Real is Beautiful
In the spotlight

Even if Lithuania already resembles a snowy wonderland, the first days of winter mark the country’s further transformation into a luminous holiday paradise. Various wintertime activities — from light festivals to sparkling Christmas trees — not only illuminate the country’s streets but allow everyone’s soul to shine bright with seasonal cheer.

Many Lithuanian squares have recently been reconstructed but have retained layers of city character entrenched in their tiles. Vingriai Stream Square in the capital, and the award-winning Unity Square in the second-largest city are some examples of Lithuanian architectural ingenuity, the fusion of the old with the contemporary, and public-serving functionality.

As Autumn gradually brings in colder weather and shorter days, Lithuanians frequent bakeries to warm up and enjoy a comforting treat. Three such family-owned confectionaries — Biržų Duona, Pinavija, and Patorė Sesės — have become especially beloved by Vilnius’ locals for their home-like atmosphere and genuine love for the craft of baking.

Lithuanian nature gains a whole new palette of sights, sounds, and senses in the Autumn. Visitors can be enveloped with the serenity and mystery of the season by observing vast orange forests from observation towers or hiking in quiet dunes emptied of tourists.

When traveling, going back to a hotel should not mean that the day’s thrills are over. In Lithuania, there are multiple lodging options that are attractions by themselves, including a Swiss-style holiday home, an off-the-grid wooden hut, and a 19th-century manor.