LithuaniaWelcome to the Country of Basketball!

11 Reasons to Vis i t in 2011

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The Dzūkija National Park

The Trakai Historical National Park

The Aukštaitija National Park

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The Curonian Spit National Park

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Internat ional Hanseat ic Days

Have a blast at the Kaunas Hansa festival!

Kaunas is the only Hansa city in Lithuania. Currently, the new Hansa Union consists of 176 cities in 15 countries. Kaunas will have the honour of organizing the International Hanseatic Days on 19–22 May, 2011. Prepare for a journey back in time, back to the Middle Ages. Thousands of guests from more than 100 European cit-ies are expected. Four days of clanging armour, rattling drums, and people rushing to the Great European Knight Tournament. Artists, mimes, magicians and fakirs will celebrate at the medieval carnival. Hear the most famous medieval band in the world Corvus, Corax. Look for neat items in a huge medieval fair.

Ancient ships will sail the rivers Nemunas and Neris. Fireworks and a fire show will set the sky on fire under the confluence of the two rivers. Myriads of hot air balloons will float over the Old Town – then a hot air balloon championship and Nocturnal fiesta will take place. Join the trip to the skies!

Don’t miss this fabulous event . The International Hanseatic Days 2011 (19–22 May). Be there!

www.hanzakaunas.lt / http://visit .kaunas.lt

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You are in Lithuania. Feel the surrounding green nature: meadows and hills are everywhere. Hear how the land is praised by sing-ing birds. Five national parks are waiting for you. Travel through refresh-ing forests, see cultural monuments: castles, mounds, churches, crosses.

Lithuania’s rivers and lakes are calling to be explored; numerous resorts and spa centres are ready to share the healing secrets of mineral springs. Hear the soughing of the sea, feel the grains of sand on your fin-gers as they disappear from your palm. Get a traditional amber necklace and bring a piece of Lithuania back home.

Did you know that the name Lithuania is a thousand years old? Dis-cover Lithuanian history and art. Theatres, exhibitions, con-certs, festivals – all for your entertainment. In Lithuania you can listen to world-class classical music, watch numerous plays and operas in the country’s 30 theatres and enjoy high quality contemporary art.

Need a good place for a conference, seminar or meeting? Look no fur-ther. Experienced Lithuanian travel agencies will help you find confer-ence halls and make sure everything goes smoothly. Hotels, holiday camps, homesteads, guest and recreation houses are ready for your stay.

Taste Lithuania, literally. Take a bite of brown bread and feel the golden rye. Spread some honey, put a slice of white cheese on top and enjoy... Don’t forget to thank those little workers buzzing in the mead-ows. If you are thirsty, have a sip of Lithuanian kvass. Smile. You are in Lithuania.

You are in Lithuania!

Vi ln ius Ci ty

Vilnius is one of the few European capitals that can be enjoyed from a bird’s eye view — from a hot air

balloon, that is. Interested?www.vilnius-tourism.lt

V i ln ius C i ty

Discover the cosy Old Town of Vilnius

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Discover St. Anne’s Church. It is a true Gothic marvel, considered a masterpiece by art historians worldwide. Bricks of 33 different profiles were used to build this 15th century sanctuary. As one well-known legend goes, Napoleon himself was so impressed with the church’s elegance that he wanted to take it back to Paris ‘in the palm of his hand’. The French soldiers had established a storeroom there and also held war prisoners. In one letter to his wife Napoleon mentioned that Vilnius was a very beautiful city. St. Anne’s Church stands near the Bernardine Monastery and the Church of St. Francis which have features of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical architecture.

The bridge over the river Vilnia will take you to the independent Republic of Užupis, also know as the Montmartre of Vilnius. Its citi-zens have not only their own Seal (a gold glimmering Angel) but a Constitution as well. Look for Užupis at the beginning of Paupio St. Pleasant cafes, art galleries, an eco-market, wine shops and the Tibet square are worth visiting too. Take Maironio St. up to the observation spot in Subačiaus St. and examine the city’s defence wall, the barbi-can, and the wonderful panorama of Vilnius Old Town.

Situated at the confluence of the rivers Neris and Vilnia, the capital of Lithuania is one of the

most visited cities in Eastern Europe. The Vilnius Old Town – a Ba-roque masterpiece as they say – was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Vilnius has long been called Little Rome, North Athens or North Jerusalem. Approximately 40 churches of various architectural styles stand here, and some authentic buildings with Gothic, Renaissance or Classical features have survived.

