Lithuania

Lithuania was once the centre of a vast medieval state, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, that stretched to the Black Sea. That heritage shows in its castles and churches, especially in the capital, Vilnius, whose baroque old town is one of the largest in Eastern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bohemian district of Užupis, which declared itself a playful independent republic in 1997, is a favourite stop.

Kaunas, the country’s second city, is where our current tour is based. It served as the temporary capital between the wars, and that period left a remarkable collection of modernist buildings, recognised by UNESCO in 2023. The old town has a red-brick castle where two rivers meet, a Gothic town hall and a pedestrian avenue, Laisvės alėja, lined with cafés. Kaunas also has a strong street art scene and the moving Ninth Fort memorial. Trakai, with its island castle on a lake, is an easy day trip from either city.

Food and drink

Cepelinai, large potato dumplings stuffed with meat and served with sour cream and bacon, are the national dish. Šaltibarščiai, a bright pink cold beetroot soup, is a summer favourite, and kibinai, savoury pastries brought by the Karaim community, are the speciality in Trakai. Lithuanian beer and mead are worth trying.

How to travel

Our private walking tour of Kaunas is the starting point, and a few nights split between Kaunas and Vilnius make a rewarding short trip. Lithuania also fits well into a wider Baltic journey with Riga and Tallinn, linked by private transfer.