Lithuania’s spirit is forged in centuries of defiance—from the medieval Grand Duchy, once Europe’s largest state stretching to the Black Sea, to the Hill of Crosses, where hundreds of thousands of crosses stand as silent protest against Soviet oppression. This unyielding pride pulses through its cities and countryside alike. 

Wander the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Vilnius, where Gothic spires blend with pastel palaces or soar over the city in a hot air balloon—one of Europe’s only capitals permitting flights above its core. Glide across Lake Galvė to Trakai Island Castle, a 14th-century red-brick fortress. Hike the Curonian Spit’s towering dunes—Europe’s highest shifting sands—where forests meet Baltic winds.

In Dzūkija National Park, villagers still forage mushrooms and weave linen by hand, while At Witches’ Hill in Juodkrantė, carved deities guard woodland paths.

When it comes to tasting the local culinary delights, try kibinai (meat pasties) in Trakai, then dive into hearty cepelinai (potato dumplings) or vibrant pink šaltibarščiain(cold beet soup). Toast with Biržai farmhouse beer, brewed from resurrected medieval recipes. Don’t miss šakotis (tree cake), a spiky dessert symbolising celebration.

Sports is a secular religion: Lithuanians live for the roar of the arena, fuelled by Olympic victories over giants like Team USA. Yet innovation thrives too—world- leading public WiFi speeds and a fast-growing tech scene reflect a nation leaping toward tomorrow without forgetting yesterday.