Lithuanian Tours blog

Kaziukas Fair in Vilnius on March 02-04

2012-02-21 16:52:55

Like every year for more than 400 years Kaziukas Fair is coming to Vilnius. The fair is named after Lithuanian Patron Saint Casimir's day on March 4th.

This is the largest street fair in Lithuania which fills all the Old Town of Vilnius with chraftsmen, musicians and visitors. This year Kaziukas Fair is combined with Samagotian Days and it means that there will be more participants from Western Lithuania.

You can read all the details on Vilnius TIC site.

And hurry up to book your hotel.

Lithuanian Tours - 20 Years Young Today!

2011-11-25 14:45:26

On November 25th, 1991 Joint Stock Company LIETUVOS TURIZMO BIRZA / LITHUANIAN TOURS was registered. During past 20 years our company has grown into the largest Lithuanian inbound tour operator and DMC.

We cordially thank all our partners and clients that were with us during all that long period and we do believe that our fruitful cooperation will proceed during the next decades!

Zuvintas Reserve included into World Network of Biosphere Reserves

2011-07-01 11:35:02

UNESCO Man and Biosphere programme International Co-ordinating Council included Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve into UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Network.
Zuvintas Reserve located in South East Lithuania within limits of Dzukija National Park. It represents approximately 59,000 hectares and includes lakes, wetlands, mires, peatbogs, pine trees. This great variety of habitats and vegetation makes this location very rich in biodiversity. The main human activities include agriculture, forestry and fishing with recent development of eco-farming and tourism.
Zuvintas Reserve was established in 1937 and despite of government changes the area is protected untill now.
Walking trails are installed in the bogs which makes very convenient trips for nature lovers.
We include visit to Zuvintas reserve into our Escape to the Nature Tour as optional trip. Ask us for more details about the tour.

La Lituanie et la France ont signé le plan d'action du partenariat stratégique

2011-06-09 11:07:22

Le ministre d’État, ministre des Affaires étrangères et européennes a reçu le 31 mai son homologue lituanien, Audronius Ažubalis.

Les relations entre la France et la Lituanie, qui se sont intensifiées depuis son entrée dans l’Union européenne en 2004, se nourrissent d’échanges réguliers, notamment sur les questions européennes.

Les entretiens des deux ministres ont porté notamment sur les questions liées à l’OSCE (Organisation pour la Sécurité et la Coopération en Europe), dont la Lituanie assure actuellement la présidence, mais aussi sur les questions de sécurité énergétique, le partenariat oriental et l’OTAN. La préparation du Conseil européen du 24 juin prochain a été naturellement à l’ordre du jour.

La Lituanie a conclu un partenariat stratégique avec la France, concrétisé par le président de la République et la présidente lituanienne Dalia Grybauskaitė à l’occasion d’une déclaration politique en septembre 2009.

Le plan d’action prévu dans cette déclaration a été signé lors de l’entretien des deux ministres.

Source : www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

Christopher Summer Festival announced programme 2011

2011-05-18 16:39:39

One of great efents in Vilnius - Christopher Summer Festival announced programme for 2011.

Christopher festival was established by professor Donatas Katkus and his St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra in 1995. Since that every summer when classical music activity in Vilnius slow down Christopher Summer Festival opens up to music lover from Lithuania and abroad.

This year the festival starts on June 3rd with St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra and Tangata Quintet from Poland.

The rest of the programme will stretch through July and August. Some concerts including opening concert will be with free admission and some - paid.

Please follow the link and choose the concert that you would like to enjoy.

And contact Lithuanian Tours to book your concert tickets and accommodation during your stay in Vilnius.

Estonia: the Future is Young - photo exhibition in Milan, Italy

2011-05-02 16:46:40

This exhibition is a journey of images through the places and people in Estonia yesterday and today. Accompanied by the stories of Alessandra
Gesuelli, this trip will focus on two directions. A public and institutional: the official image of a country that is changing. The other more intimate: the protagonists of its history and its future caught up in everyday life.
The photographic gaze of Donata Zanotti decipher, measure and understand. In the sense of deep understanding stand, raise his eyes to the real and the imaginary world around us.
Portraits that are left to develop, characterize and are influenced by it.
People and places encountered a bit by chance, a bit intentionally, a mixture of Nordic fairy tale, American realist painting, vision and reality.

