Tour 13-Day Self-Drive Tour In Estonia And Latvia

Guide

Guided walking tours in Tallinn, Tartu, Cesis, Kuldiga, and Riga; Guided tour in Rundale Palace; Guided hiking tours in the Lahemaa National Park and the Gauja National Park.

Transport

VW Polo car rental for 13 days;

Meals

Accommodation

12 overnights per program in centrally located 3-star / 4-star hotels;

Not included:

Flights

Others

Any drinks

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arrival In Tallinn
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrival In Tallinn

Welcome to Tallinn! Pick up your rental car at the Tallinn airport and check into the hotel.

Overnight: Tallinn at St. Barbara*** or similar.
Day 2 Day 2: Discover Tallinn
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Discover Tallinn

On a guided walking tour of Tallinn you will explore a well-preserved medieval center known as the Old Town. You will visit many historic sites including Toompea Castle, a stately baroque castle which today houses the Parliament of Estonia, the 13th century Dome Church, the Russian Revival Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and many more.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Tallinn at St. Barbara*** or similar.
Day 3 Day 3: Lahemaa National Park | Tallinn – Sagadi (Drive ~85 Km, Hike ~7 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Lahemaa National Park | Tallinn – Sagadi (Drive ~85 Km, Hike ~7 Km)

After breakfast, drive to a scenic coastline northeast of Tallinn. Lahemaa National Park is considered one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coastline. You will go on a 7 km guided hiking tour starting from Sagadi to Kasmu Peninsula and back. On the Kasmu Peninsula you will find the biggest natural accumulation of rocks in Estonia. You will see the Kasmu village, one of the most beautiful seaside villages in Estonia. In the late afternoon, return back to Sagadi and stay overnight at Sagadi Manor hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Lahemaa National Park at Sagadi Manor hotel*** or similar.
Day 4 Day 4: Along The Lake Peipus | Sagadi – Mustvee – Tartu (Drive ~170 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Along The Lake Peipus | Sagadi – Mustvee – Tartu (Drive ~170 Km)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and afterwards drive along the shore of Lake Peipus, which is the fifth-largest lake in Europe. It is also the largest transboundary lake on the continent, as it shares borders with both, Estonia and Russia. The old traditions are still alive and honoured by the Old Believers living on the shore of Lake Peipus. At the Old Believers Museum, a tea ceremony is waiting for you. The ceremony will be led by an instructor wearing a headscarf required by local customs. In the late afternoon, arrive in Tartu, the second-largest city in Estonia.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Tartu at Lydia hotel**** or similar.
Day 5 Day 5: Charming University Town | Tartu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Charming University Town | Tartu

In the morning, join a Tartu Old Town walking tour. Enjoy the historic streets, Town Hall Square with the statue of Kissing Students, St. John’s Church with its many terracotta sculptures, and Tartu University, which was founded in 1632. Free time in the afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Tartu at Lydia hotel**** or similar.
Day 6 Day 6: Gauja National Park | Tartu – Cesis (Drive ~ 175 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Gauja National Park | Tartu – Cesis (Drive ~ 175 Km)

In the morning, cross Estonian-Latvian boarder and stop in Cesis, a medieval gemstone and the third oldest town in Latvia. During the guided walking tour visit the charming ruins of the Medieval Castle, explore the history and feel the medieval spirit in a candle light.

Despite the wars, the Old Town has remained almost unchanged. On the tour you will see such highlights as the Roze Square, Princess’ House and St. John’s Church. Eight hundred years long history of Cesis is visible not only on the streets but also in Cesis castle complex.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Cesis at hotel Cesis *** or similar.
Day 7 Day 7: Magnificent Sandstone Outcrops On Gauja River | Cesis – Ligatne - Sigulda (Drive ~ 40 Km, Kayak ~4 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Magnificent Sandstone Outcrops On Gauja River | Cesis – Ligatne - Sigulda (Drive ~ 40 Km, Kayak ~4 Km)

The morning begins with a drive to the River Gauja where you have to start a self-guided kayaking tour. On the 4 km long paddling distance you will see magnificent sandstone outcrops.

After, visit a paper-mill village Ligatne that still looks almost the same as in the 19th century. In the afternoon, continue driving south to Sigulda, the heart of the Gauja National Park.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Sigulda at hotel Sigulda *** or similar.
Day 8 Day 8: Hiking In Gauja National Park | Sigulda (Hike ~17 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Hiking In Gauja National Park | Sigulda (Hike ~17 Km)

Today is reserved for hiking. On a guided hiking tour, you will walk around 17 km. The hike starts in the heart of the Gauja National Park – Sigulda. Siguda is also known as the Little Switzerland of Latvia. Scenic views are guaranteed! Do not worry if the hiking path brings you up to steep bluffs – the Gauja National Park has established good infrastructure for hikers to climb to the best viewing points.

