© Lonely Planet Publications 467 LITHUANIA LITHUANIA Lithuania The Baltic countries have a reputation for their dour ways, but this image fades when you enter rebellious Lithuania, a country blessed with boundless energy and studded with re- minders of its colourful history. It may be a dot on Europe’s map, but that hasn’t stopped Lithuania making big waves on the continent. Outside the country it’s a little-known fact that in the 1400s Lithuania extended beyond Kursk in the east and all the way to the Black Sea in the south. This giant empire didn’t last long, but even today Lithuanians brim with pride and confidence befitting their mighty heritage. More recently – and most notably – the Baltic’s most southern nation became the first state to formally declare its independence from the Soviet Union. In a country favoured by Mother Nature, where pagan roots run deep and Catholic pas- sion lives on, there’s plenty to attract the traveller. For starters there’s effortlessly charming Vilnius and its skyline of baroque spires. The eerie Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai is a truly unique experience. In the west, thousands of migratory birds make Curonian Spit their primary destination, while to the north lies Aukštaitija National Park, a lake land blanketed in dense pine forests and dotted with tiny rural villages. More and more tourists are making Lithuania a port of call, but don’t let that scare you away – there are enough delights to go around in this Baltic beauty. FAST FACTS Area 65,303 sq km Capital Vilnius Currency litas (Lt); €1 = 3.45Lt; US$1 = 2.53Lt; UK£1 = 3.67Lt; A$1 = 1.75Lt; ¥100 = 2.64Lt; NZ$1 = 1.42Lt Famous for causing the USSR to collapse, baroque churches, cepelinai (dough shaped like zeppelins, stuffed with meat and potato) Official language Lithuanian Phrases labas (hello); ačiū (thanks); prašau (please/you’re welcome); taip (yes); ne (no); viso gero (goodbye) Population 3.4 million Telephone codes country code %370; international access code %00 Visa most nationalities don’t need one; see p498 for more information LITHUANIA 468 0 80 km LITHUANIA 0 50 miles Kiburi LITHUANIA Auce Kalnamuiza To R‹ga Klampji Bauska J‡kabpils Atasiene Eleja Pirunsd„le Alsiai Skaistkaine Krumini Skuodas Ma¢eikiai Zabare Livani Malta E77 Viesite LATVIA Preili Joniškis Zeimelis E22 E262 Medininkai Seda Papile Salociai Nereta E67 Bir¢ai Gruzdziai ¡emaitija Akniste Daugava Darbenai Tryskiai Aglona National Park Linkuva Suvainiskis Palanga Kuršenai Pasvalys Telšiai Pandelys Kretinga Subata Plungé Šiauliai Vabalninkas Rokiškis Pampenai Ilukste Zarenai Kupiškis Radvilskis Kr„slava Klaip›da Gargzdai Smilgiai Daugavpils Rietavas Varniai Seduva E262 B A L T I C E77 Dusetos S E A Panev›¢ys Juodkrant› Priekule Laukuva Svedasai Zarasai Kelme Curonian Sveksna Spit Grinkiskis Uzpaliai Visaginas E271 Raguva Daugailiai Curonian Spit E272 Skautvile National Park Neringa Šilut› Anykš²iai Aukštaitija Zemaiciu Utena Nida E67 National Naumestis E77 Raseinai Park E262 Nemunas Delta Taurag› Regional Park K›dainiai Seta Pal©š› Ignalina Erzvilkas Simkaiciai Ukmerg› Curonian E271 Mol›tai Lagoon Viesvile Jurbakas Nemunas Svetlogorsk Šven²ionys Zelenogradsk Sovietsk Jonava Giedraiciai E262 Sirvintos Sakiai E272 Pabrade Kernav› Kaunas Neris Kaliningrad RUSSIA Kaisiadorys Baltiysk E67 Maisiagala E77 Kutuzovo E271 Nemencine E28 Darsuniskis Chernyakhovsk Zariskiai Vievis Vilnius E28 Vilkaviskis Kybartai BELARUS E28 Jeznas E28 Paneriai Trakai Nevskoye Marijampol› Rudiskes E85 Kalvarija Juozapin› Trakai (294m) E67 Alytus Historical Šeštokaji National Park lonelyplanet.com Dz©kija Šal²ininkai National Park Lazdijai E28 Suwa‚ki Var›na Dieveniskes Merkine POLAND Eišišk›s Druskininkai Marcinkonys E85 E77 Olsztyn E28 E‚k.