Cultural getaways
What to see, eat and do in Lithuania and the Czech Republic
What to see, eat and do in Lithuania and the Czech Republic
VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
It is an amazing fact that Lithuania’s visitor numbers grow by more than 10pc each year. Southernmost of the Baltic States, Lithuania’s cool capital, Vilnius, is one of the driving forces behind the country’s booming tourism industry. Here, Virginija Umbrasiene˙ , Deputy Head of Embassy of Lithuania, shares the ways to take in the city’s bustling culture.
What to visit:
“Vilnius Old Town, as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the heart of the city. It’s full of baroque churches, vibrant cultural life and the narrow, cozy streets make Vilnius very photogenic and full of surprises. For example, the Bohemian district of Vilnius, called Uzˇ upis Republic, has its own Constitution and is referred to as Lithuania’s ‘Land of Oz’.
“Get a walking city tour of Vilnius Old Town, which takes approximately three hours. Walking along Vilnius’ narrow streets, you will enjoy the most interesting architectural and historic monuments of the 16th – 19th centuries: Classical Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Castle, Presidential Palace, Vilnius University, the Gothic-style St Anne’s Church, and the Gates of Dawn, which is one of the most visited shrines in Vilnius.”
“Families may find the Toy Museum interesting. It’s not far from the Cathedral in Old Town and features toys and games from the 12th century onwards, including wooden toys made in Lithuania during the Soviet period.” What to see: “Almost half of Vilnius is covered with lush forests and parks. Vilnius is one of the few capitals in Europe, where you can observe the centre of the city from a hot air balloon. Vilnius is also the ‘city of the low-flying angels’ – little smiling angel sculptures can be spotted on various buildings all around the city. And, keep an eye out for some pictureperfect street art on the cobbled streets of Vilnius. “Take an afternoon drive to Trakai, approximately 30 minutes away, and see the 15th-century Trakai Island Castle. It is one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Europe on one of the 21 islands in Lake Galve˙ . ‘The city of lakes’ is another name for Trakai and the castle served as a residential place for the dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The 300m wooden bridge leading into the castle, the lakes, beautiful halls, galleries, stained-glass windows, frescoes and secret passages will not leave anyone indifferent, even those who are not particularly fond of history.” When to go: “Every season is special in Lithuania. However, late spring April and May, when trees bloom, as well as summer are the most beautiful.
“This year, Lithuania is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Restoration of the State so there will be thousands of events, performances and exhibitions taking place around the country. On 16th of February, all cities will offer a number of concerts, from classical music performances to street musicians and national music ensembles in city parks. This also includes a unique event – ringing bells in 100 churches across Lithuania at 12.30pm.
“The biggest centenary celebration will take place in Vilnius. From 9th to 18th of February, ‘Time Machine’ will take you back 100 years. Restaurants will serve special dishes and performers will play music that was popular one hundred years ago.”
CˇESKÝ KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC
Located in the central part of Europe, on the halfway point between the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean, is the Czech Republic – the ‘land of stories’. “The Czech Republic has thousands of castles and chateaux, beautiful mountain views and many sites to discover,” says Katarína Hobbs, Director of Czech Tourism Ireland and UK. “If you’re looking for a relaxing stay with world-class spa treatments, head to the ‘Spa Triangle’ in West Bohemia, which is made of towns Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), Mariánské Lázneˇ and Frantieˇkovy Lázneˇ. While Prague is a popular tourist destination, consider visiting one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites, Cˇ esky´ Krumlov.”
Here’s what to look out for in Cesky´ ˇ Krumlov.
What to see: “Cˇ esky´ Krumlov is getting more and more attention because it looks like a fairytale town. A visit is like stepping back into the 14th century, with small historical houses, and Renaissance and baroque architecture crowding the narrow streets. The Cˇ esky´ Krumlov Castle, with its colourful façade, stands on a hill above the red roofs of the Old Town. Not only is this splendid to see, but the Castle also offers a fascinating look into the aristocratic rulers of Bohemia throughout the centuries. Highlights include the Baroque Theater, where guests of the noble family would go for evening entertainment. Climb to the top of the tower and marvel at the views below!”
Where to go: “Visit the Puppet Museum, in the Old Town’s main square, which features more than 200 movable creations and a stage where children can create their own fairytale story with different characters. Or, visit the Marionette Museum, which contains an exhibition of old Czech marionettes and complete puppet theatres from the latter half of the 19th century. Those with an adventurous spirit should rent a canoe and go along the Vltava River, through Bohemian forests and past villages and cafes. While not for everyone, Cˇ esky´ Krumlov’s Museum of Torture (Museum Tortury) provides a fascinating look at the cruel ways in which criminals were mistreated throughout the centuries.”
What to try: “There is no better way to immerse yourself in the Czech culture, than having a glass of Czech beer or good wine with a meal consisting of dumplings and meat. Long-past times are evoked by pubs in ancient cellars, where you ˇcan enjoy a true medieval feast, such as at Svambersky´ do˚ m Hotel. The Renaissance spirit is fully revived every year in June, when the whole town comes alive for three days with knightly tournaments, fencing matches, and lively craft fairs.
“The Czech Republic is celebrating its 100th anniversary of the ‘First Republic’, the first state of Czechoslovakia to become independent of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The era is very important for the history of the Czech Republic, as it was a time of industrial and cultural boom. But, what people may not realise is that cafés had a big role in it. They were places where intellectuals would meet to discuss the latest issues. For example, in Prague you can visit Café Lourve, where Franz Kafka and Albert Einstein used to go. If you decide to visit Cˇ esky´ Krumlov, you should combine the experiences and also spend a few nights in Prague or in the spas in the West.”