Lithuania

Lithuani a
Welcome to
the Country
of Basketball!
11 R eas o n s to Vi s i t i n 2 0 1 1
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I n t e r n a t i o n al Hanseatic Days
1
Have a blast at the Kaunas
Hansa festival!
You are in Lithuania!
You are in Lithuania. Feel the surrounding green nature:
meadows and hills are everywhere. Hear how the land is praised by singing birds. Five national parks are waiting for you. Travel through refreshing forests, see cultural monuments: castles, mounds, churches, crosses.
Lithuania’s rivers and lakes are calling to be explored; numerous resorts
and spa centres are ready to share the healing secrets of mineral springs.
Hear the soughing of the sea, feel the grains of sand on your fingers as they disappear from your palm. Get a traditional amber necklace
and bring a piece of Lithuania back home.
Did you know that the name Lithuania is a thousand years old? Discover Lithuanian history and art. Theatres, exhibitions, concerts, festivals – all for your entertainment. In Lithuania you can listen
to world-class classical music, watch numerous plays and operas in the
country’s 30 theatres and enjoy high quality contemporary art.
Need a good place for a conference, seminar or meeting? Look no further. Experienced Lithuanian travel agencies will help you find conference halls and make sure everything goes smoothly. Hotels, holiday
camps, homesteads, guest and recreation houses are ready for your stay.
Taste Lithuania, literally. Take a bite of brown bread and feel the
golden rye. Spread some honey, put a slice of white cheese on top and
enjoy... Don’t forget to thank those little workers buzzing in the meadows. If you are thirsty, have a sip of Lithuanian kvass. Smile. You are in
Lithuania.
Kaunas is the only
Hansa city in Lithuania.
Currently, the new Hansa
Union consists of 176 cities
in 15 countries. Kaunas will
have the honour of organizing the International Hanseatic Days on
19–22 May, 2011. Prepare for a journey back in time, back to the
Middle Ages. Thousands of guests from more than 100 European cities are expected. Four days of clanging armour, rattling drums, and
people rushing to the Great European Knight Tournament. Artists,
mimes, magicians and fakirs will celebrate at the medieval carnival.
Hear the most famous medieval band in the world Corvus, Corax.
Look for neat items in a huge medieval fair.
Ancient ships will sail the rivers Nemunas and Neris. Fireworks
and a fire show will set the sky on fire under the confluence of the
two rivers. Myriads of hot air balloons will float over the Old Town –
then a hot air balloon championship and Nocturnal fiesta will take
place. Join the trip to the skies!
Don’t miss this fabulous event. The International
Hanseatic Days 2011 (19–22 May). Be there!
www.hanzakaunas.lt / http://visit.kaunas.lt
Vilnius City
Vilnius City
2
3
Discover the cosy Old Town
of Vilnius
Situated at the confluence of
the rivers Neris and Vilnia, the
capital of Lithuania is one of the
most visited cities in Eastern Europe. The Vilnius Old Town – a Baroque masterpiece as they say – was included in the UNESCO World
Heritage List in 1994. Vilnius has long been called Little Rome, North
Athens or North Jerusalem. Approximately 40 churches of various
architectural styles stand here, and some authentic buildings with
Gothic, Renaissance or Classical features have survived.
The Old Town of Vilnius is small and cosy. Narrow streets and passages will have you disappear into a world of flower-decorated courtyards, churches and museums in no time. Begin your journey at the
Gates of Dawn. The miraculous, gracious painting of the Holy Virgin
Mary is an attraction for religious people across the world. Going
down Pilies St. and passing City hall, you will be tempted by inviting
cafes and restaurants. Look for the Wall of Artists in Literatų St. with
more than 100 ornate wooden, ceramic or glass plates containing information about local writers and poets and foreign ones who found
Vilnius a great place in which to write. Listen to street musicians as
you go.
Discover St. Anne’s Church. It is a true Gothic marvel, considered a
masterpiece by art historians worldwide. Bricks of 33 different profiles
were used to build this 15th century sanctuary. As one well-known
legend goes, Napoleon himself was so impressed with the church’s
elegance that he wanted to take it back to Paris ‘in the palm of his
hand’. The French soldiers had established a storeroom there and also
held war prisoners. In one letter to his wife Napoleon mentioned that
Vilnius was a very beautiful city. St. Anne’s Church stands near the
Bernardine Monastery and the Church of St. Francis which have
features of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical architecture.
The bridge over the river Vilnia will take you to the independent
Republic of Užupis, also know as the Montmartre of Vilnius. Its citizens have not only their own Seal (a gold glimmering Angel) but a
Constitution as well. Look for Užupis at the beginning of Paupio St.