The Old Town of Vilnius is small and cosy. Narrow streets and pas-sages will have you disappear into a world of flower-decorated court-yards, churches and museums in no time. Begin your journey at the Gates of Dawn. The miraculous, gracious painting of the Holy Virgin Mary is an attraction for religious people across the world. Going down Pilies St. and passing City hall, you will be tempted by inviting cafes and restaurants. Look for the Wall of Artists in Literatų St. with more than 100 ornate wooden, ceramic or glass plates containing in-formation about local writers and poets and foreign ones who found Vilnius a great place in which to write. Listen to street musicians as you go.

An unforgettable taste of summer, the soughing of the sea and hot sand – discover all this in the Lithuanian oasis, the Curonian Spit. Watch how quickly the wind covers your footprints in the sand. Close your eyes and feel free. “It feels like standing at the entryway to Heaven,” the French writer Jean-Paul Sartre described his visit to the Curonian Spit.

The narrow and lengthy peninsula, washed by the Baltic Sea and Curonian Sea (Kuršių marios), reminds one of a desert. We call it Kuršių nerija (the Curonian Spit). It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 as one of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in Europe. The strip of sand, stretching into the sea, has several cosy, neat and picturesque fishermen’s villages: Juodkrantė, Pervalka and Nida.

Juodkrantė is worth visiting because of its quay, the rebuilt old stylish villas, and fishermen’s houses surrounded by gardens and par-terres. The Hill of Herons (Garnių kalnas) nearby is home to one of the largest grey heron and cormorant colonies in Europe.

Nida enjoys the largest number of sunny days in Lithuania per year. Another unique feature of this place is the weathercocks. They

Curonian Spit (Kurš ių ner i ja )

Once you come here, you’ll want to return again and again!

www.visitneringa.com

Curonian Spit (Kurš ių ner i ja )

Relax in the Lithuanian oasis – the Curonian Spit!

used to mark a particular village’s ownership of the kurėnas (a type of sail-ship).

Take a cognitive walk on the two-kilometre-long Parnidis path-way. It begins in Tylos slėnis (the Valley of Silence) and passes the Nida lighthouse, the biggest one on the Lithuanian coast. The path-way meanders to the Parnidis dune observation spot, a very popular attraction in the Curonian Spit. Here you can observe the Baltic and Curonian Seas, watch the sunset, and feel the unique chemistry of the two bodies of water.

For 9 kilometres – from Juodkrantė to Pervalka – lies the Nagliai reserve, a unique landscape of drifting dunes.

The Curonian Spit is an unforgettable experience. Rent a nice villa, spend numerous hours in the white dunes that provide cover from the wind, bathe in the wavy Baltic Sea, and try some fish caught and smoked by local fishermen: bream, eel, and flatfish. Visit the Curonian Spit and you will understand why this place has long been an attrac-tion for tourists and artists.

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Lithuanian resorts and mo dern spa

centres offer a wide variety of services and quality. Rest in nature, breathe the fresh air and enjoy the exceptional attention of spa workers, relaxing massages, remedial baths and the unique amber therapy. Healthcare specialists will assess your condition and pre-scribe relevant recreational and rehabilitation treatment procedures.

The flexible prices have been praised by many tourists. Lithuania is becoming a more attractive destination for medical tourism. Visit Lithuanian odontology clinics and you will see that the prices are much lower than in the UK and the treatment is of exceptional qual-ity.

Druskininkai is the oldest, most famous healthcare resort in Lithuania. It is an international recreational centre with modern in-frastructure and rich in natural resources. The town has 7 mineral water springs, 9 sanatoriums and 1 balneological treatment facility with the latest diagnostics and treatment methods. Feel the effects of mineral, whirlpool, oxygen, herbal and mud baths, and enjoy the salt rooms.

Resor ts and spas

Situated in the Nemunas Loops Regional Park, the town of Birštonas has been well known in the entire Russian empire since the 19th century for its balneological treatment facilities. Relaxing procedures and a leisure in nature will take away your fatigue in no time. The spa centres here use natural medical mud and mineral wa-ter from springs.

The town of Neringa, situated in the picturesque national park of Curonian Spit, is a prestigious international resort. Its exceptional properties are determined by the unique surrounding nature. In Neringa you will enjoy calm recreation, and fresh, resin-smelling air. You will be enchanted by the white beaches and the picturesque 50-kilometre-long bicycle trail.

