Odontika

Lithuania

Lithuania is situated by the Baltic Sea and extends over an area of 65,300 square kilometres (25,212 sq miles) and is the largest of the three Baltic States. The gently undulating and largely forested countryside is inter-dispersed by numerous lakes and rivers.

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Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is the largest city in the country and has a population of approx. 600,000; located in the geographical centre of Europe (the French National Institute of Geography established the geographical centre of Europe to be 24 km from Vilnius). With a cosmopolitan air, Vilnius is a fantastic place to visit with plenty of cafés, restaurants and bars where you can take in the atmosphere of this great city. It is increasingly popular for city breaks throughout the year and the number of tourists is growing rapidly.

The Old Town is often referred to as the Italy of the Baltic, for the cobbled narrow winding streets, art-nouveau buildings, Baroque facades, Gediminas Castle and the Cathedral Square. It comes as no surprise that in 1994 Vilnius Old Town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Old Town, of some 1.5 thousand buildings, is one of the largest in Eastern Europe (360 ha), it is here where the most valuable historic and cultural heritage is concentrated. The city has an eclectic mix of styles with strong Jewish, Russian, Polish, and Lithuanian influence.

Vilnius has been nominated the European Capital of Culture 2009. Since the programs inauguration in 1985 a city nominated as the Capital of European Culture, for one year, is provided with an opportunity to promote its own culture among nationals of other European Union countries. Moreover, Lithuania is the first among the new European Union member states to have its capital given the honourable title of the European Capital of Culture.

The stunning Curonian Spit, again UNESCO protected, is a sand bank island that separates the Baltic see from the mainland and shelters a fresh water lagoon rich in wild life. Another location that is well worth a visit, and this time closer to Vilnius, is Traikai Castle [20km from Vilnius]. The Castle is situated on one of several islands in the middle of one of Lithuania’s most pristine and largest lake network.

If you feel like indulging in a relaxing spa environment, visit Druskininkiai. The spa resorts offer some of the highest quality treatments and services in Europe.

Lithuania is bordered to the north by Latvia, east and southeast by Belarus, Poland borders the south, and the Russian territory of Kaliningrad to the southwest. The population of Lithuania is 3.5 million, and is made up of some 81% Lithuanians, approximately 9% Russians and 6.7% Poles. There are a further million Lithuanians who live outside Lithuania.