Lithuania isn't listed as a specific country in the drop-down, so I'm posting this in 'General Europe'. If it would be better in 'Beyond Europe', perhaps a mod could move it there.
We're planning on the Rick Steves 'Best of Poland in 10 days' tour next year. We like to 'bookend' our tours with some individual trips, to give us more time and more experience in the region.
Earlier this year we 'tagged on' a visit to Ljubljana and Lake Bled, Slovenia after our RS tour ended in Vienna, and it was great. So for this Poland trip, we were thinking of visiting Vilnius, Lithuania and possibly the surrounding area. We've visited just about every country in Europe already, so Lithuania presents an opportunity to see something new.
So ... is Lithuania a hidden gem? Is it worth the time and effort, compared to visiting other locations in the area? Is it generally considered 'safe' for a visitor from the US? Is travel out into the countryside (to 'mainstream' tourist destinations) practical? We love riding trains around Europe, and would prefer to use trains if possible, along with some organized day-trips.
We're just starting the planning process, so your thoughts are most welcome!
PS - weather. We haven't picked a date yet. We prefer cooler temperatures when we travel, and usually visit Europe in April or October - but we don't like too much rain, or snow. Is October likely to be a good time to visit Lithuania?