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GENERAL INFORMATION
Trakai
The name of Trakai was first recorded in the chronicles of the Teutonic Knights in 1337, marking the official founding year of this historic town. As the ancient capital of Lithuania, Trakai captivates visitors with its unique blend of wooden architecture, medieval castles, and stunning natural beauty, while simultaneously showcasing a modern and vibrant community.
Surrounded by the serene waters of Lakes Luka, Totoriškės, Galvė, Akmena, and Gilušis, Trakai’s landscape is as enchanting as its history. The town’s crown jewel is the Island Castle, the only castle in Eastern Europe built on an island, now a museum located on the tranquil waters of Lake Galvė.
Trakai is steeped in legend. One tale tells of Grand Duke Gediminas, who, after a successful hunting expedition, stumbled upon this beautiful, lake-surrounded area near Kernavė, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania at that time. Enchanted by its beauty, he decided to build a castle on the site, giving birth to what is now known as Trakai Castle.
The peninsula castle, ancient barrows, and cemeteries further enrich the town’s historical landscape. The Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in the 15th century, stands as a magnificent example of Baroque and Gothic architecture and houses the revered painting of the Holy Mother of God. Historians consider this church to be one of Lithuania’s most valuable heritage sites.
Trakai has been home to many prominent figures who have shaped both Lithuanian and European history. The Užutrakis Manor and the Old Town of Trakai continue to tell the stories of these influential individuals, preserving their legacy within this historically significant town.
About the Venue
The regatta venue is set in a unique location. Trakai and its surrounding areas are part of a UNESCO Historical Heritage Site. The rowing course is situated on Lake Galvė, a natural lake that covering 361 hectares and reaches a depth of 46.75 meters. Rowing in Lithuania dates back to 1885, with regattas in Trakai being organized since 1928. The idea for Lithuania’s most prominent rowing event, the International Amber Oars regatta, was conceived in 1962. Today, the Amber Oars regatta has grown into one of the largest annual rowing events in the Baltics, held every year on the last weekend of June.
The regatta venue and Rowing Centre provides necessary facilities for competitors and spectators:
Until 2025 the Trakai venue hosted many national and international regattas, including the following World Rowing events and regattas:
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Training Camps
The venue is available for pre-competition training camps. Accommodation at the regatta venue is available for a limited number of athletes only. For more information please contact the Organising Committee - info@rowingtrakai.lt
Conditions
Tourist Information Center
Trakai Tourist Information provides free information about the city and Trakai region, attractions, events, and services, along with tips for a great holiday. Trakai Tourist Information Office is located in Karaimų str. 41 (800 meters away from the venue).
Medical Services
Trakai city hospital is located in Mindaugo st. 13, which is 2,5 km away from the venue. During official practice times and on racing days medical support will be provided at the venue for both athletes and spectators. There are several pharmacies in Trakai located in shopping malls. Closest pharmacy to the venue is located in Vytauto st. 60 (approx. 2 km away from the venue)
Postal Services
Postal office is located in city bus station 2,9 km away from the venue.
Police Station
located in Vytauto st. 57 (2 km away from the venue). In case of an emergency use Emergency Telephone Number: 112. Dial this number from all public telephone networks anywhere in Lithuania. Calls to this number are free of charge at any time of the day, from any service provider, mobile or fixed line.
Interactive Map of Trakai:
www.trakai-visit.lt/trakų žemėlapis
Championship Racing Programme
and Schedule
August 3rd , Sunday
Logistical aspects
Visas and Getting to
Lithuania
Information about Visas, required documents and useful contacts can be found on the official website of the foreign ministry: https://keliauk.urm.lt/en
Schengen policy allows for the abolishment of border checks between Schengen states, establishes common rules for controlling external borders, sets a unified visa policy, and oversees additional internal border control measures for special cases, such as police and legal cooperation in criminal matters.
There is no passport control at the internal borders of Schengen states. However, this does not mean that travelling within the Schengen area is the same as travelling within a single country, nor that personal identification is unnecessary. Representatives of legal authorities in any Schengen state have the right to check the identity of individuals within their territory, in accordance with national legal requirements. Whether individuals are required to carry identification documents depends on the laws of each member state.
Citizens of any EU state are entitled to travel freely throughout the EU for personal or business purposes, with only a valid passport or personal identity card.
Member states reserve the right to temporarily reinstate border checks if there is a perceived threat to national security or public order.
In accordance with national laws, visa applications from citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to the visa services of the Republic of Lithuania are suspended. Exceptions are made only in cases where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania acts as an intermediary in issuing visas.
Citizens of the Russian Federation and/or the Republic of Belarus, representing their countries, are not invited to participate in World Rowing U19 championships. Athletes willing to participate under the Neutral Individual Athlete Flag must provide individually signed free-form declaration, calling for an end to the war in Ukraine, condemning terrorism and aggression taking place in Ukraine, and expressing disapproval of the policies pursued by Russia and Belarus, together with their Entry.
Accommodation
For the Championships accommodation the Organizing Committee has chosen hotels in Vilnius city and Trakai. The capital city of Lithuania, Vilnius, is a 30 minute drive from the venue.
