Posts Tagged ‘old town’

A friend who has just gotten back from a vacation in Vilnius, Lithuania has been charmed by the city and came home full of wonderful impressions of Vilnius. He described Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania as a “chocolate box city of three-story Baroque buildings.”

His depiction of Vilnius was so romantic and charming that I got curious enough to make it my next holiday destination. Instead of going back to my favorite holiday destinations, I opted to explore something new. I thought it was a refreshing break from Europe’s mass tourist destinations.

My first impression of the town was pretty, homely and unpretentiously elegant. If you are looking for a big turbulent metropolis city, this is not the destination for you. Vilnius’ charm lies in its medieval roots. The Old Town is one of the largest surviving medieval towns in Eastern Europe. In fact it has been classified as a World Heritage site because of its numerous historic buildings.

According to history, Vilnius was the largest city in Eastern Europe and was blossoming in the Middle Ages. As the city was built during different centuries, you will find a blend of architecture with Baroque and Gothic dominant. The whitewashed Vilnius Cathedral and its medieval defense fortress and the intricate Gothic Church of St. Anne’s, simply creates a postcard-perfect city.

The most charming part of the city is the Vilnius Old Town. Quaint shops and cozy cafes set amongst a blend of intricate spires, domes and towers creates a remarkable scenery. Walking in the back streets also provide a you the true sense of medieval Lithuania.

They also have a lot of charming restaurants and cafes tucked away in the pretty courtyards. Some of the restaurants are set in the old atmospheric cellars and carry medieval deco themes. The food is great and very appetizing and is inexpensive for most European travelers.

Overall, the city provides high standard but affordable restaurants, hotels and entertainment. Compared to most of the Western European countries, everything in Vilnius is affordable. This makes Vilnius even more appealing.

In addition to that, the laid back atmosphere and the welcoming attitude of the locals make the city even more pleasant. The people of Vilnius love to spend as much time as possible outdoors. They love along the Old Town streets and sit at the lovely pavement cafes.

Most locals are welcoming and friendly to foreigners. Majority of the younger people speak English and will gladly assist you when you need help. They can provide you with directions, help you when you are lost and can even recommend the best places in town.

Vilnius is a charming place to experience living history. Wander through their medieval cobblestone streets, enjoy their diverse dining scene and elegant bars and get to know their people. The city is refreshing and will definitely make your holiday truly memorable.

Lithuania used to be the largest country in the northern Europe during the 1300s. However, its neighboring country annexed and destroyed it in 1795. Since then, Lithuania has reorganized itself and has become one of the fastest growing economies in the Europe.

Summer and spring are the best time to visit Lithuania. Some of the tourist attractions that you should not miss are:

1.  Hill of Crosses

Hill of crosses is beautifully bestowed with the divine beauty of nature.  When the teasing breeze breaks the silence, your heart will overflow with a rush of emotions.  It will provide you ultimate peace and will remind you of sweet memories.  This sight will make your Lithuania holiday truly memorable.

2.  National Museum

The National Museum is full of antique pieces of costumes, tools, weapons and jeweleries which are guaranteed mesmerize its visitors.  Be sure to take the time to visit.

3.  Trakai Island Castle

Trakai Island Castle is also called the ‘Little Marienburg’.  It has maintained its era old structure which was probably constructed around 1400.  Some say that it is the best place to spend the holidays in Lithuania.

4.  History Museum

The Trakai History Museum is famous for charting the history of the castle.  It is definitely worth visiting.

You can visit Lithuania either thru road, air and train.  Frequent flights are available from most of the European capitals to Vilnius.  There are also international trains which connect Vilnius to noted locations such as Moscow, St. Petersburg and Minsk.

The cheapest way to reach Lithuania is via bus.  Buses are available for destinations such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and Russia.  Car rental is very expensive so it would be best that you bring your own vehicle.  Another form of transportation that is becoming very popular in Lithuania are the bicycles.  Their pedestrian street is perhaps the longest in Europe.

Lithuania tours are mostly concentrated around places such as Kaunas and Vilnius. Kaunas is known as the battle centre.  It is situated in the intersection of two large rivers which happens to be the main trade route.  Such being the case, everyone wanted to establish the supremacy at that place and fights used to take place.

On the other hand, Vilnius is the capital city of Lithuania and is holds the title of being its largest city too.  It used to be surrounded by a wall which was constructed sometime during 1503 and 1522.  Unfortunately, the city wall was destroyed by Russia in 1795.  In 1812, it was seized by Napoleon.

During 1915 and 1918, Lithuania was under the control of Germany.  Russia took over in 1918.  In July 12, 1920, Lithuania signed a peace treaty and Vilnius was again recognized.  On the same year, Poland occupied Lithuania.

There are many beautiful historical monuments in Vilnius but it was destroyed by the Soviet Union.  At present, the old town serves as the true witness of glorifying Vilnius’ past.  Be sure to drop by the old town if you are visiting Vilnius to get a sense of their history.