The sea resort of Palanga offers a variety of entertainment and remedial procedures. There are lots of cafes, night clubs and casinos. Have a walk in the Tiškevičiai Palace Park or listen to concerts and poetry on calm August evenings.

Try cold therapy, music therapy, and taste amber tea!

www.visitspas.eu/lithuania

Resor ts and spas

Revitalize yourself in Lithuanian resorts!

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Events , pubs, n ightc lubs

Spend the weekend the Lithuanian way!

In Lithuania everything is taken into consideration: from great entertainment to Lithuanian romance!

www.eb.lt / www.vilnius-events.lt

What’s the first thing to surprise you in Lithuania? Short distances and low prices! If in London taking a cab costs around £20, here you will pay four times less, and for a longer distance. What else? Well, your native language will get you going at every nightclub or res-taurant.

Experience the cosy and wild atmosphere of Vilnius: never-end-ing summer festivals under Baroque arches: from classical music, live music concerts to cinema festivals – something for every taste. Have a blast at the most famous jazz festivals in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda.

Return to the Middle Ages on the Trakai island or in the town of Kernavė: hear the weapons clang, watch modern knights fight, try traditional medieval dishes prepared using old recipes, discover the secrets of ancient crafts. Do not miss the highlight of summer – the Sea Festival in Klaipėda in August (www.jurossvente.lt). The regatta of great tall ships never fails to impress.

Join the motley crowd at the Kaziukas Fair in spring. On the first March weekend bargain with thousands of artisans and discover an-cient Lithuanian crafts. On the Fool’s Day (1st of April) blend in with the people and celebrate the independence of Užupis. March side by side with rockers, angels and mortals. On the first weekend of May, many streets of Vilnius are breathing with jazz, rock and classical mu-sic. It is the traditional Street Musicians Day.

Party till the break of dawn throughout the entire summer with young people in nightclubs and pubs. The best Lithuanian DJs will find a beat for even the most hard to please lovers of dance music and will definitely have you rocking the dancefloor. The majority of clubs and cafes are open till late and offer free admission.

Events , pubs, n ightc lubs8 9

Travel back in time and take part in a unique Soviet reality drama waiting for you just 25 kilometres from Vilnius. Five metres underground and you are in the USSR participating in 1984. Sur-vival drama in a Soviet bunker. Three

hours of Soviet reality – it’s much more than just a show! Professional actors, accompanied by a wolfhound, accept no compromise: no cell-phones or cameras allowed in the bunker!

United Kingdom Channel Five called this performance the most extraordinary tourist attraction in Europe! Only here can you be ac-cused of being a KGB informant, smuggling illegal medicine or hav-ing way too much foreign currency.

These offences are punishable by certain physical exercises or be-ing locked in a solitary cell. But if you survive, you will get to taste barley coffee and canned meat, which was very popular during the Soviet period.

Soviet her i tage

A bizarre tourist attraction!

Are you ready to recall and experience the Soviet period?

www.sovietbunker.com / www.grutoparkas.lt

Swim, ride, fly, climb, cycle, walk, play… Get going!

www.dzukijosparkas.lt / www.anp.lt www.zemaitijosnp.lt / www.pajuris.info

Active recreation in Lithuania!

Travel through five Lithuanian national parks. Experience how green and welcoming Lithuania is. Did you know that there are about 3000 lakes and lakelets here?

In summer bathe in the crystal clear lakes of the Aukštaitija, Žemaitija and Dzūkija national parks, and visit ethnographic villages and mills. Travel on the Lithuanian rivers and lakes – it is one of the most entertaining ways of getting to know the country because you will be able to visit some historical places as you swim.

Grab a bike and cycle through the most beautiful places in Lithu-ania. The coastal bicycle trail is 110 kilometres long. Equestrian cen-tres offer various rides with experienced guides who will tell you the history of cultural and natural monuments.

Fly a hot air balloon – it is a new and interesting way to explore the beautiful Lithuanian landscape! The number of hot air balloons for every 1000 people puts Lithuania in the leading position. Maybe you would like to paraglide from the Green Hills (Žaliosios kalvos)? Do a parachute jump from a plane? That can be arranged!

National parks10 11

Gastronomic her i tage

Try for yourself how savoury Lithuanian food is!

There are approximately 200 different sorts of beer brewed in Lithuania. What’s your favourite?

www.eb.lt / www.idabasar.lt

The majority of Lithua-nian fairy-tales have a similar happy ending: eating and drinking for three days... If

you wish to taste the entire Lithuanian cuisine, prepare for a lengthy stay.

