u bcn txl bud edi gva ncl osl tlv vce vno vilnius lithuania 3,535,547 +370 -1°C Lithuanian Litas (LTL) six times weekly Robin MCKelvie As the Lithuanian capital awakens from winter, the cultural scene steps up a notch OLD TOWN The world-famous boulevard, a kaleidoscope of colour and characters, runs down past the oldest part of town, where you’ll find medieval palaces, charming squares and stylish boutiques. SLEEP Ramada Hotel & Suites (Subaciaus 2, 5255 3355, ramadavilnius.lt, rooms from €109/ LTL375) is just within the 16th-century city gate known as the Gate of Dawn. Rooms are spacious and well equipped, and there’s a bathhouse on hand to ease tired muscles. EAT Sturdy, traditional cuisine is on the menu at atmospheric Amatininku Uzeiga (Didzioji 19/2, 5261 7968), from beetroot soup to the stuffed potato dumplings known as zeppelins. Bistro 18 (Stikliu Gatve 18, 6830 3673), is a wine shop and bistro in one, with a menu that runs from well-executed risottos to braised rabbit with garlic, olives and white wine. CULTURE To take the cultural heartbeat of Vilnius, pop in for a coffee at the CAC Café at the Contemporary Art Centre (Vokieciu 2). Bohemian types and local artists INFO Vilnius Airport is 5km south of the city centre. Train A fast train leaves every hour in peak times and takes seven minutes to the central station. Tickets cost €0.72/LTL2.50. Bus The no.1 goes to the central train station every 30 minutes. Tickets cost €0.58/LTL2. Taxi It takes around 15 minutes to the city centre and should cost about €14.50/LTL50. Tourist info Vilniaus Gatve 22, 5262 9660, vilnius-tourism.it hang out here, and you can find out about events and exhibitions you might otherwise miss. SHOP Ona (Sv Kazimiero 12) sells all sorts of accessories and homeware produced by local artists and designers, from chunky, felted bead necklaces to one-off porcelain vases. GEDIMINO This is the Lithuanian capital’s Champs-Élysées – a sweeping boulevard, replete with chic cafés, thronged bars and restaurants, not to mention acres of retail space. EAT Free wi-fi and fresh, Mediterranean-style cuisine are the main attractions at Esse (Gedimino 50/2, 5210 2511), which does an excellent moules marinières and is popular with the business crowd. SHOP More and more international brands are springing up on Gedimino, so head here for some retail therapy. There's also a shopping centre, Gedimino 9 (Gedimino 9). LATER For uninhibited, hands-in-the-air fun, Ministerija (Gedimino 46) is the place. Something of an old-timer, it still Do you want to stay dry travelling through Europe? Rent an Avis car. AD www.brusselsairlines.com/avis The 16th-century Gate of Dawn – once part of the city's defensive walls packs in both locals and tourists. Down a steep set of stairs in a vaulted brick cellar, Bambalyne (Stikliu 7) specialises in bottled beers from small-scale breweries – including some nonpasteurised, unfiltered beers. NORTH OF THE RIVER Just across the River Neris, the emerging business quarter is changing the city’s skyline with its glass and steel skyscrapers. SLEEP The Best Western Vilnius (Konstitucijos 14, 5273 9595, bestwestern.com, rooms from €69/ LTL238) has free wi-fi, an indoor pool with a sauna and spa, and free on-site parking, while the 22-storey Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva (Konstitucijos 20, 5272 6272, radissonblu.com, rooms from €76/LTL260) soars over the city. Ask for a room with views back to the Old Town. LATER High above the city, the SkyBar (Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, Konstitucijos 20), offers sweeping views and pretty decent cocktails. TIP Take a morning stroll along the river to appreciate the old and new aspects of Vilnius as the city wakes up.
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