Pleasant cafes, art galleries, an eco-market, wine shops and the Tibet
square are worth visiting too. Take Maironio St. up to the observation
spot in Subačiaus St. and examine the city’s defence wall, the barbican, and the wonderful panorama of Vilnius Old Town.
Vilnius is one of the few European capitals that can
be enjoyed from a bird’s eye view — from a hot air
balloon, that is. Interested?
www.vilnius-tourism.lt
Curonian Spit (Kuršių n e r i j a )
4
C u ro n i a n Spit (Kuršių nerija)
5
Relax in the Lithuanian oasis –
the Curonian Spit!
An unforgettable taste of summer,
the soughing of the sea and hot sand –
discover all this in the Lithuanian oasis,
the Curonian Spit. Watch how quickly the wind covers your footprints
in the sand. Close your eyes and feel free. “It feels like standing at the
entryway to Heaven,” the French writer Jean-Paul Sartre described his
visit to the Curonian Spit.
The narrow and lengthy peninsula, washed by the Baltic Sea
and Curonian Sea (Kuršių marios), reminds one of a desert. We call
it Kuršių nerija (the Curonian Spit). It was included in the UNESCO
World Heritage List in 2000 as one of the most beautiful and unique
landscapes in Europe. The strip of sand, stretching into the sea, has
several cosy, neat and picturesque fishermen’s villages: Juodkrantė,
Pervalka and Nida.
Juodkrantė is worth visiting because of its quay, the rebuilt old
stylish villas, and fishermen’s houses surrounded by gardens and parterres. The Hill of Herons (Garnių kalnas) nearby is home to one of the
largest grey heron and cormorant colonies in Europe.
Nida enjoys the largest number of sunny days in Lithuania per
year. Another unique feature of this place is the weathercocks. They
used to mark a particular village’s ownership of the kurėnas (a type
of sail-ship).
Take a cognitive walk on the two-kilometre-long Parnidis pathway. It begins in Tylos slėnis (the Valley of Silence) and passes the
Nida lighthouse, the biggest one on the Lithuanian coast. The pathway meanders to the Parnidis dune observation spot, a very popular
attraction in the Curonian Spit. Here you can observe the Baltic and
Curonian Seas, watch the sunset, and feel the unique chemistry of
the two bodies of water.
For 9 kilometres – from Juodkrantė to Pervalka – lies the Nagliai
reserve, a unique landscape of drifting dunes.
The Curonian Spit is an unforgettable experience. Rent a nice villa,
spend numerous hours in the white dunes that provide cover from
the wind, bathe in the wavy Baltic Sea, and try some fish caught and
smoked by local fishermen: bream, eel, and flatfish. Visit the Curonian
Spit and you will understand why this place has long been an attraction for tourists and artists.
Once you come here, you’ll want to
return again and again!
www.visitneringa.com
Resor ts and spas
6
Resor ts and spas
7
Revitalize yourself in
Lithuanian resorts!
Lithuanian
resorts and
mo­dern spa
centres offer a wide variety of services and quality. Rest in nature,
breathe the fresh air and enjoy the exceptional attention of spa
workers, relaxing massages, remedial baths and the unique amber
therapy. Healthcare specialists will assess your condition and prescribe relevant recreational and rehabilitation treatment procedures.
The flexible prices have been praised by many tourists. Lithuania
is becoming a more attractive destination for medical tourism. Visit
Lithuanian odontology clinics and you will see that the prices are
much lower than in the UK and the treatment is of exceptional quality.
Druskininkai is the oldest, most famous healthcare resort in
Lithuania. It is an international recreational centre with modern infrastructure and rich in natural resources. The town has 7 mineral
water springs, 9 sanatoriums and 1 balneological treatment facility
with the latest diagnostics and treatment methods. Feel the effects
of mineral, whirlpool, oxygen, herbal and mud baths, and enjoy the
salt rooms.
Situated in the Nemunas Loops Regional Park, the town of
Birštonas has been well known in the entire Russian empire since
the 19th century for its balneological treatment facilities. Relaxing
procedures and a leisure in nature will take away your fatigue in no
time. The spa centres here use natural medical mud and mineral water from springs.
The town of Neringa, situated in the picturesque national park
of Curonian Spit, is a prestigious international resort. Its exceptional
properties are determined by the unique surrounding nature. In
Neringa you will enjoy calm recreation, and fresh, resin-smelling air.
You will be enchanted by the white beaches and the picturesque
50-kilometre-long bicycle trail.
