Baltic states

城市概覽

Baltic States are diverse, and each country and region has a different history and culture. While Latvia and Estonia were under foreign dominance for centuries, Lithuania was one of the major powers in the region. The culture of the Baltic states was strongly influenced by Scandinavians, Germans, Poles and Russians. Modern history of the Baltic States has been especially shaped by various forms of Russia, since it gained control over the area during the 18th century. People of the Baltic States have strong national identities, and are today well-integrated with the Western world.

History The Baltic states have had vibrant histories. From the 8th to the 11th century, Vikings crossed the Baltic Sea. Christianity, Germans and feudalism arrived together in the 13th century. Also in the 13th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania emerged as a major political player in Medieval Europe. The Hanseatic League dominated commerce on the Baltic, until the Danish Empire and later the Swedish Empire came to rule the Sea. In the 16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth took over control of the area. It lasted until the late 18th century. The area of the Baltic states was then largely absorbed into the Russian Empire, with a slice of modern-day Lithuania being given to Prussia, later becoming part of the German Empire. As part of revolutionary Russia's speedy exit from World War I in 1918, the early Soviet government relinquished claim on the region, creating the states which exist today. Germany was also considerably reduced in size after the war. The Soviet Union rebounded and re-annexed all three states during World War II in a move greatly resented by their populations. The Nazis used anti-Soviet sentiment to help them form Baltic auxiliary police units that assisted the Nazis in wiping out almost all of the area's Jewish population (see Holocaust remembrance) and others considered ethnic or ideological enemies (notably including Poles), though the Nazis' claims to b

如何抵達

All three states are part of Europe's Schengen area.

By plane

Generally speaking there are fairly good connections from other parts of Europe and from the western half of the former Soviet Union. Save for a few exceptions, getting to the Baltics from elsewhere always includes at least one change of planes. Riga Airport (RIX IATA) in Latvia is by a large margin the busiest airport in the Baltic countries. It is the main hub of AirBaltic, which flies to around 60 European cities (including most major cities) and has seasonal routes to the Middle East and Central Asia. When flying to the Baltic states, chances are you will pass by Riga. Tallinn Airport (TLL IATA) in Estonia is a small airport with fewer direct connections than its neighbors. However, it ranks among the best airports in the world for its excellent customer service, modern facilities, and overall efficiency. It is Air Baltic's second hub, is served by several low-cost airlines, and has flights to most major airports in northern and central Europe. Vilnius Airport (VNO IATA) in Lithuania is mostly served by budget airlines Wizz Air and Ryanair, for which it is a major hub, although a number of major carriers and charter airlines can be found as well. Vilnius also has a rather large catchment area that reaches deep into Belarus and northeastern Poland. Ryanair also provides several connections to Kaunas Airport (KUN IATA). Palanga Airport serves as a small regional airport for the western part of Lithuania with a few routes.

By boat Ferries criss-cross the Baltic. A popular route is Helsinki–Tallinn. There are also many Baltic cruises.

By train Vilnius is the entry hub for rail travellers from Warsaw. There were previously trains from Kaliningrad and Belarus, but trains from Russia and Belarus have been indefinitely suspended.

當地交通

By plane The capitals are all connected to each other by short flights. From Riga there are flights to Kaunas and Palanga. From Tallinn there are flights to Tartu, Kuressaare and Kärdla.

By bus The international bus network is pretty well developed making for easy movement. Bus is in most cases the fastest and most practical way for intercity travel if you don't have a car.

By train The capitals have direct services between them. There is a daily service between Tallin and Riga, with interchange in Valga, and, as of July 2024, there is a single service between Riga and Vilnius daily.[1]

By bicycle The international bicycle project, BaltiCCycle may provide you with a lot of information and help.

By car

Your own car or a rented one is also an option, especially if you want to get to places outside major cities. Large highways are in a good shape and almost comparable to the ones in the Nordic countries, sideways and streets (in particular in smaller towns) much less so. Two strategies may be helpful for travelers who want to explore the Baltic states by rented car. The first is to take buses or trains between major cities and rent and return a car locally. The other is to rent a car in one of the three capitals and then make a loop or figure 8 route. Returning a car to a different city or country will increase the cost by at least 50%, but usually 100%.

必看景點

The Baltic sea coast with sandy beaches, including the Curonian Spit Some of Europe's lowest "highest country points"; Suur Munamägi (318 m) near Võru, southeast Estonia, Gaiziņkalns (312 m) near Madona, central Latvia and Aukštojas (294 m) southeast Lithuania near the Belarusian border. World heritage listed old towns in all three capitals. Buildings and other remains from the Soviet Union. The Hill of Crosses near Siauliai

Itineraries

Via Baltica – Goes from the Estonian capital Tallinn through Riga, Latvia and Kaunas, Lithuania and continues to Warsaw, Poland. Cruising the Baltic Sea

美食

The Baltic cuisine has similarities with the Nordic, Russian, and Central European cuisines. They have a wide range of bread, eaten to nearly every dish. The most traditional alcoholic beverages are beer and vodka, though kvass (a beverage commonly made from rye bread) is also common.

飲品與夜生活

Due to their geography and history, the Baltic States are fond of hard liquors and beer. Another common drink in the area is Kvass.

順遊推薦

Stay on the Baltic coast with:

Gdansk – historic Prussian port town, later home of the Polish movement Solidarity, which helped bring down communism Helsinki – enter the Nordic countries via the charming Finnish capital Stockholm – easily reachable by ferry and plane, Sweden's capital is another excellent entry point to Scandinavia Kaliningrad – estranged former Soviet brother of the Baltics, Russia's westernmost outpost St Petersburg – a prettier way to see Russia than Kaliningrad Or head inland to:

Minsk – see Stalinist architecture of the 1950s at its best Moscow – Russia's capital is the world's northernmost city with more than 10 million inhabitants, and has a lot to see and do Warsaw – vibrant cultural life and good dining