Embark on an enchanting adventure where land and water blend into one, and time seems to flow to a different rhythm. Your odyssey begins early in the morning in Nida, a charming town where sand dunes guard eternal tales and the scent of pine fills the air with summer memories.
As soon as we cast off from the shore, you will see the magnificent Great Dune on the right, its peak reaching a height of 52 meters. Its slopes rise into the sky like a gigantic sand mountain challenging the clouds. In the distance, Grobstas Cape emerges, a silent sentinel of the Curonian Spit standing at the border of land and sea in Kaliningrad.
Continuing further, the highest dune on the Curonian Spit, Vecekrugo Dune, appears on the horizon. This sand summit, reaching more than 67 meters high, is also known as the Old Tavern Dune. Imagine how centuries ago, a cozy inn stood at the base of this dune, where local fishermen and travelers could wash away the dust of the journey and share stories. The name "Vecekrugas" comes from the Curonian words "vece" (old) and "kruogs" (tavern), whispering the secrets of past centuries to us.
Our journey continues, revealing the strip of Grey Dunes, also known as Dead Dunes - an extraordinarily beautiful and unique landscape. These dunes, resembling the surface of a distant planet, are a masterpiece created by nature. The grey sand waves, occasionally adorned with small islands of sparse vegetation, create a mystical and serene atmosphere. As the sunlight dances on the sand surface, a marvelous play of light and shadow is born, changing the landscape every moment like a living painting.
Approaching the eastern shore, the ensemble of red brick buildings of Ventė Cape, the culmination of our journey, appears on the horizon. This place is famous not only for its historic lighthouse but also for its enormous bird traps, resembling giant nets stretched across the sky. Ventė Cape is one of the most important bird migration observation points in Europe, a true beacon for winged travelers. Here, scientists study and ring thousands of birds undertaking their annual journeys, akin to space explorers observing the movements of extraterrestrial beings.
Continuing our journey along the Atmata River, on the left, we notice a narrow waterway called the Hunters' Path. This natural waterway connects the Atmata and Minija Rivers, creating a unique labyrinth used not only by local fishermen and nature lovers but also by wild animals. It is like a secret artery nourishing the entire delta ecosystem.
Soon, the elegant Uostadvaris Lighthouse appears on the horizon. Built in 1876, this 18-meter-high lighthouse still stands as a faithful guardian of maritime traditions, like a shrine untouched by time.
Interestingly, this lighthouse is one of the few in Lithuania that can be climbed. From its top, a breathtaking view of the Nemunas Delta landscape unfolds - endless green fields, winding rivers, and unique polders, like a green carpet dotted with blue veins.
The Uostadvaris polder, built in 1907, was one of the first such facilities in Lithuania. Its heart was a powerful steam engine that drove pumps regulating water levels. Imagine that time: the rumble of the steam engine, the turning wheels, and the smoke rising from the chimneys. It was a true symphony of technology, attracting attention from all over Europe, like an industrial miracle rising from the swamps.
Leaving Uostadvaris, we turn into the Trumpikė River. This is not just any river, but a hand-dug canal connecting the Atmata and Minija Rivers. The history of this canal is closely linked to Prussia's timber export past. In the 19th century, Germans floated huge timber rafts down this canal for export, as if entire forests were traveling by waterway.
We continue our impressive journey along the Trumpikė River until we reach the Minija River. In the distance, the famous Mingė village, also known as the "Venice of Lithuania" due to its unique structure, where the main "street" serves as a river, and instead of cars, boats and yachts float.
On the left, we see the yacht club "Marių burė" - a true haven for sailors, whose history began in 1998. Strategically located on the Minija River, this club attracts water enthusiasts from all over Lithuania like a magnet. The yacht club offers excellent conditions not only for those passing by but also for those wishing to spend more time here, like a small port in a vast water world.
On the right, we see "Mingės egzotika" - a popular café that becomes a real people magnet on weekends. This place is famous not only for its delicious food but also for its unique atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy views of the river and watch passing boats as if you were looking at a live painting.
Disembarking and exploring the village, we head back down the Minija River. At the confluence of the Minija and Trumpikė Rivers, we turn into a section of the Upaitis River that extends from the confluence to the Curonian Lagoon. We are surrounded by wonderful flood meadows and the Kniaupas Bay - a true bird paradise, one of the most important bird breeding and resting places in the Nemunas Delta, like a nature-created hotel for winged travelers.
Here, in hard-to-reach places, various water bird species safely nest. We can see majestic great egrets, their long legs and elegant necks standing out among the green vegetation like white clouds in a green sky. Nearby, flocks of ducks swim - mallards, pochards, and tufted ducks. Their colorful feather patterns reflect the sunlight on the water surface, creating a living mosaic.
Sailing into the Curonian Lagoon, we soon reach Ventė Cape. The history of Ventė Cape is incredibly interesting, like a history book written by nature's hand. In the 14th century, the Windeburg Castle and church, built by the Teutonic Knights, stood here, but natural forces were relentless. The waves of the Curonian Lagoon constantly eroded these structures until they eventually disappeared, like sandcastles washed away by the tide.
The Ventė Cape Lighthouse, built in 1863, is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in Lithuania. It stands 11 meters high, and its light beam is visible even from 18 kilometers away, like a star that descended to earth. Special attention should be paid to the lighthouse's iron stairs. These stairs are original, preserved since the lighthouse's construction. Climbing them, you can almost physically feel the flow of time and imagine how many sailors this lighthouse has safely guided to shore throughout its long history, like a time machine carrying you through the centuries.
At Ventė Cape, there is a branch of the Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum. The museum is open to visitors from April 1 to October 31, daily from 10:00 to 18:00. From November 1 to March 31, the museum operates only on weekends from 10:00 to 16:00. Here you can learn about the fauna of the Nemunas Delta region, see an impressive bird collection, and discover the unique ecosystem of this region, like opening a living encyclopedia of nature.
From the lighthouse, a wide panorama of the Curonian Lagoon opens up - the water glistens in the morning sun like a silver mirror, the silhouette of Nida can be seen in the distance, and in clear weather, you can even make out Preila. Gusts of wind bring the fresh scent of the lagoon, reminding you of the eternal change and grandeur of nature, as if you were breathing in the essence of nature itself.
After an impressive excursion, your stomach reminds you of itself like an inner clock. Fortunately, there is an excellent restaurant "Ventainė" at Ventė Cape, famous for its traditional Samogitian dishes. On the restaurant's terrace, overlooking the sparkling Curonian Lagoon, the food takes on a special flavor. Each bite is a journey through Samogitian cuisine, intertwined with local legends and traditions, as if you were tasting history itself.
Returning to Nida, the boat glides through calm waters. The sun is already beginning its journey down, painting the sky and water in soft colors like a great artist. The last rays of midday play on the water surface, creating a serene and clear view, as if nature itself were greeting you.
The boat approaches the Nida quay, and you disembark with a feeling that you have experienced something special and extraordinary, as if you had returned from another dimension. You know you will return here again because the Nemunas Delta and the Curonian Lagoon always have more secrets to reveal to those who know how to listen and observe, like a book you will never finish reading.