakes” in the Baltic States – Latgale and Augštaitija. The Baltic States are at the crossroads of the living areas of many different plants and animals, and that is why “northern,” “southern,” “western” and “eastern” species can all be found here. Some national parks have been established to protect distinctive local cultural heritage.

N/A
8 days
Total distance driving 1073 km, walking 12 km
Latvia, Lithuania
from 350 EUR / pers

Along the shores of the Baltic states to the Curonian Spit

This tour has a very summery feel since it never wanders too far from the sea. Latvian sea resort Jurmala attracts with characteristic wooden cottages from the 19th century, Dzintari concert hall and a lively beach. Cape Kolka is located in Slitere National Park which also includes the traditional villages of the smallest ethnic group in the world, the Livs. Enjoy empty beaches and locally smoked fish. Ventspils is an immaculately maintained town with a medieval castle and well equipped beach. Pavilosta is Latvia's unofficial windsurfing capital, while Palanga in Lithuania has an excellent amber museum. Lithuania's pearl is the Curonian Spit and its lagoon which attracts with its vast sand dunes and Nida, a charming village with a Thomas Mann Museum. Back in Latvia, Liepaja is an exciting city with a historic quarter, beach, lively restaurants and clubs and a distinctive millitary heritage in the form of former naval forts and a military zone. Kuldiga is loved by artists due to its picturesque little cobbled streets with wooden houses and the Europe's widdest waterfall on the Venta river.

By the sea Active season months5-9
N/A
1 day
Latvia

Half day tour: Bread Baking Workshop at Caunites Country House

Since ancient times bread has been our staple food, and formed part of breakfast, lunch and our evening meal. We bake bread from rye, wheat, buckwheat and barley. Both fine-ground and wholemeal flour is used. Bread baking is one of the most honoured traditional skills in Latvia. Caunītes country house keeps Latvian traditions alive and demonstrates them to visitors. The house is designed and decorated in the traditional Latvian style and exudes an authentic ambience while having modern facilities.

Under the guidance of the hostess, visitors will bake their own loaf of sweet-and-sour bread in a wood-fired bread oven. In Latvian families it was traditionally one of the main duties of the lady of the house to bake a week’s supply of bread for the whole family every Saturday morning. Every woman was proud of her own unique recipe and passed it down to her daughters and granddaughters through the generations. There are many traditional beliefs, sayings and riddles linked with bread in Latvian folklore. Today, there is great interest in the old recipes, bread-baking methods and the use of organic ingredients as many families are opting for a healthy lifestyle.

Distance from countries capital city40 Active season months1-12
N/A
15 days
Total distance driving 930 km, walking 128 km
Lithuania

In the footsteps of Forest Trail in Lithuania and Kurzeme region in Latvia (self-drive tour)

The road trip from Vilnius to Rīga will take you to the most beautiful and important sightseeing places of the
Forest Trail in Lithuania and its southern part in Latvia. You will start your tour with the visit of the capital city – Vilnius, then you will go to the historic resort town of Druskininkai, meandering through the town following the route of the Forest Trail. You will then visit the Dzūkija National Park, Merkinė Mound and the resort town of Birštonas, situated in the territory of Nemunas loops regional park. Further you will reach the second largest city in Lithuania – Kaunas, walking through the city along the route of the Forest Trail to finally reach the Panemunė forest. You will then walk along the beautiful banks of the river Nemunas to Vilkija, which boasts of its unique ferry service.

Next on the route is the Dubysa Regional Park, which includes the spectacular Dubysa river valley, historic churches and mounds along its banks. Be prepared, since the terrain of this area is rather rolling. Next, you will visit the town of Šiluva, which is a Catholic pilgrimage site, and then travel to the Tytuvėnai Regional Park, where you walk the natural trail of the lake of Gilius, which is part of the Forest Trail. The tour will continue in the Kurtuvėnai Regional Park, where you will walk one section of the Forest Trail from Kurtuvėnai to Šaukėnai, leading along small forest trails, educational trails, beautiful tree alleys and through wetlands. Then you will go to the region of Samogitia, visiting Telšiai and walk one of the Forest Trail sections along Lake Plateliai.

Next, the tour takes you through the stone town of Mosėdis to Latvia, where you will stop over to have a walk on one of the oldest towns in Latvia – Aizpute, enjoying its 19th century wooden architecture and the local wine brewery. Next you will take a small walk along the Forest Trail in the eye-catching Kazdanga manor park and drive on to the most beautiful town of Kurzeme – Kuldīga. At the end of the tour, you will walk a section of the Forest Trail along the Abava River Valley Nature Park and nature trails in the Ķemeri National Park.

