Lithuania

Lithuania is a compact Baltic country of pine forests, lakes and a sandy coast, with easy links from Ukraine. Kaunas is famed for its UNESCO-listed interwar modernist architecture, Trakai Island Castle on Lake Galvė is an easy day trip from Vilnius, and Druskininkai and Birštonas are restful spa towns.

Vilnius’s UNESCO-listed Old Town is one of Europe’s largest surviving Baroque old towns. Pilies Street leads from Cathedral Square towards the Gate of Dawn, Gothic St Anne’s glows in red brick, Gediminas’ Tower offers the best view, and bohemian Užupis keeps cafés and galleries by the Vilnia. Add Neris riverside walks, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the MO Museum, hot-air balloons in warm months and a lively modern food scene.

Seaside Palanga has wide sandy beaches, dunes, pine forests, a long pier for sunsets, the Botanical Park and the Amber Museum — amber is a cherished local craft. The UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit National Park shelters Nida’s great dunes and the calm lagoon. Taste cepelinai, šaltibarščiai, šakotis, smoked Baltic fish, rye bread, local beer and mead. Summers are usually mild, roughly 20–25 °C, winters cold and often snowy; late May to September suits coast and city, Baltic swimming peaks in high summer, and winter brings Christmas markets and spa stays. It suits city breaks, couples, culture and architecture lovers, foodies, spa-goers and lovers of Baltic summers.