St Ann’s and Bernardines architectural cnsemble - a brilliant pierce of Lithuanian Gothic.

LITHUANIAN STATE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM UNDER THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMYA.Juozapavičius str. 13, 09311 Vilnius, LithuaniaPhone (370 5) 210 87 96, fax (370 5) 210 87 53info@tourism.lt, www.tourism.lt

LITHUANIAN TOURISM FUNDA.Juozapavičius str. 13, 09311 Vilnius, LithuaniaPhone (370 5) 263 73 11, phone/fax (370 5) 272 65 54info@travel.lt, www.travel.lt

www.LithuanianTravel.com

Photos by V. Valužis, S. Danilevičius, H. Sakalauskas, R. Statulevičiūtė,K. Vanagas, K. Driskius, Z. Usinavicius, Z. Nekrošius, The LithuanianState Tourism Department at the Ministry of Economy© Original text by Roma StatulevičiūtėTranslation by Dalia Rimkūnienė© Printed by SAPNŲ SALA, 2005

LITHUANIAN TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES ABROAD

GERMANYBaltikum Tourizmus Zentrale (BTZ)FremdenverkehrszentraleEstland-Lettland-LitauenKatharinenstr. 19,10711 BerlinPhone 030 - 890 090 91, fax 030 - 890 090 92info@gobaltic.de; www.baltikuminfo.de

FINLANDKapteeninkatu 7, 00140 HelsinkiPhone (358 9) 622 777 17, fax (358 9) 622 777 18mfo@liettua.fi; www.liettua.fi

POLANDAl. Ujazdowskie 51, 00-536 WarszawaPhone (48 22) 584 70 52, fax (48 22) 584 70 73info@litwatravel.com; www.litwatravel.com

RUSSIABorisoglebskij per. 13 corpus 2,121069 MoscowPhone/fax (7 095) 203 67 90litinfo@sovintel.ru; www.litinfo.ru

SPAINL’Encarnacio, 70, bajos, 08024 Barcelonatel. (34 93) 285 32 85, mob. (34 667) 693 931, fax (34 93) 3 343 469E-mail: info@lituaniatrade.com, www.lituaniatur.com

Culture highlights 4

City’s entertainment 6

Nature trails 8

The Amber Coast 10

SPA resorts 12

Age-old traditions 14

Bon appetit! 16

Useful information 17

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Main facts about the countryHistorical reminders 2

Lithuania is an independent democratic republic. The statė po-wer iš executed by the Seimas (Parliament), The President of the Republic, The Government and the Court System.The National Anthem: The words and music of the Lithuani-an national anthem, know aš „Tautine giesme“, were written by Vincas Kudirka. In 1919 Tautine giesme officially became the national anthem of the country.Administrative Division: There are 10 counties, which inclu-de 60 regions in totai.Geographical location: The Republic of Lithuania iš located at the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It borders with Latvia (588 km), in the north, Belarus (660 km) in the east, Poland (103 km) and the Kaliningrad region (Russian Federation, 273 km), in the south. In 1989 The French National Geographical Institute ac-claimed that the geographical centre of Eu-rope iš only 24 km away from Vilnius, in the north-west.The Struve Meridian Are that passes through Lithuania aš well aš nine other European countries (from near the mouth of the Danube River at the Black Sea to Fuglenaes near North Cape in Norway) was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Li-sting in 2005.Territory: 65.300 są.km. A third of it iš dotted with forests, there are over 2800 lakęs larger than 0.5 ha, 18 rivers longer than 100 km.Climate: Transitional betvveen maritime and continental. Ave-rage temperature yearly in July iš +17 C, in January -4,9 C.Local time: Lithuania in the Central European Time Zone: GMT +2 hours (likę in Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn).Population: (according census for 01 01 2005) - 3.43 mln; urban population - 66.6 percent, rural-33.4 percent.Ethnic composition: Lithuanian origin people constitute 83.5 percent, the Poles - 6.7 percent, the Bellarussian (White Rus-sians) -1.2 percent, other - 2.3 percent. Lithuania iš the most ho-mogeneous of all the Baltic States by ethnic composition.Ethnic division: Lithuania iš divided into five regions by its eth-nic variations: Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkioja, Žemaitija and the Lithuania Minor.Religion: Mostly Roman Catholics (around 80 percent), others - Orthodox, Evangelic Lutherans, Evangelic Reformers, Old Be-lievers, Judaic, Sunite, Muslim, Karaite and other.Language: Lithuanian - the official language, one of the most ancient of Indo-European languages.The Capital City: Vilnius (pop. 541.3 thousand) was establi-shed in 1323. Vilnius Old Town - the UNESCO World Culture Heritage listed sites, one of the most sizable (360 ha) and pictu-resąue in Eastern and Central Europe.Other Major Cities: Kaunas - 364.1 thousand, Klaipėda -188.8 thousand, Šiauliai -130 thousand, Panevėžys - 116.3 thousand inhabitants.Resorts: Palanga and Neringa - the coastline resort cities; Drus-kininkai and Birštonas - the inland spa resorts.Air Transport: There are three international airports in the country - Vilnius (www.vilnius-airport.lt), Kaunas (www. kau-nasair.lt), Palanga (www.palanga-airport.lt). Lithuania has about 30 regular links with cities in Western and Central Europe.

