Those who like to go on holiday by bike will find wonderful terrain for long bike tours in Lithuania, especially around the Curonian Lagoon and the Spit. Those interested in culture and history are likely to be drawn to the cultural metropolises of Kaunas and Vilnius or, in search of traces of German artists, to the former artists’ colony of Nida (now Nida) on the Curonian Spit. Active and nature lovers, on the other hand, can let off steam in the national parks of Lithuania – canoe tours, hikes and interesting animal observations promise a pure nature experience here. According to Countryaah, Lithuania is the country located in north eastern Europe.
Those interested in culture and history
Many historical places allow visitors to walk in the footsteps of the past. On the one hand, this includes those whose family history is linked to Lithuania or northern East Prussia. The old German names of many places still play a big role today, especially for older travelers, many still speak of Memel, Nidden or Schwarzort.
But many are also interested in the country’s checkered past in general: The time of the Teutonic Order, which marked the first low point for the Crusaders in the Battle of Schaulen (today Siauliai) and culminated in the Battle of Tannenberg (1410), is for many very interesting. The Teutonic Order was ultimately defeated by the Polish-Lithuanian coalition (the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania). And the time of the Second World War, the Soviet occupation and independence from Soviet Russia in 1991 left clear traces in Lithuania and in the population. Really worth dedicating yourself to the history of the country.
The eventful past of Lithuania is evident in architecture, culture and customs. Architectural monuments, magnificent palaces, mansions and mighty castles can be visited. Vilnius and Kaunas are definitely worth a visit for anyone who is even vaguely interested in culture. The city’s history and architecture, which primarily embodies elements of classicism, baroque and renaissance, form a pretty backdrop for an interesting city break. There are also numerous museums. In Kaunas, for example, there is the Mikalojus-Konstantinas-Ciurlionis National Museum, which was named after the most famous Lithuanian artist Ciurlionis (1875 – 1911). The museum shows many of his exhibits, but is also devoted to Lithuanian art in general. If you want to get an impression of the Soviet era, can see an exhibition of old Soviet monuments in Grutas Park near Druskininkai. An associated museum deals with Soviet rule.
Art lovers are sure to find what they are looking for in the galleries and art exhibitions in Lithuania. The Lithuanian Art Museum in Vilnius is one of the most modern art centers in Lithuania. More than 40,000 drawings and paintings can be seen here. Near the center of Europe calculated in 1989 – in Europa Park – numerous sculptures by international artists are exhibited in the open air.
Events and celebrations play an important role in Lithuania, especially in the summer months. There are festivals for classical or jazz, rock and pop, blues and independent music, as well as traditional folklore festivals, so that music enthusiasts are by no means neglected. And of course the Song Festival, which is held in Vilnius every four years, is at the top of the list of celebrations. It is part of the intangible UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nature lovers
For visitors who are interested in nature, Lithuania is a great place for an eventful holiday, they will find a delightful backdrop. The landscape is often still untouched and intact and thus a wonderful terrain for hiking, cycling holidays, or simply to relax and take a deep breath.
The magnificent coast, varied landscapes with deep forests, countless lakes, moor and pasture landscapes and the gentle hill formations as relics of the last ice age are the habitat of numerous – sometimes endangered – animal species. With a little luck you can see wolves, moose, lynx or even bears. Pond turtles, beavers, otters and grass snakes also show up here and there.
The bird life in Lithuania is particularly interesting: it is represented by cranes, storks, sea eagles and herons, among other things. The Curonian Spit and the Nemunas Delta (Memel Delta) are important areas for bird migration and also serve as breeding grounds. There is an ornithological station in the Memel Delta near Vente. From an observation platform, visitors can watch the winged travelers during their stopover.
Vacationers can discover the diverse flora and fauna of Lithuania in a total of five national parks. The Curonian Spit National Park is certainly the best known and most visited, and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. The Aukstaitija National Park, on the other hand, offers a very pristine nature experience, the Azvinkia primeval forest is unique and unspoiled. In addition, lakes, forests, moors, heathlands and meadows characterize the reserve. The lakes with their inflows and outflows form a dense network of waterways – great for canoeists who are interested in nature. The Cepkeliai wetland in Dzukija National Park is the largest contiguous bog in Lithuania. Cranes, eagles, moose, wolves and snakes can be spotted here.
Lithuania offers diversity, a pristine nature experience and interesting flora and fauna – all in all a wonderful destination for those interested in nature. Don’t forget your binoculars!