“You have to see the Curonian Spit (…) if you don’t want to lack a and secluded bays – places that have inspired many celebrities magnificent picture in your soul.” like French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and his wife, French Wilhelm von Humboldt, October 1809 writer and feminist Simone de Beauvoir, and German Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann, who built a summer home in Nida. Welcome to the captivating Lithuanian seaside – the land of After a short trip by boat to the other side of the Curonian Lagoon, three waters! There are stories to tell that still have fresh wounds you can step out on Lithuania’s biggest island – Rusnė. Embraced of a living history. And there is pure nature to discover, far away by two branches of the Nemunas River, the island has been cut from the mainstream. off from the world for a long time. Its cosy fishing villages have Over the centuries, the Lithuanian seaside region has maintained their unique spirit. In autumn and spring this region experienced numerous attacks and battles: the warlike Vikings, becomes a paradise for millions of migrating birds as well as for followed by German knights, then the flood of Napoleon’s army the stork – the national bird of Lithuania. and the marching soldiers of the Russian tsars. In the period Heading north to Seaside Regional Park, you will cross a former after World War I it became a co-ruled domain of French, British Soviet military polygon and find yourself on a historical border and Americans… This land has witnessed the extinction of an between the German Reich and the Russian Empire! ancient tribe – the Curonians – and has become an outpost Lithuanian Seaside Region explorers can enjoy a great variety of Western European civilisation. Right here, at the mouth of of services – from 5-star hotels to cosy and fully equipped a significant waterway, the Teutonic knights founded the brick campsites. Connections to other parts of world are guaranteed castle of Memelburg in the 13th century nowadays the city of via the Klaipėda International Ferry Port, Palanga International Klaipėda. Since the 17th century seamen and traders from Airport, and the major highways that connect Klaipėda with the England, Scotland, Holland, Sweden and Denmark have been capital of Lithuania – Vilnius – which is four hours away by bus. working in the old town of Klaipėda. Klaipėda has been open to To quote a famous traveller, Wilhelm von Humboldt, almost 200 Jewish, Catholic, Mennonite, Lutheran, Anglican and many other years ago: “Visiting this place is a must, the same as seeing communities that have contributed to the city’s rich cultural Spain or Italy.” heritage and environment. The Lithuanian seaside region is a distinctive corner on the map of Europe. This land is washed by three bodies of water – the Baltic Sea, the Curonian Lagoon and the Nemunas River (Memel in German). Originating from the deep forests of Belarus, the Nemunas River, following its long route through several countries, reaches its delta in the Western part of Lithuania. The delta ends in the Curonian Lagoon, while the lagoon falls into the Baltic Sea. Travelling south out of Klaipėda to Curonian Spit National Park, you can explore the colossal sand dunes, picturesque pine forests The Great Dune of Parnidis. General information and suspension is recommended for roads, which are in poor condition. Weather Money The best time for bicycling holidays is from May to September. In The national currency of Lithuania is Litas (Lt). 1 Litas = 100 the Lithuanian seaside region there is a seaside climate that is cents (ct). Litas is fixed to Euro at 1 EUR = 3.45 Lt. greatly influenced by the Baltic Sea. Curonian Spit National Park There’s a bank with an ATM (Visa Electron, Maestro, Visa, has more sunny days than any other place in Lithuania. MasterCard) in every town. All banks are open from Mon.–Fri. Food/Catering: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and some have longer business hours. In the cities, supermarkets and large shopping malls as well as Time stores selling alcoholic beverages (with some food) work until Lithuania belongs to the Eastern European Time Zone and 10 or 12 p.m., or 24 hours a day. Food stores, usually open until overwinds a clock in winter and summer. 