Posts Tagged ‘Gedimas Tower’

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.

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania. It also holds the title of being its largest city. As of 2008, the population of Vilnius is at 555,000.

Vilnius has been occupied by Russia, France, Poland, and Germany since the 16th century. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990 forged the way for its independence during the same year.

Vilnius has been very successful in creating its own ultra-modern identity. As proof of this, they have been awarded the European Capital of Culture for 2009 along with Linz, Austria. It is nice to note that despite being conquered by its ultra-modern identity, Vilnius has retained a historic center with a diverse array of architectural styles although the overall flavor is Baroque.

The town center is the Cathedral Square. From there, a short walk will bring you to the old city comprised of its many historical buildings. There are a total of 1,500 buildings and an additional 40 churches which showcases the diverse styles of the city.

If you want to see a great view of the old town, you can climb up to the Gedimas Tower, which is a remnant of the once imposing 14th-century Upper Castle. You should also take the time to visit the Grand Courtyard as well as the many magnificent buildings at the ancient University of Vilnius.

The contrast between the new ultra-modern city center and the old town is very stunning. The contemporary buildings provide a sharp contrast to the old, historical buildings and will make you realize the movement of Vilnius in becoming a modern, buzzing Capital City. Restaurants, shops and museums are quickly populating throughout Vilnius and there is an energy to the city which will endear you to this modernizing Capital.

The winter in Vilnius is bitter cold. Ice fishing is a very popular pastime as the lakes and rivers freeze up. If you are not fond of drilling holes in the ice to catch fish, it would be best that you visit Vilnius during the summer.