Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania

Was founded in 1323 at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers. The architectural diversity of Vilnius – its numerous churches, towers, fortifications, secluded medieval courtyards and narrow streets are a testimony of the city’s rich history. The Old Town is a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism. It cowers 255 ha of the city and has been designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights

• Castle Hill with Gediminas Castle (14th c)
• St.Peter and Paul’s Church – the pearl of Baroque with 200 sculptures
• St. Anne’s Church- a gothic masterpiece in red brick
• Vilnius University (one of the oldest in Europe, 1579)

Sightseeing options

• City tour of Vilnius - 3 hrs, combines drive and walking
• Visit of St.Peter and Paul’s Church - ca 45 min
• Walking tour of Gediminas Castle - 3 hrs 

Rumsiskes 
 

Open Air Museum - 80 km west of Vilnius, 18 km east of Kaunas on the Vilnius - Kaunas motorway. The museum also stages folk song, folk dance and other ethnic events.

Sightseeing

• Full day tour from Vilnius (7 hrs)- combines drive and walking in the museum
  the museum can also be combined with the visit of Kaunas

Trakai

26 km south-west of Vilnius, The ancient Lithuanian capital, situated on the Galve Lake. Known for the redbrick Castle that was once a fortress and residence of Grand Dukes and is a museum now.

Sightseeing

• Half day tour from Vilnius (4hrs), includes drive and inside inspection. Entrance fee.

Kaunas

103 km west of Vilnius. Lithuania’s second largest town on the delta of rivers Nemunas and Neris. Once the provisional capital and the citadel of Lithuania. Many consider Kaunas more Lithuanian than Vilnius.

Highlights

• Town Hall Square with 16th c houses and splendid churches
• Museum of Stained Glass and Sculpture
• The Ciurlionis Museum
• Christ’s Resurrection Church
• The ruins of Kaunas Castle.

Sightseeing options

• Full  day tour from Vilnius (7 hrs) - combines drive and walking in the Old Town

Klaipeda

312 km from Vilnius, the largest port in the Baltics and the third largest city in Lithuania.

Highlights

• Old Town with German fachwerk houses
• The City Hall
• Neo-gothic Post Office
• The Kogalis
• Fortress which houses a Marine Museum and Aquarium, Amber Museum, Clock and Watch Museum.

Sightseeing options

• Tailor-made tours available

Nida

A summer resort on Kura peninsula with famous sand dunes.

Highlights

• Grand Dune (70 m high)
• Thomas Mann’s house museum
• Witch Hill with 60 sculptures.

Šiauliai

250 km north-west from Vilnius, 3 hrs from Vilnius. Šiauliai dates back to 1236 and is known for many interesting museums and church music festivals.

Highlights

• 21 m high sundial
• St.Peter and Paul Church

Hill of Crosses

12 km north from Šiauliai, next to the Vilnius-Riga motorway. A shrine of many Catholics, more than 50 000 crosses. The Pope John Paul II visited the hill in 1993. 

Can be visited on the way from Riga to Vilnius or vice versa.

Additional information: Lithuanian State Department of Tourism - www.travel.lt.

Information and bookings:

Kaleva Travel Destination Services
Address: Parnu mnt 67b, 10134 Tallinn Estonia
Telephone: + 372 6 407 780
Fax: + 372 6 407 769
E-mail: incoming@kalevatravel.ee