For outsiders anyway, Vilnius is a hard city to pin down. It’s not quite Eastern European, not quite Scandinavian, not Russian, and not German. It’s not even quite Lithuanian. This ambiguity, the diversity of influences, actually gives the city its unique character and charm.
...Posts under ‘Lithuania’
Lithuania - Bars
Soviet-era bars were a disaster. These days there are plenty of above-average to excellent drinking holes in the Lithuanian capital.
Astorija: Didþioji 35/2, tel. 236-0840. Open:12-24. A fabulous little bar inside the Radisson, serving some of the best draught beer in Lithuania. Pricey, but still cheaper than anything you’ll find in the West.
Bix: [...]
Lithuania - Cafés
In the Baltic states there seems to be a dearth of fine cafes. This, for some reason, is especially true in Vilnius. The best coffee and pastries are often found in restaurants and even bars. There’s hope that the cafe scene will improve. It can’t get much worse. Cafe is kavine in Lithuanian.
...Lithuanian History - A Brief Chronology
2000 B.C. Lithuanian ancestors settle along the Baltic coast.
1009 A.D. Lithuania is first mentioned in chronicles. Lithuanians already have a reputation as fierce warriors.
1200 While much of Europe has already converted to Christianity, Lithuania is still pagan and will remain so for several hundred more years. Lithuanians believed fire embodies the divine. A sacred [...]