The sea resort of Palanga offers a variety of entertainment and
remedial procedures. There are lots of cafes, night clubs and casinos.
Have a walk in the Tiškevičiai Palace Park or listen to concerts and
poetry on calm August evenings.
Try cold therapy, music therapy,
and taste amber tea!
www.visitspas.eu/lithuania
Events, pubs, nightclu b s
8
E ve n t s , pubs, nightclubs
9
Spend the weekend the
Lithuanian way!
What’s the first thing to surprise you in Lithuania? Short distances
and low prices! If in London taking a cab costs around £20, here you
will pay four times less, and for a longer distance. What else? Well,
your native language will get you going at every nightclub or restaurant.
Experience the cosy and wild atmosphere of Vilnius: never-ending summer festivals under Baroque arches: from classical music,
live music concerts to cinema festivals – something for every taste.
Have a blast at the most famous jazz festivals in Vilnius, Kaunas and
Klaipėda.
Return to the Middle Ages on the Trakai island or in the town of
Kernavė: hear the weapons clang, watch modern knights fight, try
traditional medieval dishes prepared using old recipes, discover the
secrets of ancient crafts. Do not miss the highlight of summer – the
Sea Festival in Klaipėda in August (www.jurossvente.lt). The regatta
of great tall ships never fails to impress.
Join the motley crowd at the Kaziukas Fair in spring. On the first
March weekend bargain with thousands of artisans and discover ancient Lithuanian crafts. On the Fool’s Day (1st of April) blend in with
the people and celebrate the independence of Užupis. March side by
side with rockers, angels and mortals. On the first weekend of May,
many streets of Vilnius are breathing with jazz, rock and classical music. It is the traditional Street Musicians Day.
Party till the break of dawn throughout the entire summer with
young people in nightclubs and pubs. The best Lithuanian DJs will
find a beat for even the most hard to please lovers of dance music
and will definitely have you rocking the dancefloor. The majority of
clubs and cafes are open till late and offer free admission.
In Lithuania everything is taken into consideration:
from great entertainment to Lithuanian romance!
www.eb.lt / www.vilnius-events.lt
National parks
10
Active recreation in
Lithuania!
Travel through five Lithuanian national parks. Experience how
green and welcoming Lithuania is. Did you know that there are
about 3000 lakes and lakelets here?
In summer bathe in the crystal clear lakes of the Aukštaitija,
Žemaitija and Dzūkija national parks, and visit ethnographic villages
and mills. Travel on the Lithuanian rivers and lakes – it is one of the
most entertaining ways of getting to know the country because you
will be able to visit some historical places as you swim.
Grab a bike and cycle through the most beautiful places in Lithuania. The coastal bicycle trail is 110 kilometres long. Equestrian centres offer various rides with experienced guides who will tell you the
history of cultural and natural monuments.
Soviet heritage
11
A bizarre tourist
attraction!
Travel back in time and take part in
a unique Soviet reality drama waiting
for you just 25 kilometres from Vilnius.
Five metres underground and you are
in the USSR participating in 1984. Survival drama in a Soviet bunker. Three
hours of Soviet reality – it’s much more than just a show! Professional
actors, accompanied by a wolfhound, accept no compromise: no cellphones or cameras allowed in the bunker!
United Kingdom Channel Five called this performance the most
extraordinary tourist attraction in Europe! Only here can you be accused of being a KGB informant, smuggling illegal medicine or having way too much foreign currency.
Fly a hot air balloon – it is a new and interesting way to explore the
beautiful Lithuanian landscape! The number of hot air balloons for
every 1000 people puts Lithuania in the leading position. Maybe you
would like to paraglide from the Green Hills (Žaliosios kalvos)? Do a
parachute jump from a plane? That can be arranged!
These offences are punishable by certain physical exercises or being locked in a solitary cell. But if you survive, you will get to taste
barley coffee and canned meat, which was very popular during the
Soviet period.
Swim, ride, fly, climb,
cycle, walk, play… Get going!
Are you ready to recall and
experience the Soviet period?
www.dzukijosparkas.lt / www.anp.lt
www.zemaitijosnp.lt / www.pajuris.info
www.sovietbunker.com / www.grutoparkas.lt
G a s tronomic heritage
National customs
12
Dance and have
Lithuanian way!
13
fun the
Did you know that certain Lithuanian musical instruments are absolutely unique? You won’t find a daudytė (a straight
wooden tube made from ash) or wooden bells anywhere else. Another
example of the unique cultural heritage is sutartinės – polyphonic songs
that are preserved by folklore ensembles.
