I took an Austrian Airlines flight from Vienna to Vilnius - the capital of Lithuania. The airport was small but looked efficient. My final voting will depend on the departure.
It's the first time in years that I traveled without a guidebook, so let's see how that worked out.
The Tourist Information at the airport pointed me in the right direction for the bus to my hotel. The old Mercedes bus looked more than 20 years old and smelled of stale sweat and beer. The ride was only 1 Euro and 20 minutes. The hotel was only 200 m from the bus stop.
The next morning, I walked to the city centre and hopped on a tour bus to get an overview of Vilnius. The buildings of the city centre were renovated and very beautiful, while outside of the old town less has been done and some buildings even looked as they would crumble tomorrow. No matter where you are, keep your eyes on the pavement: holes, blowups, ramps, missing steps - all could take you to the ground.
The tour bus passed by an uncountable number of churches (Roman Catholic & Russian Orthodox), Town Hall, Presidential Palace, Gate of Dawn, Uzupis, KGB museum and the Gediminas Castle.
After lunch, I explored the Cathedral. Luckily every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday a guided tour of the crypts is offered. The young Lithuanian guide led us through the crypt and history of the cathedral for over an hour. The crypts housed the remains of two queens and kings.
After that, I walked to the Church of Saints Peter & Paul and stopped at the Museum of Applied Arts that featured an exhibition of ball gowns from 1915 to 2015.
The evening, I spent in the old city and enjoyed hearty and sweet blinis (Russian pancakes) for dinner.
It's the first time in years that I traveled without a guidebook, so let's see how that worked out.
Old Mercedes bus
The next morning, I walked to the city centre and hopped on a tour bus to get an overview of Vilnius. The buildings of the city centre were renovated and very beautiful, while outside of the old town less has been done and some buildings even looked as they would crumble tomorrow. No matter where you are, keep your eyes on the pavement: holes, blowups, ramps, missing steps - all could take you to the ground.
Lithuanian Coat of Arms
The tour bus passed by an uncountable number of churches (Roman Catholic & Russian Orthodox), Town Hall, Presidential Palace, Gate of Dawn, Uzupis, KGB museum and the Gediminas Castle.
Church All Saints
Church St. Casimir
Gates of Dawn
KGB Museum
After lunch, I explored the Cathedral. Luckily every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday a guided tour of the crypts is offered. The young Lithuanian guide led us through the crypt and history of the cathedral for over an hour. The crypts housed the remains of two queens and kings.
Cathedral - outside
Cathedral - outside
Krypta
After that, I walked to the Church of Saints Peter & Paul and stopped at the Museum of Applied Arts that featured an exhibition of ball gowns from 1915 to 2015.
Church St.s Peter & Paul
Fashion Exhibition
The evening, I spent in the old city and enjoyed hearty and sweet blinis (Russian pancakes) for dinner.
Gustas Blini
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