Water Transport. Ferries: Seven sea ferry water routes link Klaipėda, the port city, with cities in Sweden, Denmark, Germa-ny, Poland and Kaliningrad Region (Russia Federation) (www. lisco.lt, www.scandlines.lt). Local ferries to connect Klaipėda and the Curonian Spit ūse local waterways ( Smiltynė; www. keltas.lt). Klaipėda iš a port home for two yacht clubs. One of them, aš well aš the Cruise Ship Terminai, iš located in the very centrai part of the city. (http://www.ports.lt.jacht.php?lang=LT, www.lbs.lt)Road System: Lithuania has a well developed network of ro- ads. There are two European Highways with branch-lines: Via Baltica (Helsinki - Warsaw) and West - East (Klaipėda - Mos- cow). Inland car taffic - right side. International road border posts: Polish border (EU) - Kalva-rija/Budzisko, road A5; Lazdijai/Ogrodniki, road 135; Latvian border (EU) - Būtingė, road Al 3; Bukaičiai/Ežerė, road A222; Kalviai/Meitene, road A12; Saločiai/Grenctale, road A10; Obe-liai/Subate, road A122; Smėlynė/Medumi, road A6; Belarus border - Lavoriškės/Kotlovka, road 103; Medininkai/Kamen-nyj Log, road A3; Šalčininkai/Benekainys, road 104; Raigar-das/Pri-valka, road A4; Russian boder (Kaliningrad Region) - Nida/Morskoje, road 167; Panemunė/Sovetsk, road A12; Ky-bartai/Černyševskoje, road A7.Information 24-hours per day iš available by tel. (370 5) 2719 305.Passenger transport. Cities and settlements in Lithuania are connected by passenger transport routes (Addresses of bus stati-ons are available at www.vkti.lt/keleivinis03.html or by telepho-ne 118).Raihvays: http://www.litrail.lt/wwwEN.nsfMap or roads and railways: http://maps.takas.lt/english/National currency and settlements: The national currency Litas iš pegged to the Euro at the rate l EUR = 3,4528 Lt. Litas iš used in the whole territory of the country, also many com-mercial, trade and services centres accept credit cards. ATM machines are available in all towns.Visas and entry conditions. No entry visas are reąuired for ci-ti-zens coming from all EU Member States and over 40 other statės. More detailed information about entry conditions iš available at http://www.urm.lt/ Consular Information - Con-sular Issues - Visas; Crossing Border).Countryside Holidays: www.countryside.ltInformation Desk Number: 118

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Lithuania – a country to see the blend of achievements of the modern world, historical cultural heritage, old living traditions and rites, unique beauty of nature.