Open from 12 til 22 May 2011 in PwC Experience (Via Monte Rosa, 91 – Milano MM LOTTO)

The project has been supported by:

Italian Embassy of the Republic of Estonia, Italian Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Estonia
Patronage: Regione Lombardia and Comune di Milano In collaboration with:
Estonian Tourist Board, Moore Stephens, PwC, Mountain Photo Festival, Bio Appeti

www.tallinn2011.ee

Hot air baloon season started in Vilnius

2011-04-14 15:50:08

Hot air baloon flights started in Vilnius 12th April exactly when the world was celebrating Jurij Gagarin space flight 50th anniversary. Our colleague Egle had this big pleasure to enjoy Vilnius sights from the sky.

Hot air baloons are frequent in the sky over Vilnius. Normally season starts on April 1st but due to the strong winds the first flight of 2011 was made in the evening on April 12th.

First flight was made on Utenos alus (Utena beer) ballon which is one of the largest in Lithuania. The crew consisted of 8 persons and the flight took 1 hour 15 min. The baloon safely landed in the Nort Esat suburbs of Vilnius.

Check our offer of hot air baloon flight tour

Vilnius Airport and... its own Guardian Angel

2011-04-12 12:01:36

Have you ever met Guardian Angel in person? Well, here's a hint: you might have seen him (her?) on the roof on the main street of Vilnius - Gediminas Avenue. If you haven't met him yet - now you have a chance, as he has just started a career at Vilnius International Airport Departure Hall.

From now on passengers departing from Vilnius International Airport will have their own guardian Angel. A sculpture of white angel by sculptor Vaidotas Ramoska settled at the Airport Departure Hall.
The sculpture of a white angel sitting on a suitcase and looking up to the sky was made specially for the airport.

"Every traveler departing from Vilnius Airport will be able to touch the angel and wish himself luck and a nice flight. It is also nice to make a photo for a memory from Vilnius", - says the director of Vilnius International Airport Tomas Vaisvila.
The angel of the airport continues the famous tradition of Vilnius angels, that has spread over Lithuania and other countries.

"My large family of angels is really big and spread over many areas of Vilnius and other European cities - from Vilnius Old Town roofs to hospitals. This is the first angel at the airport. The new angel is a little different, because he has a suitcase. Looking to the sky this angel will guard everyone traveling", - says artist V. Ramoska.
The first white angel created by V. Ramoska landed in Vilnius in 2004. Today the capital of Lithuania and many other European cities have a little more than 70 angels. Sculptor V. Ramoska was awarded by St. Christophor statue, which is an honorable award for prominent citizens of Vilnius.

P.S. By the way... we know where the Guardian Angel of Vilnius actually lives - we have spotted him (her?) at one window in Vilnius... Guess where it is? :)

www.vilnius-airport.lt

L’exposition du photographe lituanien Antanas Sutkus jusqu’au 24 avril 2011 dans la galerie du Château d’Eau à Toulouse

2011-04-06 16:18:24

Le Château d’Eau présente la première grande rétrospective du travail d’Antanas Sutkus en France.

Lituanien né en 1939, Antanas Sutkus est considéré comme l’un des plus grands photographes de l’ex Union Soviétique. Photographe autodidacte, il a construit son oeuvre sous le régime communiste.

Déjouant les pièges de la censure politique comme ceux de l’anecdote, il décrit la vie de tous les jours d’une manière juste, tendre, ironique parfois, toujours forte dans une écriture vive, rétives aux systèmes et aux influences.
Antanas Sutkus, souvent considéré comme photographe humaniste, n’est cependant ni un Doisneau, ni un Cartier-Bresson. Il promène son oeil malicieux sur ses congénères mais ne se contente pas de monter leur quotidien et ne se perd pas pas dans les pièges de la géométrie. Alors que ses compatriotes se laissent aller aux influences du réalisme socialiste soviétique, Antanas Sutkus, lui, fait “autrement” : ses cadrages, toujours variées, sont à la fois construits et spontanés, il s’accorde même des accidents. Comme le dit si bien Ben Lewis, «il y a des images et il y a des contre-images. Une contre-image est produite comme un acte de résistance contre une image dominante, officielle et publique. La vaste archive d’Antanas Sutkus comportant 700.000 photographies autour de la vie quotidienne de la Lituanie communiste entre 1956 et 1989, est l'une des plus importantes librairies au monde de contre-images jamais produite. Chaque photographie de Sutkus est, pour paraphraser Orwell, « une mince contre-révolution », un acte d'opposition contre l'idéologie visuelle de l'état.»