National federations are encouraged to send their accommodation requests well in advance. Accommodation enquiries and bookings must be sent to rasa@baltictours.lt.
Accommodation for teams is limited and is being taken up on a first come, first served basis. For best service guarantee we kindly ask you to send your booking well in advance. A deposit of 30% of the total amount is required to confirm your reservation at the time of booking.
First deposit: 30% of the total amount after confirmation to guarantee your reservation. Second deposit: 40% of the total amount before 31th May, 2025. Balance of the total amount (30%) before 3rd July, 2025.
For comfortable and quick check-in, teams are requested to send a team rooming list and special requirements latest by 3rd July 2025 by e-mail rasa@baltictours.lt.
For comfortable and quick check-in, teams are requested to send a team rooming list and special requirements latest by 3rd July 2025 by e-mail rasa@baltictours.lt.
Accommodation Options
| Category | Number of hotels | Driving time to venue (minutes) | Type of room | No. of this type of room | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 star
|
2 | 35 | Single | 30 | 230.00 € |
| Double | 80 | 210.00 € | |||
| 3 | 7-13 | Single | 10 | 230.00 € | |
| Double | 70 | 210.00 € | |||
|
3.5 star
|
3 | 50 | Single | 30 | 210.00 € |
| Double | 100 | 190.00 € | |||
|
3 star
|
4 | 35 | Single | 50 | 200.00 € |
| Double | 250 | 180.00 € | |||
| 1 | 3 | Single | 5 | 200.00 € | |
| Double | 15 | 180.00 € | |||
|
2 star
|
1 | 35 | Single | 10 | 165.00 € |
| Double | 40 | 135.00 € | |||
| 1 | 13 | Single | 5 | 165.00 € | |
| Double | 10 | 135.00 € | |||
|
Low cost accommodation
|
2 | 7 | Double | 20 | 110.00 € |
| Triple | 20 | 100.00 € |
Note
The Trakai OC (with approval from World Rowing) have included hotel options at prices consistent with those listed in the bid made in 2022, additionally, there are some hotel options for teams listed with higher prices due to the increasing costs and taxes of full board accommodation. Teams can discuss all options and prices with the Baltic Tours team and work out which options would be best.
VILNIUS: unexpectedly amazing
At airports teams will be met by a representative of the Organizing Committee and escorted to the buses for travel to their hotels. Team departure details must be submitted to the Baltic Tours office (located near the Information centre) at the venue at least 48 hours prior to the flight departure. One day prior to departure the teams will receive notifications of the exact transportation time and departure place. For better service and to ensure there is sufficient space, all teams are requested to inform the OC about the size of luggage (especially oars or sculls) carried on the plane.
| Airport | Distance, approx, drive to the Venue | Distance, approx, drive to the Vilnius |
|---|---|---|
| VNO (Vilnius international airport, Lithuania) | 35 km, 40 min | - |
| KNO (Kaunas international airport, Lithuania) | 85 km, 1 hr | 103 km, 1 hr 20 min |
| PLQ (Palanga international airport, Lithuania) | 320 km, 3 hrs 35 min | 337 km, 3 hrs 50 min |
| RIX (Riga international airport, Latvia) | 103 km, 4 hr | 300 km, 3 hrs 50 min |
General Information, Transportation Office
The transportation office is located in the Information Centre and will begin operating on 3rd of August. It will remain open while the venue is officially open.
The Organising Committee will provide transportation between the airport and the accommodation for all participants, provided the accommodation was booked through the OC. Team arrival details must be submitted two weeks prior to arrival in the country to rasa@baltictours.lt.
During the racing days (6-10 August) a shuttle service will operate between the accommodation and regatta course; for training days transportation will operate upon request. The shuttle service will be available to all accredited persons who have booked accommodation through the Organizing Committee. Traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue to ensure that rowers and teams staying in official accommodation have the quickest access to the course. Further information will be published in the Team Managers’ Manual.
Persons who are not residents of the Republic of Lithuania and who cross the border of the Republic of Lithuania in motor vehicles registered abroad must have the following documents and present them for inspection to the officials of the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) at border check points:
- A valid personal travel document (passport, identity card or other travel document).
- The vehicle registration document (title of the vehicle).
- The officials of the SBGS are entitled to ask the driver to produce a driver’s license allowing him to drive a vehicle of a particular category.
Transportation of boats and boat trailers
Due to the limited space in the boathouse area, boat trailers are permitted to enter the venue only when the team is ready to unload their boats onto the assigned boat racks. If the team is not ready, the boat trailer will be advised to park in a dedicated area until rowers come to the venue.
After unloading the boats, trailers must immediately leave the boathouse area and park in the Parking places (which will be published in the Team Managers’ Manual).
Trailers and containers will be permitted to re-enter the boathouse area for loading after the last race on Sunday, 10 August
Customs Clearance: Boats imported from non EU countries into Lithuania must go through customs clearance. You’ll need to provide all relevant documentation, including proof of ownership, purchase invoice or any previous registration documents. https://lrmuitine.lt/web/guest/titulinis#en
Contact Details
WE LOOK FORWARD TO
WELCOMING YOU IN TRAKAI
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