Travelling to the Baltic-states/ West-Russia

[El-Dracho]

Hi all,

We are planning a trip via the Baltic states to St. Petersburg and over to Finland this year.

I have several experience in travelling in Eastern and North-Europe amongst others but have never been to Russia and the Baltic states.

Does anyone have some good advices? Places we must visit absolutely?

Will someone be in this area in the late summer 2006, too?

Many thanks! and greetings to the adventure-riders in the world

Bjoern

[Jan from Finland]

Hi,

The route is called Via Baltica. I have never ridden there, but
several of my friends have used the route since the final days
of the Soviet Union in late eighties. Couple of them have even
found a wife along the route:-) Nowadays it seems to be the
less expensive way to Finland than the traditional route via
Sweden.

I have heard rumours about queues on border crossings (especially
to Poland) and a bit higher risk for thief. For example, my insurance
company has stated that I have to carry a double own risk in the
Baltic States. Other than few negative comments, most of the
feedback has been positive.

Here is a site about the Via Baltica at:
http://www.viabaltica.net/engl/indexanglb.html

Have a nice trip!

[Jeff Munn]

Originally Posted by El-Dracho

Hi all,

We are planning a trip via the Baltic states to St. Petersburg and over to Finland this year.

I have several experience in travelling in Eastern and North-Europe amongst others but have never been to Russia and the Baltic states.
Bjoern

A friend and I did this ride back in 2000, so my advice may be a bit out of date. We started in Germany, rode to Norway, then came back thru Finland, St. Petersburg, the Baltics, Poland and the Czech Republic. You can find my trip journal posted here.

St. Petersburg is worth the entire trip. Just be sure to leave your bikes locked in a guarded compound and hire a car to tour the city. I can't speak for the crime there now, but we were told over and over again that if we walked away from our bikes for 3 minutes, they would be gone. Heck, the Russians thought we were insane to ride there by ourselves.

You'll have to work the visa from your end, but ours required hotel rooms confirmed in St. Petersburg during the entire visit. It is an easy 1/2 day from Estonia to there, and from St. Petersburg to Finland, so you don't need lodging anywhere else. But do take 2-3 days and see the city, and the Peterhof Summer Palace.

Back then, only one station had bleifrei gas in St. Petersburg, so you'll need at least 200 mile range on your bike to get to it from either country on each side. If you can run on leaded, that is not a problem.

The crossing from Poland into Lithuania can take hours. Get there early. But you'll find the roads in the Baltics to be ten times better than in Poland.

I could go on, but will shut up now. PM me if you have specific questions on routes, etc. That was a few years ago, but maybe I can still help a little?

Gute fahrt!

[El-Dracho]

Hi Jan, Jeff,

Many thanks for your information.

We will plan a little more and will see where we are going finally

Nice trip journal, Jeff!

Take care and Godspeed

Bjoern

[GreatDane]

Originally Posted by El-Dracho

Will someone be in this area in the late summer 2006, too?

Bjoern

I'm gonna keep an eye on this thread, since we're also planning our summer vacation ride in those regions.
Althoug our initial plan was to go from our home in southern sweden up through Stockholm, via ferry to Finland, on to Sct Petersburg and down through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuenia. Then finally through Poland, and via ferry back to sweden.

But nothing is absolute, so far. We're still taking in all the experince and good advices from others, to make it the best experince for ourselves. "Dont wanna re-invent the tire, just wanna wear it down!" I hope that you will post some of the good info's you come across, here in the thread, and I will of cause do the same.

regards
Jasper

[the white rabbit]

Originally Posted by GreatDane

I'm gonna keep an eye on this thread, since we're also planning our summer vacation ride in those regions.

Me too. A friend is getting married in Sweden this July as I was thinking of a circular route coming back or going via Denmark and then back the long route round.

I must admit I was thing about crossing the 'ticklish' bit as quickly as pos, especially as it will be the only point at which I have no theft cover

Do you need a carnet for Russia? I guess not from your journal, Jeff.

Jeff, thats a fantastic resource you ahve there for us mere mortals

[Jeff Munn]

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Do you need a carnet for Russia? I guess not from your journal, Jeff.

Unless they've changed the requirements, no, you do not need a Carnet.

I hope everyone is able to visit St. Petersburg on their ride. It blew us away. I can't wait to go back with my wife. The history, the architecture, the canals, the people..... it was the most amazing part of our ride. Very unexpected.

[Enduroman]

Hello Bjoern,

I live in Lithuania and I can help You to see the best in our country. If You want to see most interesting places, just cross the Poland-Lithuanian border at Ogrodniki-Lazdijai and take a route: Lazdijai-Druskininkai-Vilnius-Trakai-Rumsiskes-Kaunas-Hill of crosses near Siauliai-Klaipeda-Juodkrante-Nida-Palanga and then go to Latvia on the road near the sea.

What You can see?

Druskininkai - park of soviet skulptures - http://www.grutoparkas.lt/index-en.htm

Vilnius - Historical Old Town of Vilnius: Vilnius Cathedral and its square, Gediminas Castle, the University campus, Pilies street with the 16-18th century historical and architectural monuments, Gothic corner of Vilnius with St Anne's and Bernardine churches, the former Town Hall square, the Gates of Dawn with a miraculous icon of Virgin Mary, the 17th century Baroque church of St Peter and Paul. Visit to KGB museum. http://www.vilnius.lt/new/en/gidas.php

Trakai - a visit of the 15th century Trakai Insular Castle. http://www.trakai.lt/


Rumsiskes - unique open air country life museum, depicting the 18-19th century architecture, traditions, crafts and the way of life of different ethnographic regions of the country. http://www.muziejai.lt/Kaisiadorys/O...uziejus.en.htm

[Enduroman]

Kaunas - second largest city and the capital of Lithuania between the World Wars. Visit the Old Town of Kaunas with its St George's church, castle ruins, Theological seminary, the Town Hall Square, the Jesuit church, the Cathedral, the Church of Vytautas and the Perkunas House. Visit Ciurlionis Art Museum, Convent of Pazaislis – famous for its architecture and wonderworking icon of Virgin Mary. http://www.kaunas.lt/english/index.shtml


Klaipeda - Lithuania's third biggest city - a historic seaport and resort. Old Town of Klaipeda with the Theatre square and the statue of a girl Ann from Tharau, numerous old streets and buildings, Linden street with the old post-office, Mazvydas Sculpture Park. http://www.klaipeda.lt/klaipeda/index.jsp

Neringa,(included into UNESCO World Heritage List as valuable cultural landscape) the Spitbetween the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea, with the biggest sand dunes in Europe.Visit to the Hill of Witches in Juodkrante. In Nida, the Lithuanian sea resort climb up the Great Dune to see breathtaking view. http://www.neringa.lt/index.php?512885114

Palanga - the Amber Museum which houses very rich amber collection, a walk in the Botanical Park of Palanga with Birute's Hill - a 22-metre-high dune, the central street full of souvenir shops, open-air cafes, and leading to the beach and the pier. http://www.palanga.lt/index.php?1180022735

Regards,

Linas
www.ednruoclub.lt

[JFerg]

Thanks, Enduroman.

We'll be through the Baltic States in August, and now have a scenic route!

JFerg
Guzzi