Lithuanian experience
Day 1. Arrival to Vilnius. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner at national Lithuanian cuisine restaurant. Free time to explore Vilnius. Spend night in Vilnius
Highlights
Vilnius is capital of Lithuania and the largest city in the country. The founder of Vilnius is considered to be the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas who first mentioned name of Vilnius in the written chronicles in his letter to the towns of Western Europe in 1323. Vilnius was centre of the largest country in Europe in 14th - 15th centuries but today it has about 580 thousand inhabitants and one of the largest old towns in Eastern Europe that covers 360 hectares. Green parks and urban heritage are combined into unforgettable mix that so many visitors enjoy. Because of this unique mix of architecture and landscape it was included into UNESCO World Heritage List. One of the largest medieval old towns in Northern Europe, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vilnius Old Town is full of beautiful buildings, eclectic shops, picturesque churches and elegant palaces
Day 2. Vilnius sightseeing tour. Transfer to Trakai (28 km.). Lunch in Trakai. Transfer to charming spa town Druskininkai (106 km.) Dinner in Druskininkai. Overnight in Druskininkai.
Highlights
Trakai - the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit the 15th century Insular Trakai Castle housing an exhibition on prehistoric findings and the 17-18th century applied art, the way of life of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes, and the Karaites, brought to Lithuania from the Crimea.
Trakai Castle is one of the most visited tourist sites in Lithuania. A 300 m wooden bridge leading to the castle, and up to 12 km long channel connecting the lakes, halls and galleries of indescribable beauty, stained glass, frescoes, secret passageways fascinate even those who are indifferent to history. At present the castle is the home to the history museum, often hosting mediaeval tournaments, various concerts and craft days.
Druskininkai is the southernmost town of Lithuania. It is the oldest and the biggest resort of the country famous for its salty springs and mild and warm microclimate. City is surrounded by pine forests, majestic Nemunas River, lakes, playful Ratnyčios creek. It is full of squares and parks, Druskonis Lake is located in the centre of Druskininkai. In 1794, by the decree of Stanisław II August Poniatowski, Druskininkai was declared a therapeutic area. This is when a more thorough research of the healing resources was initiated. From as early as the beginning of the 19th century mineral water and mud baths were unofficially operating in Druskininkai. Today the mineral water and therapeutic mud, which has made this resort famous for hundreds of years, are combined with modern technologies.
Nowadays the resort is famous for its old traditions of sanatorium treatment, amazing nature and rapidly developing tourism services infrastructure. It is an international resort of active recreation and therapy.
Day 3. Trip to Dzukija National Park (40 km.). Cooking lesson of Lithuanian specialities and lunch. Spa facilities in Druskininkai. Overnight in Druskininkai.
Highlights
Dzukija National Park located in Southern part of Lithuania, famous for wild forests, mushrooms and berries, authentic villages and friendliness of local people. Zackagiris (Zacka Forest) nature path winds through a picturesque area embracing ethnographic villages that have been declared ethno cultural reserves, landscape reserves, wind-swept sand dunes, the Skroblus Reserve in the conservation zone of the park and Cepkeliai Marsh, the largest wildlife sanctuary in Lithuania. The National Park is also distinctive for its rich cultural heritage, namely, its Dzūkai villages, which have preserved their traditional architectural features as well as the local residents’ unique way of life.
Day 4. Transfer to Kaunas (135 km). Lunch. Kaunas sightseeing tour. Farewell dinner. Spend night in Kaunas
Highlights
Kaunas. Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania, first mentioned in an old manuscript of 1361. It is situated in the valley of two longest rivers of Lithuania: Nemunas and Neris. The town itself became an example of a confluence of people and cultures, an attractive blend of architecture and nature. The town has seen many ups and downs, but has stayed the source of forces for resistance, the guard of national identity, and has once actually been the temporary capital of Lithuania.
The tour includes: the Old Town of Kaunas with St. George's Church, Kaunas Castle built at the confluence of Nemunas and Neris rivers, the courtyard of the Theological seminary, the Town Hall Square surrounded by former 16th - 18th century merchants’ dwelling houses and baroque churches - the Jesuit Church and the Cathedral, the Church of Vytautas dating back to the 14th century and the Perkunas (Thunder) House (no visits inside); a walk on the central street - Liberty avenue - bustling with street vendors, musicians, full of cafes and souvenir shops; afternoon visits include Ciurlionis Picture Gallery and Devils’ Museum.
M.K. Ciurlionis Picture Gallery preserves and exhibits the works of the famous Lithuanian artist, Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis, who painted and composed music at the turn of 20th century.
Devils’ Museum contains a collection of sculptures and carvings of devils collected by Lithuanian painter Antanas Zmuidzinavicius. His private collection gave start to the museum which now houses several thousand devil figurines both local and from all over the world.
Pazaislis Monastery and Church. Located in splendid isolation among the fields and woodlands of the right bank of Nemunas river is a striking Baroque ensemble in Northern Europe founded in 1662 by the Great Chancellor Krzysztof Zygmunt Pac ordered by the Camaldolese Hermits. The main construction has been built in 1674 when the entire ensemble was finished in 1712. The building and the dome was founded after 1755 by king’s chamberlain Michal Jan Pac.
Day 5. Transfer to Vilnius. Departure.
- 4 overnights at centrally located 3* hotels, 2 of them with SPA facilities
- 4 buffet breakfasts
- 3 Lunches (2 -Local lunches in a homestead)
- 1 Cooking lesson
- 3 Dinners
- Transportation (1st class)
- Guide (Multilingual)
- Entrances
- Flights to/from Vilnius airport
- Personal travel insurance