Poland / Baltic states info wanted

[Zwerver]

For a change I'm planning a 4 week trip to northern Scandinavia
for july/august. Having travelled north a few times through Norway and Sweden, I was thinking of trying another route through Poland and the Baltic states and then a ferry from Tallin to Helsinki, and from there north to the Finnmark.
The last time I've been in Poland was in 1988, visiting the Scorpionrally in Warschau, so my info on campingplaces is a bit outdated...
I've never been to the Baltic states, so all info on roads, campings,interesting places is welcome...

 

[PeterNicholson]

Hi Zwerver

Buy all your supplies in Tallinn rather than Helsinki - it is half the price.

And beware rubber-neck syndrome in Tallinn - the young ladies are simply stunning!

 

[THE PICT]

Hi Zwerver



And beware rubber-neck syndrome in Tallinn - the young ladies are simply stunning!

Anyone up for a trip to Tallinn...?

 

[dodgy]

Tallinn is indeed cheap and the scenery is stunning

Ferry Tallinn-Helsinki is no problem, there are two (last time I went) competing companies and it's well cheap, frequent and easy

Vilnius is also worth a visit too. I would avoid Kaliningrad like the plague unless you like Russian customs bullshit (here's a tip: You won't)

Used to live in Stockholm, ex from Helsinki so visited Baltic States & Finland quite a bit

Dunno about Poland - haven't made it there yet

Still, we just won a big job there so might go next year

 

[fritz]

Estonia / N Poland

Zwerver

As mentioned previously Estonia is a lovely spot, particularly Tallinn. Bev and I went via Sweden and Finland a couple of years ago (still needed a visas then, how times change !).
I received info from a guy from another GS email group before we left – he was Belgian I believe – and he had ridden through Poland, Kalingrad etc etc then back via Sweden / Finland about 10 yrs ago. He said it was too far for what he got out of it. I would say from our experience that it is too far to go just for the Baltic’s. From our perspective, if you could ferry from UK to Helsinki then it would be a great trip, but all the ‘getting there’ distance doesn’t make up for the arrival. (Having said that, a man that travels Holland to Hawes for the weekend might no consider it too far !)
We only had about 6 days on our visa so didn’t venture too far in Estonia, but we remember it as a very beautiful unspoilt (away from the towns) place – lots of wildlife and parks. Up around Loksa (I think) on, the NE side, Laheema National Park, is beautiful. Beaver (stop it !) wolves and bears live there.
The scenery is rolling rather than mountains. No probs with fuel / food / or accommodation. Friendly folk. Tallinn & Laheema were our high points.
We’d certainly go again, and would like to try Latvia and Lithuania, but without the journey to Helsinki first.
On Poland, Gdansk is a great city to visit. The northern coast is nice, but one visit is enough. If you haven’t been to the Tatra Mountains area of Poland it is one of the nicest places (include Slovakian side)

Some website info (http://visitestonia.com/ www.silja.com/english www.latviatravel.com/ http://www.vikingline.fi/ )

Web site for Estonia bike club – good friendly rally in Summer, mate went last year on way to Cape Town – yes really ! www.jogevamc.ee

Hope that lot helps a bit – need anymore shout up.

No scenery shots to hand – but here’s a back-road !

 

[Zwerver]

Hi all,

thanks for the info!!!


Fritz,

the Belgian guy you mentioned, was that Herbert Roeland?
And the picture, that's exactly the kind of road I am looking for
in my hollidays!

Thanks again for the info/links...

 

[fritz]

Sorry Zwerver, can't remember the guys name , but pretty sure it wasn't the guy you mentioned. If I come across some pics from Estonia I'll post them at some point.

 

[Big Brucie]

Latvia and Lithuania

Hi guys,

I am off to Holland,Germany Latvia and Lithuania before going down to Belarus and poland.

Checking with my insurance company, ( BMW INS ) I am told that they wont cover me for Latvia and Lithuania and will have to go else where for cover. A bit daft really as they are about to enter europe.

Has any one had this problem before.


Big Brucie

 

[dodgy]

This (the insurance conundrum) is a common problem in parts of Eastern Europe. You generally have to go to a specialist insurer in the UK or buy it locally

First things first tho', get in touch with the AA andRAC and see whatyour options are; they ought to have information

Next stop is the tourist boards for the relevant countries, who should be able to advise on availability, cost and bureaucracy associated with local insurance

Then you could try a UK based specialist. Black Sea & Baltic used to be the standard co. for former Soviet Union but they went down the chute a couple of years ago. The motoring orgs should have more up to date info