Lithuania is the oldest of the Eastern Baltic States. The first mentioning of it datesback to the year 1009. A country born of amber- trading tribes known by the ancient Romans, the ancestors of today‘s modern Lithuanian people, and where an amber stone is referred to as a symbol of the country. A country reborn for the second time is a real whirl of intense cultural life and entertainment market. Music from classical to modern to folk. Colorful stage performances, traditional festivals or nightlife shows full of a buzz and wild rhythms, as well as sport competitions. Lithuania‘s basketball stars are well known all over the world.A country nestled in green and shady forest covering a third of its land, where streams meander, the blue eyes of a thousand lakes sparkle, and long white beaches are cleansed by the Baltic Sea. An oasis of peace, with resorts famed for their mineral springs and breezy seaside adventures. National and regional parks taking your breath away. Farmsteads dreaming in green.After recovering independence, in a short time Lithuania has gained visible improvement.Cities grow more beautiful, services of every nature are expanding, and its GDP is one of the highest in Europe year by year. In 2004 the country became a member of NATO and the EU.Lithuania welcomes guests from all over, and always shows it hospitality. Come and experience it! It’s easy to find. It is in the geographical heart of Europe. In 1989 theFrench National Geographical Institute pronounced a spot just north of Vilnius the exact geographical centre of Europe.

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The imposing Gothic style Bernardins‘ Church Baroque shaped Vilnius Old Town

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Lithuania’s Golden Age is best remembered for its architectural legacies, featuring the Baroque, Gothic and Classicism styles. Vilnius’ Old Town,

the biggest in Europe, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Its brightly coloured estates, network of narrow and curved lanes and secret inner courtyards conspire to remind one of the best old cities of Southern Europe. At the place where the Neris and Vilnia rivers meet stands Vilnius Cathedral. On the hill behind is Gediminas Tower, the unofficial symbolof Lithuanian statehood. Between them the old Ducal Palace is being painstakingly rebuilt as part of the country’s 2009 millennium celebrations. This is the heartof the city. Not far away is Vilnius’ ancient university, its 12 courtyards alive with the voices of students for over 400 years. And next to it, the alluring stately home that is the President’s Office. Keep going and look again.Luxurious mansions everywhere! More than the eye can take in at one time. Feast your eyes on the fairy tale below from the city’s surrounding green hills, and be rewarded with a picture-postcard vista of gleaming towers and church domes and spires.

Reminders of a grim past linger on. Find examples at Vilnius’ Museum of KGB Genocide Victims and its haunting Jewish Museum, as well as in the award-winning park of Soviet-era sculptures at Gruto Parkas and the old military missile base at Plokstine – Museum of Militarism. On a happier note, visit the unforgettable outdoor museums like the Open Air Museum of Lithua-nia at Rumsiskes, the dark and mysterious Orvydas

Farmstead and Europos Parkas (Europe Park), a unique site displaying over a hundred works of contemporary art from around the world. Or there’s the Museum of Ethno-cosmology, a rare place indeed to discover how the pagan world viewed the sky and the stars in it. An observatory nearby is open to the public for spectacular stargazing on a clear night. Lithuania can also boast its very own Beekeeping Museum in the heart of the country’s finest national park. Two treatsfor the price of one. In Kaunas, Lithuania’s second city, the Ciurlionis Museum celebrates the life and work of the famous artist and composer. Hell, Lithuania even has its own Devil Museum. Visit that one at your own peril.

Countryside mansions, water mills nestled in parks, small wooden churches, and ancient villages. Theheritage of old wooden architecture of the country is scattered all over Lithuania.

The art of the cross-crafter, Lithuania’s unique folkart, can be found everywhere, including thanks to its starling beauty and originality, in that UNESCO list. Siauliai’s Hill of Crosses, popular with tourists and pilgrims the world over, has been blessed from a visit by the Pope himself.

Five strange grassy mounds mark Lithuania’s ancient capital at Kernave, another UNESCO Heritage Site. Theisland castle at Trakai, the largest of its kind in Eastern Europe, sits like a mirage, stepping out of the lake that surrounds it.

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Inside Trakai Castle – as it was in olden days

flowing stream of culture

It’s become a tradition that Lithuanian concerts, whether by the Chamber Music Orchestra conducted by Saulius Sondeckis, or the Symphonic Orchestra

conducted by Gintaras Rinkevicius, or the opera soloist Violeta Urmana, or pianists Muza Rubackyte and Petras Geniusas, are always an exclusive musical experience enjoyed by all.

