In the world of Baltic coolness: Vilnius, Trakai and Palanga
While Kyiv is melting from the heat, it's time to discover the seaside resorts of the Baltic Sea. Lithuanians are also suffering from the heat now, but for us their temperature is what we need. The sea warms up to 21-23 degrees in summer.
From Vilnius to the best resort in Lithuania - Palanga, it takes 3 hours by car. Why is it worth renting a car? Because Lithuania is a small country, but interesting, along the way you can stop by Kaunas, the Pozhai Monastery, and the Trakai Reserve.
Be sure to stay for a day in the old town of Vilnius, which is protected by UNESCO and is the largest in Europe by area.
If funds allow, you can stay in the unique 16th century Pacai Hotel, with preserved interiors of that time and curved floors in the rooms. Or in one of the world's best boutique hotels Stikliai.
Next to it is the oldest coffee house in Vilnius - Poniu Laime.
For a delicious lunch, you can recommend the restaurant Markus and company or Lokis on Stiklu street, where wild boar steaks are served.
Since the Lithuanians have been brewing beer for centuries, because they don't grow grapes, don't miss the tasting brewery. In the same place, you can simply pay for the table and pour yourself as much beer as you like from the tap mounted in the center of the table. The only brewery in the center of the old town is called Leiciu Bravoras.
After a busy day or maybe a night in Vilnius, head to Palanga.
Palanga is a resort town with beautiful wooden houses. The most popular resort in Lithuania. The climate is mild.
A shore with fine and soft sand, a beach about half a kilometer wide borders on a coniferous forest, stretches for many kilometers in length. The shallow Baltic Sea is great for kids.
On the beach near the central alley of the resort there are changing cabins, sun loungers and a cafe. If you go further, the beach is absolutely wild. And you can look for amber. If you know how, then you can find some pebbles.
50 million years ago there was a forest on the site of the Baltic Sea. Then the glaciers melted, a lake was formed, which connected with the ocean, this is how the Baltic Sea turned out. Therefore, it is slightly salty. And now the amber is washed ashore in waves. Anything is made from amber in Lithuania. There are amber saunas and amber pillows for sleeping. They drink amber and even eat it. There is a lot of amber in Lithuania, there are shops on every corner. But most of all I liked the choice, design and prices in the gallery and at the same time the Baltio Gentaro Menas Centras Amber Museum in Vilnius.
There is an old pharmacy in Palanga, where the famous drink 999 was created.
Next to Palanga, there is a large city by local standards, Klaipeda. Atmospheric city, with an old coastal center. It is worth it to stay there for a couple of hours on the way to the Curonian Spit. And stop by for lunch at the Monai restaurant to try olive soil, sea toad caviar and smoked catfish with celery cream.
Klaipeda is the only port in Lithuania. One of the largest cities, after Vilnius and Kaunas. Only in 1923 Klaipeda began to belong to Lithuania. Until that time, it was a Prussian city, which was occupied by Germany in the 19th century.
The Curonian Spit is 100 km long, a national park where a minimum of people live, and you can feel like Robinson Crusoe. The ferry to the Curonian Spit from Klaipeda costs 1 euro round trip, runs every 30 minutes. Swim for 3 minutes.
It is highly recommended to stop by Trakai, on the way from Vilnius to the sea, but not to come up to look at the castle, but to fly over and see it from a bird's eye view.
Trakai is a reserve with forests and lakes. A hot air balloon ride over it is unforgettable and magical. The ball flies in the direction of the wind. The car with the team follow him to pick up after you landing in some field or someone's yard. Landing is the most extreme moment, because the basket bounces several times from hitting the ground and can fall on its side. They fly only in the morning and in the evening. Because during the day the sun warms, and the heat upsets the ball. In winter, you can also fly, but only if it's not snowing. Aeronauts are initiated by hotairlines. lt company. This is the largest aeronautic company in Lithuania, they have 4 balloons of different sizes, the maximum is for 24 people.
P. S. Many thanks to the organizers of the trip to Lithuania:
airBaltic- the leading airline in the Baltics
Baltic Travel Group - the largest tour operator and host in the Baltic States
Lithuania travel - to the State Department for Tourism Development in Lithuania
