Vilnius

Now increasingly popular with travellers looking to find the Medieval charm of Prague but without the tourists, the Lithuanian capital is also a vibrant place, boasting perhaps the strongest contemporary arts and cultural scene in the whole of Eastern Europe.
Against a backdrop of dreaming spires and charming squares, visitors to Vilnius can often feel like they have gone back in time, until they stumble across a chic boutique or big name DJ playing in one of Europe's top clubs.

Vilnius Traditions and culture

Due to the city's various political affiliations over the years –from being part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland to gaining independence from the Soviet Union- Vilnius has a diverse heritage. As such, native Lithuanian traditions sit comfortably alongside Polish and Russian traditions, while the city's strong Jewish presence also adds to the musical and culinary melting pot.

For centuries, much of the city's life has revolved around its famous university, though now all the attention will be on the big party in 2009, when Vilnius celebrates its 1,000th anniversary by being the European Capital of Culture.

As well as the strong artistic community housed in the district of Uzupis, Vilnius is also renowned for its musical heritage and today hosts a large number of regular and eclectic festivals, not least the annual Jazz Festival in Octobe, which attracts some of Europe's biggest names.

Vilnius Recommended

It is impossible to go wrong sticking to the UNESCO protected Old Town, which houses dozens of churches of all denominations. The narrow and winding streets coming off Pilies Street boast numerous memorable squares and small shops, while the main thoroughfare leads to the Grand Ducal Castle and the Town Hall, both well worth a visit.
The Classical masterpiece that is the Cathedral and the Church of St Anne – much admired by Napoleon – are also visitor highlights, and understandably so, though a true appreciation of the history and beauty of the city is best achieved by simply wandering around with a book than taking in the museum at Gedimias' Castle.
Those who want a little more out of their holiday should take the 28-km trip to Trakai, where one of Europe's most beautiful castles stands in the middle of five tranquil lakes.
When night comes, the Old Town and the new town boast bars and restaurants to suit all tastes, though the bohemian district of Uzupis can throw up some impromptu parties and concerts.

Vilnius Weather

May to September is the ideal time to visit Vilnius as the days are long and warm and the city's gardens and public squares come into bloom. Best of all, visitors to the city in June will not only benefit from glorious sunshine and healthy temperatures but they will be able to enjoy a month of 'midsummer-madness' as the locals get back to nature and reconnect with their pagan roots.
The prospect of seeing the city's picture-postcard skyline covered in a dusting of snow also makes a trip during the winter months well worth the effort, while its New Year celebrations are the envy of any European capital, particularly since it is seldom unbearably cold.

Vilnius Destination checklist

The currency in Vilnius is the Lithuania Lita and the official language is Lithuanian, though the odd word of Polish or Russian can be useful for tourists. The city is between two and three hours ahead of GMT and the dialling code is +370.