Over one hundred national and international concerts take place during the traditional summer season, including among them the Vilnius Festival, Kristupo Vasaros (Kristupas Summer) and the wonderful Pazaislis Festival. During the theatrical season one can enjoy the truly unforgettable stage productions of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Can you imagine just how thrilling the atmosphere gets during the jazz festivals in Birstonas, Kaunas, Vilnius, Klaipeda, Nida or by lake Lukstas? What a wonderful feeling!

Between June and October come the 10 international folk festivals, which have the power to actively involve the spectators as much as the performers themselves. In addition, and during the same period, some 30 ethnic ‘culture-camps’ and over one hundred folk art exhibitions are held. Every four years in Vilnius comes the extraordinary Song Festival, a unique event bringing together Lithuanians from all over the world.

Fortune has certainly smiled on you if you’ve got a ticket to see a theatre performance staged by Eimuntas Nekrosius or Oskaras Korsunovas. Their touring playsare a long-awaited event in many countries of the world. And concerning Rimas Tuminas and Juozas Vaitkus, maybe you saw their work when you were visiting the theatre in Scandinavia or Japan?

And what if you’re searching the art galleries and exhibition halls for a particular piece of art? Maybe your detective work will uncover something by one of Lithuania’s talented young artists. Maybe it won’t. Whatever the outcome, be sure to take in some studios as well as the established exhibition spaces for the best choice of work available.

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Venues loaded by a buzz and excitement

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The shopping centre “Europa“

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Try a deliciously chilly Lithuanian beer served in an old watermill by a gently cascading river in hilly Uzupis, Vilnius’ very own Montmarte. Or

if viewing the city from up there isn’t enough, take a ride in a hot-air balloon, for Vilnius is the only capital in Europe where hot air balloons can launch from the centre of the city.

Food is one of life’s passions. In major cities, as you’d expect, all the best and most exotic national cuisines are represented. Take your pick from a light snack on the move to a romantic candlelit dinner. Dine in a beer bar straight out of the Middle Ages or feast al fresco somewhere under the hot summer sun. Choose a traditional Lithuanian inn or take your fate in your hands and risk a culinary adventure in one of the few remaining pre independence bistros in an air of soviet exoticism.

Vilnius’ supermarkets deserve special attention. Packed with plenty of shops, they impress with their distinctive design and construction. Then there’s the multi-functional entertainment complex. A cinema with eight screens, bowling, billiards and an ice rink to boot.

When the evening comes it’s hard to resist the seduction. Head for a live jazz concert, some rock ‘n’ roll, a vocal or instrumental classical concert, solo guitar or violin. Dive into some wild Latin American rhythms or enjoy the best of Lithuania country and folk music. For fans of the wildest, latest dances, nightclubs heave all night long to the sounds of some of the best DJs in the west.

After dark maybe it’s time for something a little moretempting? The options are rich and varied, fromcolourful stage performances to original striptease shows. And it’s a must to to visit a casino pass you by. Could Lithuania be the gold at the end of your rainbow?

And how about a mini-break? Maybe just a weekend away, or that special occasion, or a fablous white Christmas that will turn you ordinary grey winter memories into something exceptional that you can cherish forever.

Bird song and the spirit of adventure

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On the trails of discoveries and adventures

The maze of lakes in Aukštaitija

Cranes – the mysterious nature beauties

Lithuania is a green country featuring five national and 30 regional parks. All are praised for the many spectacular sights and sensations

they promise. Shady groves give shelter to roe deer and the occasional wandering bison. Valleys bounded by hills form the perfect location to admire Lithuania’s ribbon-work of rivers and lakes. Fresh fish abound.Rare vegetation offers a home to many species longlost in the west.

The Nemunas delta is a paradise for fisher-folk and birdsalike. During the early spring there’s nothing like taking a look at the little farmsteads poking out of the annually swamped plains. It’s a wonderful place for birdwatchers to watch the migrating flocks flying to and fro a morehospitable winter climate.

Travelling through this beautiful nature is both rewarding and easy. Walking and hiking trails, as well cycling tracks are available. And there’s no shortage of places to park and picnic. You’ll find plenty of campsites too, many ofthem in the most scenic spots imaginable. And those who like to do things on the water won’t be disappointed. Everything is on offer to those who want it.

