Start your tour in the harbour city of Klaipëda which sprung up from the German-founded brick castle of Memelburg in the 13th century. Travel to the South along the coast and discover the National Park of the Curonian Spit. Explore its picturesque pine forests, secluded bays and magnificent sand dunes, more reminiscent of the Sahara than of Northern Europe! To quote a German writer and Nobel Laureate Thomas Mann, who spent the summers of 1930-1932 in Nida, „visiting the Curonian Spit is a must, the same as seeing Italy or Spain.“

You may choose your cycling route from 3 alternatives for return from Nida to Klaipeda:
by bicycle Nida-Preila–Pervalka–Juodkrantë–Klaipeda (total ~110 km/70 miles);
by boat to the harbours of Sturmai or Minija (Minge) located in other side of the Curonian Lagoon and cycle back to Klaipeda via Kintai–Priekule (total ~110 km/70 miles);
cruise by regular boat from Nida back to Klaipeda via Juodkrante (4.5 hours, total ~55 km/35 miles).

Overnight stay in Juodkrante (1 night) and Nida (1 or 2 nights) when you choose the 1st or 3rd return route and Vente/Kintai (1 night) - 2nd route.

Sights on the Curonian Spit:
50 km sand beach, the Klaipëda Sea Museum and Dolphinarium in Smiltyne, the Hill of Witches and a colony of grey herons and cormorants in Juodkrante, the Dead Dunes near Pervalka, fishermen’s houses in the old town of Nida, the Great Dune of Parnidis, the Thomas Mann House and Museum, Mizgiris Amber Gallery and Museum, the Lutheran church in Nida, and the ancient Curonian cemetery.

Inland sights:
Ventes Ragas Ornithological Station and a 19th century lighthouse, Minija (Minge) Village – the Venice of Lithuania.

TRAVEL SERVICES:

For a package of cycling tavel services, including bicycle rental, transfers, accommodation, catering, museums, tour guide, etc., contact local incoming tour operators based in Klaipeda City:
LITURIMEX Cycling Holidays Liepø St 21, tel. +370 46 31 06 08, E-mail: klaipeda@liturimex.lt;

For more information on the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route, its publications (cycling guide and map) and travel services for cyclists look at local tourism information centres (TIC) along the route in Klaipeda and the Curonian Spit:
KLAIPEDA KTIC,
Turgaus St 7, tel. +370 46 41 21 86, E-mail: tic@klaipedainfo.lt,
Minijos St 119,  +370 46 38 08 03;
NIDA TIC, Taikos St 4, tel. +370 469 52 345, E-mail: info@visitneringa.lt,  www.visitneringa.com;
JUODKRANTE TIC, L. Rezos St 54, tel./fax +370 469 53 490, E-mail: juodkrante@neringa.lt;
Visitors' Centres of the Curonian Spit National Park,
KLAIPEDA, Smiltynes St 11, tel. +370 46 40 22 56, E-mail info@nerija.lt;
NIDA, Nagliu Str. 8, Tel./Fax: =370 469 51 256, E-mail: kinfo@takas.lt

For information on bicycling and specialised services, like rental of quality trekking bicycles and tourist equipment, and delivery/collection services look at the BaltiCCycle website. You may use on-line reservation form or contact by mobile phone +370 699 56009 (in English/German/French/Esperanto), +370 615 91773 (in English/Russian), or E-mail: info@bicycle.lt