With Poland on one side, Belarus on the other and Latvia in the north, Lithuania, which has been a member of the European Union since 2004, is the first Baltic State that travellers from southern Europe meet on their travels. Its capital city is Vilnius and its geography in general is very natural; there are no high mountains (the highest peak is less than 985 ft) and the forest plains are dotted with lakes and rivers. Lithuania is one of the best destinations for discovering central Europe as its history and traditions are markedly different from Western Europe.
Note: two major events are celebrated in Lithuania in 2009. The country is not only celebrating its millennium, but Vilnius is also to become the European cultural capital. Festivities will therefore be going on throughout the year, making now the best time to travel to Lithuania!
Note: two major events are celebrated in Lithuania in 2009. The country is not only celebrating its millennium, but Vilnius is also to become the European cultural capital. Festivities will therefore be going on throughout the year, making now the best time to travel to Lithuania!
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© iStockphoto.com / VladimirSklyarov -
© iStockphoto.com / Vidas Kaupelis
Amy Adejokun
Expert destination Lithuania
Lithuania: what to visit?
Lithuania: what to buy?
You can buy traditionally decorated Easter eggs, icons, dolls and Baltic (or Lithuanian) amber-carved jewellery and crafts as souvenirs. For collectors, there is a host of coins, stamps and old pounds. Shops and markets are open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Lithuania: what to eat?
Milk products and sweet potatoes are staple foods in the country. You must taste the traditional zeppelin or cepelinai (sweet potato pie stuffed with meat, cheese or mushroom), vedarai (sweet potato sausage), bulviniai blynai (sweet potato balls), skilandis (smoked meat) and salti barsciai (cold soup). Grilled eel and elk fillet are also very delicious. For dessert, you have the choice between cakes like the sakotis, party cakes shaped like fir-trees, or honey fritters. Lastly, you musn't leave before you taste the two best local beers, Utenos and Kalnapilis, as well as Stakliskes, an alcoholic honey-made drink, and midus,the local liquor (60%).
Lithuania: main cities
Lithuania: travel tips
Lithuanians are proud of their country and identity: learn some words in Lithuanian to be courtious, it will be much appreciated! Two few things to note: seek permission before taking snapshots of inhabitants and do not accept worn-out notes, they will only be refused later. Lastly, Lithuanian folklore is rich and varied so don't miss taking part in its traditional music festivals.
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8.7 /10Rated by Easyvoyage
This is one of the most appealing hotels in the historical centre ...
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8.45 /10Rated by Easyvoyage
A beautiful hotel to keep in mind for its bedrooms and location ...
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8.3 /10Rated by Easyvoyage
A central location, "boutique hotel" (but not contemporary) ...
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8.2 /10Rated by Easyvoyage
A central location, a historical building, a fine setting in ...
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7.95 /10Rated by Easyvoyage
Very well located, on the main road through the historic district ...
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7.7 /10Rated by Easyvoyage
If you like books, non-standardised bedrooms, warm atmospheres, ...
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6.95 /10Rated by Easyvoyage
This is an address for those with an "average budget" ...
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