The Baltics

We started our journey very early in the morning from Gothenburg to board the ferry at 7.00 am from Karlskrona to Gdynia. This is the Day One of our exciting journey around the Baltic Sea and this is also our first long haul road trip with our new born. 

The Karlskrona-Gdynia Ferry takes us from Sweden to Poland across the Baltic, which typically takes approximately 10 to 12 hours. After arriving at Gdynia, we directly drove to our accommodation in Gdansk, which was about 30-45 minutes drive. After check-in at the hotel, we decided to explore the Gdansk city attractions under the night lights.  We started at the Statue of John III Sobieski and strolled along High Gate & Golden Gate towards the the Long Market (Długi Tar). The night was bit misty but the streets were crowded and we could hear music playing near Fontanna Neptuna. We went further in, along side the colourful buildings through the Green Gate (Zielona Brama w Gdańsku) on to the bridge, where you can see the lights from the buildings besides the river reflecting on the waters. After spending sometime enjoying the view, we walked towards the Basilica of St. Mary. Then we went to see the beautiful scenery around Dwór Cechu Młynarzy, which brought us back to where we started the city tour. That was it for the day and we went back to the hotel to get a good night's sleep.

Day Two: Gdańsk to Kaunas via Historical Sites

We began your journey from Gdańsk in the early morning, ensuring a full day of exploration ahead. We first went to Westerplatte, a World War II memorial site by the Baltic Sea, few kilometers away from the city. Parking is available near the park with no fee. Then we continued the drive to the Malbork Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest brick castles in the world. Parking is available near the castle complex, and admission tickets cost approximately 45 PLN per person. The castle is open to visitors from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. Lunch Break: Take a break for lunch at one of the nearby restaurants or cafes in Malbork, where you can savor traditional Polish cuisine.

Afterwards, we drove to Wolf's Lair (Wilczy Szaniec) near Kętrzyn, approximately 200 kilometers from Malbork. Parking is available near the entrance, and the admission ticket costs around 15 PLN per person. The site is open to visitors from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. We spent the late afternoon exploring the ruins of Adolf Hitler's former military headquarters. Wander through the forested complex, where bunkers, shelters, and command buildings still stand as eerie reminders of World War II history. Join a guided tour to learn more about the site's significance and the events that unfolded here during the war. We then continued towards Kaunas, on the way stopping at Mosty w Stańczykach and Wisztyniec which is the tripoint border between Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. Parking was available nearby, and it's a great opportunity to witness this unique geographical location where three countries meet. We concluded the day by driving to Kaunas, Lithuania, which is approximately 400 km from Wisztyniec. Phew, it was a long day.

Day Three: Kaunas to Vilnius and Back with Cultural Exploration

Began our day trip from Kaunas to Vilnius in the early morning, with various transportation options available. If traveling by car, consider parking options such as public parking lots or street parking near the city center. Alternatively, you can take a train or bus from Kaunas to Vilnius for a convenient and scenic journey. We started Vilnius exploration at Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall, since we couldn't find parking near the city center. The we head to Vilnius Cathedral, passing Dievo Motinos Ėmimo į Dangų katedra and St. Anne's Church. The Cathedral Square and the Bell Tower were just wow. Then we walked towards King Mindaugas Monument looking at the Gediminas Castle Tower in the small cliff behind the cathedral. Then we strolled through the Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and charming cobblestone streets. After having lunch, we walked passing the Presidential Palace Grounds towards the Town Hall Square, which was a quite nice walk through the Old Town. Then we got to the vehicle and left Vilnius after making a quick stop at Church of Sts. Peter and Paul to see the unique architecture. 

After exploring Vilnius, we head towards Kernavė Archaeological Site, another UNESCO World Heritage Site located approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Vilnius. Explore the ancient hill forts, burial mounds, and archaeological excavations that offer insights into Lithuania's prehistoric past. Then we made a final stop at Trakai Island Castle, before returning to our hotel at Kaunas. It was a nice castle by the lake banks with ample opportunities for nice photographs.

Day Four: Kaunas and then to Riga via Cultural and Historical Landmarks

We began our day by exploring Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city. We started our exploration at Kaunas Castle, a medieval fortress located by the river banks. Private vehicles can be parked at the nearby parking lots or public transportation options can be used to reach the castle. And there were electric charging points as well. We plugged in the car and started the city exploration. Admission to the castle grounds is typically free, with guided tours available for a fee. After exploring the castle's exhibits, ramparts, and towers, learning about its fascinating history dating back to the 14th century, we started wandering through the charming streets of Kaunas Old Town, walking pass the Gothic-style St. George's Church. We navigated along the narrow cobblestone streets to admire the architectural gems such as the Town Hall Square, Kaunas Town Hall, and the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. Then we headed to the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, along the walking path which was well maintained. It was a very pleasant walk early in the morning. Then we climbed a small cliff to see the unique architecture of Christ's Resurrection Church. By then my wife and baby were tired and it was a bit of a walk back to the parking place. So I went back to get the vehicle and picked them to continue our journey to Latvia. 

On the way to Riga, Latvia, we stopped at the Hill of the Crosses (Kryžių Kalnas) in Lithuania, one of Lithuania's most iconic and sacred sites. The hill, located near the city of Šiauliai, is approximately 160 kilometers north of Kaunas. Entrance to the Hill of Crosses is free while you pay for the parking. Then we continued our journey towards Rundāle Palace, an exquisite Baroque and Rococo-style palace located in Pilsrundāle, Latvia. The palace is approximately 180 kilometers northwest of the Hill of Crosses. Parking is available near the palace grounds, and admission tickets typically range from 10 to 20 euros per person, depending on the season and type of tour. Explore the opulent interiors, beautifully landscaped gardens, and intricate architectural details of this magnificent palace, which served as a summer residence for the Dukes of Courland.

Bauska Castle Hill (Bauskas pilskalna vieta): On your way, make a stop at Bauska Castle Hill, located approximately 75 kilometers south of Riga. Parking is available near the site, and admission tickets cost around 5 euros per person. Explore the ruins of the medieval castle, which offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the convergence of the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers.

Late Afternoon/Evening:

Travel to Riga: Conclude your day trip by traveling from Rundāle Palace to Riga, the capital city of Latvia, located approximately 80 kilometers northeast of the palace. Arrive in Riga in the late afternoon or early evening, where you can unwind and explore the city's vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and bustling streets.

Embark on an unforgettable day trip from Kaunas to Riga, journeying through cultural and historical landmarks in Lithuania and Latvia. From exploring the medieval streets of Kaunas to experiencing the spiritual ambiance of the Hill of Crosses and admiring the grandeur of Rundāle Palace, each destination offers a unique glimpse into the rich heritage of the Baltic region.