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Travel in and around Lithuania

We will be living in Lithuania from Jan. through June 2011 and want to see and learn as much as we possibly can during that time. Does anyone have advice on where to go in and around Lithuania? Thank you for your help.
Betty

Posted by
289 posts

We just spent 4 nights in Vilnius, Lithuania so can only comment on the city along with Trakai. We really enjoyed our time in Vilnius. Do you know where you will be living? You may want to post over in the Trip Advisor forum for insight as some locals post there. Let me know about questions related to Vilnius or Trakai.

Posted by
12040 posts

Vilnius = Prague without the tourist mobs and souvenir stands. One of the most under-rated cuisines in Europe... and some of the worst beer I've tried anywhere.

Posted by
1 posts

Hi Betty, During the spring and early summer, check out Klaipeda, Palanga, and Nida on the Baltic coast. The sand dunes of Nida are pretty spectacular. I know, sand sounds boring but it's amazing to see how huge they are, like towering hills of sand along the coast. You'll also see remnants of German history there from the period of the Hanseatic League. The German writer, Thomas Mann, had a summer home in Nida and I think it is now a museum. In Palanga, if you're interested in amber, there's the Tiskiewicz Palace (Tiskeviciaus Rumai in Lithuanian) which houses an amber museum. The grounds are pretty. Palanga itself can be a bit "touristy" as it is a summer resort town. If you'll be there during the summer solstice, you're bound to see some all night midsummer's eve celebrations. The Lithuanians/Latvians/Estonians make a big deal out of their solstice. Bonfires, parties, concerts, etc. I'm not sure what your interests are but if you're into history and culture, you might also find the Rumsiskes ethnographic museum interesting. The baroque monastery of Pazaislis has beautiful art from the period. Trakai castle outside of Kaunas is another option. It has been used as a set for various films. Did you see the HBO production of Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons? It was filmed in Lithuania and most of it at Trakai. Phew! I hope I didn't overwhelm you with too much information. Have a wonderful time in Lithuania! Don't be afraid to ask the locals for advice. They're likely to give you honest opinions over some of the paid tour guides over there. Here is the Lithuanian Embassy website for more info: http://usa.mfa.lt/index.php?-1007130156 Have a fantastic trip!
--Gaile

Posted by
14482 posts

Betty, If you're interested in Prussian history and geography, see Klaipeda (Memel), as suggested above, which was in the most northeastern part of East Prussia called Memelland. There is a ferry connection from Klaipeda (Memel) to Germany, which goes from Klaipeda to Kiel. See if the historical castle is still in Memel.