| Vilnius, the vibrant capital of Lithuania, is situated just | | | | Outside of the old town, and in line with many of the |
| under 200 miles east of the Baltic shore and was | | | | cities who have emerged from years of communist |
| included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Cities in | | | | rule, there is extensive development as Vilnius |
| 1994. It is also only 12 miles from the geographical | | | | attempts to establish itself as a major Western |
| centre of Europe - the village of Purnuskes - as | | | | capital city. The city offers reasonable shopping with |
| designated by the French National Institute of | | | | Hugo Boss, Benetton and Zara all opening there |
| Geography in 1989. | | | | recently. |
| Founded in the early 1300's Vilnius is dominated by | | | | Although with distinctly historic origins you'll still find |
| the Gediminas Castle, named after the city's founder, | | | | Vilnius offers ultra-modern WiFi hotspots and internet |
| which features a recently restored red-bricked tower | | | | cafes in abundance, allowing you to stay in touch |
| from which you get the best views of the city. | | | | with the folks back home, if you want to! Or, you |
| If you are in need of a miracle, stay in the old town | | | | can totally escape to some remote spots; try Pavilniai |
| and head off to the square just outside the 14th | | | | park on the River Vilnia, situated in a glacial valley, |
| century Archcathedral Basilica. Once there look for a | | | | which features steep, rocky cliffs, or if you're there |
| floor tile which carries the word "Stebuklas" - that's | | | | in summer try the River Neris beaches where the |
| the Lithuanian for miracle - and if you turn 360 | | | | locals hang out. |
| degrees on that tile while making your wish it will | | | | Amongst one of the lesser well-known facts about |
| come true, so local legend says! | | | | the city is the fact that Vilnius is big on Frank Zappa. |
| As well as busting at the seams with churches and | | | | Or, rather it was in 1995 when an extremely keen |
| historic buildings ranging from 13th century, Vilnius old | | | | local fan of the American rock musician managed to |
| town contains a plethora of pubs and nightclubs | | | | persuade the city council to allow him to erect the |
| providing a fantastic fusion of the old and new. As | | | | world's only Zappa statue in one of the city's parks! |
| the average salary of a Vilnius worker is 500 euros | | | | Lithuania, as champions of Europe and winners of |
| per week you'll find that prices of most things are a | | | | three successive Olympic bronze medals, are huge on |
| lot cheaper than in the UK. | | | | basketball. If you visit during the season catch a |
| For example, the average price of a pint of decent | | | | game at the 11,000 seat Siemens Arena, home of |
| quality beer in Lithuania is around 80p and with clubs | | | | Lietuvos Ryto in the Euroleague, or the smaller 1,700 |
| staying open until 5.00 am Vilnius is proving a popular | | | | seater Lietuvos Ryto stadium for the Lithuanian |
| location for weekend breaks. Although do be careful | | | | League games. |
| how much you have to drink as there are some | | | | Flying time to Vilnius from the UK is just under three |
| 'unusual' tourist attractions in the city and you | | | | hours; British Airways and Lithuanian Airlines both fly |
| wouldn't want to wake up in the 'KGB museum of | | | | there direct. |
| Genocide', for example! | | | | |