Archive for the ‘tourist attractions’ Category

Lithuania is the perfect place to go to if you are looking for a place to relax.  While Lithuania won’t give you the archaeological pleasure that other countries will provide, it makes up for this lack through the visual pleasures that you can find within this country.

Below are some of the places that you should definitely see when visiting Lithuania:

1.  Vilnius

Vilnius is the perfect place to visit if you want to go shopping.  They have a lot of shopping centers and as the capital city of Lithuania, they are also the country’s commercial and industrial port.  You will be able to find the best local buys here.

2.  Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit covers four settlements and is the best place to enjoy nature.  This place offers various outdoor activities in summer and in winter.  You can smell the fresh smell of pine trees as well as the aroma of the great outdoors.

3.  Hills of Crosses

Since the early times, the Hills of Crosses has been the place of choice for planting crosses.  It is a hillock where thousands of crosses of all shapes and sizes can be found.  While it has been portrayed numerous times in art paintings, no one really knows for sure how the hill became a place for planting crosses.

4.  Druskininkai

Druskininka is the best place to spend your summer vacation as it is brimming with a lot of summer activities and mineral streams.  It is also considered as a healthy spot as the mineral streams are said to possess curative characteristics.

5.  Palanga

Palanga is the place to go to if you are looking for a fun vacation.  Botanical parks, beaches, seaside resorts and restaurants are abundant in this place.  It is guaranteed to give you maximum pleasure and enjoyment.

6.  National Museums

The two most popular museums in Lithuania are:

• National Museum in Lithuania -  This museum opened in 1855 and provides you a background and history of the country.
• Lithuania Art Museum – Art is valued in Lithuania.  In fact, many popular painters and artists were born there.

7.  Folk Festivals

There are many various festivals and celebrations in Lithuania.  You are bound to encounter one during your visit as these festivals are celebrated throughout the country.   The food and colorful costumes are just two of the things that you will enjoy during the folk festivals of Lithuania.

8.  Kaunas, Lithuania

Kuanas is the place which will allow you to get a taste of the local Lithuanian culture and way of living.  Although it is not as lively as Vilnius, there are a lot of industrial hubs which you can visit.  You can also do your shopping here.

9.  Medieval Castle

The Medieval Castle was built in the 14th century.  It stands in the midst of waters and was built to drive away the enemy knights from Germany.  The castle is still standing strong and is considered as one of the most esteemed buildings in Lithuania.

10.  Church of St. Paul and St. Peter

The Church of St. Paul and St. Peter is a must-see for any visitor to the country as it will allow you to get a feel of how the locals praise and practice their religion.  As a side note, in the past, Lithuania does not allow religion to be publicly practiced but this has changed over time and Roman Catholicism  is now prevalent and practiced within the nation.

Vilnius is one of the most preferred destinations in Eastern Europe.  It is also known as Wilno and Vilna and is the capital city of Lithuania.  It is also the largest city of Lithuania with a population of about 500,000.

In 1994, the Old Town of Vilnius became a part of the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  And in 2009, it has been awarded as the European Capital of Culture along with Linz, Austria.  In fact, you can visit Vilnius anytime of the year and you are almost guaranteed that there will be an event going on whether it be cultural, music, cinema, theater, art or fashion.

There are also many bars, cafes and night clubs to choose from.  You can definitely find one that suits your needs.  Some of the more popular nightclubs in the Old Town are:

• Woo
• Gravity
• Pacha
• Helios

Svyturys (lighthouse) is the most popular local beer and is a world champion beer.  The Lithuanian vodka is also of excellent quality.

The Grutos Park is a definite must-see.  It is roughly 40km outside Vilnius and there is a bus that takes you there.  It was opened by a Lithuanian canned mushroom entrepreneur and is known to the locals as “Stalin World.”  The owner drained a local marsh and put it in a walkway.  As you walk around, you will hear communist propaganda blasted at you from mock search towers and you will see large concrete statues of Lenin, Engels and many other communist idealists which were torn down when the Iron Curtain fell.

It is truly a unique experience and one that will put your life into perspective.  Visiting this place will make you realize how lucky we are to live in a free world.

Lithuania one of the fastest growing cities and commercial center in the world and its capital city, Vilnius, is one of the most attractive tourist places in Europe.

The main tourist destination in Vilnius is the Old Town, where you can see various architectural styles of different decades within centuries.  The main attractions are:

• Gediminas Tower - The Gediminas Tower is the oldest building and is recognized as the symbol of Vilnius and Lithuania.  In fact, it is depicted on the national currency and even in their poems and songs.

• Cathedral Square - Cathedral Square is famous for street fairs, parades, concert etc.

• Vilnius TV Tower - Vilnius TV tower is the tallest building in Lithuania.

• Castle of Trakai - Another favorite tourist destination is the Castle of Trakai.  It was built centuries ago on an island in Lake Galve.  Since then, it has been renovated and developed.  A museum decorated with a number of art and crafts items has been established.  Needless to say, the Castle of Trakai holds significant history.

If you are looking for a hotel, most Lithuania hotels provide comparatively inexpensive deals with exciting offers. The hotels are usually neat, clean and well-arranged.  Budget accommodations are also available if your budget is tight.  There are many good facilities available.

The best time to visit Lithuania is during summer and spring.  However, as in other places, be prepared to spend more money when visiting during peak season.  Online hotel booking can still provide you good deals even during peak season.  This can be in the form of a discounted price or by giving some gift items.

Most hotels in Lithuania have a feel of medieval period.  They showcase the glorifying history of Lithuania which many has attempted to demolish.  Still, visitors can experience a taste of the old luxury that kings used to enjoy in these hotels.

Prior to traveling to Lithuania, tourists can research on the details that they need to know regarding Lithuania.  There are various websites which discusses about everything you need to know about Lithuania such as their culture, people, political conditions, iconic landmarks, transport facility, etc.  It would be nice to be aware of all these things as these may impact your travel experience.

In the year 2000, the new administrative system of Lithuania is came into the limelight.  The country is divided into three tier administrative divisions.  These divisions are further divided into ten counties and are subdivided into sixty municipalities.  The municipalities are again further divided into five hundred elderates.  The elderates are the smallest division of government and are intended to solve the basic problem of the people.

It is good to note that the government is determined to establish Vilnius as the cultural hub of Europe and determined to provide the best governance to its citizen.