Historically memorable.
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Never heard of Lithuania? You might be surprised to learn the Republic of Lithuania once was the largest country in Europe. Ok, it was during the 14th century, but this lovely country nestled along the Baltic sea is still setting records today.
Today visitors are as likely to be wowed by the country’s gorgeous amber jewelry or the Curonian Spit, a unique national park famous for its stunning landscapes and sandy dunes. Water is vital here, even supplying the country with its name. (Lithuania is named after the Vilnia River, which flows through the surrounding area.) If you’re a tree hugger, check out Lithuania’s massive Stelmuze Oak – estimated to be 2,000 years old and one of the oldest (and biggest) oak trees in Europe. Join hands with seven other people, form a circle, and you still may not be able to embrace its trunk! Vilnius boasts a well-preserved Baroque Old Town, still the largest in Europe! Gothic, Renaissance and Classicism: it’s all here, along with buildings in the Baroque style reminiscent of ancient Italian cities. Like Riga in Latvia and Tallinn in Estonia, Vilnius is a UNESCO World Heritage site. But don’t think you’ll be stuck in the past when visiting Lithuania. The city has plenty of memorable, hip restaurants, cafes, shops and entertainment venues to keep even the most demanding world traveler happy. And if you like beer, you’ll be delighted to know that Lithuania beer has won medals at International Beer Brewers contests for three consecutive years! (Editor’s Note: Some information in this article was drawn, in part, from The Baltic States: Discovered through the Amber Sands of Time by Valeri Sepp.) |
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