5Likes
|
|
18 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 29
|
|
South through Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
Hi All,
I have a trip planned for this June to go up through Norway to Nordkapp, returning through Finland to Helsinki. My plan then is to take the ferry across to Tallin and travel south through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and into Poland. I have been to Norway several times before as well as to many other countries, but I have no experience of these 3 eastern European countries at all. I am looking for a good motorcycle route south from Tallin into Poland. I am looking for scenic "A" and "B" type roads and to avoid boring motorways. I will be solo on a well loaded ST1300 Pan European so goat tracks requiring knobblies may not be entirely suitable!
Has anyone got any experience of motorcycling in these countries that can recommend a good route? I will be camping mostly and would like to know if there are any particular risks with this in these countries.
Thanks All.
|
18 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Ireland & France
Posts: 142
|
|
If you are planning to travel through Latvia in June, you absolutely MUST stay in Riga on 23rd/24th. It's their Midsummer Festival and, by tradition, Latvians must stay up all night by the light of a bonfire - something to do with young women who fall asleep will never marry, I believe. It is a Pagan festival with much singing and dancing, food, and floral head-dresses. So don't bother to eat in a restaurant. Head down to the river and join in the fun. It is a night of pure magic. There are plenty of good cheap hostels around the centre of town, so you won't have to far to stagger back to bed.
|
19 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 500
|
|
hi
i did that trip last may on a "heavily loaded pan " too . Aim towards lake pepsi in estonia there are lots of tiny roads there . then do riga working your way to palanga on lithuanian coast ( lots of very naughty girls there ) take ferry to curonian split for a couple of days . i then went via kaunas ( see kgb museum in town ) and crossed border into polish lakes region ( amazing ) . Back via Lublin ( large concentration camp ) krakwo and torun .
Roads on Latvian / Lituanian border were terrible , rest were ok . Rooms are very cheap as is fuel . I cant speak the lingo but managed ok .
Lithuanians are sXXt drivers and tailgate badly , the rest were fine , the polish being the best imho !!
feel free to text me if you want a longer chat 07825 104350 .
Ps lithuania means land of rain enuff said i think
|
19 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Ireland & France
Posts: 142
|
|
Chris has just reminded me that I found the Lithuanian driving terrifying. We were on a tight schedule so we traversed the whole country in a day, sadly missing Vilnius. The main road was, as far as I remember, two lanes in either direction (a dual-carriageway to us Brits). However, there were at least three streams of traffic using each carriageway, with the overflow spilling out onto the hard shoulder. I had a f*cking tour bus up my a*se for a good few miles, literally inches from my rear wheel. I just had to grip the throttle and pray that I didn't hit a pothole or any other unexpected hazard.
Nightmare.
You might enjoy this guide to Estonia by an Estonian.
|
20 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 500
|
|
You wont be going for the roads as they are nothing special at all . Where my mate comes from (Jonava ) looked like the germans had just carpet bombed it - again !! that said i enjoyed the visit , the people were mostly friendly when they saw our plates Am assuming you arent black / coloured because if you are the "N" word is very common and racisim is alive and well im afraid , although i was told by the only black guy i met , its better then ten years ago !!
definately find time to do the Kgb museums - there is one in each capital . The one in Vilinus left me speechless - if they are still showing the video hope you have a strong stomach !!
|
20 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 29
|
|
Thanks for the replies mrsroynie & Chris - much appreciated and just the sort of information I was after.
I haven't given much thought to these 3 countries up to now and they didn't previously hold very much appeal to me. I was (am) in 2 minds as to whether to just quickly transit through them in one day on the main road south to get into Poland quickly, or to spend and extra day or 2 and explore the back roads and the landscape a bit. Your descriptions of the road conditions and standard of driving is a little worrying to say the least and it doesn't sound like much fun. From what I can see of the landscape it is exceptionally flat and rather uninteresting. So, all things considered, I am leaning towards shooting straight through unless I can find a particularly scenic route to enjoy.
Thanks for the link for the YouTube guide to Estonia - it is very informative and clearly highlights the areas that are "not recommend" - brilliant!
|
20 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 500
|
|
personally i would do the curion split and Riga then whizz thru and spend some time in the Polish lakes region , including Malbork castle . Lublin is def worth a look , but thats a fair way south .
|
20 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 29
|
|
Thanks Chris.
The Curonian Spit looks interesting but from what I can see, entry to Kaliningrad requires a 72 hour tourist visa at a cost of €70. Part of the requirements for the visa is evidence of a hotel booking in advance. Since I intend to be mostly camping and not running to any fixed timetable, it's probably not going to be worth the cost and hassle to pass through this way.
How did you go about it when you went there last year?
|
21 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 500
|
|
Hi No you enter via lithuania - there is a small car ferry at Klapedia . The split itself is divided between the two countries . Think the last village on the Lithuanian side is Nida ? there is a large sand dune there that you can climb in order to have a look at the border . they also do some nive boat trips too .
|
23 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: warrington uk
Posts: 33
|
|
estonea
hello 1moremile
im in the same boat as you,ill be doing the same route as you in june. ill be back into finland from russa about 17th june and heading south to estonia and on to poland and as you iv not been hear at all. wot dates are you going to be about ,we could get lost together.i was thinking just going for it but do have some days to wast ill be camping as well, or hostels.
|
24 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 29
|
|
Hi Mike,
I hope to be crossing into Estonia on or about 11th June so I will be a few days ahead of you. Since posting this I have done a little more research and my plans at present are to hit the main road and head for Poland as fast as the speed limits allow. This decision is based on many factors: time, money, minimal interest in these countries etc. I will spend some extra time visiting the concentration camps in Poland instead.
Have a great trip!
|
24 Feb 2014
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: warrington uk
Posts: 33
|
|
no probs we might pass no the road you never know keep in touch, you will like the camp on the 296 just south of zagan in poland, its the camp that, the great escape,was based on,you can go right upto the tunnel openings in the woods, and you must go to colditz and do the full tour.ill porbably do the same as you just go for it,ive only got 2days spare to get back to the boat on the 23rd june.
|
8 Mar 2014
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 426
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chris gale
hi
i did that trip last may on a "heavily loaded pan " too . Aim towards lake pepsi in estonia there are lots of tiny roads there . then do riga working your way to palanga on lithuanian coast ( lots of very naughty girls there ) take ferry to curonian split for a couple of days . i then went via kaunas ( see kgb museum in town ) and crossed border into polish lakes region ( amazing ) . Back via Lublin ( large concentration camp ) krakwo and torun .
Roads on Latvian / Lituanian border were terrible , rest were ok . Rooms are very cheap as is fuel . I cant speak the lingo but managed ok .
Lithuanians are sXXt drivers and tailgate badly , the rest were fine , the polish being the best imho !!
feel free to text me if you want a longer chat 07825 104350 .
Ps lithuania means land of rain enuff said i think
|
Hi Chris
thanks for the info
it will be great if you make a route on map and post it here
cheers
|
8 Mar 2014
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 500
|
|
Hi Omar
bit above me that , will post a rough list as on holiday at the moment as i said the roads arent that special to be honest . A good look thru the Rough Guide should suffice .
|
8 Mar 2014
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Garden of England
Posts: 478
|
|
__________________
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
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|