- Important points
- Surrounded by overseas
- Choosing wings
- Hotel or apartment
- Transport subtleties
- Useful details
- The perfect trip to the Baltics
For many decades, the coast of the Baltic Sea has attracted true connoisseurs of dim northern beauties to local resorts. Fans of moderate temperatures, special European style and pleasant comfort preferred to travel to the Baltics. In the resorts of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, hotels were always filled to capacity, and thousands of lucky people wandered along the shores of the sea, looking for their own piece of happiness - real Baltic amber.
Today, the Baltics are still popular with those who seek to spend their holidays in the fresh air, in comfort and silence, especially since in ancient cities, if you wish, you can organize a varied and exciting excursion program.
Important points
- It is customary to include Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and the Kaliningrad region of Russia in the geographic region of the Baltic States.
- To visit the three republics, a Russian tourist will need a Schengen visa. The set of documents is standard, the fee is 35 euros.
Surrounded by overseas
Far from the main part of Russia and surrounded by the Baltic states, Kaliningrad is easiest to get to by plane. UTair, Ural Airlines and S7 fly to the westernmost airport of Russia. The ticket price is about 7000 rubles round trip. In this case, an all-Russian passport will suffice. You will have to spend about two hours in the sky.
Buses regularly depart from Khrabrovo airport to the city, which deliver passengers to the center of Kaliningrad in 40 minutes and 30 rubles.
The second way to get to Kaliningrad, bypassing border formalities, is the ferry crossing between St. Petersburg and Baltiysk. The port in the Kaliningrad region is located 45 km from the center of the region. The flight lasts approximately 36 hours, and the cheapest ticket costs approximately 3600 rubles. The ferry is convenient to travel with a car. Transportation of the "passenger car" will cost about 12 thousand rubles.
Choosing wings
- The most convenient way to go to the Baltics is by plane. Travel time from Moscow to Riga, Tallinn or Vilnius is a little less than two hours, and the cost of the ticket depends on the chosen airline.
- All three Baltic capitals can be reached by trains from the capital of Russia. The whole journey will take from 14 to 16 hours, and the ticket price will be about 50 euros one way.
- Ecolines and BalticShuttle buses leave St. Petersburg for the Baltic States every day. There is also a daily train connection with Riga and Vilnius. Trains leave from the Vitebsk railway station.
Hotel or apartment
The hotel fund in the Baltics has undergone major changes since the days of the USSR, and now hotels can compete on an equal footing with European ones. In the capitals, tourists are welcomed by representatives of famous world chains with appropriate prices and ideal service. To spend the night in a Hilton or Marriott room, you will have to pay from 150 euros, but connoisseurs of five-star comfort are ready to pay for the offered pleasure.
The most budget-conscious travelers are content with hostels. For a bed in a dormitory room, it is enough to pay from 8 euros, and for a separate modest room with the ability to use a shared bathroom and kitchen - from 12 euros.
"Treshki" in the Baltic countries, as elsewhere in the world, is preferred by travelers who are not accustomed to overpaying for a brand. Good quality at a reasonable price is guaranteed to tourists in hotels with three stars on the facade in Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. The price of a day is from 35 euros.
Private houses and even villas are rented at the resorts of the Baltic Sea, which is very convenient for those who travel to the Baltics with a family or a large company. Depending on the location of the house relative to the sea and the period for which you want to rent it, rental prices start from 50 euros per day.
Transport subtleties
If you decide to travel in the Baltics by car, study the traffic rules and border crossing procedures in these countries.
There is no toll for passenger cars in the Baltic countries, but for the use of parking lots and parking lots in most cities of the region, you will have to pay a few euros.
The largest fines for traffic violations in Estonia. For example, if, leaving the parking lot, you forget to turn on the dipped beam or fasten yourself and your passengers, you will have to pay 200 euros.
The main feature of public transport is strict adherence to the schedule, and therefore all trips in Latvia, Estonia or Lithuania can be planned in advance.
In cities, transport is represented by buses and trolleybuses. They start working at 5.30 am and serve passengers until midnight. Tickets are sold at stops in special kiosks or directly from the driver. The fare is about 0.5 euros.
Taxis in the Baltics can be ordered by phone or caught on the street. The hotel receptionists will be happy to help you call a car at the right time. The price of the trip fluctuates around 0.5 euros per kilometer, but at night the rates increase by about 20%.
Intercity transport is buses or trains. Tickets for travel are sold at ticket offices at stations or from conductors, but buying them in a carriage is not very profitable.
Useful details
- The cost of a liter of gasoline in the Baltic countries is about 1, 10 euros.
- To travel in the Baltics with your own car, you will need international insurance. It is called "Green Card" and costs about 2500 rubles for 15 days.
- The cheapest meals in the Baltic cities can be organized with the help of local fast food. For 4-6 euros you get a solid hot dog, shawarma or sandwich with meat or fish and vegetables. You can have a full lunch in the cafe, which offers set meals. The price of the issue is from 10 euros for a salad, hot and soft drink.
The perfect trip to the Baltics
The Baltic climate, which is transitional from maritime to continental, provides the region with mild, humid winters and cool summers. The swimming season begins in June, when the air and water in the Baltic Sea warms up to + 25 ° C and + 19 ° C, respectively. Even at the height of summer on the beaches of the Curonian Spit or the Riga seaside there are no sharp rises of mercury columns, and therefore both old people and kids feel comfortable here.
The excursion program in the Baltics is best performed in late summer and early autumn, when the air temperature is around + 20 ° C.
Fans of folk holidays and folklore festivals prefer their own calendar. In Lithuania, they rush to the Kaziukas fair, when in early spring hundreds of artisans from all over the country come to Vilnius. These days, in the shopping arcade in the heart of the old city, you can buy blacksmiths and jewelry, straw products and amber jewelry. The trade is accompanied by performances by folk groups and amateur musicians.
Latvia traditionally receives the most tourists on the summer solstice, when the country celebrates the Ligo holiday. Wreaths and songs, jumping over the fire and traditional festivities and round dances are sure signs that summer in Latvia has finally come into its own.
Estonia celebrates Midsummer's Day at the height of summer. On June 24, all official institutions in the country are closed, and Estonians go out into the countryside with beer and barbecue. In the evening, giant bonfires are lit in every town and village, and round dances are held around them. In addition to the opportunity to take part in the funniest holiday of Estonians who are balanced in life, guests of the country get the chance to walk around Tallinn and other cities without the hustle and bustle of the crowd.
