Introduction
We have prepared an agenda of local best hits to spend a week in Lithuania. Not superficial, but full of authentic and memorable details. Be sure you will meet our biggest cities and get a grip on history and culture. See our main castles and countryside sights. Go off the beaten track, meet locals and get authentic experiences like homemade food and smoked fish in the picturesque Curonian region.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Cities of Vilnius and Kaunas uncovering our history
- Visiting two national parks and two regional parks
- Authentic castles of Trakai and Panemune.
- Authentic food of Karaims and smoked fish from a fisherman.
- Picturesque villages and nature of the Curonian lagoon.
- Explore Lithuanian wetlands and discover a fascinating bog
- Curonian spit with its dunes and broad horizons.
- The biggest in a world Amber Museum.
- Bird ringing station in Vente.
- Hill of Crosses.
- Visit one of the biggest Europe’s open air museum in Rumsiskes.
Min 2 persons required to book. Prices per person sharing double/twin room.
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
- Flights
- Additional Services
- Visit to Vilnius.
- Visit to St. Anne’s Church
- Visit to Rumsiskes village
- Visit to river Nemunas
1st DAY
Arrival to Vilnius.
Optional airport transfer to your hotel in Vilnius.
Let's meet with a welcome drink and we will give you a short brief about your tour and Vilnius not forgetting to recommend some dinner places and directions for an evening stroll.
Overnight in Vilnius.
2nd DAY
After breakfast – morning sightseeing tour will introduce you to Vilnius. Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. Walking tour includes visiting the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, St. Anne’s Church, Old University, the Gates of Dawn, Uzupis district which is known as the independent republic of Vilnius city.
After the sightseeing, the guide will lead you to the famous and oldest Vilnius food market – Hales market where you will have an opportunity to meet local food producers and sellers, ask them questions and bring home the real flavour of Lithuania. You will visit 4 or 5 different places and try the best taste of Lithuanian handcrafted cheese, rustic meat products, bread and drinks. Keep in mind, all products are created according to authentic recipes and tastes cherished by Lithuanian farmers. An experience takes around 1-1,5 hours.
In the afternoon we will visit Trakai, our historical capital and will admire its medieval castle build on the island in the lake Galve. It is also the only historical national park in Europe. Trakai is definitely a must visit place for tasting our local specialty – Kibinai – brought to us centuries ago by Karaim people from Crimea. You can taste this delicious meal while visiting Trakai (OPTIONAL)
The day will end in Vilnius and you will have a delicious evening option: by tasting Lithuanian historical dinner (OPTIONAL) or by trying out the best Lithuanian beers (OPTIONAL).
Overnight in Vilnius.
3rd DAY
When nearing Kaunas we will make a stop in Rumsiskes village that has all authentic countryside region houses built in one place. It is one of the largest Europe’s open air museums where you will learn about authentic architecture and folk tradition of different Lithuanian regions between 18 and 20th centuries.
The rest of the day in Kaunas will reveal to us how it felt to be in independent Lithuania between two World Wars, and how this vibrant city lives today. Don’t miss the chance to explore European Capital of culture of 2022!
Overnight in Kaunas
4th DAY
Drive a beautiful road by the river Nemunas that has a lot of castles and stop in Panemune Castle on the way. Following the biggest Lithuanian river Nemunas you will pass by it’s remote villages and towns which lay between the many rivers and channels. On this day you will also visit a fascinating 3 km long walking trail in the Aukstumala bog (it the weather conditions allow). In the late afternoon you will arrive to Rusne, the biggest island of Lithuania where you will be welcomed by our lovely local host with a hearty homemade dinner. Enjoy the evening at the homestead or go explore the tiny town of Rusne. For the perfect end of the day, enjoy local’s beloved hot sauna experience (OPTIONAL).
Overnight in Rusne cottage. Please note, that in a cottage the bathroom may be shared between a few rooms.
5th DAY
This day we will move along the Curonian lagoon exploring further it’s tiny villages and sights. In the morning you will find yourself in the bird watchers paradise – Vente horn ornithology station where thousands of birds pass every day on their way to Southern Hemisphere. Later in the day prepare for picturesque sand dunes, forests and tiny resort towns that used to be fishermen villages as we will explore the narrow Curonian spit peninsula on the other side of the lagoon. We will show you the full authenticity of this tiny, yet our favorite place of the land. We will make sure you will taste local smoked fish (OPTIONAL). And to make your trip more memorable – take some photos from breathtaking Parnidis dune before getting back to Klaipeda for the evening.
Overnight in Klaipeda.
6th DAY
We are heading back to Vilnius, but on this long drive there will be few hours in Palanga – our biggest summer resort on the Baltic sea coast that was popular in the 19th century among our nobles who were enjoying their time here. Expect to know more about amber also known as our gold in the biggest in the world Amber Museum. On our way to Vilnius will stop at the Hill of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. The exact number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 100.000. Evening in Vilnius, which you already know.
Overnight in Vilnius
7th DAY
This is a day to say "Good bye" and "See you next time" afterwards we drive You to the airport (OPTIONAL airport transfer).