Pour un public actuel, il sera parfois difficile de voir ce qui failli causer beaucoup d’ennui à Antanas Sutkus qui échappa de peu à la prison. Ce sont souvent de simples détails qui vont à l’encontre des règles érigées par la propagande soviétique : des gens en haillons, un petit pionnier qui ne sourit pas, des ouvriers qui se reposent… cependant chaque image recèle un peu de subversivité teintée de la douceur du regard de ce grand photographe.

Exposition présentée sous le haut patronage de l’Ambassade de Lituanie en France et en collaboration avec Ars et Vita.

Galerie du Château d'Eau,
1, Place Laganne
31300 Toulouse

Exposition ouverte du mardi au dimanche de 13.00 à 19.00 - fermé le lundi

Plus d'information : www.galerieduchateaudeau.org

Lire l'article du Figaro sur l'exposition :
http://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/2011/03/22/03004-20110322ARTFIG00482-antanas-sutkus-un-humaniste-au-pays-des-soviets.php

In the summer of 2011 Lithuania will be able to boast of the record rate of accessibility by aircraft

2011-03-28 15:57:32

In the summer of the year 2011 the access by air to Lithuania will be the most significant over the 21 years of Independence. It is planned that all the three international airports of Lithuania - Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga - will provide more passenger seats than in the best – ‘pre-crisis‘ year 2008.

Last Sunday Vilnius International Airport (VIA) introduced a new timetable of regular flights for the summer season. Vilnius Airport starts the summer season by introducing new destinations and airlines which are to begin to operate flights to/from Vilnius. It is estimated that these airlines should attract around half a million passengers to Vilnius.

The greatest news this summer season in Vilnius Airport is the arrival of two low cost airlines Wizz Air and Ryanair. As of 17 April Wizz Air will start to operate flights to London, Cork, Doncaster, Eindhoven, Milan, Rome, Barcelona and Stockholm, while Ryanair will start its activities on 2 May and will offer flights to the following destinations: Bremen, Dublin, Girona, London (Stansted), Milan and Rome.

The old-timer of Vilnius Airport, Estonian Air, has expanded its destination map by offering flights not only to Tallinn, Amsterdam and Stockholm (Arlanda) but also to Berlin as of 1 May.

“In the summer of 2011 it will become as easy to reach Lithuania by air as never before throughout its period of independence. As compared to all three Lithuanian airports, Vilnius Airport will offer the largest number of seats since 2008 – the best year before the recession. In July the number of seats in regular flights from Vilnius Airport will reach the level of 2008 and will make up around 200 thousand. A greater increase in supply was hindered by the shrinking market of charter flights in the last three years”, Director of VIA Commerce Department Simonas Bartkus comments on the expectations of the new season.

According to Mr Bartkus, this summer none of the 15 airlines operating in Vilnius Airport will have a dominant position which will allow the Airport to distribute the risk and the competition among the airlines will be of great benefit to passengers. According to the number of passenger seats offered, this summer the leading position will be held by airBaltic which is to offer around 35 thousand seats per month.
Ryanair and Wizz Air will lag slightly behind it by offering over 30 thousand seats per month each.
The number of seats offered by three trademarks of the Lufthansa Group – Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines – will make up over 25 thousand.
VIA is planning to service 1.8 million passengers this year.

Whereas the record will be reached according to the general amount of passenger seats with destination to all the three Lithuania‘s international airports – Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga, the total amount of 330 thousand passenger seats will be provided in this summer.