If you dream of falling in nature’s arms you’re advised to take a break in a farmstead. Fishing, swimming, horse riding, hiking, fresh, natural food and more are what make these kinds of holidays such a hit with the local and visitors to Lithuania ali ke. Add to that the kind of friendliness and hospitality you always wanted, and you’ve really got a holiday of a lifetime, haven’t you?

And let’s not forget those looking for extreme sports. Hot-air ballooning, gliders, helicopters and jet fighterscan all be had for the adventurous-spirited souls. Or why not mess about in a jeep, or for the ultimate experience leap off the tallest bungee jump of its kind in Europe?Plus there’s Kalashnikov shooting, archery, and diving in some fantastic underwater locations.

The Amber Songs of sand, wind and dolphins

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Want to have a riot of a time in a naughty sea side resort? Palanga, Lithuania’s summer capital, is by far the best for this. Here you’ll

find plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, casinosand live music venues to keep even the most demand ing hedonist happy for the entire season. Like outdoor activities? Well, there’s a wide choice, from scooters to bicycles, horse riding, tennis courts, sauna and bath complexes and much more besides. The beaches here are the same white sandy as they are elsewhere on the Lithuania’s coastline, with bars that stay open all night long.

In case you’re fed up lounging on the beach all day, hide yourself in the shadows of Palanga’s wonderful Botanical Gardens, 110 hectares of 19th-century bliss, and the work of renowned French landscaper Edouard Andre. Drop inside the town’s Amber Museum, learn more about the Amber Route, and go in search of an amber workshop or some quiet corner of nature in the Pajuris Regional Park. Then, when you’re finished, runoff to Lithuania’s third city, Klaipeda. Here you’ll find a maritime museum and aquarium housed in a huge 19th-century fort. These fabulous attractions feature anexhaustive exhibition on marine life. Dolphins and sea lions give performances there every day.

The unique Curonian Spit, the antithesis of its northernneighbour in Palanga, is the ultimate Mecca for lovers of peace and quiet. Stretching some 50km north-to-south, Neringa is a town made up of four separate village resorts, dotted with white-sandy beaches. Art lovers, sailors, windsurfers and hang-gliding enthusiasts all fell in love with red-roofed Nida a long time ago, and the Nobel-winning laureate Thomas Mann once had a summer house in the town. Some people on the other hand prefer the northern settlement of Juodkrante, wrapped in splendid greenery and dotted with small flower-garden plots. Neringa is a great place for cycling,and has many routes for two-wheelers. It’s also on the 10th Euro-Velo route, which twists its way along the entire Lithuanian coastline.

Stand on top of the dunes, and breathtaking views will come out from all around. On the one side, white sandy mountains fading into a choppy Baltic Sea, on the other, green pine woodlands and the calm Curonian Lagoon. Wind, water and sand. The principle tunes ofnature’s eternal symphony. That’s the Curonian Spit,one of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe. A real masterpiece of nature, inscribed in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

The revived old architecture in Nida

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During the 15th and 16th centuries the rural areas around the Lithuanian towns of Birstonas and Druskininkai were immensely popular among

the Lithuanian Dukes who used to visit and hunt.

After investigating the quality of the mineral waterscoming out of the local springs in the 19th century, it became apparent that they had the sort of healing properties usually associated with the celebrated spa towns of Europe. The mud found in these parts is alsowidely accepted as having specific curative properties.

At the sanatoriums in Birstonas and Druskininkai modern curative and rehabilitation methods are used. Patients are offered a number of mineral water,salt and mudtreatments, some based on the usage of medical herbs, natural oils, honey and others natural supplements. In particular cases, light and music therapy is prescribed. Some say that any ailment can be cured there. Combined with more traditional sessions in the beauty parlour, a trip to either of these two resorts can have incredibly positive effects on both the mind and body! At present about a half of visitors of all persuasions who flock to these resorts are people from such diverselocations as Scandinavia, Finland, Poland and Israel.