8 p.m., can be found in the larger villages. During the daytime, Central European Time: + 1 hour, Greenwich Mean Time: + 2 hours. alongside restaurants, coffee shops and bars, you can also find Medical services very cheap canteens (“valgykla” in Lithuanian). Traditional cuisine Emergency and medical services tend to be below Western is from flour and potatoes. Cold beetroot soup (“šaltibarčiai”) is standards. Good care and medical facilities are concentrated in recommended. Lithuanians are famous for their beer. the regional centre Klaipėda. But be cautious about care at most Accommodation hospitals and clinics; without insurance you can end up paying High quality campsites like the one in Nida (www.kempingas.lt) are a lot for a hospital room. Insurance is recommended. A wide still rare, but there are some basic campsites near Palanga and network of pharmacies with a large variety of medicine exists in Klaipėda. Rural tourism “Countryside Holidays Association” offers all cities and towns across Lithuania. a range of accommodation at the Lithuanian seaside from safe Telephone places to pitch a tent to guesthouses and traditional countryside The Lithuanian telephone code is +370. Dialling inside the farmsteads with private WC and shower. country: 8 + city code + number. Mobile phone numbers start Traffic safety with 8~6XX XX XXX (or +370 6XX XX XXX by mobile phone). The Seaside Cycle Route consists of a variety of roads. Plans are Dialling abroad: 00 + country code. to complete a separate cycle trail on the Curonian Spit by the end In Lithuania there are several mobile operators, which are all of 2006. Cycle paths are planned in Klaipėda, from Klaipėda to connected with international networks. Palanga, and from Palanga to Būtingė. A portion of route (south Emergency of Klaipėda) is on ordinary roads, some parts are gravel. Emergency mobile number: 112. Traffic is heavy around the cities, during rush hours and on Information: 118, 1588. weekends (on recreational routes). Be aware of speeding lorries Information and cars, which do not care much about cyclists. A helmet is All necessary information can be found in tourist information recommended but not required. A bicycle with wider tyres (37 mm) centres that are in the larger cities as well as in regional and national parks (see the list on the back cover page). Palanga International Airport, Palanga, Liepojos St 1, tel. +370 460 52 020, www.palanga-airport.lt. You can fly with traditional or cheap airlines directly to (i.e. Ryanair, Wizz Air, Air Baltic) Kaunas, Vilnius, or Riga International Airport and then go to Klaipėda, Palanga, or Nida (3–7 hours) by bus or train. By train Bicycles can be easily transported by train using special areas and racks or in the post carriages. In summer it is possible to carry bicycles on the long distance trains Pajūris and Baltija, running from Vilnius to the seaside, using special racks and areas designated for the handicapped and bicycles. The transportation fee per bicycle is Bicycling route in Nida from 1–7 Litas (~0.3–2 Euro) depending on the distance. The number of bicycle stands is limited; more than four cyclists may Where to get a bicycle for cycling tour? be a problem when ordering tickets in advance. More information on train schedules and prices is available in the train station or Bicycle shops and repair services on the web page of Lithuanian Railways (“Lietuvos Geležinkeliai The largest selection of bicycles and parts as well as in Lithuanian”) www.litrail.lt. bicycle repair services is concentrated in Klaipėda. Several bicycle shops and repair shops can be found By bus in the smaller towns and resorts: Kretinga, Palanga, Šilutė. Bus is the most popular means of transport in the Most of the bicycle shops in Klaipėda listed below offer repair Baltic States, and there are many more buses than services: trains. Even if bicycle transportation by bus officially is 1. Bicycle Shopping and Service Centre, Turgaus Sq 25, not possible, it is usually possible to make an agreement with the tel. +370 46 41 19 49, www.fujibikes.lt bus driver. You can pack your bike in the luggage area (it is usually 2. Dviratis Plius, Taikos Ave 56, tel. +370 46 34 49 66, better to take the front wheel off) for a small fee, if space allows. www.saginda.lt The situation is similar with national and international buses. 3. G. M. Umarai, Kulių Vartų St 5, tel. +370 46 41 10 52 You can find bus schedules of companies going to the Lithuanian 4. Panther Dviračiai, Turgaus Sq 23, tel. +370 46 41 20 38 seaside on the internet: www.klap.lt (Klaipėda), www.toks.lt 5. Sanifinas, Šilutės Rd 79, tel. +370 46 49 69 22 (Vilnius), www.kautra.lt (Kaunas), www.busturas.lt (Šiauliai). 6. 2 Ratai, Taikos Ave 40, tel. +370 46 38 16 66, www.2ratai.lt For larger groups, travel agencies may offer transport services by bus or minibuses with special trailers for 16–20 bicycles. Bicycle rental There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle in the streets of the By ferry seaside resorts of Nida, Juodkrantė and Palanga. High quality Bicycle transportation by ferry is not a problem and trekking/hybrid bicycles, suitable for a few days’ ride and long is not expensive, but bear in mind that ferries are weekly tours, are available at a limited number of companies booked well in advance.