VILNIUS - LITHUANIA

The previous year I did a trip to Spain in 9 days splitting evenly between 3 cities so I thought I would try doing the same thing again. The 3 Baltic capitals were less than a 5 hours bus ride apart and had the added bonus of being a part of the world I hadn’t seen before. It was a usual finish work Friday, straight to Luton airport and away I went. I started in Vilnius arriving around midnight, I checked into the hostel went to the cash point for some local currency and that was it for the first night.

I was wide awake very early in the morning (thanks to shiftwork!!!!) however it was raining very hard so I spent a few hours after breakfast talking to some other travelers. I braved a gap in the rain to do a walking tour and met some others from the hostel on the way round. I got lost after heading into a shop for some batteries but somehow managed to find them again. Not a bad tour of the city to be fair. I guessed that this would be the least touristy and cheapest of the 3 Baltic capitals and I was correct.

After 4 of us went for a meal in an upmarket place, perfectly timed for another downpour then it was back to the hostel for a rest, change a few beers and plan the night out.

At around 10 about a dozen of us headed into a few bars nearby, I liked the feel of the town and looking back it would have been nice to stay an extra day. The night out was not that heavy and hindered by lots of hanging around in the streets with people who couldn’t make their minds up where to go next. This did annoy me a bit......................................

 

The final full day the weather improved and I spent most of the afternoon exploring starting with the climb to the castle. Then to the KGB museum which had been recommended by loads of people in the hostel. Not one for spending loads of time in museums especially when it’s sunny outside but it was worth it.

It was another lively night in the hostel, one girl was the first person I had ever met from Belarus. She drank nearly a full bottle of vodka and didn’t seem that bad. Much the same group as the previous night headed out to a nearby club, I didn’t expect that much as it was quiet to start with and it was a Sunday. However it filled up over a couple of hours and while it was nothing crazy it was a good night to finish off Vilnius.

The following morning I took the 4 hour bus ride to Riga there was no border formalities just a sign saying Latvia......