The spectacular natural environments around thesetwo resorts add to the whole treatment process. The

sweet-smelling pine woodlands, mounds, ancient villages, and the scenic panorama of the River Nemunas are all wonderful locations to relax, walk and relax for a while with a picnic.

Druskininkai can also claim to be the childhood home and inspiration of the Lithuanian painter and composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis (1875-1911), and the birthplace of the internationally acclaimed Jewish sculptor Jacques Lipchitz (1891-1979).

The resorts nestled in woodlands at the loops of the River Nemunas

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At Druskininkai Health Centres

Traditions. The mirror of wisdom of the ancient Baltic people

Deep roots of traditions

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Traditional Lithuanian festivities echo elements of the mythological beliefs of the ancient Baltic people, including the worship of heavenly

bodies and nature, and their impact on the human race. Uzgavenes (Shrove Tuesday) is a merry feast. It’s a day when crowds of masked people dressed as devils, witches and ancient village folk attempt to drive away the winter.

Vilnius on Palm Sunday means a city alive with woven dried flowers, a feature found only in the Vilnius region.Also found on this day are Verba (the Palm Sunday Flower), much amber jewellery, tablecloths and dresses made of the finest Lithuania linen, wood carvings,knitting and traditional ornaments.

Kaziukas’ Fair is the traditional spring event held annually in Vilnius for some 400 years. The spectacularoccasion dazzles all those who see it as the streets fillwith wood carvings, metal sculptures, ceramics and local textiles. Traditional Lithuanian country music and beer of course accompany the happy activities.

Rasos (Midsummer’s Day) falls when the shortest night of the year comes with its own brand of magic, recalling the ancient rites of the pagans. It’s a time of bonfires and gatherings, folk songs and ritual dancingthroughout Lithuania.

Lithuania’s Day of Statehood’s Day is celebrated on July 6, with the most impressive festival taking place in the ancient Lithuanian capital of Kernave. Here, during the Days of Live History and Archaeology, Lithuanians rec reate life as it was, live in ancient villages and practice prehistoric crafts including food preparationand cooking, fur and amber processing, medieval iron smelting, coin minting and weapons production . Special outdoor areas are also prepared to show how medieval battles and military skills were performed. These festivities attract many people from abroad.

Folk dancing for the old and the young in Rumsiskes

Days of Live History and Archeology in Kernavė

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Lithuania is divided into four distinct ethic regions each with their own equally distinct cuisine.

Aukstaitija is famed for its soups and flour-based meals.Menus include milk soups, beet and sauerkraut soups, pancakes and dumplings with blueberry and cherry fillings, as well as dumplings with cottage cheese andmushroom fillings. An excellent starter is smoked smeltin hemp oil seasoned with tarragon.

In the forest lands of Dzukija you’ll find plenty ofmushroom-based meals including soups, salted milk- agaric mushrooms, fried saffron milk-caps in butter,chanterelles simmered in sour cream, and many other recipes. The traditional salted and dried sausage ofDzukija is produced using a method known as cold fume smoking, and is seasoned with juniper berries or special herbs.

Suvalkija people are the experts in making skilandis, a tightly stuffed, spherical sausage made from coarselychopped meat. Before eating this sort of sausage

Bon appetit!The taste of honey, the scent of sage

it’s smoked using alder and is stored for several months, after which thetasty skilandis can be thinly sliced and eaten. Roast duck with cherry stuffing, or tench cookedin apple source, or apple cheese, all of these dishes are popular in Suvalkija.

Zemaitija is well known for its sour cream butter, which is refreshing and tastes somewhat salty with a delicate sourness. Traditionally you’ll find itserved with hot potatoes. Crawfish boiled in beer, or braised beef in beer, plus roast duck with nut filling and rubbedwith honey - are mostly s e a s on a l me a l s and served only on special occasions.

The Minor Lithuania resting at the delta of the RiverNemunas and the Curonian Lagoon is famed for fish dishes. On the menu the deliciously smelling fishsoup, roasted, stewed, stuffed or prepared in lots ofway other fish dishes. The region‘s great delicacy is thehalibut or eel.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s cold or hot or if you’re sick or healthy, Lithuanian teas come in all varieties for all occasions, with such diverse flavours as thyme,mint, and linden-blossom. The perfect compliment toany of the above is a nice thick slice of course-grained honey cake, or cottage cheese seasoned with delicious Lithuanian honey.

