I just spent 12 days in Lithuania, and it was spectacular. My non-Rick Steves guidebook was not so spectacular. I’d love to see an RS book on the Baltics.
The city of Vilnius has terrific history, Michelin restaurants, very walkable. Klapeda has the Curonian Spit for beaches, more fascinating history and waterfront and forests.
It’s also a great place for amber jewelry. The weather in June was good. The traditional Lithuanian cuisine is hearty and delicious
I’m sure Estonia and Latvia have attractions as well.
Please Rick Steves, give us a Baltics book!
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
11616 posts
I will second this. I’m hoping to do a trip of the Baltics in the next year or two and would love RS a guide book.
Posted by
near San Francisco
6520 posts
As a partial, though dated solution, it appears you can still buy (and use with caution) the 2018 Rick Steves guide book that includes Tallinn.
https://store.ricksteves.com/products/helsinki-guidebook?_pos=1&_psq=Tall7&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Posted by
1051 posts
a bit on Vilnius, Lithuania
Compared with other Central and Eastern European cities, Vilnius took time to find its audience. But that added time has allowed the Lithuanian capital, at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia Rivers, to come into its own. Today, a burgeoning dining scene marries modern techniques from Scandinavia with local culinary traditions, while a booming tech sector reinvigorates one of the largest surviving Old Towns in Northern Europe.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
6709 posts
The Scandinavia guidebook has a section on Tallinn that would be more recent than the Helsinki book.
https://store.ricksteves.com/products/scandinavia-guidebook?variant=46201297731740
I don’t have the Scandinavia guidebook so I don’t know how many pages on Tallinn it includes.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3393 posts
I saw on Thriftbooks (used book site) a 1998 RS book "Russia and the Baltics" condition rated"good" for $6.19. Very dated, but at least post-Russian control. It could be a hoot anyway.
I believe Lonely Planet, DK and Rough guide have specfic books on the Baltics. (You probably already knew that!)
Best of luck in your research.
Posted by
17 posts
Good day, everyone.
I am happy that Angie1010 had amazing time in my home country Lithuania.
I am new to the forum, so I'd like to inquire if I am allowed to suggest books on the topic that are not by Rick Steves?
Posted by
Washington, D.C.
147 posts
For those interested in Vilnius, The New York Times just posted "36 Hours in Vilnius, Lithuania." Lots of good info there for folks to get started.
I've been to Vilnius five time in the last three years. I'm not a typical tourist, though. Son and his family live there, so I get to visit and play grandfather, grocery shop, run errands, get grandson off to school to camp, etc. Each trip has been great.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
11616 posts
Kootah, you can absolutely recommend other guidebooks. Just a reminder of the forum rules that you can not promote your own business.
Posted by
17 posts
Thank you, Andrea.
First of all, I would like to start from the official website of Vilnius tourism information “Go Vilnius”: https://www.govilnius.lt/ and I encourage to research their downloadable publications. In fact, most of our cities and towns have their own tourism information office and website. They are a good start. All their publications online are free.
Also:
1) In Your Pocket website: https://www.inyourpocket.com/data/download/vilnius (they ask for an e-mail in return, they never spam or cold mail, you can totally use a bogus e-mail). It is free.
2) Lonely Planet has a guidebook for the three Baltic States https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/estonia-latvia-lithuania?srsltid=AfmBOopxrA0Nxl_QsSFyNjCEKutA572V1lUsdaeOycGUbvTv3vcoQjIw but this is not free. On the good side, you can buy the whole book or just chapters you need. In general, I like Lonely Planet series. There are other publishing houses like Routledge, but I personally prefer Lonely Planet’s design to be more visually pleasing.
Unfortunately, there’s not much availability or diversity on the books about the Baltics in English. It all depends on how much translations cost, marketing, etc. Apparently, the market for Lithuania in English is small :-(
If I may, not a guidebook: opera “I LITUANI” by Ponchielli – Lithuanian National Opera & Ballet. It is free to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiQhHoOvPNI It is very beautiful. I hope you do not have any location issues and the browser plays.
I am willing to answer questions about Vilnius or Lithuania, if you have any.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
11616 posts
Kootah, thank you for the great information. Sharing of information is exactly what this travel forum is all about. My grandfather’s family came to the United States from Lithuania (it was Russia at that time) and I’m very interested in going there, as well as the other Baltic countries. We spent two weeks in Poland two years ago and loved it.
Posted by
Paris
11493 posts
Ah, In Your Pocket. I had no idea they were still around. I wonder if they are still the absolutely fabulous resources that they used to be. Loved those guides.
Posted by
17 posts
Andrea: historically many Lithuanians emigrated from Russian Empire. They went to the USA, Brazil, even Australia. We have tentative plans to create Museum of Our Emmigration. There was an exhibition about this topic last year or so and it was a massive hit. My family had some of our members escape the Iron Curtain, they finally settled in Detroit, worked at Ford factory.
Kim: In Your Pocket guides are still consistent with their design, which makes me happy. They have clear layout and give updated information. Safe bet, always.