Lithuania’s small size, seemingly odd food preferences, and latent belief in the supernatural make the country a quirky and attractive destination. Tourists marvel at its compactness, unexplored sites, bizarre cuisine, and the richness of myths surrounding the country’s cultural monuments.
The country has compiled a list revealing the top 5 reasons why it is a go-to place for anyone in search of a still largely unexplored European travel destination full of surprising experiences.
- Lithuania is small—but ideal for traveling by car
Though 14th-century Lithuania was the largest nation in Europe—and many Lithuanians are still proud of this fact—the country in its present form is barely the size of Ireland or the U.S. state of West Virginia. In fact, the travel distance between the most northern and the most southern points of Lithuania takes only 3 hours to complete making it ideal for traveling by car or campervan. Therefore, the visitors can traverse through the country’s lush nature, culturally diverse cities, and picturesque sea resorts in just a few days.
While the entire country is compact, so are the individual cities. For example, it only takes 1,969 steps to explore the main sightseeing attractions of the country’s capital Vilnius. The number might seem small, but Vilnius’ UNESCO-listed Old Town is one of the most walkable in Europe. That is why even the shortest afternoon stroll in Vilnius is packed with history, astonishing Baroque architecture, green parks and artistic spaces.
- Natives might hide their superstition—but Lithuania is actually magical
Although most of them might vehemently deny that, Lithuanians—as residents of the last pagan nation in Europe—have never fully dispensed with their beliefs in the supernatural. Therefore, it might come as no surprise that the country has created a map detailing over fifty magical objects—sculptures, monuments, and places—scattered all over the country. Here, each object—including the famous Miracle Tile of the Vilnius Cathedral Square or the Pupper with a Croissant by the Kaunas Puppet Theater—has its own story and has been attributed with unique wish-granting properties.
Also, while several countries celebrate Halloween in November, Lithuanians enjoy the company of devils, witches and spirits all year round, even in summer, during the magical night of Saint John’s Day—a traditional midsummer folk festival. The Halloween-like atmosphere can be just as easily found among almost six hundred manors and several dozen more castles in the country. Up to this day many of them are wrapped in exclusive ghost stories such as a duchess bricked away in the tower, secret room of mirrors and other spooky tales.
- Odd Lithuanian food preferences—and most bizarre ice cream flavors
Šaltibarščiai—traditionally made by mixing kefir, pickled beetroot, spring onions, fresh cucumbers, dill, and eggs—is one of the most iconic Lithuanian summer dishes. The “pink soup”—as foreign visitors frequently refer to the dish— has been adored by locals for centuries due to its unusual and somewhat bizarre combination of ingredients. Therefore, no wonder that the country has put together a taste map of the quirkiest takes on this timeless Lithuanian food icon to allow travelers to explore many varieties and hues of šaltibarščiai.
As for the sweets, it seems that plain vanilla ice cream has already come out of fashion in Lithuania. Here, chefs around the country are going back to their roots replacing the conventional vanilla flavorings with the quirky essentials of the Lithuanian cuisine. This summer, the country invites the world’s foodies to taste ice cream that has been infused with fresh cucumbers, wild flowers, and even stinging nettle.
- Lithuanian summer is short-lived—but perfect for nights under stars
During the warm season, it is easy to find delightful secluded places in Lithuanian nature for a stay: a peaceful hideaway at the edge of a forest, a treehouse at the heart of pine woods, a glamping site surrounded by an old oak grove, or even a cozy yurt on a riverbank. Therefore, in summer, most locals are likely to choose nature over five-star hotels, luxury apartments, or fancy villas.
However, for those not convinced about spending nights in nature, Lithuania is home to the first Sleep SPA in Northern Europe. Here, the rooms with the human-centric lighting system provide a symphony of smells, sounds, and lights that correspond to natural biorhythms, while the ergonomic beds adapt to body position providing visitors with top quality rest.
- Still largely unexplored—but full of hidden gems
Lithuania is not the tourist hub that Paris or Sicily is. However, since it remains under most tourists’ radars, Lithuania allows its visitors to enjoy the peacefulness and quietude of nature that has been untouched by civilization. From a slow stroll through a silent emerald forest, to an invigorating hike along the Baltic Sea coast, to a cautious jaunt across a misty swamp—Lithuanian hiking trails have it all.
For example, hidden deep in the forests of Trakai—the historical capital of Lithuania—the 3.5-km-long Varnikai Cognitive Trail combines forest, lake, and marsh views. Leading away from the noise of the city, it invites visitors to experience the unaffected beauty of Ilgelis Swamp known for the abundance of berries: cranberries, lingonberries, wild strawberries, and blueberries.
More information is available at www.Lithuania.travel.