Visit the town of Rumšiškės’s museum in the open and see for yourself how different the five regions of Lithuania are in their lifestyle and
spoken language. The host brewing beer while singing – something like
this can be seen in Aukštaitija. Feast your eyes on chequered textures in
the woody Dzūkija. Pat a žemaitukas (a certain pony breed) in Samogitia (Žemaitija) and look for a doghouse with a door in Suvalkija. Feel as
if you were a fisherman’s son in Lithuania Minor. Say goodbye to winter with a bang in January – celebrate Shrove Tuesday and eat as many
tasty pancakes as you can. In April, during Easter, learn to decorate and
roll eggs. On St. John’s Day – which has the shortest night of the year –
try jumping over bonfires. Definitely come to Dainų šventė – the best
known Song and Dance Celebration in Lithuania.
Try dancing the Suktinis (traditional Lithuanian
dance) and become familiar with the merry and
energetic way of Lithuanian people!
www.kernave.org / www.llbm.lt
Try for yourself how
savoury Lithuanian food is!
The majority of Lithuanian fairy-tales have a similar
happy ending: eating and
drinking for three days... If
you wish to taste the entire Lithuanian cuisine, prepare for a lengthy stay.
The oldest traditional Lithuanian drinks are mead and herbal brandies of various types. Lithuania is also famous for its brewers. Lager or
dark, non-filtered or honey beer will definitely get you talking.
A contemporary restaurant culture does exist and even thrives in
Lithuania, and it’s easy to find. For every cafe or restaurant owner, quality meals and flawless service are top priorities.
In the Old Town of Vilnius you will find a restaurant/museum (the
only one of its kind). Here you can enjoy the 14th–18th century masterpieces of Lithuanian cuisine – everything that once was available only
to the Lithuanian noblemen. Cosy wine shops will offer the best wines
from all over the world.
There are approximately 200 different sorts of beer
brewed in Lithuania. What’s your favourite?
www.eb.lt / www.idabasar.lt
The town of Trakai an d i t s s u r ro u n d i n g s
S o u ve n i r s, fashion, design
14
15
Great shopping
in Lithuania
Get medieval
in Trakai!
A photo by Lina Fisheye
The towers of the Trakai Island Castle, casting their reflections on
the surface of Lake Galvė, are reminders of the 15th century when
the Great Duchy of Lithuania was at the peak of glory and its lands
reached as far as the shores of the Black Sea.
When in Lithuania, use the opportunity to shop for the upcoming
season at low prices. The country is famous for its designers whose collections can be seen at world-class fashion events. Designer Giedrius
Šarkauskas creates impressive linen clothes.
The Island Castle, built during the 14th–15th centuries, was one of
the strongest fortresses and one of the most important places for
guests. Messengers and dukes embraced its halls. Present-day kings
and presidents have also paid a visit.
“LT-identity” by designers Ieva Ševiakovaitė and Jolanta Rimkutė is a
collection where Lithuanian romance and natural, light fabrics combine.
The town of Trakai is surrounded by 5 huge lakes. Relax on the
beaches, admire breathtaking panoramas form the deck of a yacht
or a recreational boat. In summer attend classical music concerts and
medieval craft festivals at the Trakai Castle Historical Museum.
Visit Užutrakis – a historical manor on the other side of Lake Galvė.
The estate and the English style park were established at the end of
the 19th century. Today, Užutrakis is in the best of times once again.
From the end of July until the end of August chamber music evenings
are organized here.
Interested in traditional Lithuanian souvenirs? Don’t miss art galleries,
shops selling amber jewellery, linen clothing, wooden and leather crafts.
Lithuania is known for its quality and affordable gold and silver jewellery. Established jewellers use exotic and expensive materials and certified gemstones to make high quality works. Various famous galleries:
“Yurga”, “Amber Gallery”, and “Meno niša” are selling the original jewellery.
Oh, and one more thing – smithery. It is a very old craft in Lithuania
and impressive enough to get the attention of UNESCO. At a smith’s
workshop you will find artistic candlesticks, interior decorations, or a
lucky horseshoe. Don’t forget to bring something for your family.
Visit the unique Trakai national park, which was
included in the UNESCO World Heritage List!
Here you will find original amber (also known as
Lithuanian gold) necklaces and other jewellery.
www.trakai.info / www.seniejitrakai.lt
www.amberline.lt
16
Lithuania in a nutshell
Official name: Republic of Lithuania.
Area: 65,300 km2.
Population: 3.25 million.
Population density: 52 people/km2.
Political system: parliamentary democracy. Head of State President
Dalia Grybauskaitė (until 2013).
The Republic of Lithuania is a member of the EU, Schengen area and
NATO.
