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LITHUANIA
Lithuania: Travel Facts
Location
Lithuania is situated on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea: Area 65,300 sq km. Coastline 99 km. Land borders with Belarus, Latvia, Poland, Russia.The geographical centre of continental Europe lies in 24 km north of Vilnius.
Population
Population 3,484,000.
Capital
Vilnius (pop.600,000).
Major cities
Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai, Panevezys, Druskininkai, Marijampole.
Climate
Climate is maritime/continental. The average temperature in winter season – 4.9 C, in summer +17C.
Time
Local time is GMT +2hrs.
Curency and Credit Cards
The national currency is the litas. The rate is fixed to the euro at the rate of 3.4528Lt=1Eur
All convertible currencies can be exchanged at banks and currency exchange offices. Most transactions are made in cash. Most establishments accept major credit cards including Globus, Euro Card, Master-Card, Visa and Visa Electron and American Express. Travellers’ cheques are rarely accepted by retailers and can only be changed in banks and currency exchange offices.
Ressport and Visa Regulations
You can find information at: www.urm.lt Arrival and TransportationBy Air
There are three international airports in Lithuania at Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga. Arriving by air is also possible visa neighboring countries. Fly LAL ( National Airline ) www.lal.lt
By Sea
The port of Klaipeda is the northern ice-free one the eastern coast of Baltic Sea.
By car
Technical Aid on the Road within Lithuania by mobile phone 188. Technical Aid on the Road phone (8-800) 1 1414, 8-800 0 00 00. www.balticroads.net
By Coach
The roads in Lithuania are considerer to be the best in the Baltic States. There is a well-developed domestic and international bus network. Coaches are considerably faster than trains. www.eurolines.com
By train
You can find information at www.litrail.lt Lithuania – the land of amberLithuania is one of the few countries in Europe to boast clean, untouched countryside. The country’s beauty lies in the diversity of its landscape – rolling hills and gentle plains, green forests covering almost 30% of the country and quietly flowing rivers.
One of the main natural treasures is the abundance of lakes ; Lithuania is often called a country of lakes.
The Curonian Spit ( Kursiu Nerija ), a narrow strip of land separating the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon, is perhaps the most stunning natural spot in the whole of the Baltic region. It’s a remarkable natural treasure with wild, shifting dunes, old fishermen’s villages and unique woodcarvings. Curonian Spit is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a site of cultural landscape.
Lithuanian folk art is reflected in folk traditions and crafts: weaving, basketry, ceramics, wood carving and amber. These traditional crafts are well represented at the open-air Country Life Museum in Rumsiskes, 18 km east of Kaunas, where you can see authentic old-fashioned homesteads, peasant tools and furniture brought from all over Lithuania.
The folk art traditions is best reflected in sculpture, especially in graveyard iron crosses, wooden pillar crosses and roadside shrines. In 2001, cross crafting and its symbolism in Lithuania were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Monuments as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage Humanity. Vilnius – a World Heritage city
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is the country’s biggest and most beautiful city, famous for its architectural monuments, lovely churches, narrow streets and medieval courtyards.
Founded in 1323, the Old Town is now considered to be one of the oldest and most beautiful in Europe. It is a place where the main architectural styles of Europe stand side by side, complimenting each other. Vilnius’ Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage List.
The symbols of Vilnius are the Gediminas Castle Tower and the Cathedral, the main house of the worship for Lithuania Catholics. Churches are the pride of Vilnius; once their number totaled 200, but today there are about 40 left. A chapel built in one of the gates of the Old Vilnius city wall is one of the sacred places known to Catholics throughout the world. The painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary is said to have miracle – working powers.
Trakai – a town on water
The medieval capital if Lithuania is situated just 30 km from Vilnius and surrounded by a chain of lakes. The most significant historical monument is an ancient island castle, the former residence of the Lithuanian ruling nobility. Kaunas – the second largest city
Situated at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers, Kaunas was the provisional capital of the country between the two world wars. The city is interesting for its historical and cultural heritage, its lovely Old Town and the main street, Laisves avenue, one of the most charming promenades in Lithuania. Klaipeda – a port city
Lithuania’s third largest city, Klaipeda, is also the country’s gateway to the sea. The Old Town has some unique architecture and well-preserved, German-style, half-timbered buildings. Kopgalis Fort, built in the 19 century, houses the Maritime Museum.
Klaipeda cherishes fine marine traditions. Since 1934 it has celebrated the popular Sea Festival in the last weekend of July. Neringa
The ridge of shifting dunes with its four village settlements ( Nida, Preila, Pervalka, Juodkrante ) is a beautiful seaside resort perfect for relaxation. It also boasts the largest number of sunny days in Lithuania. The beach in Nida has been awarded the international Blue Flag as being one of the cleanest sea coasts in Europe. Palanga
This is Lithuania’s biggest resort with a long, wide sandy beach and dunes. Palanga is famous for its unique Amber Museum, which has the world’s largest collection of amber with insects trapped inside. Druskininkai
Druskininkai is a year-round spa resort of bath, mud and climate therapy. The assets of the country’s oldest resort include seven spouting mineral water springs and a large number of wellness centers.
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