Lithuania, the largest of the three Baltic countries with an area of 65 333 square kilometres, is more than 1000 years old.

His name would thus have been quoted for the very first in historical sources in 1009! This country commemorated its millennium with dignity in 2009. The history of the country is that of a succession of phases of occupation - Polish, German or Soviet - on several occasions! before becoming independent in 1990. Lithuania, however, only became a tourist destination in its own right after its accession to the European Union in 2004. Its first asset is undoubtedly the friendliness of its population: multi-ethnic, it speaks several dialects but will always be delighted to help you. Following a massive emigration to Western Europe, however, the Lithuanian population has decreased by 10% in 10 years. Lithuania is also visited for its various monuments, located mainly in its urban agglomerations. During your stay in Lithuania, You will enjoy walking in the centre of its capital Vilnius, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: you will admire the Gediminas Tower, dedicated to the founder of Vilnius, the Palace of the Sovereigns, its Church of St Anne, very emblematic of Gothic art or the church of St Peter and St Paul. Kaunas, the second city of the country, will attract the amateurs of medieval architecture: the city presents many restored towers. We will also enjoy walking in the central avenue Laisvés Aléja, considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Finally, this student town has a very beautiful monastery, Pažaislis, built in the 17th century according to Baroque architectural concepts. Besides the historical interest of its big cities, Lithuania is also visited for its beautiful landscapes: there are no less than five national parks in this country, which are Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Žemaitija, Kuršiu Nerija and Trakai. Located in different Lithuanian regions, these parks were created to study and protect the country's natural and cultural resources. They are complemented by 30 regional parks, whose objective is to protect the main Lithuanian ecosystems. An ideal way to do rural tourism in this country. But you can also enjoy a seaside holiday here as soon as summer arrives: Lithuania can boast a number of pretty resorts, including Palanga, particularly appreciated by the local population for its immense white sandy beaches and its Palace of Tiškevičius, surrounded by a botanical park of beautiful dimensions. The development of tourism in this city has encouraged the public authorities to consolidate the accommodation offer, which is now declined through several categories of hotels and guest houses. We will also love Neringa, this long sandy peninsula, which separates the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. Reminiscent of a desert, this unique site was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2000. Nature, beaches but also thermalism are likely to attract the candidate to travel in Lithuania.

Lithuania, like the other Baltic countries, has a maritime climate on the Baltic coast and a continental climate inland. Winters can be very harsh - temperatures are often negative but Lithuanians relive summer. Art and culture in Lithuania
Did you know that the sauna occupies a very important place in Lithuanian culture? Considered an attraction nowadays, the sauna was an integral part of Lithuanian housing during the inter-war period and the majority of houses had one. If by any chance a dwelling did not have one, the inhabitants and the homeless met in a community sauna, a real place of life and exchanges. The tradition was for men to go to the sauna first, and then women. The sauna is still an important traditional element today.

What to visit in Lithuania
During your holidays in Lithuania, three sites are particularly worth a visit: the centre of Vilnius, the Curonian Spit and the archaeological site of Kernave, proof of the settlement of successive populations, from the Palaeolithic period to the Middle Ages, i.e. a piece of history of some 10,000 years. These three sites are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The beaches of Lithuania, like those of Palanga, are worth a visit. And if you have a little time, the spas of the country still remain preserved from mass tourism. To see: Druskininkai, the oldest of them or Birštonas.