Lithuania

Lithuania is the largest and most southerly Baltic state. More interestingly, it is also the geographical center of Europe.  The capital, Vilinius, is only several kilometers away from Europe’s precise center. Alternating called “New Prague” and “Jerusalem of the North”, Vilinius boasts the largest Baroque town in Eastern Europe, considered by many to be an enchanting city worthy of storybook comparisons. Kernave, once a medieval capital and home to the Teutonic Knights, is called the “Baltic Troy” due to the fantastically preserved relics. On the coast, the Curonian Spit is a 98km narrow curved sand dune peninsula that forms the Curonian Lagoon. It features the highest shifting sand dunes in Europe with average heights of 35m that go as high as 60m. Trakai, the ancient capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, is noted for the picturesque red brick Gothic castle perched on an island in Lake Galvé while the Hill of Crosses is a vivid image of forested terrain contrasted by many thousands of crosses that dot the landscape.