Historical Cycling International welcomes the spirited traveler to join us on a soul-searching adventure and cycle back with us to 19th century Vilnius and the former shtetls that once dotted the Lithuanian landscape.

Lithuanian Jews trace their origins back to the days of the Grand Duke Gedeminas. By the late 15th century, thriving communities existed throughout the country. In time, Vilnius became a great center of Jewish religious learning and was known as the "Jerusalem of Lithuania." Jews from other parts of Europe flocked to the great Lithuanian yeshivas, and those who learned according to the guidelines laid down in the Lithuanian yeshivas were called "Litvaks". The Jews of Lithuania lived an intense Jewish life and their role and influence in the major Jewish political and cultural movements were far greater than their numbers would have suggested. Lithuania was also an outstanding center of Yiddish culture, and Vilnius (then under Polish rule) was the site of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. On the eve of the Shoah there were about 160,000 Jews in independent Lithuania and another 155,000 in Vilnius and the surrounding area (which was transferred to Lithuania after the Soviet conquest of eastern Poland). During the German occupation about 95% of Lithuanian Jewry perished, a greater percentage than in any other community in Europe. .

Lithuanian Jews, however, were not only victims but also fighters. Four Jewish partisan groups operated in the woods around Vilnius. Also, the Lithuanian division of the Soviet army was mainly formed from Lithuanian Jews.

After the war some of the survivors remained in Lithuania, and some who had been deported or fled also returned. Additionally, many non-Lithuanian Jews (primarily Russian-speakers) from other parts of the Soviet Union moved to the Baltic region. Jews in Soviet Lithuania benefited from a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than in Soviet Russia or Ukraine, and in Vilnius certain limited expressions of Jewish culture were tolerated. Upon regaining its independence all restrictions on Jewish religious and cultural life were dropped. Today, 5,500 Jews live in Lithuania, including 4,500 in Vilnius.

Day 1: Friday
Arrival in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Afternoon rendezvous at our luxury hotel in Vilnius. Introduction of HCI guides and guests. Lecture on Lithuanian Jewish history. Visit to the synagogue for Shabbat services. Welcome dinner in town.

Day 2: Saturday.
Enjoy a full day city tour of historic Vilnius. Stroll the historic town center and explore the many churches and cloisters that fill the narrow streets of the old city, including the famous Gothic church of St. Ann. When Napoleon captured the city and saw this church he wanted to take it back to Paris. In the afternoon, we'll visit the old Jewish quarter, operating synagogue and Jewish cemetery.
Meet with a representative of the Jewish community and discuss the current state of affairs of the small, but rejuvenating population. After dinner we'll visit Gedeminas tower on the hill and enjoy an evening, panoramic view of the city.

Day 3: Sunday.
Vilnius to Kaishadoris.
Our first day of cycling takes us on quiet, country lanes. After cycling for two hours we approach the former shtetl and small village of Mushninkai. Today the old wooden synagogue is used by the residents as a club and reminds us of the Jewish presence here. Twelve kilometers from the town of Mushninkai we pedal across the Neris - the second largest river in Lithuania. We spend the night in a cozy hotel in the small, quiet town of Kaishadoris.

Day 4: Monday.
Kaishadoris to Kaunas.
Cycle to the small Lithuanian village of Ziezmariai. In this former shtetl, we will see the wooden synagogue surrounded by a large quarter of mid-19th century wooden, Jewish houses. Twenty-four km later, we arrive in the village of Rumsiskis. We will see the former wooden synagogue building, now used by the locals as a lumber store. Some Jewish houses are shown in the local museum of wooden buildings. Arrive in Lithuania's second largest city - ancient Kaunas. The first mention of Kaunas dates to the year 1361. At that time Kaunas was an important fortress in a strategic position on the junction of rivers Neris and Niamunas. During the period of the First Lithuania Independence (1919-1940), Kaunas was the capital of the country. A small Jewish community of 300 persons is still present in the city.

We will visit the Blue synagogue, and enjoy a tour of the Old City, including the Fortress and the cathedral of Peter and Paul. Night in our centrally located, four-star hotel

Day 5: Tuesday.
Kaunas to Kedainiaj.
We leave Kaunas towards the former shtetl of Vilkija, located on the right bank of Niamunas. After Vilkija we take small, unpaved roads to another former shtetl, Kedainiaj. Here we visit the quarter of Jewish houses with opening in the roofs (for Succoth celebrations), ruins of the synagogue and Jewish cemetery. Night in our hotel.

Day 6: Wednesday.
Kedainiaj to Kelme.
The quiet roads lead us from one shtetl to another. The Jewish population in Kelme exceeded 95% before the Shoah. Today we will see only the ruins of the synagogue, Jewish cemetery and memorial. Night in our hotel.

Day 7: Thursday.
Kelme to Telshiai via Uzventis.
We cycle through quiet, slightly rolling countryside. After 30 km, in Uzventis we pass a memorial to the Lithuanian Jews who perished at this location. Arrive in Telshiai where we'll see the old Yeshiva building. We end the day in our hotel in this quiet town, nestled on the bank of the lake.

Day 8: Friday.
Telshiai to Palanga via Plunge.
On our way to the Baltic Sea, we rest in the town of Plunge, a former, large shtetl. We will visit the Beth Hamedrash and Synagogue buildings, Jewish cemetery and memorial with many wood sculptural works by the local artist, Yossel Bunka. By late afternoon we will arrive to Palanga, the famous Lithuanian sea resort, and stay at the city's finest hotel.

Day 9: Saturday.
Day of rest in Palanga.
Palanga offers long beaches of fine sand, clean sea, nice architecture, museum of amber, beautiful boulevards, cozy cafes and restaurants. Optional tour to Curonian Spit, a natural wonder created by sea and wind. Farewell dinner celebrations. версия для печати

Day 10: Sunday.
Flight from Palanga to your next destination or transfer to Vilnius (4 hours) and flight back home with a lifetime of heartening memories.