The new timetable will be valid until 30 October 2011.
The flight timetable is available here: http://vno.lt/en/flight-information/flight-timetable/

More information at:
http://vno.lt/en/news/airport-news/detail.php?id=18538
http://www.transp.lt/en/news/10938

World renown graphic designers discover Vilnius: ICOGRADA Design Week in Vilnius 2011

2011-03-25 10:33:33

SPRING: ICOGRADA DESIGN WEEK IN VILNIUS 2011

On 9-13 May Vilnius will host a very significant international design event: Spring ICOGRADA Graphic Design Week.

The event of the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (ICOGRADA) will last five days. During this Week an international multidisciplinary conference, workshops, exhibitions and various cultural events will be organised. A fantastic lineup of international speakers will set the stage for discussion and dialogue - including Paul Hughes (Netherlands), Robert L Peters (Canada), Tomi Haaparanta (Finland) and others. It will be a great opportunity for designers, business leaders and government stakeholders to meet discuss and explore design as a basis for the development. The registration for the event is already open.

ICOGRADA Design Week is organized several times per year in different cities around the world. In 2010 it was held in Canada, Spain and Australia. Talking about the Central and Eastern European regions, the Design Week was only held in the Czech Republic in 2002. This year the event is hosted by the Lithuanian Graphic Design Association (LGDA) which is a member of ICOGRADA since 1999. The decision to organize the Design Week in Vilnius is a definite international recognition of LGDA.

Spring ICOGRADA Graphic Design Week in Vilnius on 14 May will be followed by the gala ceremony - ED-Awards, rewarding the best European designers. The annual awards ceremony is being organised by the European Design Awards organisation. The ceremony will take place in the Dance Theatre of M. K. Čiurlionis Art School www.sokioteatras.lt

Venues: Design Innovations Centre of Vilnius Academy of Art (DIC VAA), Dance Theatre

More information - at the events‘ website: http://vilnius.icograda.org

Exclusive Lithuanian Opera Pilenai performance in Trakai

2011-03-23 15:49:36

Pilenai is Vytautas Klova's first and most popular opera. Ever since its premiere in 1956, it has enjoyed unrivalled success with the public and received a number of renewed productions in 1978, 1986, and 1994. A token of Lithuanian historical epic, Pilenai is one of the mainstays of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre's repertoire. The opera was put on at various open-air events throughout Lithuania as well as repeatedly brought on tour. In 1994, it was revived as a joint production between the LNOBT and the Lithuanian Opera Company of Chicago. The song of Udrys and the Welcoming Chorus became the most popular excerpts from Lithuanian operas, sung as popular folk songs by many Lithuanians. "It's better to die free than to survive in slavery", sing the last defenders of Pilenai who came to symbolise Lithuania's freedom.

This famous opera will be performed again in Trakai castle in July:

July 2, Saturday, 9:00 PM
Vytautas Klova
PILĖNAI
an opera in 2 parts
Conductor Robertas Šervenikas
Cast: Vytautas Bakula, Julija Stupnianek, Inesa Linaburgytė, Vytautas Juozapaitis, Liudas Norvaišas, Arūnas Malikėnas, Vytautas Kurnickas, Vladas Bagdonas, Dmitrij Poleščiuk, Jonas Valuckas

July 5, Tuesday, 9:00 PM
Vytautas Klova
PILĖNAI
an opera in 2 parts
Conductor Robertas Šervenikas
Cast: Vytautas Bakula, Julija Stupnianek, Jovita Vaškevičiūtė, Ramūnas Urbietis, Liudas Norvaišas, Arūnas Malikėnas, Vytautas Kurnickas, Vladas Bagdonas, Dmitrij Poleščiuk, Jonas Valuckas

More about National Opera and Ballet Theatre

National Opera and Ballet Summer Season Announced

2011-03-23 14:36:54

Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet
June programme announced

June 7, Tuesday, 6:30 PM
Giuseppe Verdi
LA TRAVIATA
an opera in 2 parts
sung in Italian with Lithuanian and English subtitles

June 8, Wednesday, 6:30 PM
Piotr Tchaikovsky
SWAN LAKE
a ballet in 2 acts

June 9, Thursday, 6:30 PM
to the music by Tchaikovsky, Bizet, Adam, Schnitke
RED GISELLE
a ballet in 2 acts

