New travel tendencies show that vacationers are more likely to opt for last-minute trips, choosing more spontaneous holiday plans rather than booking everything in advance, a change that is highly credited to the intermittent travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.
The latest statistics also show that families are still reluctant to travel by plane, so trips by cars and RVs to neighbouring countries have become a convenient alternative. Lithuania Travel—the country’s national tourism development agency—has put together a list of top 5 activities for a well-rounded family weekend, highlighting some of the top activities for families to enjoy in the country.
1. Stargazing at the Museum of Ethnocosmology. An hour’s drive from the capital city of Vilnius, in the small village of Kulionys, vacationers can experience the futuristic museum of Ethnocosmology. Here, travellers are met with a sight reminiscent of something straight out of the cosmos—a glass prism dome observation deck situated on top of a double tower. At the site, families can head to the observatory to explore the galaxy through the lens of a telescope or listen to some educational stories about the universe on a guided tour.
2. Excitement and relaxation at amusement parks. Families looking for a fun and active weekend are invited to the water parks in Vilnius and Druskininkai. Here, intricate water slides entertain the little ones while adults enjoy themselves in wellness treatments enriched with locally sourced ingredients, such as mineral water and medicinal mud. For those looking for some excitement on land, the corn maze, situated near the medieval town of Trakai, is a great opportunity to put the orientation skills to the test, trying to find the way out of an intricate labyrinth cut out of a cornfield.
3. Museums of devils and toys. For a more educational experience, vacationers are welcome to explore the Museum of Devils. Although the devil in Lithuanian folklore has many names, he is portrayed as more of a neutral or even helping character. Thus at the Museum of Devils, travellers will find a collection of about 3000 unique devils from all around the globe in all their different forms and depictions, depending on the country of origin. For another look at Lithuania’s history, visitors are invited to the Museum of Toys to check some of the oldest toys in the country, learn about the traditional games, and take a peek into the most popular children’s recreational activities back in the old days.
4. Hunting for amber in Klaipėda. Amber is often referred to as “Lithuanian gold” and is highly appreciated in the country’s folklore—it is said to protect from evil and boost creativity. In order to find some of these fossilized tree resins, vacationers are recommended to head off to Klaipėda’s beaches right after a storm when strong waves bring amber to the shore from the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Yet even if travellers come up empty-handed, amber souvenirs can be found in dozens of local stores. To learn more about the “‘Lithuanian gold”, visitors are welcome to explore the Museum of Amber, situated in the former mansion of counts Tiskeviciai in Palanga, the summer capital of Lithuania.
5. Bonding with animals. Forests make up about 30% of Lithuania’s land, therefore it is also the home of around 45 mammal species. Vacationing families can get up close and personal with some of the country’s forest residents by visiting the Deer SPA. It is a calm, safe oasis, located on the outskirts of Vilnius, in the small town of Kernavė, where visitors have the opportunity to observe the deer in their natural habitat, learn about their behavior, and teach the little ones how to connect with wildlife without disrupting it. Heading towards Vilnius, travellers can also visit “Three Piglets”, a sanctuary for farm animals rescued from slaughter or adverse living conditions, where they live freely and actively interact with the visitors.
For a more urban animal-bonding experience, explorers can visit the Cat Cafe, situated in the centre of the capital. Selected as one of the top cat cafes in the world, it teaches visitors how to interact with the animals rescued from shelters and respect their personal space for a mutually pleasant experience.
More information about destinations and activities in Lithuania can be found on: www.Lithuania.travel
All Inclusive
Luksusowy kwartalnik turystyczno-podróżniczy. Od 2004 roku opisujemy miejsca, do których warto lecieć dłużej niż na weekend, i ludzi, którzy je prowadzą.