Lithuanian tourism information
centres abroad
United Kingdom
LITHUANIAN NATIONAL TOURISM
BOARD
Tel.: +44 02070341222
E-mail: info@lithuaniatourism.
co.uk
www.lithuaniatourism.co.uk
Capital: Vilnius (population: 548,835).
Largest cities: Kaunas (population: 348,624), Klaipėda (population:
182,752 ), Šiauliai (population: 125,453), Panevėžys (population: 111,959).
Official language: Lithuanian (the Baltic languages group).
Time zone: GMT + 2.
Finland
LIETTUAN MATKAILUNEUVONTA /
LITAUENS TURISTINFORMATION
Tel.: +358 504087825
E-mail: info@liettua.fi
www.liettua.fi / www.litauen.se
Coat of arms: white Vytis (a knight) on a red background.
France
OFFICE DU TOURISME DE LITUANIE
Tel.: +33 146225384
E-mail: infotourlituanie@orange.fr
www.InfoTourLituanie.fr
National flag is composed of three (yellow, green and red) equal horizontal stripes.
Currency: Lithuanian litas (Lt), (LTL); (1 EUR = 3.4528 Lt).
Neighbouring countries: Latvia, Belarus, Poland, Russia (Kaliningrad).
Cell phone code: +370...
GSM service providers: “Omnitel”, “Bitė”, “Tele2”.
Information number: 118.
Emergency number: 112.
Germany
BALTIKUM TOURIZMUS ZENTRALE
(BTZ) ESTLAND-LETTLAND-LITAUEN
Tel.: +49 3089009180
E-mail: marc.burgdorff@
baltikuminfo.de
www.baltikuminfo.de
Italy
ENTE NAZIONALE LITUANO PER IL
TURISMO
Tel.: +39 0632600310
E-mail: info@turismolituano.it
www.turismolituano.it
Poland
CENTRUM INFORMACJI
TURYSTYCZNEJ REPUBLIKI
LITEWSKIEJ
Tel.: +48 226969815
E-mail: info@litwatravel.com
www.litwatravel.com
Russia
ИНФОРМАЦИОННЫЙ ЦЕНТР ПО
ТУРИЗМУ ЛИТВЫ В РОССИИ
Тel.: +7 4956970814
E-mail: litinfo@sovintel.ru
www.litinfo.ru
Spain
CENTRO DE INFORMACIÓN
TURÍSTICA DE LITUANIA
Tel.: +34 667693931
E-mail: info@lituaniatrade.com
www.lituaniatur.com
Internet: Wireless (WiFi). Available in many public areas of the largest
cities. 59.3% of the population uses the Internet.
Ethnic groups: 83.1% Lithuanian, 6% Polish, 4.8% Russian.
Religion: 79% Roman Catholic.
Climate: maritime/continental. Temperature in summer: 18–30°C. Temperature in winter: 0–10°C below zero.
Landscape: Lithuania is a country of plains and forests: flats comprise
approximately 75% of the area and even 31% is covered by forests.
Coastline: 90 km (the Baltic Sea).
Longest river: Nemunas – 937 km (475 km in the territory of Lithuania).
Public holidays:
January 1 – New Year's Day;
February 16 – Day of Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania (1918);
March 11 – Day of Restitution of Independence of Lithuania (from the
Soviet Union, 1990);
April 24 and 25 – Easter;
May 1 – International Labour Day, Mother’s Day;
June 24 – St. John's Day (Day of Dew);
July 6 – Statehood Day (commemorates the coronation of the first king,
Mindaugas);
August 15 – Assumption Day;
November 1 – All Saints' Day;
December 24 – The Christmas Eve;
December 25 and 26 – Christmas.
Published by JSC “VIP Viešosios informacijos partneriai”, 2011.
Pictures by L. Druknerytė, D. Vitkauskaitė, V. Ščiavinskas, L. Ciūnys, L. Fisheye,
M. Kulbis, P. Gasiūnas, A. Varanka, K. Driskius, K. Kantautas, N. Skrudupaitė,
R. Anusauskas, K. Stalnionytė, E. Paukštė, L. B. Paukštytė.
Printed by JSC “Arx Baltica”.
Lithuanian State Department of Tourism under The Ministry of Economy
Švitrigailos str. 11M, LT-03228 Vilnius, Lithuania;
Tel.: +370 521 087 96, fax: +370 521 087 53, E-mail: vtd@tourism.lt
www.tourism.lt
www.Lithuania.travel
EU structural support 2007-2013
www.Lithuania.travel
S ee Yo u i n L i t h u a n i a !
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