June 15, Wednesday, 6:30 PM
Franz Lehar
DIE LUSTIGE WITWE
an operetta in 3 acts

June 16, Thursday, 6:30 PM
Leo Delibes
COPPELIA
a ballet in 2 acts

June 19, Sunday, 6:30 PM
Georges Bizet
CARMEN
an opera in 2 parts
sung in Italian with Lithuanian and English subtitles

June 22, Wednesday, 6:30 PM
Johann Strauss
WIENER BLUT
an operetta in 3 acts

More details about the programme available at www.opera.lt

Spring equinox magic, compass test and Vilnius

2011-03-18 15:56:12

Every year around 20-21st of March the day becomes equal to the night - both last exactly 12 hours everywhere in the world (except the North Pole and the South Pole). The sun rises exactly in the East, and sets exactly in the West - so you have a unique opportunity to check your compasses :) ) Also on that day the real Spring begins.

In ancient times Lithuanians celebrated Spring Equinox as one of the biggest celebrations of the year. They used to believe that if on that day one swims in a river which floats from the East, he will be pure and healthy all year long. As currently the weather temperature in Vilnius is +5^o C, we would not risk to become that healthy, but there are other ways to celebrate this special day.

On Saturday, 19th March 2011, the Spring Equinox will be celebrated in the Sventaragis valley in Vilnius - in the area from the Lithuanian Applied Art Museum to the Cathedral Square (check out the map below). This year the celebration will be devoted to remember the defenders of Lithuanian Independence. The schoolchildren of Vilnius have made 7 big spatial sculptures with candles inside, that remind traditional Lithuanian Gardens. Around the sculptures on the ground symbols of the sun - ornaments will be created from the candles (sun is the most common symbol in Baltic culture). After the sunset the "gardens" and the "sun signs" will light up in the dark, as symbols of the light that warms and unites people and welcomes the real spring.

More information - at www.etno.lt, www.vilnius-tourism.lt

Upcoming infection in Vilnius

2011-03-17 17:36:13

There are many infections you are advised to take precautions from while traveling. However, sometimes it is not always possible (nor recommended - in this case). There is one infection we feel obliged to tell you about, which storms for several days in Vilnius each spring since 1999. And this is an infection we actually recommend, as it is a Fashion Infection ("Mados infekcija"). Though its organizers claim it is a fashion festival and invite you to visit it 24-26 March in Contemporary Art Center, Vilnius, we must warn you: it may be really contagious! :)

This is what organizers of the Fashion Infection festival say about it:

Mados Infekcija (Fashion Infection) – is the most prominent annual fashion festival in Lithuania. It is an innovative and conceptual event of fashion and art fusion featuring 3 day free and ticketed public events where professional and upcoming designers are brought together. Such interaction inspires young, creative talents to search for new fashion forms and expressions and gives an opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas among the participants.

Mados Infekcija was started in 1999. Once a year (in spring) its schedule involves catwalk shows, exhibitions, seminars, show-rooms and free events for fashion devotees.

The festival is distinguished for its conceptuality. The aim of the event is not to show and create trends or to be a fashion dictator, but to help people to develop an individual style and attitude towards fashion and to apply the knowledge in everyday life. Bohemian spirit, extraordinary and unconventional fashion shows, the fuse of music, video, photography and other fields of art make the festival a unique 3-day experience of fashion which takes place in the capital of Lithuania Vilnius. Mados Infekcija breaks traditional boundaries of fashion weeks as it is available for everybody and has the purpose to spread the knowledge of fashion among people.

Mados Infekcija is an opportunity to see leading and famous style and fashion faces from France (Richard Rene, Sakina M’sa, Seiko Taki, Stephanie Coudert), Italy (Massimo Crivelli), the UK (Andrew Logan, Jojo&Malou, Siv Stodal, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Alistair Carr), Spain (Carlos Diez Diez, Kira Sacarelo), Russia (Denis Simaciov, Aliona Achmadulina) and Lithuania showcasing their collections together with upcoming designers.

From the beginning festival has already brought up a new generation of Lithuanian designers such as Agnė Kuzmickaitė, Giedrius Paulauskas, Vitalis Čepkauskas, Dovilė Gudačiauskaitė, Laura Dailidėnienė, Kristina Kruopienytė, Giedrius Šarkauskas, Sonata Bylaitė.

