Author Topic: Visiting Baltic countries, I'd appreciate suggestions (Read 3965 times)

madelaide · « **on:** April 26, 2007, 18:46 »

Hi there,

I'm planing atrip for late May - early June to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. I'm thinking of 14-17 days in the area, maybe extending a couple of days in Helsinki. I haven't drafted my itinerary yet, but I'm planing of course the capitals plus some other main cities and also some natural areas. Any suggestions of places to visit (or not visit) are appreciated.

Regards,
Adelaide

litifeta · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2007, 22:10 »

half your luck Madelaide ... only place I have ever been is Singapore!

Have not actually ever seen snow in my life! One day me hopes

By the way ... what is snow actually like? I can tell ya about dirt and desert ...

Mellimage · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2007, 03:43 »

Adelaide, I've always been interested in visiting Tallin, I hear it is a beautiful city. Also if you get the chance check out the Curonian Spit.
Never been to any of these places, but saw reports about them, looked great... .

madelaide · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2007, 16:11 »

litifeta,

No vacation is good for me if not with a trip, even if just around here. To be able to travel often, I'm also kind of miser when it comes to travel expenses, to a point where the mother of a Jewish friend of mine nicknamed me Sarah.

Mellimage,

The photos I see of the medieval buildings of the main cities, and architecture in general, look very attractive. I'm including some natural places of lakes and forests in my itinerary, and I'm trying to see if I can find a guided day trip to the Curonian Spit to save me time.

Regards,
Adelaide

mjp · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2007, 02:27 »

Hi,

If you have more time you can easily take train from Helsinki to Tampere(+1,5h trip) or to other central Finnish cities. There are also some natural areas around the Helsinki (for trekking etc)

Helsinki is nice city, but I prefer other parts of Finland (I live on the country side

) But in helsinki you should visit at "suomen linna" (do not know what it is in english,it is castle island near the harbour, very nice place go to picknick or something), Suomen kansallismuseo (finnish national museum) and check the few nice churches around the central. There is quite nice gardens as well.

PM me if you need detailed information about Helsinki or other part of the Finland.

br, Mikko

marcviln · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2007, 04:59 »

I'd suggest the Curonian Peninsula and possibly the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania (in addition to Vilnius, of course). Also, Rumsiskes has a historical park (kind of like Colonial Williamsburg).

Tallinn is a great city. If I were you I would take the high speed ferry over to Helsinki for the day and then come back to Tallinn, which is cheaper and more attractive (IMHO). OTOH Helsinki is a nice city in the summer and there are a lot of neat things to do there too.

My portfolios have a bunch of Lithuania pics in them if you're interested.

Have fun!
Marcviln

Quote from: madelaide on April 26, 2007, 18:46

Hi there,

I'm planing atrip for late May - early June to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. I'm thinking of 14-17 days in the area, maybe extending a couple of days in Helsinki. I haven't drafted my itinerary yet, but I'm planing of course the capitals plus some other main cities and also some natural areas. Any suggestions of places to visit (or not visit) are appreciated.

Regards,
Adelaide

ColourWheel · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2007, 14:01 »

Hi,

You've possibly already left for your trip or planned it, but I have some advice about Latvia. I've visited it many times as my wife is Latvian. If you want nature, go to Kemeri National Park - lots of bird life and interesting vegetation in the raised bog there. Great at this time of year and it's less than 1 hour from the capital, Riga. Riga is beautiful. The old town is bigger than that of Tallin - well worth staying a few days - varied architecture. Also look into Gauja National Park - it has a castle and a river through forest. I can give you a contact name who might be able to show you around Kemeri National Park, as he works there.

Oh, and I almost forgot - the beaches in Latvia are great - sandy, unspoilt and uncrowded and 500km long!

Let me know if you go.

Andrew

madelaide · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2007, 19:31 »

Hi there, I'm back. Boy, the Baltic is hot! My long sleeved shirts remained in the suitcase all the time, and I'm glad I took my dry-fit shirts.

ColourWheel, I didn't go to Kemeri, but I did go to Gauja, just at Sigulda, though. The weather was great that day (unlike the two days before in Riga and Runsdale Castle, cloudy).

Regards,
Adelaide