For inspiration this summer, head to Lithuania. The European country on the Baltic Sea has plenty to offer tourists, from wildlife to cultural festivals. The country is gearing up for the 100th anniversary of its restoration in the summer of 2018. The Singing Centenary celebration in the capital Vilnius in June 2018 will feature a riot of folk music, dance, art and masquerade.
From the cultural cafes of Vilnius to the street art of Kaunas, from the peace and quiet of the seaside to the adventures deep in the forest, here are the top reasons why Lithuania should be your next trip not only next summer during the Singing Centenary celebrations, but in the coming months as well.
On June 24, Lithuania kicks off the festival of the season and the nationwide celebration of St. John's Day on the eve of the summer solstice, which has been held for centuries. Locals stay up until dawn, strolling through town and village squares or spending time in the countryside, where bonfires are lit, herbs are gathered, and magical rituals are performed. The event takes place amid feasting, drinking, music, and barefoot dancing.
About 40km northwest of the capital Vilnius, Kernavė is a quiet place for most of the year. But this rich archaeological site comes alive when thousands descend on it during the summer solstice. The area includes hill forts and burial grounds and has UNESCO World Heritage status. The finds, dating back to the Paleolithic period, were first discovered in the XNUMXs and are remarkably well preserved thanks to layers of silt from the Neris River flooding. Many of the artefacts are on display in the site’s museum. You can even see ancient jewellery and well-preserved shoes.
If you’re looking for a taste of high culture, Vilnius is a good choice for a summer trip. Lithuania’s keen theatre-goers are regulars at the Vilnius Opera, an iconic 6s building. It’s also home to the annual Vilnius Festival in June, which features local and international musicians performing classical and contemporary pieces – everything from organ instruments to Japanese drums.
Vilnius restaurants offer their visitors extraordinary dishes. Many chefs have rethought traditional Lithuanian cuisine and decorated it with the latest gastronomic trends and experiments. A visit to Vilnius is a real gastronomic feast, where you can try the most delicious baked pike with almond milk, beetroot ravioli with ox cheek filling or amazing lemon ice cream. Business lunches are offered to visitors at quite reasonable prices.
If you tire of the bustling Vilnius, you can head to the peaceful countryside or the coast. Trakai is the smallest of the five national parks in Lithuania, but the largest in the country is Dzūkija National Park, which is within reach of Vilnius by train or car. Here you can admire the Dzūkija pine forests in crystal-clear springs and spend the night in traditional wooden houses.
When visiting Lithuania, don't miss the opportunity to visit the country's second largest city, Kaunas. This is a city where contemporary street art is thriving, there are many galleries and many creative people who delight visitors to Kaunas with their artistic masterpieces.
