This small country in the north of Europe has everything to win your heart: amazing nature, magnificent architecture, original cuisine, as well as excellent opportunities for relaxation and recovery. Welcome to your holiday in Lithuania!
On the world map, Lithuania occupies a very small area, and besides, it is one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth. Nevertheless, for tourists this is a real paradise because everything is nearby, everything is nearby, and there are a lot of sights and specialties. And the main treasure of Lithuania is, of course, Vilnius, one of the smallest and at the same time the most beautiful European capitals.
Walks Around Vilnius
The Old Town of Vilnius is recognized by UNESCO as the largest historical and architectural complex in Eastern Europe. Here, every house is a monument. Start your tour from Castle Hill. It was here that Prince Gediminas dreamed of an iron wolf – a symbol of invulnerability – and founded the future city of Vilnius. The majestic octagonal tower built at the end of the 14th – beginning of the 15th century reminds of those times. Inside the building, there is an interesting historical exposition, and at the top, there is an observation deck with a breathtaking view of the city.
Walking around the city, pay attention to the architecture – this is a completely unimaginable mix of different eras and styles. The elegant Church of Saints Peter and Paul is a pearl of the Baroque, the grandiose Cathedral is an example of classicism, and the elegant Church of St. Anne is a flaming Gothic. By the way, this temple at one time fell in love with Napoleon so much that he even wanted to dismantle it and transport it in parts to Paris.
Vilnius University, the oldest in Eastern Europe, is also an example of a mixture of styles. It was built several centuries, and therefore there are so many buildings from different eras. But it has its own charm. Wander around its cozy courtyards, admire the medieval fountains and magnificent galleries, and be sure to visit the library – its frescoed vaulted ceilings can be viewed for hours.
One of the most interesting corners of Vilnius is the Uzupis district, the Lithuanian Montmartre, the republic of artists and poets. Surprisingly, this secluded artistic piece of the capital has its own constitution, president, government, and even an army! This is definitely a must-see.
And to complete the walk around Vilnius is in one of the cozy restaurants. Fragrant mushroom soup in bread, the most delicate zeppelins, the famous shakotis cake cooked on an open fire, magical herbal and berry tinctures, and, of course, delicious Lithuanian bread – the local cuisine will conquer the most sophisticated gourmet!
Lithuanian SPA-Resorts
Do you want to be alone with yourself, take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and improve your health? Lithuania has something to offer you! Health tourism here is developing by leaps and bounds. New SPA hotels are being opened, old Soviet sanatoriums are being reconstructed, the infrastructure and medical base of the resorts are being developed.
Druskinikai
In Lithuania, the main health and beauty resort is Druskininkai, located about 2 hours from Vilnius. There is everything for relaxation and recuperation: the purest air, pine forests, sodium-rich mineral water, therapeutic mud, and, of course, upscale SPA hotels with the richest infrastructure: the Grand SPA Lietuva complex, the Spa Vilnius hotel, the Europa Royale Druskininkai hotel and others. The most advanced procedures are at the service of vacationers: from pearl and mud baths to cryotherapy and a pressure chamber.
Treatment can be combined with rest and active sports. There are several excellent water parks in the city. By the way, on the last Friday of each month, a special time is allocated for those who want to swim in the costumes of Adam and Eve, and the daredevils are awarded special certificates.
And beyond the Neman River, which can be crossed by funicular, an indoor ski slope Snow Arena has been built with slopes of two difficulty levels, which operates both in winter and in summer.
Birstonas
Another Lithuanian resort located on a “dome” of mineral water is Birštonas. Here, treatment is carried out according to the principles of the philosophy of Sebastian Kneipp, who proposed a system of five elements for healing: water, movement, medicinal herbs, the harmony of the soul, and healthy nutrition. In the city center, there is even a special area, which is called the “Kneip health garden”. Be sure to take a walk along the paths filled with pebbles, wood chips, small twigs – you will feel the therapeutic effect of such walks very soon. And be sure to check out the unique Druskupis tower, made from cherry branches. Mineral water flows along its walls, saturating the air with mineral vapors and healing the body.
The fashionable hotels of Birštonas – the Vytautas Mineral SPA complex, the Egle sanatorium – offer their guests many pleasant and useful procedures: from massages and powerful showers to mud baths, salt rooms, and pools. The resort also provides such a unique type of treatment as amber therapy. Be sure to try amber oil massage on an amber massage table and amber water – this famous Lithuanian stone has powerful healing properties.
As you can see, Lithuania offers holidays for every taste – for the soul and for the body. Take advantage of this, because for every minute spent here you will get more – more space, more pleasure, more health, and more life!
