For those who are looking for an East Europe vacation, you will want to consider visiting the Baltic country, Lithuania. Lithuania sits just below Latvia and between Belarus and Russia. Poland is to the southwest. Lithuania has many tourist attractions, and is a very popular country in Eastern Europe.
Lithuania has had a very tumultuous past with occupations from both Russia and Germany. It wasn’t until 1990, that Lithuania finally gained its independent status as its own nation. In 1991, Lithuania entered the United Nations followed by entrance into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The visitor to Lithuania will notice that the landscape is very low and flat. However it is filled with water. Surrounded by the Baltic Sea, there are more than 700 rivers and nearly 3,000 lakes that are perfect for water activities, fishing, and enjoying the beauty of the Lithuania countryside.
When traveling to Lithuania there are a number of cities that feature the most exciting attractions. These include: Vilnius, Kuanas, Klaipeda, Palanga, Druskininkai, and Trakai. Vilnius is the capital city, and there is no doubt that there is plenty to see and do there. Vilnius’ Old Town has been awarded the prestigious distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the largest town in all of Europe. In fact, and East Europe vacation just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Lithuania’s Vilnius.
The picturesque old town is truly a visitor’s dream. You will notice the striking medieval architecture as the homes were built according to the natural landscape. This means that when Old Town was constructed, the ground was not leveled, but homes and buildings were built upon rolling hills and streets were laid upon twisting and winding paths creating their own geometrical design.
Of special site seeing interest in Vilnius is the Gediminas’ Castle. Founded by the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas, the legend of the castle’s foundations is told in the Chronicle of Lithuania. Visitors will enjoy a tour of the museum located within the castle and the spectacular view from the tower.
The Vilnius Cathedral was built in the late 1300’s and remains as one of Lithuania’s most famous landmarks. The Vilnius Cathedras is home to the Sarcophagus of St. Casimir, who is Lithuania’s Patron Saint.
Another must see destination on your Lithuania vacation is St. Anne’s Church. This church is Gothic architecture at its most magnificent display. Following St. Anne’s Church, you should also visit St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church. Splendid interiors and exquisite artifacts are housed in this intricately ornamented building.
You’ll also enjoy the many festivals that include delicious authentic Lithuanian cuisine, traditional music, and more. In April, there is the Kaunas Jazz Festival; June holds the Llaipeda Jazz Festival, and September hosts the Vilnius Jazz Festival. In addition to Jazz festivals, Lithuania also features the Fold Dance Festival. You will discover that Old Town features numerous outdoor activities and is the backdrop for operas, the Philharmonic orchestra, ballet, theater, and numerous other cultural activities. Whether you prefer visiting the historic monuments, enjoying delicious Lithuanian cuisine, seeing the opera, or enjoying an outdoor craft festival, Lithuania is a beautiful country with many marvelous attractions.
