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Lithuania : Vilnius - June 2009

Country Code: Dial 0 for Lithuania

Vilnius is a fascinating city to explore any time of year, but it’s in summer that it really comes to life. Lithuania was the last country in Europe to convert to Christianity and the days leading up to the pagan-imbued celebration of Midsummer (23 June) are filled with outdoor events. This year, the uplifting strains of the World Music Choir will fill P Skarga Yard at Vilnius University on 21 June. Marie Cleland is all ears

Getting around

Vilnius International Airport

Bus: The no. 1 bus goes to the central train station every 10–15 minutes. Tickets bought onboard cost €0,40/LTL 1.40.
Train: A fast train leaves every hour from the airport between 6am and 9pm and takes 10 minutes to get to the central station.
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city centre takes about 15 minutes and should cost €11,60/LTL 40
Tourist information: The main tourist office is at 22 Vilniaus Gatve ( 0, vilniustourism. lt).

OLD TOWN

This Unesco World Heritage Site is bursting with restaurants, boutiques, churches, museums and galleries.

Sleep soundly – Sink into the homely atmosphere of Old Market B&B (57 Pylimo Gatve, 3, oldmarket.lt, rooms from €52/LTL 180). Or try the charming Narutis Hotel (24 Pilies Street, 2122894, narutis. com, rooms from €105/LTL 363).

Culture vultures – Built in 1579, Vilnius University (3 Universiteto Gatve) comprises a whole city block of gothic, baroque and classical buildings clustered around 13 courtyards and galleries. On 21 June, more than 300 singers from across the world will descend on the largest – P Skarga Yard – for the World Festival Choir’s performance of Verdi’s Requiem.

Must eat – The chickens in a coop in the entry hint at the farmyard feel of Cili Kaimas (8 Vokieciu Gatve, 6). This quirky restaurant is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes, such as cepelinai (zeppelinshaped potato dumplings stuffed with mince and served with sour cream).

Must drink – The trendy Cozy (10 Dominikonu) is a restaurant/café and DJ bar. Come here for the traditional beer platter of Lithuanian hunters’ sausage, cheese and olives. Enjoy it with a glass of the nation’s favourite beer, Švyturys, on the terrace.

Shop til you drop – Sauluva (3 Literatu Gatve) stocks quality souvenirs, such as jewellery, traditional linens and one of the Baltic’s most prized natural products, amber. Visit Jonas Bugailiskis (17-10 Ausros Vartu) and buy one of the bobute (grandmother) carvings he makes in his wood and sculpture-filled studio.

UŽUPIS

This bohemian neighbourhood declared itself an independent republic 12 years ago and has been a centre for all things arty ever since.

Culture vultures – Užupis Art Incubator (2/11 Užupio Gatve) has its finger on the pulse of Užupis’s creative community and holds free exhibitions of local artists’ work.

Must eat – In summer, Vilnians flock to Tores (40 Užupio Gatve, 9) and its large terrace, which enjoys expansive views of the old town’s terracotta roofs and Gediminas’ Tower. Try the tangy Italian tomato soup with lashings of fresh bread.

Must drink – Užupio Kavine (2 Užupio Gatve) is the unofficial headquarters of the Užupis president, the film-maker and artist Romas Lileikis. On a sunny day, you may just find him out on the balcony overlooking the River Vilnia.

CITY CENTRE

Take advantage of the warm summer evenings and stroll up the city centre’s grand tree-lined boulevard, Gedimino Prospektas.

Sleep soundly – Situated on the north bank of the River Neris, Reval Hotel Lietuva (20 Konstitucijos Prospektas, 2, revalhotels.com, rooms from €95/LTL 328) offers contemporary luxury in the heart of Vilnius’s business district.

Culture vultures – With its dozens of chandeliers shining out from the building’s glass façade, the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre (1 A. Vienuolio Gatve) is a beacon of culture. It also has an impressive programme of classical and contemporary productions.

Must drink – Head to Sky Bar (20 Konstitucijos Prospektas) on the 22nd floor of the Reval Hotel Lietuva. Sip the cocktail of the week (priced at a very reasonable €2,90/LTL 10) while you take in the commanding views of the old town on the south bank.

Dance the night away – If it’s electronica or house music you’re looking for, head across the river to Gravity (16 J. Jasinskio Gatve). Hidden away in an ex-Soviet bomb shelter, it’s the venue of choice for international DJs visiting the city.

Compiled by Marie Cleland