The last chance to insert my Lithuanian propaganda into The Courier and my beloved Travel section.
Although this is very much biased article, I wholeheartedly admit, I have had friends visit from the UK, as well as other countries such as Italy and Bulgaria, and they seem to love the forgotten Baltics.
So, if you’re interrailing this summer or just want something cheaper and see the utopian Soviet architecture featured in tv series, Chernobyl, here’s an itinerary to my home country.
North or south, you’re most likely to start (if it’s not the only place you’re visiting) in the capital, Vilnius. I would recommend spending at least three days there as there’s a great day trip to Trakai, a small town with its famous pastries and lakes to be visited.
You’ll find all the basic touristy things to do on TripAdvisor but as a local I have few suggestions that might not appear on those lists or get lost in the endless list:
TV tower: together with inspiring history of how Lithuanians protected their radio and television back in 1991, this attraction offers ‘edge walk’, meaning you can see the city from up 170m in the air and walk all around the panel of the tower, seeing Vilnius from all angles. If dangling your feet over the whole city doesn’t sound like an ideal afternoon to you, there’s a closed restaurant ‘Milky Way’ which slowly spins around, so you can experience a similar feeling of seeing the city with a pint, coffee or even a meal.
Skip all the museums, the only one I’d recommend visiting if you’re new to the history of Eastern Europe is the KGB museum which introduces you to the not-so-pretty history of the country and atrocities of soviet regime.
Uzupis district – the bohemia centre of Vilnius, could easily be located in Paris or Italy – the narrow streets, cafés and little wineries attract tourists as well as locals themselves for a nice evening out. Wherever you go in this artsy corner of the city, you won’t be disappointed. Add a stroll by the riverside or gardens located just by Uzupis and you’re up for a romantic evening like no other.
Lukiskes prison – a cultural phenomenon that you’re likely to have never seen before – an abandoned highest security prison that hosts tours through the cells as well as gigs and events in the main yard and operates bars and food trucks most of the time during the summer. If the idea of walking the same halls as the worst of the worst (understandably) doesn’t tickle your fancy, it’s rather a more unusual place to grab a pint, although I haven’t heard one bad thing about the night tour. If you’re visiting in the winter – not to worry, tours still operate and instead of a gig you can visit the ice rink and grab a hot chocolate after. As I said – cultural phenomenon!
Basketball – if there happens to be any basketball games (national, Euroleague, world or Europe championships) – GO. Probably the only country left in the world, and definitely the only one in Europe, that hasn’t jumped on the football craze and have stuck with what they know best – basketball. What’s called the second religion in the country is definitely going to amaze you in the best way possible – fans are as passionate as English football devotees and do not be discouraged by the size of the country – Lithuania’s national team has won medals in Olympics, European and World championships.
Trakai – just a 30-minute train ride from the capital, Trakai is an excellent day trip on a warm summer day. Surrounded by lakes, there are too many places to choose from for a dip into the water for a refreshing swim. You can visit the medieval castle that is located in an island or rent a pedalo to have a look at it from all sides. A must in Trakai is their local pastry called kibinai that is served with some chicken broth.
If you have more time to spend in Lithuania, I’d recommend going to Kaunas, the previous capital and second biggest city in the country. Spend the day walking around the old town or admiring the conjunction of the two largest rivers in the nature, just a walk away from the city centre.
Lastly, you must finish your trip in the seaside, although personally I might recommend it even more than the cities. Surrounded by the lagoon and the Baltic Sea, the little peninsula of Neringa is something that leaves even me in awe, year by year. There are four little towns that you might choose to visit, based on your preferences, as well as three mainland shoreside towns that offer entertainment and seaside activities. My personal favourite is Pervalka, the smallest town of them all, where families (as well as my own) go to relax by the seafront, however not exactly made for student-friendly entertainment. For that you might want to visit Nida, the techno hub of the seaside, and, well, if Flares is more your cup of tea in Newcastle, Palanga will provide equivalent clubs on the seafront as well as nice day out on the beach. Nevertheless, one of these is a must on your itinerary if not the main destination in Lithuania. Although incomparable to British-beloved Spain, it’s unique and unforgettable in its own way.
It’s pretty obvious by now that I could fill the two pages of the section rambling on why you should visit Lithuania. While not necessarily objectively, I truly do recommend that you don’t get discouraged by the stereotypes and look into the little gems of Eastern Europe.