Cold soups are a popular way to refresh yourself during a hot summer day. Bread or dried pear kvas, or a glass of cold beer are equally popular ways to satisfy the thirst. Lithuanian beer brewers know more than 200 recipes. A cup of Lithuanian mead (midus), an alcoholic drink that can be as strong as 56° proof, is seasoned with special herbs. Try on any occasion you like!

Culture highlights 4

City’s entertainment 6

Nature trails 8

The Amber Coast 10

SPA resorts 12

Age-old traditions 14

Bon appetit! 16

Useful information 17

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Main facts about the countryHistorical reminders 2

Lithuania is an independent democratic republic. The statė po-wer iš executed by the Seimas (Parliament), The President of the Republic, The Government and the Court System.The National Anthem: The words and music of the Lithuanian national anthem, know aš „Tautine giesme“, were written by Vin-cas Kudirka. In 1919 Tautine giesme officially became the natio-nal anthem of the country.Administrative Division: There are 10 counties, which include 60 regions in totai.Geographical location: The Republic of Lithuania iš located at the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It borders with Latvia (588 km), in the north, Belarus (660 km) in the east, Poland (103 km) and the Kaliningrad region (Russian Federation, 273 km), in the south. In 1989 The French National Geographical Institute ac-claimed that the geographical centre of Eu-rope iš only 24 km away from Vilnius, in the north-west.The Struve Meridian Are that passes through Lithuania aš well aš nine other European countries (from near the mouth of the Danube River at the Black Sea to Fuglenaes near North Cape in Norway) was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Li-sting in 2005.Territory: 65.300 są.km. A third of it iš dotted with forests, the-re are over 2800 lakęs larger than 0.5 ha, 18 rivers longer than 100 km.Climate: Transitional betvveen maritime and continental. Ave-rage temperature yearly in July iš +17 C, in January -4,9 C.Local time: Lithuania in the Central European Time Zone: GMT +2 hours (likę in Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn).Population: (according census for 01 01 2005) - 3.43 mln; urban population - 66.6 percent, rural-33.4 percent.Ethnic composition: Lithuanian origin people constitute 83.5 percent, the Poles - 6.7 percent, the Bellarussian (White Rus-sians) -1.2 percent, other - 2.3 percent. Lithuania iš the most ho-mogeneous of all the Baltic States by ethnic composition.Ethnic division: Lithuania iš divided into five regions by its eth-nic variations: Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkioja, Žemaitija and the Lithuania Minor.Religion: Mostly Roman Catholics (around 80 percent), others - Orthodox, Evangelic Lutherans, Evangelic Reformers, Old Be-lievers, Judaic, Sunite, Muslim, Karaite and other.Language: Lithuanian - the official language, one of the most ancient of Indo-European languages.The Capital City: Vilnius (pop. 541.3 thousand) was establi-shed in 1323. Vilnius Old Town - the UNESCO World Culture Heritage listed sites, one of the most sizable (360 ha) and pictu-resąue in Eastern and Central Europe.Other Major Cities: Kaunas - 364.1 thousand, Klaipėda -188.8 thousand, Šiauliai -130 thousand, Panevėžys - 116.3 thousand inhabitants.Resorts: Palanga and Neringa - the coastline resort cities; Drus-kininkai and Birštonas - the inland spa resorts.Air Transport: There are three international airports in the country - Vilnius (www.vilnius-airport.lt), Kaunas (www. kau-nasair.lt), Palanga (www.palanga-airport.lt). Lithuania has about 30 regular links with cities in Western and Central Europe.