The oldest traditional Lithuanian drinks are mead and herbal bran-dies of various types. Lithuania is also famous for its brewers. Lager or dark, non-filtered or honey beer will definitely get you talking.

A contemporary restaurant culture does exist and even thrives in Lithuania, and it’s easy to find. For every cafe or restaurant owner, qual-ity meals and flawless service are top priorities.

In the Old Town of Vilnius you will find a restaurant/museum (the only one of its kind). Here you can enjoy the 14th–18th century master-pieces of Lithuanian cuisine – everything that once was available only to the Lithuanian noblemen. Cosy wine shops will offer the best wines from all over the world.

Try dancing the Suktinis (traditional Lithuanian dance) and become familiar with the merry and

energetic way of Lithuanian people!www.kernave.org / www.llbm.lt

Nat ional customs

Dance and have fun the Lithuanian way!

Did you know that cer-tain Lithuanian musical in-struments are absolutely unique? You won’t find a daudytė (a straight wooden tube made from ash) or wooden bells anywhere else. Another example of the unique cultural heritage is sutartinės – polyphonic songs that are preserved by folklore ensembles.

Visit the town of Rumšiškės’s museum in the open and see for your-self how different the five regions of Lithuania are in their lifestyle and spoken language. The host brewing beer while singing – something like this can be seen in Aukštaitija. Feast your eyes on chequered textures in the woody Dzūkija. Pat a žemaitukas (a certain pony breed) in Samogi-tia (Žemaitija) and look for a doghouse with a door in Suvalkija. Feel as if you were a fisherman’s son in Lithuania Minor. Say goodbye to win-ter with a bang in January – celebrate Shrove Tuesday and eat as many tasty pancakes as you can. In April, during Easter, learn to decorate and roll eggs. On St. John’s Day – which has the shortest night of the year – try jumping over bonfires. Definitely come to Dainų šventė – the best known Song and Dance Celebration in Lithuania.

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Here you will find original amber (also known as Lithuanian gold) necklaces and other jewellery.

www.amberline.lt

Souvenirs , fashion, des ign

Great shopping in Lithuania

A photo by Lina Fisheye

The town of Trakai and i ts surroundings

Get medieval in Trakai!

Visit the unique Trakai national park, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List!

www.trakai.info / www.seniejitrakai.lt

The towers of the Trakai Island Castle, casting their reflections on the surface of Lake Galvė, are reminders of the 15th century when the Great Duchy of Lithuania was at the peak of glory and its lands reached as far as the shores of the Black Sea.

The Island Castle, built during the 14th–15th centuries, was one of the strongest fortresses and one of the most important places for guests. Messengers and dukes embraced its halls. Present-day kings and presidents have also paid a visit.

The town of Trakai is surrounded by 5 huge lakes. Relax on the beaches, admire breathtaking panoramas form the deck of a yacht or a recreational boat. In summer attend classical music concerts and medieval craft festivals at the Trakai Castle Historical Museum.

Visit Užutrakis – a historical manor on the other side of Lake Galvė. The estate and the English style park were established at the end of the 19th century. Today, Užutrakis is in the best of times once again. From the end of July until the end of August chamber music evenings are organized here.

When in Lithuania, use the opportunity to shop for the upcoming season at low prices. The country is famous for its designers whose col-lections can be seen at world-class fashion events. Designer Giedrius Šarkauskas creates impressive linen clothes.

“LT-identity” by designers Ieva Ševiakovaitė and Jolanta Rimkutė is a collection where Lithuanian romance and natural, light fabrics combine.

Interested in traditional Lithuanian souvenirs? Don’t miss art galleries, shops selling amber jewellery, linen clothing, wooden and leather crafts.

Lithuania is known for its quality and affordable gold and silver jewel-lery. Established jewellers use exotic and expensive materials and cer-tified gemstones to make high quality works. Various famous galleries: “Yurga”, “Amber Gallery”, and “Meno niša” are selling the original jewel-lery.

Oh, and one more thing – smithery. It is a very old craft in Lithuania and impressive enough to get the attention of UNESCO. At a smith’s workshop you will find artistic candlesticks, interior decorations, or a lucky horseshoe. Don’t forget to bring something for your family.

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Lithuania in a nutshellOfficial name: Republic of Lithuania.Area: 65,300 km2.Population: 3.25 million. Population density: 52 people/km2.Political system: parliamentary democracy. Head of State President Dalia Grybauskaitė (until 2013). The Republic of Lithuania is a member of the EU, Schengen area and NATO.