Active season months5-9
N/A
19 days
Total distance driving 2635 km
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
from 810 EUR / pers

From Gdansk to Helsinki through the Baltic States

 The tour starts at former Hanseatic port town Gdansk with its pretty Old Town, then continues to Malbork, an impressive fortified medieval castle and on to laid-back Formbrok with a magnificient Gothic cathederal. The route crosses the Mazurianlake district where hundreds of lakes are connected to rivers and canals, best expereinced from the deck of a boat.

 Continue to Wigry National Park with walking trails and interesting archaeological and cultural remains. Further into Lithuania, Dzukija National Park has several well preserved traditional farmsteads and villages which are well worth a visit. It's a good place to experience Lithuanian crafts and traditions, for instance bee keeping. Then the route goes via Kaunas to the Curonian Spit formed by shifting sand dunes between its lagoon and the sea. Pretty little villages are located along its length. Next the route goes to the sea resort Palanga with a great Amber Museum and on to Latvia.

 Stop at Pape Nature Park, a diverse mosaic of nature’s ecosystems, where wild horses and oxen breed. Slītere National Park shows the historical development of the Baltic Sea. Cape Kolka is a prime spot for bird migrations, Slītere lighthouse provides a great view of the surrounding forests and traditonal Liv villages, one of the smallest ethnic groups in the world. The Ķemeri National Park includes different types of wetlands and vast bogs. It is famous for its sulphur springs. Walk a Great Heath trail there and try the curative spring water.

 Further on Gauja National Park is formed around the ancient valley of the Gauja river with picturesque sandstone cliffs from the Devonian period. Here are many historic monuments – medieval castles, churches and ancient settlements which you can see crossing the valley on a cable car. Ligatne Nature trails offer a chance to observe local wild animals.

 Saaremaa's landscape is characterised by large juniper growths, dolomite cliffs, windmills, medieval churches and the famous Kaali meteorite lake. It also retains a very Estonian soul. Sooma National Park has contrasting swamps. Walk a beaver trail there and try 'bog-shoeing'. Lahemaa National Park has a rugged coastal andscape with big boulders, traditional fishing villages, forest trails and romantic manor houses. From Tallin take a ferry to Helsinki, from where it is an easy trip to Nuuksio National Park, home to an endangered flying squirrel. The landscape here is dominated by valleys and gorges, rocky hills covered by lichen and sparse pine forest that is very different to the previous parks. Well-equipped walking trails have several scenic views.

Local lifestyle Active season months1-12
N/A
7 days
Total distance driving 935 km, walking 40 km
Estonia, Latvia
from 299 EUR / pers

Walk nature trails in Latvia and Estonia

The tour from Riga to Tallinn combines natural and cultural heritage and includes lovely landscapes and 15 nature trails which cross marshlands, meadows and forests along the shores of the Baltic Sea, including several protected nature reserves. Many trails are equipped with viewing towers for birdwatching. Randu meadows near Ainazi contains one third of Latvia's entire plant species. A boardwalk leads through reeds to a viewing platform with views over the meadow and the sea. Saaremaa island is interesting with very different natural attractions to the mainland - dolomite cliffs, juniper heaths, a meteorite lake and rocky sea shore. The tour passes rural farms and traditional villages typical of the coastal areas. Hiiumaa island is a laid back place and retains a very Estonian atmosphere with an important bird reserve at Kaina Bay, unusual Saare Tirp as well as several small islets off its south-eastern coast. Back on the mainland, Paldiski peninsula gives a glimpse of the recent history with its former Soviet military base.

Walking Active season months4-10
N/A
1 day
Latvia

Half day tour: Barefoot Walking at the Valguma Pasaule Recreation Centre

The Barefoot Path begins at the Valguma Pasaule Recreation Centre by Lake Valgums, which is surrounded by forest. The recreation centre includes a hotel and restaurant, and offers nature-based services such as the Barefoot Path and other walking trails.

The Barefoot Path is a 2.6 km long trail through the natural environment, along which visitors walk barefoot and experience a variety of surfaces including pine cones, glass balls, small stones and shingles of various shapes, moss, fine sand, clay, river water, turf, gravel, reeds, chipped wood, pinewood logs, wooden poles and millstones. Walking barefoot has a number of positive health effects:

it strengthens the immune system;

it improves blood circulation and stabilises blood pressure;

it strengthens the leg and foot muscles, joints and ligaments; and

it enhances relaxation, and aids mental and physiological stability.

The walk is led by an English-speaking guide. Before the walk, visitors receive a briefing. It is recommended that visitors wear comfortable outdoor clothing, appropriate for the weather. After walking the barefoot path, visitors usually feel energised, strong and happy. The walk finishes with a relaxing herbal foot bath.

Wellbeing Tourism Distance from countries capital city40 Active season months5-8