You will find the program of the festival and more information about the festival at www.madosinfekcija.lt

The largest Internet Conference in the Baltics - Login 2011 - in just a couple of days!

2011-03-15 17:55:13

17-18th March, 2011
Litexpo Conference Center

Login 2011 is the biggest annual conference in the Baltic states about internet trends. The LOGIN name represents a strong connection between keen minds and leading-edge Internet ideas. More than 2000 internet enthusiasts will come to Litexpo Conference Center in Vilnius to celebrate groundbreaking internet innovations. It is an educational event, organized by a non-profit organization CO.

This year the main theme of Login 2011 presentations, discussions and workshops will be VISION. More than 40 speakers will present a unique vision, in which internet and new technologies play an important role.

Login is two days of effective seminars, workshops, demo sessions, inspiring discussions in various lounge areas and multitude of possibilities to expand your connections.

4 different topics for every taste will gather the community of the most active internet users. This year the program of Login consists of 4 uniting topics, reflecting the newest internet trends, problems and challenges.

History of Login

The history of Login has started in 2007, when the forst conference of Lithuanian Bloggers was held. 130 bloggers attended the conference. In 2008 the event for internet enthusiasts was named BLOGin and was attended by 400 participants. In 2009 organizers of the event invited bloggers, and also representatives of bussines companies and internet fans, and the conference was named Login 2009. In 5 years many famous speakershave given their presentations at the conference - such as Steve Chazin („Apple"), Alex Hunter („Virgin"), Ilja Laurs („GetJar"), Walter de Brouwer ("One Laptop Per Child Europe"), just to name a few!

More information - at the conference website www.login.lt

... I Baltici? Cosa sono?

2011-02-28 15:22:06

... I Baltici? Cosa sono?
editoriale di Adriano Pavan, Ubuntu Travel.

Nel Nord Europa, sul Golfo di Finlandia, bagnati dal Mar Baltico, tra la Russia, la Bielorussia e la Polonia ci sono tre Paesi, spesso accomunati dal nome “Baltici”, che nell'immaginario collettivo, ebbene sì, non esistono. Il nord-Europa è l'Olanda e la Danimarca, la Polonia fa parte dell'est-Europa; la Scandinavia, si sa, che è molto a nord... e loro? I Baltici? La Russia, certo, la grande Russia da San Pietroburgo alle steppe siberiane ha il suo fascino... ma dei misteriosi Baltici, cosa ne sappiamo? In primis, sono tre stati, autonomi e indipendenti, fieri della loro origini ed entusiasti di essere europei. Sono tre realtà estremamente diverse: in Lituania si respira il fascino malinconico della provincia del Gran Ducato di Polonia e Lituania di antica memoria, in cui l'architettura gotica fiammeggiante e barocca nordica incornicia i volti sorridenti di un popolo che parla una delle lingue più antiche del Continente. Andando più a nord, in Lettonia, si incontra un mondo totalmente diverso: i baroni balto-tedeschi hanno lasciato nei loro discendenti la fierezza prussiana e disseminato la rigogliosa pianura di residenze ispirate, proporzionalmente, alle regge europee; la capitale, dai giardini curati, è il tripudio del liberty che informa lo straniero che si trova in una città in cui non esiste un edificio uguale ad un altro. L'Estonia è infine un delicato scrigno: pianure e boschi circondano una capitale che ricorda un borgo medievale del centro Italia evolutosi con influenze scandinave; le torri medievali guardano la città moderna dallo stile minimalista perfetto di cristallo e acciaio in un connubio sorprendentemente bilanciato. I silenziosi estoni, profondamente legati alla natura, hanno una vivace mente creativa: nel 2003 hanno inventato Skype meritandosi il titolo di “ruggente tigre tecnologica del Baltico”. Ed ora, nel 2011 Tallinn è "Capitale Europea della Cultura" con un calendario ricco di eventi: www.tallinn2011.ee
È impossibile in poche righe raccontare la storia millenaria di questi popoli, descrivere il fascino di paesaggi tranquilli o l'emozione dell'architettura superba. Ogni viaggiatore troverà qualcosa di speciale in ognuno di questi Paesi, sicuramente ne troverà uno delizioso...
Ecco cosa sono i Baltici.

