Cycling

The tour begins in Riga with its Art Nouveau district and Old Town. Make your way to Sigulda by train. A hilly road passes Gutmana Cave, Turaida Castle and Krimulda Castle which stand on the hillsides of the Gauja river valley. The road continues to Limbaži, which is a typical Latvian provincial town. Further on you reach the Baltic Sea coast and Salacgriva, which is famous for its fishing traditions and lamprey. Outside Salacgrīva town there are rare coastal meadows and lagoons. After crossing the Latvian-Estonian border point, the road winds through old coastal villages - Ikla, Treimani, Kabli and Häädemeeste before rejoining the Via Baltica. At Pärnu explore Ruutli pedestrian street and the old fortifications. It is time to cross to the islands - the route passes through the small island of Muhu. Visit the local fish cafe at Livi and ethnographic fishermens’ village of Koguva. Then the route leads to Saaremaa island over a causeway. The main sites on the route are 'Valjala maalinn' – one of the most attractive hill forts in Estonia, the Valjala church, and meteorite craters of Kaali. By bus you head to the Estonian capital, Tallinn, charming with its medieval Old Town. From there take a tour of a former Soviet submarine base at Paldiski, a memorable reminder of recent history.

On this tour there are the finest cultural and historical heritage left behind over the course of several centuries – medieval castles, different manors and splendid palaces. Part of the route goes through Gauja National Park with some excellent views of meadows and ancient forest, where  farmsteads carry on with their unchanging lives. A picturesque road connects three castles - Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda - situated on the high valley sides of the Gauja river. Further on, the road passes one of the oldest churches in Latvia and heads to two attractive 19th century manors at Birini and Igate. Next day, relax in luxury at Dikļi manor hotel. The tour then goes through charming medieval town Cesis with mighty castle ruins and a newer castle alomgside.

The other part of the tour makes a loop formed by Zemgale's distinctive castles and palaces. It includes Jaunpils Castle, barely changed since medieval times, Dobele Castle ruins and Tervete ancient hillock. Located a short ride from each other are 15th century Bauska Castle, strategically situated between two rivers, the classically styled Mežotne Palace hotel and the most famous pearl in the Baltics - splendid baroque and rococo style Rundāle Palace surrounded by a French park.

The route leads mostly through the Gauja National Park where you will see the most beautiful river valley in the Baltic States. It is the ancient Gauja River valley with gorgeous flora and fauna and the mightiest Devonian-period sandstone cliffs, in the region. While riding the route, you can study Latvia's most brilliant medieval city, Cēsis. You can visit medieval castles and castle ruins there and in Sigulda. A guide will take through underground bunkers in Līgatne which were secret in soviet times and have no analogue in North-eastern Europe. You will then pass through the beautiful Otepaa highlands and the Lahemaa National Park in Estonia. The old town of Tallinn is on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage.

The route includes some of the most authentic local expediencies travelling through blue lake districts along the Eastern part of Latvia and Lithuania. This is a region where mass tourism has not yet arrived, and you find very sincere and hospitable people, traditional villages, many churches and cult locations which bring together paganism, Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, Russian Orthodoxy and Old believers, 
The route weaves through the Rāzna National Park surrounding lake Rāzna which provide scenic views, contains traditional farmsteads and ancient castle mounds. There is Aglona Basilica, pilgrimage place and Bread Museum worthwhile a visit. The route goes through Daugavpils with impressive 19th century' s fortress where the Art Centre of the world's famous abstractionist Mark Rothko is located.  Several pottery workshops producing traditional “black” ceramics are along the way. 
The route continues through Aukštaitija National Park across the border in Lithuania. It goes through ethnographic villages, along wooden churches and many lakes. Ancient Bee-keeping Museum at Stripeikiai is worthwhile a visit. To keep the contrast the route goes also to European Park, an open-air contemporary art museum and the centre of Europe.
Surely, you will taste the local beer of Latgale in Latvia and traditional dish Cepelinai in Lithuania. 

From Riga the route goes to the historic Estonian sea resort and then by ferry to Muhu island. On the way there is ethnographic village of Koguva, the Liiva church and the elegant Padaste Manor. Overnight at Muhu island. 28 km cycling there juniper fields, its small fishing villages, and the magnificent Juigu cliffs, which open up a view of the other small islands in the Monzunda archipelago. Then drive to Saaremaa and stay in Kuressare, the island's capital. There the rooute covers such attractions as Kaali meteorite crater, impressive Valjala church and castle mound, Piretikivi rock and Poide church. Cycle along the Tagameisa Peninsula, up to 30 km. Driving to the ferry take a loop along Viidumae National Park with its viewing tower, Kihelkonna Church, the Odaletsi streams and nature trail and the dolomite Panga cliffs.