Lithuania for second-timers |
8 days / 7 nights
Vilnius - Trakai - Kaunas - Siluva - Klaipeda - Nida - Zemaiciu Kalvarija - Siauliai -Hill of Crosses - Vilnius
Events & Festivals Lithuania
Uzgavenes - Shrovetide Festival, Vilnius, March - a theatrical fight between the winter and the spring; devils, witches, goats and other grotesque characters appear at the celebration feast.
Folklore Festival Skamba Skamba Kankliai, Vilnius, May - folk concerts in the Old Town‘s quaint squares.
New Baltic Dance festival, Vilnius, May - one of the region‘s largest festivals, which showcases contemporary dance performances.
Day 1 Vilnius
Arrival transfer.
Day 2 Vilnius - Trakai - Vilnius
Visit to the Cathedral of Vilnius and the chapel of St.Casimir, the only Saint of Lithuania, beautiful ensemble of Orthodox monastery, St.Theresa church and Gates of Dawn, with the holy image of the Virgin Mary. The city tour of Vilnius continues to St.Anne’s church, representing the peak of Gothic architecture in Lithuania and St.Peters and Paul’s church - the example of Lithuanian baroque. Go on to the medieval Jewish quarter, its lanes and courts, Gaon and Jewish streets, the history and the sad destiny of Great Vilna Synagogue, the personality of the Gaon of Vilna one of the greatest spiritual figures in the Jewish history and religious. Visit Vilnius University - the oldest university in the Eastern Europe, the Town Hall of Vilnius, built in the end of 18th century and Gediminas tower.
Transfer to Trakai the picturesque national park area with pine forests and lakes, and the former ancient Lithuanian capital - the residence of Grand Dukes of the country. Visit to the 15th century insular castle. Transfer back to Vilnius.
Day 3 Vilnius - Kaunas (100km/1,30h)
Departure to Kaunas. Visit to the country life open-air museum in Rumsiskes and get in touch with Lithuania’s major ethnographic regions and traditions. Visit at Pazaislis camaldolese monastery a unique baroque monument ,considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of the mature baroque in Europe. Enjoy Kaunas and its historic center situated at the confluence of rivers Neris and Nemunas. The tour includes a walk in the Old Town, Kaunas Castle, Vytautas church, the elegant Town Hall which is known as the “white swan”, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Church of the Resurrection of Christ.
Day 4 Kaunas - Siluva (100km/1,30h)- Klaipeda (160km/1,30h)
Continued tour to Siluva. Visit the Shrine of the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, important spiritual centre in Lithuania. It is especially famous for a beautiful picture of Virgin Mary. Further drive to the Baltic Sea and Klaipeda and the Curonian Lagoon.
Day 5 Klaipeda - Nida (50km/1h) - Klaipeda
Transfer by ferry to Smiltyne and further drive along the peninsula Neringa. Admire this place, full of the sweet scent of pines, water and ozone. Formed some 6000 years ago as sand accumulated in shallow waters near the coast, it is an extremely romantic area today with its fishing villages developed as resorts, such as Nida, the resort of serene beauty. Called Lithuanian Sakhara, it is main destination noted for its magnificent dunes 50-60m high. Travel back to Klaipeda. Sightseeing of Old Town of Klaipeda (Memel) distinguished for its German influenced medieval houses and lanes.
Day 6 Klaipeda - Zemaiciu Kalvarija (100km/1,30h) - Siauliai (160km/2h)
Departure to Palanga, former community of fishermen and collectors of amber, the famous seaside resort of wild country. Visit at the Amber Museum. Continue to Samogazia. Celebration time for the pilgrimage Zemaiciu Calvary. Drive to Siauliai.
Day 7 Siauliai - Hill of Crosses - Vilnius (200km/2,30h)
Sightseeing tour of Siauliai downtown, founded after the victory of Saule battle, when the first king of Lithuania crushed the Knights of the Sword and consolidated the country. Visit the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the only ancient monument that has been untouched by the war and the establishment of the Sundial. Pray at the Hill of Crosses a sacred place for believers. The hill is just a small mound covered with crosses, rosaries and offerings. Despite the fact that the Soviets have ruined this place three times, each time the Hill of crosses was recreated. Travel back to Vilnius.
Day 8 Vilnius
Transfer to airport.