Vi consigliamo le seguenti proposte della Ubuntu Travel dedicate alle Repubbliche Baltiche:

Tour garantito 2011 in italiano:
http://www.ubuntu.travel/pacchetto.php?pak=452&paese=Repubbliche%20Baltiche&itinerario=Senza%20confini

Weekend a Tallinn, capitale culturale d’Europa 2001:
http://www.ubuntu.travel/pacchetto.php?pak=451&paese=Estonia&itinerario=Culturale

On February 24 the Estonian Republic celebrates its 93rd birthday.

2011-02-24 15:35:27

Traditionally the day begins at sunrise 7:34am with a flag raising ceremony next to Tall Hermann tower. At 9am wreaths are place on the foot of the Estonian War of Independence Monument on Freedom Square (Vabaduse Väljak).

At 9:45am a religious service takes place in Tallinn's Dome Church and at 11am the nation's armed services parade on Freedom Square.

Many of Tallinn museums and sightseeing spot are closed for the public holiday, but this is all the more reason to get acquainted with those places which are still open for visitors: The Estonian Museum of History is expecting all interested parties on the February 24 between 10am and 5pm to come to Maarjamäe Castle family outing “Long live Estonia”. There is a film program packed with romantic historical films for the old and young at heart. Top billing goes to family historical film “Atmospheres of Estonian history”. Maarjamäe castle is open for viewing due to a generous donation of a million kroon from Bank of Estonia.

Despite the cold weather, Tallinn's many restaurants expect active participants in the festivities and are offering visitors holiday themed special menus.

Further ideas for Independence Day celebrations can be found at:

http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/fpage/tallinncard/news

Contact us to to get more information on our tours or book your weekend in Estonia and Tallinn European Capital of Culture 2011:

http://www.lithuaniantours.com/special-offers/tallinn---european-capital-of-culture-2011/951

Estonian Air increases flight frequencies with a larger number of planes

2011-02-16 15:25:45

Due to the approaching summer holiday season, recent upgrade of the fleet with new aircraft and transition to the summer flight schedule on the last Sunday on March, Estonian Air will increase flight schedule on a number of year-round and seasonal routes.

Estonian Air will serve its flight schedule with a larger number of planes, altogether eight aircraft, which allows the airline to add seats to the market as well as flight frequencies.

-From 27 February 2011, Estonian Air will open a new route between Tartu and Tallinn. Early morning flights from Tartu to Tallinn will be operated six times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Late evening flights from Tallinn to Tartu will be operated on the same days, with the exception on weekends, when Saturday flights are operated on Sundays instead.

- From 27 March 2011, Estonian Air increases the flight schedule between Tallinn and Brussels to six flights a week by adding Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday flights. At present Estonian Air is operating from Tallinn and Brussels three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

-From 27 March 2011, Estonian Air increases the flight schedule between Tallinn and London to four flights a week. Flights from Tallinn to London will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. At present Estonian Air is operating flights on Thursdays and Sundays.

-From 29 March 2011, Estonian Air increases the flight schedule between Tallinn and Moscow to five flights a week by adding Tuesday flights. At present Estonian Air is operating between Tallinn and Moscow three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

-From 2 April 2011, Estonian Air increases the flight schedule on Tallinn-Amsterdam and Vilnius-Amsterdam routes to seven flights a week by adding Saturday flights. At present Estonian Air is operating flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

- On 1 May 2011, Estonian Air will launch a new route between Vilnius and Berlin with four flights a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

In addition, Estonian Air will resume flights to summer destinations:

-From 28 March 2011, between Tallinn and Minsk. The flights will be operated three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The route will be operated until 28 October 2011.

-From 1 May 2011 between, Tallinn and Paris. The flights will be operated three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The route will be operated until 27 October 2011.

- From 1 May 2011, between Kuressaare and Stockholm once a week on Sundays. The route will be operated until 28 August 2011.

-From 2 May 2011, between Tallinn and Berlin with three flights week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The route will be operated until 30 September 2011.

