Fly from Nice to Vilnius

Vilnius has a holy side. Two religions have filled it with music for centuries: Judaism and Catholicism. This generally peaceful coexistence ensured the city was for years among Eastern Europe's most prosperous. But almost nothing remains of the Jewish influence and their hundred places of worship since the Nazi occupation and Holocaust, which cost 95% of the 260,000 Jews in Vilnius their lives. The legacy of Christianity was however left intact following the Second World War. The city now counts more than 60 churches. And while a few are Gothic, nearly all are Baroque. To the point that Vilnius is considered to have some of the best examples in Europe of this flamboyant style.
But make no mistake! Vilnius is more wild than it is pious! Since the fall of the USSR, the capital - like the rest of the country - has reinvented itself, becoming more modern and vibrant than ever. And while tall buildings of glass and steel continue to sprout in the business districts, the city walls are covered with terrific murals that have pushed Vilnius to the forefront of the street art scene. And that’s just one of the many sides of a culture that’s both “rock n’ roll” and joyfully bohemian, and will draw you in on your 100% Baltic city break with that special someone!

• Get lost in the streets and alleyways of the old city, a World Heritage Site. The old-world façades here make for a phenomenal setting - the oldest is over 800 years old. See it for yourself on Pilies gatvė (Castle St.).
• Head into some churches: they’re full of surprises. Don't miss the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus, St Anne’s Church, a striking Gothic beauty, and the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, a Baroque wonder adorned with the skeletons and skulls of the dead.
• Visit the Gate of Dawn, the last of ten fortified gates that once defended the city. Inside you’ll find an incredible icon of the Virgin Mary. Lauded for its beauty and often replicated, it is one of the most famous representations of The Blessed Virgin in all of Christianity.
• Make your way to the Republic of Uzupis. Wait, there’s a fourth Baltic state? No, simply a community of artists and free-spirits who found refuge in the Uzupis district. While dilapidated during Soviet rule, today it is the heart of bohemian life in Vilnius. Whimsical, charming, and a definite must-see!
• Get high above the city, by foot or by cable car, and see the Gediminas Tower - all that’s left of Vilnius Castle, a brick fortress that kept watch over the city throughout the Middle Ages.
• See the city’s other big tower while you’re there: the TV tower. It’s 326.5 metres high! Half-way up, a panoramic café called The Milky Way offers a comfortable and breathtaking view over the city and its surroundings.
• Pass by the Information Centre and pick up a street art map of Vilnius. It will guide you to all the best murals around the city. Be sure not to miss the Putin/Trump Kiss!
• Confront the darkest part of recent history by visiting The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. Located in a former KGB building, it celebrates the memory of the victims of Nazism and Soviet repression, and of all those who fought these tyrants.
• Discover Lithuanian cuisine, the best in the Baltics. Among the specialities is Cepelinai, a recipe of grated potatoes, mince, cheese, mushrooms, and sour cream sauce.
• Get out of Vilnius and head for Trakai Castle, located around 30 km from the capital (with many buses to take you there). Built on a small green island in the middle of a blue lake, this Gothic giant is one of the most unforgettable sites in the country.