Klaipeda, Lithuania

Meeting your guide at the pier of the cruise ship

Transfer where needed

Klaipeda – the third largest Lithuanian city, situated 300 km from Vilnius on the Baltic coast. Klaipeda is the only and most important port of the country that can be reached by highway from the capital. The city has deep German roots, and not so far away used to be called Memel. During the World War II Klaipeda suffered a lot and many buildings were destroyed, but still there are interesting thing to see. We would visit a German style old town, which has many merchant houses and warehouses with ‘fachwerk’ decorations. Will pass by the theatre square and enjoy a little statue of the Ann of Thar, she is the main character of the traditional German love and marriage song. The song was created by Simon Dach, famous German poet born in Klaipeda in 17th century. We would also visit the old post building and the symbol of Klaipeda sailing ship Meridianas.

Later on continuation to Palanga. Palanga – the most favourite summer resort in Lithuania situated only 25 km from Klaipeda on the Baltic Sea coast. This town will offer you a wonderful walk on the J. Basanavicius pedestrian alley, which hosts a lot of restaurants, cafes, bars and souvenir shops. Palanga is also famous for the Amber museum which is the only kind in the Baltic States. Museum is located in a neoclassical palace built by Count Tyszkiewicz in 19th century and surrounded with picturesque views. Museum offers to discover various types of amber, insect and plant inclusions, history of amber and processing methods of that precious stone. A 24 thousand amber object collection is held in the museum and about 4.5 thousand is at display. A very nice walk waits for you to climb the Birute hill, which in reality is a 22 meter high dune. The guide should tell some interesting story about the origins of the hill name. Definitely you will be given an opportunity to walk the Palanga Bridge, which starts on a coast and goes forward to the sea or you can just enjoy walking barefoot the Baltic sandy beach.

Transfer to pier of cruise ship

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Meeting your guide at the pier of the cruise ship

Transfers where needed

KLAIPEDA – is the gateway to the Baltic in Lithuania and the main city port of the country. The first references of settlements in the area, date back to the first century, and refer to a fishing village. In 1252 after fierce resistance against the Germanic invaders, fell to the Livonian Order. From this period dates the Memelburg Castle, built on the banks of the River Dane. The Lithuanians attempted to retake the city but always were rejected; even after the victory in the Battle of Zalgiris in 1410, when the Lithuanians managed to recover most of the lost territory (northwestern side), Klaipeda remained in German hands. In the following centuries the city continued under foreign rule. In the seventeenth century Klaipeda was devastated by the Swedish army. A mid-eighteenth century the city was for five years under the rule of tsarist Russia. In 1807 the city became capital of Prussia after the occupation by Napoleon’s troops in Berlin. The advent of the Second Reich in 1871 led to a rapid process of Germanization of all minorities. After the defeat of Germany in the First World War, the city and the entire region was placed under the protectorate of the Entente States (1919). From the February 13, 1920 Klaipeda was administered by French forces. In December 1923 a large popular uprising was organized with the help of the Lithuanian government. The survey determined the future of Klaipeda region. The whole territory and port were returned to Lithuania, retaining the right to self-government. In 1939 the Nazis occupied the city, which was not released until January 1945.
At present Klaipeda is not only one of the largest ports in the Baltic Sea, but also an important cultural center of the country.

After the visit we pick the ferry that takes us to the Curonian Spit-Neringa: It’s a salient between the Baltic Sea and Lake Kursiu, unique in Europe. This area is a natural reserve with dunes, pine forests, coast and native animals. Nida is the oldest settlement in Neringa. Fishing village that retains all its buildings more than 150 years ago. Until the eighteenth century the village was located at another site but due to the strength of the dunes its inhabitants decided to change the current. The other towns in this area are: Pervalka, Preila and Juodkrante. Highlight is the “Hill of Witches” in Juodkrante.

We followed the visit to Palanga, located 25km from Klaipeda. Summer capital of the country. It is a modern seaside resort with many hotels, restaurants and clubs. Here you can enjoy its magnificent beaches full of dunes and pine forests. Palanga is also famous for its Amber Museum and Botanical Garden.

Transfer to pier of cruise ship

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