A meditative musical experience is waiting for you during the hike – ancient sounds of Latvian traditional string instrument “kokle”. Latvians have a saying that “kokle” is given to them by God. Relax and enjoy the ethno-music concert!

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Sigulda at hotel Sigulda *** or similar.
Day 9 Day 9: The Latvia’S Palace | Sigulda – Rundale Palace – Kuldiga (Drive ~290 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: The Latvia’S Palace | Sigulda – Rundale Palace – Kuldiga (Drive ~290 Km)

In the morning, drive south and pass by Riga to Rundale. On the Rundale Palace guided tour you will see the 18th century baroque palace that was built for the Dukes of Courland and Semigallia. The palace was built by Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also created Russia’s ornate Winter Palace and Tsarskoye Selo. In the afternoon, continue to Kuldiga, the most romantic town in Latvia.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Kuldiga at Jekaba Seta hotel*** or similar.
Day 10 Day 10: The Most Romantic Town In Latvia | Kuldiga
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: The Most Romantic Town In Latvia | Kuldiga

Join a guided walking tour to see the romantic blend of Kuldiga’s architecture, small winding streets and channels. The heart of the town is the Venta River and the Ventas Rumba, the widest waterfall in Europe. Discover this charming place at a slow pace. Free time in the afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Kuldiga at Jekaba Seta hotel*** or similar.
Day 11 Day 11: Latvia’S Coast | Kuldiga - Jurmala (Drive ~ 120 Km, Cycle ~12 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Latvia’S Coast | Kuldiga - Jurmala (Drive ~ 120 Km, Cycle ~12 Km)

In the morning, drive to the Latvia’s most famous resort town Jurmala that stretches 30 km along the seaside. Take a break from the city on the sandy Jurmala beach. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the pine forest dunes without any rush. Do a self-guided bike tour and explore Jurmala. In the mid-19th-century holiday makers began escaping the city to relax in Jurmala, and it developed as a resort, often called the ‘’Northern Riviera”. You will cycle along a pine-covered dune, see the expressive wooden architecture, modern villas, and endless sandy beaches. Stop for a swim at one of the eleven established swimming places.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Jurmala at Dzintari Hotel*** or similar.
Day 12 Day 12: Discover Riga | Jurmala – Riga (Drive ~ 40 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Discover Riga | Jurmala – Riga (Drive ~ 40 Km)

In a short drive from Jurmala you are in Riga, the largest city in the Baltics. Take a guided walking tour to see the Art Nouveau most famous buildings on the streets of Alberta and Elizabeth, as well as the Old Town with Riga’s Castle and the Three Brothers houses, oldest dwellings in the city.

Make a visit to the Riga Central Market, one of the largest covered markets in Europe. Taste smoked meat, pickled vegetables, Latvian bread, seasonal treats, and more. The market opened in 1930, and it consists of five former Zeppelin airship hangars.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight: Riga at AC Hotel Riga by Marriott**** or similar.
Day 13 Day 13: Departure From Riga
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Departure From Riga

Drop off the rental car at the Riga airport.

+10

13 days tour

13-Day Self-Drive Tour In Estonia And Latvia

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 13-Day Self-Drive Tour In Estonia And Latvia

Day 1: Arrival In Tallinn

Day 2: Discover Tallinn

Day 3: Lahemaa National Park | Tallinn – Sagadi (Drive ~85 Km, Hike ~7 Km)

Day 4: Along The Lake Peipus | Sagadi – Mustvee – Tartu (Drive ~170 Km)

Day 5: Charming University Town | Tartu

Day 6: Gauja National Park | Tartu – Cesis (Drive ~ 175 Km)

Day 7: Magnificent Sandstone Outcrops On Gauja River | Cesis – Ligatne - Sigulda (Drive ~ 40 Km, Kayak ~4 Km)

Day 8: Hiking In Gauja National Park | Sigulda (Hike ~17 Km)

Day 9: The Latvia’S Palace | Sigulda – Rundale Palace – Kuldiga (Drive ~290 Km)

Day 10: The Most Romantic Town In Latvia | Kuldiga

Day 11: Latvia’S Coast | Kuldiga - Jurmala (Drive ~ 120 Km, Cycle ~12 Km)

Day 12: Discover Riga | Jurmala – Riga (Drive ~ 40 Km)

Day 13: Departure From Riga

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