Capital: Vilnius (population: 548,835).Largest cities: Kaunas (population: 348,624), Klaipėda (population: 182,752 ), Šiauliai (population: 125,453), Panevėžys (population: 111,959).Official language: Lithuanian (the Baltic languages group).Time zone: GMT + 2.

Coat of arms: white Vytis (a knight) on a red background.

National flag is composed of three (yellow, green and red) equal horizon-tal stripes.Currency: Lithuanian litas (Lt), (LTL); (1 EUR = 3.4528 Lt).Neighbouring countries: Latvia, Belarus, Poland, Russia (Kaliningrad).Cell phone code: +370...

GSM service providers: “Omnitel”, “Bitė”, “Tele2”.

Information number: 118.

Emergency number: 112.

Internet: Wireless (WiFi). Available in many public areas of the largest cities. 59.3% of the population uses the Internet.

Ethnic groups: 83.1% Lithuanian, 6% Polish, 4.8% Russian.Religion: 79% Roman Catholic.Climate: maritime/continental. Temperature in summer: 18–30°C. Tem-perature in winter: 0–10°C below zero.Landscape: Lithuania is a country of plains and forests: flats comprise approximately 75% of the area and even 31% is covered by forests.

Coastline: 90 km (the Baltic Sea).Longest river: Nemunas – 937 km (475 km in the territory of Lithuania).

Public holidays:January 1 – New Year's Day;February 16 – Day of Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania (1918);March 11 – Day of Restitution of Independence of Lithuania (from the Soviet Union, 1990);April 24 and 25 – Easter;May 1 – International Labour Day, Mother’s Day;June 24 – St. John's Day (Day of Dew);July 6 – Statehood Day (commemorates the coronation of the first king, Mindaugas);August 15 – Assumption Day;November 1 – All Saints' Day;December 24 – The Christmas Eve;December 25 and 26 – Christmas.

Published by JSC “VIP Viešosios informacijos partneriai”, 2011.Pictures by L. Druknerytė, D. Vitkauskaitė, V. Ščiavinskas, L. Ciūnys, L. Fisheye,

M. Kulbis, P. Gasiūnas, A. Varanka, K. Driskius, K. Kantautas, N. Skrudupaitė,R. Anusauskas, K. Stalnionytė, E. Paukštė, L. B. Paukštytė.

Printed by JSC “Arx Baltica”.

Lithuanian State Department of Tourism under The Ministry of EconomyŠvitrigailos str. 11M, LT-03228 Vilnius, Lithuania;

Tel.: +370 521 087 96, fax: +370 521 087 53, E-mail: vtd@tourism.ltwww.tourism.lt

www.Lithuania.travel

Lithuanian tourism information centres abroad

United KingdomLITHUANIAN NATIONAL TOURISM

BOARD Tel.: +44 02070341222

E-mail: info@lithuaniatourism.co.uk

www.lithuaniatourism.co.uk

FinlandLIETTUAN MATKAILUNEUVONTA / LITAUENS TURISTINFORMATION

Tel.: +358 504087825E-mail: info@liettua.fi

www.liettua.fi / www.litauen.se

FranceOFFICE DU TOURISME DE LITUANIE

Tel.: +33 146225384E-mail: infotourlituanie@orange.fr

www.InfoTourLituanie.fr

GermanyBALTIKUM TOURIZMUS ZENTRALE

(BTZ) ESTLAND-LETTLAND-LITAUEN Tel.: +49 3089009180

E-mail: marc.burgdorff@baltikuminfo.de

www.baltikuminfo.de

ItalyENTE NAZIONALE LITUANO PER IL

TURISMOTel.: +39 0632600310

E-mail: info@turismolituano.itwww.turismolituano.it

PolandCENTRUM INFORMACJI

TURYSTYCZNEJ REPUBLIKI LITEWSKIEJ

Tel.: +48 226969815E-mail: info@litwatravel.com

www.litwatravel.com

RussiaИНФОРМАЦИОННЫЙ ЦЕНТР ПО

ТУРИЗМУ ЛИТВЫ В РОССИИ Тel.: +7 4956970814

E-mail: litinfo@sovintel.ruwww.litinfo.ru

SpainCENTRO DE INFORMACIÓN

TURÍSTICA DE LITUANIATel.: +34 667693931

E-mail: info@lituaniatrade.comwww.lituaniatur.com

EU structural support 2007-2013

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See You in L i thuania ! EN

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