Just so.
This was in the early 80’s, the war having been over only 40 or so years. It was obvious, to my eyes at least, that a whole generation or more of men was missing.
Riga to Vilnius
- Thread starter Wapping
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Just so.
This was in the early 80’s, the war having been over only 40 or so years. It was obvious, to my eyes at least, that a whole generation or more of men was missing.
This “minor incursion” might’ve had something to do with it too. Not much changed in this day and age then.
Those on board your train, may have been destined to that same part of the world.
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I’ve said it many times before but it’s a brilliant area to visit and it’s on our hit list for another visit at some point in the future. If you go on a bike watch out for unexpected gravel strewn roads because I found some of them were covered in deep gravel rather than a light layer and you end up with 3 distinct ridges, one in the centre of each ‘lane’ and one in the middle of the road so if you decide to bottle it and reverse your route you’ve got to get over all of them without sliding around too much
you may be aware of " The Man in Seat 61" .
www.seat61.com
Excellent site for all rail travel information worldwide.
The distance is 348 km (216 miles). 272 km in Lithuania, 72 km in Latvia, see route map.
Bicycles carried for €10.
www.seat61.com
Excellent site for all rail travel information worldwide.
Lithuania - Latvia by train
Good news! From 27 December 2023, an air-conditioned train links Vilnius & Riga every day, with 1st & 2nd class, toilets & free WiFi. Drinks & snacks can be ordered from your seat from a menu. A refreshing alternative to a bus!The distance is 348 km (216 miles). 272 km in Lithuania, 72 km in Latvia, see route map.
How much does it cost?
€24 in 2nd class, €34 in 1st class. Fixed price, includes seat reservation.Bicycles carried for €10.
Wife and I have done the opposite direction journey via road today..Vilnius to Riga. Some interesting buildings, bit featureless countryside but appear to thousands of accessible tracks for dirt riding (we managed a few miles in the campervan trying to find a historic building...failing miserably) Huge amount of investment in both countries, some superb roads, decent driving standards and polite people. (A few days here in Riga, then Tallinn, then hop across that bit o' water and up Finland and down Norway...retirement is shite....)
I am pleased to read that somebody from these pages has made an effort to visit my country of birth. Lithuania, as is Latvia and Estonia are a big flat. Where else have you been. Lithuania then?
I visited Kaunas and Vilnius a few months ago, lovely towns and super friendly folk.
My son travels there every few months with his company (his account is Revolut and he has to visit to inspect their books etc).
They seem to be countries I'd be best to travel around on my mountain bike..or maybe a small cc trail bike. Went to Trakai today (Obviously had a look round the castle and old town), hoped to stay in Vilnius for a couple or 3 nights but the campervan site isn't open until June...and we could find no other places (need to empty tanks) so ended up in Riga this evening for 2 or 3 nights, then into Estonia. Last night we stayed very near to Igliauka, at the side of a lake. Superb location and interesting to see the mix of pre 1990 properties and the newer stuff. I can imagine life was hard pre the wall coming down.
It chucked it down from lunchtime (biblical stuff) or we would have stopped at Rundale Palace...which looks stunning.
A really interesting part of Europe and we're glad we cam this way rather than the easier drive up thru Holland and Denmark to Sweden/Norway.
It chucked it down from lunchtime (biblical stuff) or we would have stopped at Rundale Palace...which looks stunning.
A really interesting part of Europe and we're glad we cam this way rather than the easier drive up thru Holland and Denmark to Sweden/Norway.
Trakai castle is on a lovely and huge lake, shame you did not go to Druskininkai about an hour due south of Trakai and Alytus. I was born there, LOVE that town and plenty of lakes off the beaten track to visit and camp by. Enjoy it! Those countries aren’t within an easy couple of days reach, unlike Italy, Austria, Germany etc. so I am glad you did go that way round the Baltic Sea to visit Scandinavian countries. To be fair, despite living within a stones throw away, I have never been to Estonia. That will need to corrected at some point in my life.They seem to be countries I'd be best to travel around on my mountain bike..or maybe a small cc trail bike. Went to Trakai today (Obviously had a look round the castle and old town), hoped to stay in Vilnius for a couple or 3 nights but the campervan site isn't open until June...and we could find no other places (need to empty tanks) so ended up in Riga this evening for 2 or 3 nights, then into Estonia. Last night we stayed very near to Igliauka, at the side of a lake. Superb location and interesting to see the mix of pre 1990 properties and the newer stuff. I can imagine life was hard pre the wall coming down.
It chucked it down from lunchtime (biblical stuff) or we would have stopped at Rundale Palace...which looks stunning.
A really interesting part of Europe and we're glad we cam this way rather than the easier drive up thru Holland and Denmark to Sweden/Norway.
Heading that way with my wife in August....Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands...then home. Looking forward to it...
That’s some trip itinerary. You’ll have a blast!Heading that way with my wife in August....Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands...then home. Looking forward to it...
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