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.

The manor’s castle was built in the middle of the 18th century (belonging to the noble kin of baron Medem) as a huntsmen castle. Later, in the 19th century, it was rebuilt by adding a second floor. The kitchen was situated in the vaulted basements of the castle and when the food was ready, it was brought upstairs in the elevator. The gantry entrance of the castle (late baroque) and marble buttons above it picturing the coat of amrs of the union of Medem and Keizerling noble kins, is one of the most valuable example of arts monuments of the 18th century. To this day there are various  outhouses preserved- a  threshing barn, a granary and a smithy, as well as the park. In front of the castle one can see a magnificent oak, which was supposedly planted by K.Ulmanis. From 1837 the manor’s castle has also served as a place for Vilce primary school. 

Palanga is known to be the biggest by-the-sea resort in Lithuania because of its seacoast's main attractions - dunes and white sand. And because Palanga is a resort there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, bars and more for those who would like to enjoy a meal or a drink, for those who like active sport - there is possibility to cycle, go horseback riding, swim and much more. 

Innovative and delicious hemp and buckwheat products - tasty and good for the digestive system.

Here you will learn about home-based manufacturers, farms, companies and others in Latgale that produce various dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, ice cream, etc.  Start in Preiļi, which is known as Latvia’s cheese capital.  The route passes along the Teiči nature reserve, with a viewing tower at the side of the road, also crossing Lubāna wetlands, which are of European importance for environmental protection.  Drive on to Rēzekne (churches, a monument to Māra of Latgale, “Gors,” “Zeimuļš”, etc.).  Nature lovers will love the Rāzna National Park with Lake Rāzna, Mākoņkalns hill and the master ceramicist Evalds Vasiļevskis.  From Dagda, head to Aglona, which is a centre for Roman Catholic worshippers, and Lake Rušons before returning to your starting point.

The city of wind, amber and musicians. In the literature sources Liepaja was mentioned for the first time in 1253. The city strived as a trade harbour already at the end of the 16th century. Especially important was the ruling period of Kurzeme Dukes Jacob and Friedrich, when the export and import of Lithuania and Kurzeme goods was provided through Liepaja harbour. Instead of the Līva River that was filled with dune sand a channel was excavated and wharf was formed. The growth of the city continued in the 18th century also after the Northern War and the plague epidemic. When in 1795 Kurzeme was added to the Russian Empire, as one of the most important western harbours of the Empire the harbour of Liepaja developed even more rapidly. From the end of the 18th century until the 19th century Liepaja also became a popular recreation place for the aristocrats of Petersburg. At the end of the 19th century the construction works of War Port and fortress begun. The city became a military strategic place. It suffered hard during World War II. In 1967 the sea trade harbour terminated its operation in Liepaja and Liepaja became a closed city where the War Port was "a city within a city". Today the War Port and its offer is one of the top tourism spots in Latvia.

In 1888, the building, provided for a doctor’s needs, was donated by Baron Alexander Alexei von Pistohlkors to the parish of Pēterupe Lutheran Church. Along with the building, Baron Pistohlkors also donated 6 hectares of land and 10 000 roubles for the doctor’s use. Arvēds von Engelhards became the first medical doctor in Pēterupe. In 1890, the first pharmacy was opened in one room of the clinic, serving people from a wide area; it remained in the building until 1895. This outpatient clinic was the very first stone building in Saulkrasti, the first health authority in a wide area, as well as the first pharmacy. Through its entire lifetime, the house was maintained from voluntary donations – at first by Alexander Alexei von Pistohlkors, then by churchgoers of Pēterupe Parish – therefore by the money of the villagers.
This house also played a role as the place of establishment of the Saulkrasti development society, which was actively supported by many celebrities such as the opera singer Herberts Ozolītis, actresses Tija Banga, Mirdza Šmithene, Lilija Štengele and Malda Gruzevska, composer Alfrēds Kalniņs and many other cultural professionals, artists and writers of that time, who used to spend summers in Saulkrasti. In 1933, the parish converted the outpatient clinic for the needs of a school.
Saulkrasti Primary School was transferred to the building of the former outpatient clinic.