Submitted by: John Watson, Jan 29 2008
Traveling and discovering new places has always been my passion. I find
traveling truly rewarding - you are always exposed to new sites and exciting
adventures, meeting new people and learn something about their culture first
hand. By the year of 2003 I have covered most of the western European countries
but the eastern part was left undiscovered. I learned about Lithuania for the
first time from my friend who has just arrived back from his vacation in
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. He was full of pleasant impressions and
affectionately described it as "a chocolate box city of three-storey baroque
buildings". At that time I didn't know anything about the country, except that
Lithuania is one of the Baltic States, which heroically gained its independence
back from the former Soviet block in 1991. I was looking for my next holiday
destination and instead of returning back to my favorite places I decided to
give Vilnius a go, which sounded just as charming and romantic. I was also
looking for something new, a refreshing break from some of Europe's mass tourism
destinations. In a couple of weeks I flew to Vilnius. My first impression of the
town was pretty, homely and somehow unpretentiously elegant. It isn't exactly
for those who are looking for a big turbulent metropolis city, which it isn't.
Vilnius charm lies in its medieval roots. Vilnius Old Town is one of the
largest surviving medieval old towns in Eastern Europe and because of its
numerous historic buildings it is classified as a World Heritage site. According
to the history, in the Middle Ages Vilnius was a blossoming city and one of the
largest in Eastern Europe. The city was built during different centuries,
therefore you will find a blend of architecture with baroque and gothic
dominating. The whitewashed Vilnius Cathedral and its belfry, medieval defense
fortress, the intricate Gothic Church of St. Anne's, to name just a few, creates
a postcard-perfect town. I found Vilnius Old Town undoubtedly the most charming
part of the city. Quaint shops and cozy cafes set amongst a blend of intricate
spires, domes and towers are some of the first images that come to my mind. I
especially loved exploring the atmospheric lanes of the back streets, where you
can absorb the true spirit of medieval Lithuania.
All in all Vilnius is a charming place to experience some living history, wandering among the medieval cobblestone streets; enjoy its diverse dining scene and elegant bars and also get to know its welcoming people. The city is a refreshing, not fully discovered yet and memorable destination.
John Watson is the publisher of a website called Welcome-to Lithuania ( http://www.welcome-to-lithuania.com ). He and his girlfriend share their traveling experiences in Vilnius and Lithuania, recommending accommodation, best restaurants, major attractions, bars and other useful traveling tips. Please note, Anyone may copy and publish this article providing the authors website address at the bottom of the article.



