Lithuanian Experience

10 days / 9 nights Guided Tour

999 miles across the land of Lithuania - magical experience awaits you!

Departures for 2017 : May 19, June 16, June 30, August 11, September 1

Absolute success since 2005, introducing not only to main tourist sights of Lithuania (Vilnius, Trakai, Kaunas, Rumsiskes, Seaside), but also to cultural life, traditions, lifestyle of locals. Picnic in a farmstead, visit to National Park and much more fun! All departure dates are fixed to suit traditional cultural events.

(Package includes accommodation with brekfasts, lunches, welcome and farewell dinners, guide, transportation and entrance fees.)
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Make it, bake it, taste it!

Lithuanian speciality - šakotis (tree cake) - the novelty of Lithuanian Experience tour from 2016 !

Visit bakery-restaurant in Dzukija and learn Lithuanian culinary secrets!

The cake became popular during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569–1791). Its origins are attributed to either the Italian Queen Bona Sforza of Poland or the Baltic tribe of Yotvingians. The Yotvingians settled in the early and high Middle Ages in Podlasie, while Bona Sforza is known to have implemented many agriculture, infrastructure and manufacture reforms.Its name means "branched tree" or "tree with many branches" due to its distinctive shape (it is often conical, like a pine tree, and with the drips as branches). It is baked in a time- and labor-intensive process, by painting layers of dough onto a rotating spit in a special open oven or over an open fire.
It can be decorated with chocolate and flower ornaments, but it is often served plain. Šakotis is one of the most important desserts in Lithuanian celebrations, especially at weddings or other special occasions such as Christmas.
It was the sweet chosen to represent Lithuania in the Café Europe initiative of the Austrian presidency of the European Union, on Europe Day 2006.

[Wikipedia]

Day 1

Friday

Vilnius

Arrival to Vilnius. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner at national Lithuanian cuisine restaurant, where you will meet members of your group and your escort guide.

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Day 2

Saturday

Vilnius

Full day to explore the capital - Vilnius. Tour in Historical Old Town of Vilnius by car and on foot: Cathedral and it’s square, Gediminas Castle, University campus, Pilies street with the 16-18th century historical and architectural monuments, Gothic corner of Vilnius with The Church of St. Anne and The Church of St Francis and St Bernardino (Bernardine Church), former Town Hall square, the The Gates of Dawn with miraculous icon of Virgin Mary, spectacular Baroque church of The Church of St Peter and St Paul. Visit to KGB museum. Overnight in Vilnius.

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Day 3

Sunday

Vilnius - Trakai - Kernave - Vilnius

Two ancient Lithuanian capitals in one day! Drive toTrakai (28 km )- the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit the 15th century Insular Trakai Castle housing an exhibition on prehistoric findings and the 17-18th century applied art, the way of life of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes, and the Karaites, brought to Lithuania from the Crimea. Lunch at the restaurant with charming Castle view. Later-visit the first capital of Lithuania Kernave (Kernavė).Here you will be able to climb 5 mounds and enjoy a superb breath-taking view of the river valley graced by the bends of the river Neris. In the afternoon drive back to Vilnius for overnight.

Day 4

Monday

Vilnius - Druskininkai

Day in tranquillity of unspoiled nature & past. Trip to Dzukija National Park located in Southern part of Lithuania, famous for wild forests, mushrooms and berries, authentic villages and friendliness of local people. You will visit ethnographic village and get acquainted with the lifestyle of locals. Here you’ll have lunch and learn how to cook Lithuanian speciality - Šakotis (tree cake). Afterwards an outdoor museum of notorious Soviet Political Figures Grutas Park awaits for you. Stay for overnight in charming spa town Druskininkai. Enjoy yourself at spa or water amusement park.

Day 5

Tuesday

Druskininkai - Kaunas

Morning drive to Kaunas. En route stop at Open-air Museum of Rumsiskes – unique open air country life museum, depicting the 18-19th century architecture, traditions, crafts and the way of life of different ethnographic regions of the country. Later sightseeing tour of Kaunas Old Town, - second largest city and the capital of Lithuania between the World Wars. The tour includes: the Old Town of Kaunas with its St George's church, castle ruins, Theological seminary, the Town Hall Square, the Jesuit church, the Cathedral, the Church of Vytautas and the Perkunas House. Visit Ciurlionis Art Museum. Later visit to Pazaislis Camaldolese Monastery– famous for its architecture and wonderworking icon of Virgin Mary. Overnight in Kaunas.

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Day 6

Wednesday

Kaunas - Klaipeda

Drive to the seaside via most picturesque road in Lithuania - Panemune castle road with few stops along the way. Sightseeing tour of Klaipeda (Klaipėda) - Lithuania's third biggest city - a historic seaport and resort. Old Town of Klaipeda with the Theatre square and the statue of a girl Ann from Tharau, numerous old streets and buildings, Linden street with the old post-office, Mazvydas Sculpture Park. Overnight in Klaipeda.

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Day 7

Thursday

Klaipeda - Neringa - Nida - Palanga

Full day visit to the Curonian Spit. Morning ferry to Neringa - visit to Juodkrante, climb the Raganu Kalnas (Hill of Witches) decorated with numerous wooden sculptures based on Lithuanian legends and folk tales. Stop at a bird sanctuary. Further drive to Nida (30 km), a small old fishermen village famous for its majestic seashore sand dunes, neo-gothic church and old ethnographic cemetery.

Drive for overnight to Palanga.

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