Day 1: Arrival in Klaipeda (Memel)

Independent arrival in Klaipeda (ferry from Kiel) or flight to Palanga; by arrangement you will be met at the port or airport and transferred to the hotel in Klaipeda, the former Memel (transfer time Palanga ca. 30 Min, Liepaja ca. 1½ Std), budget-friendly flight booking or ferry ticket through us on request; in the evening, welcome and presentation of the programme by our tour leader Dirk, well-versed in Lithuanian customs and traditions as well as the language.

Day 2: Walk to Palanga

In the morning by bus to a small place on the Baltic Sea; walk through pine forest and along the Baltic beach to Palanga, Lithuania’s largest and most modern seaside resort (ca.12 km), visit the noteworthy botanical garden, laid out in 1843, with Birute Hill, rose garden and orangery; in the palace the world’s largest Amber Museum with over 25000 exhibits of coveted Baltic gold; then on to the Basanaviciaus promenade and the 470 m pier; after a stop in one of the many restaurants, return by bus to Klaipeda.

Day 3: Klaipeda, the former Memel

Today, sightseeing in Klaipeda (ca. 200.000 inhabitants), Lithuania’s only seaport, hence also called “the gateway to the world”. Klaipeda was known as Memel until 1945, was German for around 700 years and belonged to East Prussia; visit the headquarters of the Lithuanian Navy and a talk “1000 Years of Lithuania”, then on to the attractive Old Town (Senamiestis) with many listed buildings, some already restored. The best-known figure and the city’s emblem stands on the cobbled Theatre Square atop the Simon-Dach Fountain: Ännchen von Tharau – the love song by the music professor from Königsberg made the East Prussian pastor’s daughter immortal.

Day 4: Walk along the lagoon

Bus transfer to Klaipeda’s southernmost harbour basin; from there walk along the Wilhelm Canal through the scenic mainland side of the Curonian Lagoon to Dreverna (ca. 13 km). The canal, built in 1870 and named after Kaiser Wilhelm, enabled safe navigation from the Memel to Klaipeda. After a stop in Dreverna, pick-up and by bus to the next hotel, beautifully located right on the lagoon.

Day 5: Walk in the Memel Delta

By bus via Silute (Heidekrug) to the island town of Rusne (Ruß), where the Memel divides into several main and side arms; walk in the Memel Delta through fen meadows and small fishing villages to the information centre near Pakaine, then on to the small harbour and lighthouse Uostadvadis (ca. 9 km). From here, by boat on the Atmata and smaller canals through the Memel Delta back to the hotel.

Day 6: Bird observatory and boat trip to the Curonian Spit

Short walk to the bird observatory at Windenburger Eck, then by boat across the calm lagoon to the Curonian Spit and the hotel in Nidden; there, walk to the Parniddener Düne with wide views over the lagoon.

Day 7: Neegelnscher Berg, walk to Preila

By bus to the cormorant colony, then continue to the strictly protected Nagliu Reserve; on boardwalks to the Nagliu Kopa, beneath the 53m-high dune lies the buried village of Neegeln; afterwards, walk on the Baltic Sea side along the wide, deserted beach to Preila (ca. 12 km); stop with one of the few lagoon fishermen who still produce fresh smoked fish; by bus back to the hotel in Nidden.

Day 8: Walk to Nida (Nidden)

First by bus to Preila; walk on dune and cycle paths to Nida (ca. 7 km); visit the Thomas Mann House, then the church with the Curonian cemetery; afterwards to the Amber House with information on the formation and processing of amber; stroll along the spa promenade of this much-visited place; optionally take an individual trip by Kurenkahn to the Russian border or enjoy a stroll through Nidden.

Day 9: Departure

You will be taken back to the ferry port in Klaipeda or to Palanga airport; homeward journey on your own.

A rewarding walking week between the Baltic Sea and the lagoon: begin in Klaipeda/Memel with a city tour. Coastal path to Palanga with its botanical garden and Amber Museum. Along the Wilhelm-Kanal to the Curonian Lagoon, then on into the Memeldelta near Rusne with a boat trip through the canals. Visit the bird observatory at Windenburger Eck, cross over to the Curonian Spit to Nida. Dune and beach trails in the Nagliu-Reservat, cormorant colony, Preila and Nida; Parnidis Dune, Thomas Mann House, Kurenfriedhof and Bernsteinhaus. 3 nights in Klaipeda, 2 nights by the lagoon, 3 nights in Nida.