10 Days Highlights of Lithuania

About the destination: This Baltic capital is bizarre, decadent, eccentric and bewitchingly beautiful. Located at the confluence of the Vilnia and Neris rivers, Vilnus preserves its medieval soul. Its astonishing Old Town, one of the largest in Europe, was declared World’s Heritage Site. Church spires dominate the city as there are 65 churches in Vilnus. The sight from the city’s castle is dazzling and is the best place from which to appreciate a magnificent panorama of this green metropolis. Vilnus has big plans for its future and is becoming a cosmopolitan city. Quirky bars are found inside the dark medieval courtyards. Užupis, declared the bohemian sector of the city, is booming with art galleries and workshops. In its main square there is a statue of an angel blowing a trumpet that represents artistic creativity and freedom of expression. On the north bank of the Neris, a new Vilnius is taking shape, a 21st-century skyscraper skyline is being developed to accommodate the emerging business community, a symbol that the city and Lithuania are moving forward and ditching its Soviet past. The Lithuanian capital will seduce visitors with its exciting, spirited and charming personality.

About the destination: Trakai is a historic city and lake resort in Lithuania. It lies 28 kilometres (17 miles) west of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Because of its proximity to Vilnius, Trakai is a popular tourist destination. Trakai is the administrative centre of Trakai district municipality. The town covers 497.1 square kilometres (191.9 square miles) of area and, according to 2007 estimates, is inhabited by 5,357 people. A notable feature of Trakai is that the town was built and preserved by people of different nationalities. Historically, communities of Karaims, Tatars, Lithuanians, Russians, Jews and Poles lived here.

About the destination: "Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the centre of a county in Trakai Municipality of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. It is the capital of Kaunas County, the seat of the Kaunas city municipality and the Kaunas District Municipality. Kaunas is located at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris, and near the Kaunas Reservoir, the largest body of water entirely in Lithuania. Kaunas has several districts and sites interesting for tourists. The Old Town is the area mostly built between XIV and XVII centuries, resembling buildings in Gothic, Renaissance, and, Baroque architecture. Open spaces, parks, and places of interested are in the compact New Town. A walking tour is the best way to see the Old Town of Kaunas. A lot of guided excursions are available at Kaunas region tourism information office. You can also get a free tour from a local guide. Also, Kaunas boasts around 40 different museums of art, nature, literature, history, science, and sports as well as historical and memorial museums."

About the destination: "Klaipėda is a city in Lithuania situated at the mouth of the Danė River where it flows into the Baltic Sea. It is the third largest city in Lithuania and the capital of Klaipėda County. Klaipėda is known for its main icons: sculpture Annchen von Tarau, located in theater square, old sailing ship Meridianas and Fachwerk architecture in the Old Town. Klaipėda is also known for plenty of sculptures that they have. Lots of small sculptures sculptures like: mouse, guard dog, dragon, chimney sweep, post pigeons, black ghost, foot prints and others hiding in the old town. The Museums in Klaipėda are the Lithuanian Sea Museum and Dolphinarium, the Castle Museum, The Blacksmith's Museum, the History Museum of Lithuania Minor. Klaipėda's old town is small but interesting. Theater square has a balcony where Adolph Hitler addressed a crowd. Legend has it, that Hitler was annoyed because the statue depicting ""Anikė"" of the Lithuanian folk tale was not facing him, so he had the statue removed. A replica is now in its original place."

About the destination: Riga is the crown jewel of the Baltic States and it’s the region’s cultural, educational, political, financial, commercial and industrial epicenter. Charmingly divided by Daugava River, it presents itself as a city of colours, church spikes and beautiful nights of yellow lights. Even though the city is rapidly overflowing with a collage of glass and steel skyscrapers, it is still defined by its stunning chocolate box old town that Disney executives can only dream of. Art-Nouveau is also a big thing in Riga. The city’s notable art nouveau district was declared World Heritage Site and it is commonly regarded as the finest and best-preserved collection of art nouveau architecture in Europe. Aside from its toy town cuteness, this city is funky and vibrant with a big city soul. The Latvian capital is the perfect fusion of old and new; visitors will find the trendiest club inside a spectacular art-nouveau building. The city has been dubbed “The Second City that Never Sleeps” and rightly so; in Riga one can go out every night of the week until the early hours of the morning and there are even 24h restaurants to satisfy anyone’s appetite at any time. With its timeless elegance and its cosmopolitan ambitions, Riga has been declared European Capital of Culture for 2014. The city is now chic, lively and green, parks cover a fifth of the capital, and has left its grey past behind and has no intention of looking back.