Europe's Hidden Garden City

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30 24 HOURS 24 HOURS 31 Vilnius might be with bargains, they're great for getting into the local scene. Look out pint-sized but is for locally made bread and cheese, as well as small-batch Midus, a rich in history variety of mead made from honey and considered Lithuania’s oldest alcoholic beverage, or Krupnikas, a honey liqueur that dates from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of the 16th-18th centuries.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a little more action, the city’s Šūvio Akademija(www.suvioakademija.lt) shooting range offers a unique opportunity to shoot military-style rifles and handguns in a safe and controlled environment.Try your hand at some of history’s most famous weapons, from the AK-47 to the 'Dirty Harry' Magnum or the Tommy gun of the prohibition era. Be sure to book ahead. 4pm Continue on foot with a walking tour into Lithuania’s Soviet history. The three-hour Like-a-Local (www.likealocalguide.com/vilinius) tour is priced at just €10 (US$11.36) per person and delves into Lithuania’s independence movement, with visits to the Soviet-era statues on the

EUROPE’S HIDDEN

Clockwise from top right: the Raddisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel; the Tymas GARDEN CITY Markets; the Church of St Peter and St Paul With Lithuania joining the EU at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, its pint-sized but historic capital, Vilnius, can expect to see a raft of inquisitive new visitors in the year ahead. Highlights of the menu include the beef heart and tomato salad; spätzle dumplings with shrimp; and succulent slow-cooked beef cheeks. By Nick Walton Green Bridge, a walk along Gediminas Prospeckt in search of the 11pm 9am city and explore the Old Town’s narrow spot for artists, musicians, and free-thinkers cobbled streets and famed beerhalls. The (it even refers to itself as an independent lingering legacy of the Soviet regime, and a stop at a former KGB Finish your night off with more of Lithuania’s favourite craft beers Check into one of the city’s most historic Unesco-listed Old Town features plenty of republic that celebrates its independence on headquarters than now houses the Museum of Genocide Victims. at Bambalynė (www.bambalyne.lt), a local institution and home to and centrally located houses of slumber, the its own drawcards, from the striking red- April 1st). This eclectic and photogenic suburb almost 100 microbrewed beers from across the country. Housed in a Radisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel. Located hued St Anne’s Church, to the towering is filled with great grassroots galleries, arts 7pm brick cellar, this specialty bar features a beer tasting lounge for true near the Vilnius Town Hall and Town Hall Vilnius Cathedral. The Old Town is famed communes, and cafes, but for lunch, head Capture a more contemporary side to the city at its top cocktail divan, aficionados, as well as a list of local beer snacks if you’re still peckish. Square, this 119-room hotel is the perfect for its Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance to Šnekutis (www.snekucio-alaus-pasaulis. Mojito Naktys (www.mojitonaktys.lt). With a cocktail menu that boasts Expect crowds of local beer lovers, especially on weekends. base from which to explore Vilnius Old architecture and the Cathedral Square at lt) on Polocko Street for authentic Lithuanian Town, including the Church of the Holy its heart is a great place to people watch, more than 50 concoctions, the bar runs its own cocktail academy, food – from delicate blynai pancakes to Spirit and St. Nicholas Church. Book a especially when accompanied by handmade and well-trained staff work tirelessly amidst sleek, modern interiors 10am hearty bigos sausage stew - and fresh beer Junior Suite; dressed in subtle neutral tones chocolates and coffee from nearby AJ that could be in London or New York, to serve up libations to the city’s Spend the morning exploring Antaka Inis, one of the city’s oldest and and dark wood, these spacious suites are Sokoladas (www.ajsokoladas.lt), a national from local craft breweries. beautiful. most affluent neighbourhoods. Located on the banks of the Neris chain of chic cafes that has its flagship just the perfect home away from home, and River, Antaka Inis is famed for its Lithuanian Baroque masterpiece, off the square. offer unlimited health club access, spacious 2pm 9pm the Roman Catholic Church of St Peter and St Paul, as well as the bathrooms, and separate living spaces. Walk off your meal and those oh-so-good Indulge in a modern yet elegant take on traditional Lithuanian Sapieha Palace, which is surrounded by the only surviving Baroque- www.radissonblu.com/hotel-vilnius Noon craft beers with a walk through the Tymas dishes at Druskos Namai (www.en.druskosnamai.lt), the brainchild style park in the country. Start off at Pinavija Café & Bakery (www. Head across the River Vilna towards the Markets. Held from noon every Thursday, the of restauranteur Gareth Sanderson and chef Sarunas Paškauskas. pinavija.lt), famed for its hearty Kibinai pastries and strong coffee, 10am bohemian ‘republic’ of Uzupis, the city’s markets are an important part of Užupis life Located in the city centre, the concept introduces Lithuanian cuisine before touring the parklands, ending up at the sprawling Botanical Set out on foot in this pedestrian-friendly trendiest neighbourhood and a popular and even if you’re not out to fill your suitcases using only the freshest locally sourced and seasonal produce. Gardens of Vilnius University, in Kairėnai.