Where I stayed
I started my trip in Kaunas on my first two nights in the country where I stayed at the Ibis Styles hotel which is located right by the main bus station. The hotel cost between £40-£50 based on availability and season. I'd highly recommend staying here as you have easy access to both the bus station and train station which provides easy access to both Vilnius and Klaipeda. There were no issues or problems with the hotels and the breakfast was good. I stayed in Hotel Navalis whilst in Klaipeda which I highly recommended for good location and free breakfast.
Where you stayed, roughly what it cost, and whether you'd recommend it. Was the location good? Any issues?
Getting around
I used the bus as my main mode of transport to get around as the train from Kaunas to Klaipeda by train is a major inconvenience due to the change over and the time taken. It takes about 2hr 30 mins by bus and about 23 euros to get to Klaipeda from Kaunas.
How did you get between places? Any tips for people who haven't been before?
Where to eat
Depending on your budget there is a really nice Ukrainian cuisine restaurant called Saulegraza in Klaipeda and Stora Antis for Lithuanian cuisine. Also if you need food on the go there are plenty of budget fast food restaurants such as Hesburger as well as supermarkets such as IKI which provide good food too.
Best meal of the trip and where you had it. Anything to avoid?
What we actually did
On my first two days I paid a visit to Kaunas Castle and the 9th Fortress just outside of Kaunas city centre. If you have an interest in WWII history and medieval history these sites are well worth visiting. Whilst I was in Klaipeda I spent the day out on the Curonian Spit which is a forested nature reserve park right on the Kaliningrad Russian border, the nature is beautiful. Find photos attached. I also have a YouTube channel called @offthegridtravel where I vlog my day on the Curonian Spit. The only thing I would recommend is keeping an eye on the time and making sure you get back to Nida in order to catch the bus back to the port so you can get the boat back to Klaipeda.Off The Grid Travel - YouTube
The activities, the days out, the nights — whatever made up the trip. What worked, what didn't?
If you could only do one thing
If you are into hiking and adventure I would highly recommend the Curonian Spit. The nature you will see, the fresh air and overall beauty of the region is incredible.
The thing you'd tell someone to do above everything else. And why.
What surprised me
Make sure when hiring Bolt cars in the city centres that you reserve the car in advance as it can be very competitive to get one. Bolt cars are especially useful if you plan to visit the 9th fortress as it is a bit further out of Kaunas city.
Anything that caught you off guard — good or bad.
What I'd do differently
I would have booked an extra 2-3 days so I could go visit the Ignalina nuclear power station from the HBO Chernobyl series.
Make sure to check out my YouTube channel where I vlog my trip. Off The Grid Travel - YouTube
If you enjoy the content please like and subscribe as I continue to do more solo adventures.
Honest advice for anyone planning the same trip.