Hi Dave,

yes you can camp. Only you have to ask a permission from owner if it's a private land (usually marked "Eramaa"). If you see forests with "RMK" or "Riigimets" marking - feel free to camp where ever you like in the free nature. Just don't leave any rubbish behind you please

If I'm off the work certanly let's have a and maybe I could give you some advice on the map etc where to go what to see.

Ride safe, Margus

Goddag Ali,

let me know if you're around and need any help etc. I'm currently in Tallinn myself too.

Good roads, Margus

Yes me too!

Leaving London 21st July, up to Tallin via the Baltic States (not too quickly). After Estonia, down through Czech Rep etc to France for some wine for sure and window installation...maybe.

Africa Twin, alloy boxes.

Good roads to all

Thank you but no help needed. Would have been nice with a anyway:-)

The route:

Hi All,
not seen anyone planning this trip in 2009 yet, but I'm gonna be in the Baltics late summer this year.

From all the advice in this post (and others around HU) this area sounds fantastic and I can't wait to get started. The only downside is having to wait due to holiday restrictions from work

My question here is about the amount of time I have for this trip. I'm planning to go:

UK > Netherlands > Germany > Poland > Kaliningrad > Lithuania > Latvia > Estonia > Sweden > Denmark > UK

The interesting part is to do this in 16 days. I realise that I'm not going to get the chance to see as much of these places as I feel they deserve (reinforced by this thread), but due to work this is all I have.
People that have travelled / live in this area - do you think this route is realistic given the time frame? I'll not be camping, as I'll be riding 2-up and we won't have the luggage capacity.

We're doing this in the last week of August and first week of September. Not the hottest time of year, but the guides tell me the weather should be good.

If anyone that can help is going to the ace cafe meet on 8th February I'll see you there and maybe we can chat. I've got the Black KTM 950 Adv.

Also, is vegetarianism popular through these countries. I guess you can get pizza everywhere, but a little meat/fish free local delicacy would be good


Thanks in advance.
Rich

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Thanks James,
I'll make a point of searching you out!
I should be pretty easy to spot at 6'4", in a light grey Bering jacket (possibly a KTM waterproof ), and very little hair.
If anyone else wants to grab my attention with advice for the trip (or anything else for that matter) then please grab me.
Thanks again,
Rich

hello mermaid,
we travelled the baltics in 2007.
here is our album about it: Picasa-Webalben - airhead - "escape to th...

if you are interested in the trax, let me know.

__________________
regards...
-=airhead=-
http://www.euroheads.org

I have ridden through the Baltic States a number of times on my way between my bases, using various routes including the Coronian Spit. I am due to fly back just in time for the Ace - look for a Dakar with RUS stickers (not VRM).

Be aware that Kaliningrad is Russia. You will need to obtain a Visa before you start your trip. Also, irrespective of your own insurance/green cards/whatever, you will have to buy a Russian Company Road Insurance at the border- about GBP20 for a month. The rest is EU and your UK Insurance Certificate should give you legal minimum insurance.

Having said that, the Kaliningrad border controls are the smoothest RUS border crossings I have had - less than an hour each. And a smile too!

__________________
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Hi Tony,

if you do manage to make it to the ace cafe it would be great to meet up with you also.

Is it possible to then to ride from Kaliningrad to Lithuania via the curonian split and then get a ferry from the spit to the mainland? I couldn't find details of any ferries that would take the bike so I assumed not. If I can then its great news!

As far as Kaliningrad is concerned I know that I need a visa. I've been in touch with the visa agencies referred to on another part of the HU site, and they've been very helpful. I've also been in touch with the Russian embassy, and while a little cold, they've been helpful too. Its come down to me getting a transit visa direct from the embassy (I have to apply no more than 2 months in advance) and I have to take a load of paperwork with me. I forget how much they charge. I only seem to need a transit visa as I won't be stopping overnight (does this seem correct?). I could do exactly the same using a visa agency, but I have to pay them to issue me an 'invitation'. For those that have had Russian visa's would you advise going through an agency rather than going direct to the embassy? If so why?

I know I won't need a carnet, and I've contacted the RAC (that I already have breakdown cover with) and I can pay to get extra cover for all countries I'm going through (except Kaliningrad - Russia). Haven't contacted my insurance yet. The RAC told me that I will need an International Drivers Permit (IDP) and another type of driving permit for Kaliningrad (I forget the name they used). Does this all sound about right?

Is there anything else that peeps think I may have forgotten?

Thanks all,
Rich

There is a very efficient RUS/LITH border half way down the Coronian Spit. They are more used to hikers and pedal cyclists but got my motorbike through in under 15 minutes.

There is a short ferry ride between the northern end of Spit and Klaipeda. It takes about 15 minutes and runs (sails?) every half hour or so. Me and my bike cost under 3 pounds. No waiting, just turn up and go - although cars may have to queue and wait, they always squeeze bikes on.

I read elsewhere on HUBB just now that Green Cards will be valid in RUS. See my post.

The ДПС (roads police/mafia) are, in the absence of a bribe, always happy with just my IDP, Russian Ins Cert and the Temporary Russian Import Cert (V5 equivalent) for the bike.

I'll PM you my mobile so we can meet up at the ACE.

__________________
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www.sibirskyextreme.com

Quite agree about the northern border post on the Curonian Spit. I was the only vehicle there and both sets of officials were ace. 15 minutes tops.

But it took me two hours to get through the Kaliningrad-Poland border, and to do so I had to queue-jump at *least* 400 cars, driven by Poles and Russians, who were taking up to three *days* to get through.

On a bike, you'll be waved forward with smiles, laughter and cheers. Cars were physically lifted by hand to allow me through.

But I was left with a lasting reminder of how crass and bureaucratic Russia is.

Oh, and as for vegetarian dishes, Rich: I hope you like beetroot and cabbage.

--Mike

__________________
www.BesideTheSeaside.eu
---I'm back. Now what?---

I'm planning to arrive in Tallinn, Estonia (riding from Denmark leaving Copenhagen on 27 July so will arrive either by ferry from Stockholm or Helsinki) sometime in the week of 03 August and then travel down to Latvia to be in Riga on 08 August. Then riding via Lithuania to Penza in Russia and back to Kivoli in Estonia for 22 August before departing out of Tallinn for Stockholm on 25 August.

As you can see, I've got some dates I want to be in particular places but other than that, would be great to share some miles or just some stories with anyone on the road.

Ps. If you sense an 800GS rider listening in to your chat and taking notes at the Ace, it's only me!

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

Hi Wildman,
we'll be leaving the UK 21st or 22nd of August and then back in the UK no later than 6th September. We'll be about 4 days to a week behind you for most of it, but may catch up with you in Sweden. Keep in touch an we'll see what happens. You can see my rough approximation of a route earlier in this thread.
Rich

don't stand on the sidelines. come and join in. life's not suposed to be a spectator sport

Hi Rich. Yes, I'll be working for a couple of days in Stockholm so by the time I'm through with that, you may have caught up. My route as it stands:

__________________
Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand