Tourism

WHY LITHUANIA?

* New and undiscovered destination. Go to satisfy your curiosity!

* Hospitable and charming people. For the first moment the Lithuanians may seem reserved and formal, but soon you will find them to be very warm and sincere.
* Explore capital’s Old Town. It is one of the biggest and nicest in Eastern Europe (360 ha). Many tourists after visiting Vilnius and its region tend to fall in love with Vilnius, pegging it as their favorite Baltic city of them all. In Vilnius Old Town there is the most valuable history and culture heritage. There are the buildings which remained from various centuries, all European architectural styles interlace here. For its uniqueness 1994 Vilnius Old Town was included in the World UNESCO culture heritage list.
* Paradise for nature lovers! Approximately 31, 7 percent of Lithuania’s territory is covered with forests. The population density is one of the lowest in the world. Lithuania is small, but has enormous number of clean and unpolluted lakes, beautiful rivers and streams. Forests are rich with plant, berries, mushrooms and animal species. Wolfs, foxes, elks, bears, wild boar live in the woods. White storks which are rare or no longer found elsewhere in Europe except the Baltic countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) each year come back from warm countries to at people’s homesteads.
* Delicious food. Lithuanian people like to eat much, most of the traditional dishes are from potatoes, but anyway you will not see fat people in the streets. What is the secret of their diet you can find out by yourself! Besides, almost everyone, even those from big cities, have their own gardens, where there are vegetables, fruits and berries grown. Lithuanians have the tradition to make jam, sour marinated cucumbers and other tasty things for the long winter season for themselves.
*Beer brewed using natural ingredients and available at a low prices. The most popular brands are “Kalnapilis”, “Utenos”, “Švyturys“. Lithuanian brewers have won more than one international prize. In cafes and bars with beer is offered fried bread rubbed with garlic, boiled peas with cracklings, boiled beans, cheese sticks (fried bread poured with cheese) and pig ears or foot.
* Feel the spirit of Soviet Union period Lithuania used to be the part of Soviet Union for near 50 years. During the drive to independence in the early 90’s, Lithuania gained worldwide fame and sympathy for its courage. Many regarded Lithuania as the most courageous of the former Soviet republics, the only one consistently unwilling to bend her principles in the face of blood-curdling Russian threats. Now there is a special park in Druskininkai – Grutas Park – where all the exhibits from Soviet times are kept, the history of that time is remembered.
* Traditions still alive! Come to Lithuania during the Great Midsummer Eve celebration (23rd of June), Užgavėnės (Shrovetide) at the end of winter, archeological days in Kernavė in July or Christmas Eve (24th of December) and you will experience various old customs and traditions still alive in Lithuanians’ minds.
* Relax and recover your powers near the Baltic sea in resorts, sanatoriums. In order to get to know the Lithuanian seaside, you should visit all three major seaside towns: Klaipėda, Palanga, Neringa. Enjoy the sea, white sand beaches, pine trees forests, calmness, good service at the hotels and restaurants, active entertaintments (bikes riding, going by jachts, fishing and etc.).

* Unique Neringa – sands right in the middle of Europe? Unbelievable, but true! Over five thousand years ago the waves and winds of the Baltic Sea drifted dunes and eventually shaped the Curonian Spit – a stripe of land which separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. The unique Neringa resort located on the Curonian Spit stretches for even 50 kilometres connecting the settlements of Juodkrantė, Preila, Pervalka and Nida. Wandering dunes. Peace and snow-white beaches.Delicious fish. The exclusive dish in this area is smoked fish: eel, bream, mackerel, pike-perch, herring and catfish. Fish is smoked according to special tradition passed on from generation to generation. Just wait and find out yourself – it’s more than delicious!

* SPA resorts – water and mud cure. It’s definitely true! For ages Lithuanian resorts Birstonas and Druskininkai have been known for springing mineral water and mineral curative mud with curative features as good as at Europe’s most famous wellness resorts. Exclusive environment and services.

* Top-class entertainment. Vilnius and other Lithuanian cities offer contemporary metropolitan-style entertainment with modern and cosy shopping centres and exclusive boutiques, beauty salons, night clubs, global brand stores…

More facts about Lithuania:

  • Vilnius University was the first University in the Eastern Europe
  • In the end of fourteenth century Lithuania was the largest country in Europe
  • Famous western actor Charles Bronson was Lithuanian
  • Lithuania was the first Soviet state to declare it’s independence in March 11, 1990
  • Lithuania ex-President R.Paksas was the first European leader to be removed from the office by the impeachment process
  • Lithuania is one of the several countries in the world where the most popular sport is Basketball
  • Lithuania was the last pagan country in Europe that accepted Christianity
  • The Geographical Centre of Europe is 26 km to the North of Vilnius as it was found by The National Institute of Geography in France
  • It is estimated that during 50 years of Soviet occupation 1 million Lithuania’s inhabitants - that made 1/3 of population - were lost as a result of various repressions.