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| Lithuania, independent from Soviet Union in 1991, is one of Baltic 3 counties and has the border with Poland, Belarus, Latvia and Russia(Kaliningrad). In May 2004, it joined to European Union and is expected to have more travelers in future. |
| Language |
| Lithuanian is spoken by 85% of people with the remaining 15% being Polish and Russian. English is spoken by the younger generation. Among old generation, Russian is understood. |
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| Weather |
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June: most pleasant and weather is suitable
most for traveling. July: the hottest month reaching 20 degrees. February: the coldest when it reaches -15 degrees. Travel in summer! |
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| Currency/Exchange |
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The currency is Litad (Lt) which has
been pegged to Euro at $1=3.4528Lt. Denominations- 1, 2, 5 coins. 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 notes. Exchange - Many banks and convenient exchange booths that dot the major towns. Rate varies but the difference is minimum. Cash - can be changed without commission. T/C - Can be exchanged at 2% commission. ATM - Many all over Lithuania Changing back - Banks buy back there currency with 1-3% commission. |
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| Basic Travel Costs |
| Big Mac - 6.50Lt, Set 9.9Lt, Dinner - 15Lt, Beer - 3Lt, Dorm bed - 32Lt, Breakfast - 8Lt, Mars Bar- 1.92Lt, Water 500ml- 1.30Lt, coffee- 2.5Lt, Icecream 1.2Lt |
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| Opening hours |
| M-F 9.00-17.00, Sa 9.00-15.00. Su Generally speaking most of museums and stores close on Sunday but restaurants remain open. |
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| Immigration |
| Most of nationals do not need visa and can stay upto 90 days. South Africans, Tiwanese and those who need a visa, single entry 20 Euro, but no visa required to those if they have Latvian visa(single entry 15Euro)? |
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| Border Crossing |
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| International Transport |
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Roads are the best in the Baltic with large
four lane highways making bus travel fast and comfortable. Timetables
are easy to read and Eurolines staff speak fluent English. Air: Vilnius Airport: Rodunios Kelias 2 T5-306666 Kanaus Airport: Karmekava Kaunoraj T37-3993076 Palanga Airport: Liepojos II, T36-52020 Buses: the best option when entering to/from Poland because absurdly, Trains: go via Belarus/Poland which means huge red tape and delays. Druskininkai (Lithuania) > Hranda (Belarus), expect a 2 hr wait Marijampole (Lithuania) > Suwalki (Poland), expect a 1 hr wait. Sea: Many ferries are running to Klaipeda from major ports in Baltic. Kiel(Germany 20 hrs, 760Lt), Sassnitz(Germany 20hrs, 570Lt), Karlshamn(Sweden, 15hrs, 210Lt) |
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| National Transport |
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Mini buses, buses, trains
are available. Minibuses: holding 10 people are incredibly fast and efficient, arriving 25% quicker than an average bus. The best scenery is when taking trains, which are quite slow but comfortable. Rent-A-Car: Ultimate Service(A&A Litinterp): Bernardinu 7/2, T52123850, M-F8:30-17:30, Sa9-15:00, 150Lt+/day |
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| Local Transport |
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trolley/bus: The
large towns have this system and it is very good. A single journey
0.80Lt (0.40Lt for students), and tickets can be bought at Kiosks
(say biliteria achu). Minibuses: also operate and cover the exact same routes as public buses but are faster and cost 2Lt. Taxis: rip off and should only be taken if it's a emergency or make sure that they use the meters. |
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| Tourist Information |
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tourist information center:
Every major town has a good tourist
information center, which speak fluent English. They have photos
of all the surrounding accommodation, and choose one based on
location and your budget. Publications: `In your pocket Vilnius & Kaunas` are written in English by Latvians and is highly recommended. The Baltic Times 5Lt a weekly newspaper, and The City Paper a magazine published every two months are great English publications |
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Phone cards. LIETUVOS TELEKOMAS and