Water Transport. Ferries: Seven sea ferry water routes link Klaipėda, the port city, with cities in Sweden, Denmark, Germa-ny, Poland and Kaliningrad Region (Russia Federation) (www. lisco.lt, www.scandlines.lt). Local ferries to connect Klaipėda and the Curonian Spit ūse local waterways ( Smiltynė; www. keltas.lt). Klaipėda iš a port home for two yacht clubs. One of them, aš well aš the Cruise Ship Terminai, iš located in the very centrai part of the city. (http://www.ports.lt.jacht.php?lang=LT, www.lbs.lt)Road System: Lithuania has a well developed network of ro- ads. There are two European Highways with branch-lines: Via Baltica (Helsinki - Warsaw) and West - East (Klaipėda - Mos- cow). Inland car taffic - right side. International road border posts: Polish border (EU) - Kalva-rija/Budzisko, road A5; Lazdijai/Ogrodniki, road 135; Latvian border (EU) - Būtingė, road Al 3; Bukaičiai/Ežerė, road A222; Kalviai/Meitene, road A12; Saločiai/Grenctale, road A10; Obe-liai/Subate, road A122; Smėlynė/Medumi, road A6; Belarus border - Lavoriškės/Kotlovka, road 103; Medininkai/Kamen-nyj Log, road A3; Šalčininkai/Benekainys, road 104; Raigar-das/Pri-valka, road A4; Russian boder (Kaliningrad Region) - Nida/Morskoje, road 167; Panemunė/Sovetsk, road A12; Ky-bartai/Černyševskoje, road A7.Information 24-hours per day iš available by tel. (370 5) 2719 305.Passenger transport. Cities and settlements in Lithuania are connected by passenger transport routes (Addresses of bus stati-ons are available at www.vkti.lt/keleivinis03.html or by telepho-ne 118).Raihvays: http://www.litrail.lt/wwwEN.nsfMap or roads and railways: http://maps.takas.lt/english/National currency and settlements: The national currency Litas iš pegged to the Euro at the rate l EUR = 3,4528 Lt. Litas iš used in the whole territory of the country, also many com-mercial, trade and services centres accept credit cards. ATM machines are available in all towns.Visas and entry conditions. No entry visas are reąuired for ci-ti-zens coming from all EU Member States and over 40 other statės. More detailed information about entry conditions iš available at http://www.urm.lt/ Consular Information - Con-sular Issues - Visas; Crossing Border).Countryside Holidays: www.countryside.ltInformation Desk Number: 118

St Ann’s and Bernardines architectural cnsemble - a brilliant pierce of Lithuanian Gothic.

LITHUANIAN STATE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM UNDER THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMYA.Juozapavičius str. 13, 09311 Vilnius, LithuaniaPhone (370 5) 210 87 96, fax (370 5) 210 87 53info@tourism.lt, www.tourism.lt

LITHUANIAN TOURISM FUNDA.Juozapavičius str. 13, 09311 Vilnius, LithuaniaPhone (370 5) 263 73 11, phone/fax (370 5) 272 65 54info@travel.lt, www.travel.lt

www.LithuanianTravel.com

Photos by V. Valužis, S. Danilevičius, H. Sakalauskas, R. Statulevičiūtė,K. Vanagas, K. Driskius, Z. Usinavicius, Z. Nekrošius, The LithuanianState Tourism Department at the Ministry of Economy© Original text by Roma StatulevičiūtėTranslation by Dalia Rimkūnienė© Printed by SAPNŲ SALA, 2005

LITHUANIAN TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES ABROAD

GERMANYBaltikum Tourizmus Zentrale (BTZ)FremdenverkehrszentraleEstland-Lettland-LitauenKatharinenstr. 19,10711 BerlinPhone 030 - 890 090 91, fax 030 - 890 090 92info@gobaltic.de; www.baltikuminfo.de

FINLANDKapteeninkatu 7, 00140 HelsinkiPhone (358 9) 622 777 17, fax (358 9) 622 777 18mfo@liettua.fi; www.liettua.fi

POLANDAl. Ujazdowskie 51, 00-536 WarszawaPhone (48 22) 584 70 52, fax (48 22) 584 70 73info@litwatravel.com; www.litwatravel.com

RUSSIABorisoglebskij per. 13 corpus 2,121069 MoscowPhone/fax (7 095) 203 67 90litinfo@sovintel.ru; www.litinfo.ru

SPAINL’Encarnacio, 70, bajos, 08024 Barcelonatel. (34 93) 285 32 85, mob. (34 667) 693 931, fax (34 93) 3 343 469E-mail: info@lituaniatrade.com, www.lituaniatur.com