Centrinis PASTAS, 50
units 9Lt. Not compatible, but the cost are the same. For international calls: the way to call are displayed at the telephone booths. Western Europe/Australia/US 83.4Lt /min, Japan 467.4 Lt /min AT&T - tel 8 then 196, BT direct - tel 8 then 192
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| Accommodation |
| Lithuania`s accommodations are very erratic. Vilnius has excellent hostels, Trakai has excellent B&B`s, Kaunas has excellent cheap hotels, but none of the towns have all three. However it is obvious that Lithuania is getting ready for the tourist boom that is sweeping across Eastern Europe towards it. |
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| Food |
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Tips: not
to be expected but some pay 5-10% Balandelial: incredibly popular with vendors. It is cabbage rolls stuffed with some kind of meat. It might be pork. Virtiniai: pancakes or Chinese dumplings stuffed with meat with special sauce. Cepelinai: big potato dumplings stuffed with meat. Coffee is quite good in the trendy cafes on Piliies iela (3Ls). Lithuania have great light tangy beers: such as Utenos (2.95Ls) and Kalnapilis (2.35Ls). |
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| Souvenirs |
| Amber like other Baltic States is popular. The art sold on Pilies Street in Vilnius is world class and a bargain, ship it home. |
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| Health |
| The Baltic & American medical clinics operate in Lithuania, which offer excellent western care, with English speaking staff. Tap water is not suitable to drink. |
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| Entertainment |
| Vilnius doesn`t have the vibrant club scene that the other Baltic capitals have. They instead seem to have well-lit cellar dance bars where the locals come to dance, kiss or fight. ACDC seems to be the band of choice so don`t dance when the DJ starts playing this, you might get hit. Yes Lithuania is one big retro night. |
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| Safety |
| Lithuanian men are quite violent when drunk, so care must be taken if you are talking to a Lithuanian girl. Do not walk alone in the middle of the night. There is a very high police presence in the major towns, with portable police booths. |
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| Internet |
| Trendy internet cafes are popping up in the major towns. But still not many. |
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| Miscellaneous |
| Voltage: 220 volts, 50hz. Standard European plug. |
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| World Heritage Listed |
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Vilnius old town: 12 century old town, putting re-devolpement under
close scrutiny Curonian Spit: SW part of Lithania, National park of a sand beach. Kernave Archaeological site: In eastern Lithuania, 35km from Villnius. Feudal town of 100 thousand years' settlement from the stone age to the middle age. |
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| January 1 | New Years Day |
| February 16 | Independent Declaration Day |
| March 11 | Independent Day |
| April | Good Friday and Catholic Easter |
| May 1 | Labor Day |
| July 6 | Day of Statehood |
| August 15 | Virgin Maria's |
| November 1 | All Saints Day |
| December 25-26 | Christmas |
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| Festival 2004 Month/Day | ||
| 4/21-25 | Kanaus | International Jazz Festival: |
| 5/ | Vilnius | International Cinema Festival: |
| 5/26-31 | Vilnius | International Theatre Festival: |
| 5/27-30 | Vilnius | International Folklore Festival: |
| 5/28-6/5 | Vilnius | Vilnius Carnival |
| 6/ | Vilnius | Festival 2004 |
| 6/19 | Kanaus | Lithuanian Song Festival: |
| 6/23-24 | Vilnius | St. John's Festival: |
| 6/ | Trakai | International Boar Racing Regatta: |
| 7/4-6 | Kanaus | International Festival "Operetta in Kanaus Castel" |
| 7/6 | Lithuanian King Mindaugus' Day(The festival for commemorating Mindaugas' Coronation Day) | |
| 7/ | Klaipeda | SEA Festival: last week of the month (3days) |
| 8/15 | Trakai | Theatrical History Festival "Let's set fire on the old altar" |
| 9/10-12 | Kanaus | International Unconventional Folklore Festival: |
| 9/11-19 | Vilnius | Capital Days |
| 9/9-12 | Vilnius | International Instrumental Folklore Music Festival: |
| 9/15-25 | Vilnius | International Theatre Festival: |
| 9/16-19 | Vilnius | International Jazz Festival: |
| 9/ | Trakai | International Kayak and Canoe Rowing Regatta: |
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