-From 7 May 2011, between Tallinn and Barcelona. Between the period from 7 May to 6 June the flights are operated once a week on Saturdays; from 14 June to 30 August twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and from 3 September to 29 October on Saturdays.

-From 7 May 2011, between Tallinn and Milan. The flight will be operated once a week on Saturdays, the route will be operated until 24 September 2011.

-From 18 June 2011, between Tallinn and Nice. The flights are operated once a week on Saturdays, the route will be operated until 17 September 2011.

For more information please visit : www.estonian-air.com

Contact us to to get more information on our tours or book your weekend during Tallinn European Capital of Culture 2011:
http://www.lithuaniantours.com/special-offers/tallinn---european-capital-of-culture-2011/951

Winter Jazz in Tallinn: February 12 - March 18

2011-02-09 16:08:08

This year there is a chance to enjoy Estonia's innovative and unsung jazz performers. Pianists and composers Tõnu Naissoo and Urmas Lattikas both will perform music from their 2011 albums, jazz singer Kadri Voorand will be broadcast all around Europe. Foreign performers include – Donkey Monkey (Fra-Jpn), Lucia Recio – Didier Petit (Fra), Rouge Madame (Est-Fra) andSergio Bastos with Raivo Tafenau Quintet (Bra-Est).

Always innovative and evolving, Winter Jazz will give you new way to experience music.
Festival program available at www.jazzkaar.ee

Contact us to to get more information on our tours or book your weekend during Tallinn European Capital of Culture 2011:

http://www.lithuaniantours.com/special-offers/tallinn---european-capital-of-culture-2011/951

TALLINN DAYS 2011

2011-02-01 11:35:30

On January 28-31 Lithuanian Tours in cooperation with Polish Airlines LOT, hotels Radisson Blu Olympia and Nordic Forum, Estonian Tourism Board and Tallinn City Tourist Office arranged an educational familiarization trip for Italian tour operators and agents to Tallinn. Among the group memebers there was also a journalist from Travel Quotidiano.

The trip was a good opportunity for our present or to-be-partners to meet with our suppliers, experience their preperties and test our operations.

During the short visit the group got acquainted with a wide choice of hotels that Tallinn has to offer, tasted meals at various city restaurants offering traditional and European cuisine, had an orientation city tour of Tallinn. At dinner kindly hosted by Radisson BLU Olympia the group met with Ms Maris Hellrand from Foundation Tallinn2011 who shared information on the main events of Tallinn - European Cultural Capital 2011.The group also met with Mr Madis Kass, Destination Marketing Cooordinator, Estonian Tourism Board, who acquainted the guests with the main goals for the Italian market. We would like to thank all our partners who contributed a lot in arranging the FAM trip Tallinn.

AirBaltic Start Riga Gdansk Route Summer Season

2011-01-27 17:07:29

In the summer season, Latvian national airline airBaltic will start a new route from Riga to Gdansk, Poland.

Tero Taskila, Chief Commercial Officer: “The new route will offer convenient transit connections for tourists and business people to via Riga to destinations in Scandinavia, Russia, the CIS and the Middle East. On the other hand, the new route will attract more travellers to the seaside city in Northern Poland.”

Starting from April 18, airBaltic will fly from Riga to Gdansk four times a week – Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Passengers will board a Fokker 50 aircraft for a flight that will last for 1 hour and 20 minutes. One-way ticket prices will start at EUR 39, including airport fees and transaction costs. A full schedule of flights is available on – www.airbaltic.com

Book our weekend package and enjoy your visit to Riga

World's fastest internet is in Kaunas, Lithuania

2011-01-26 15:31:57

IT sector is among the fastest developing industries in Lithuania. Kaunas city became famous providing the fastest internet experience in the world. Speedtest.net research confirmed that average speed of data transfer in Kaunas is 40,61 Mb per second. Second fastest city is Seoul, South Corea and third - Hamburg, Germany.
Together with fast growth of Ryanair flights to Kaunas airport the city is becaming serious tourist destination for city break lovers and internet fans.

Check our offers for city break in Kaunas

Tallinn European Capital of Culture 2011 programme

2011-01-25 17:12:25

Tallinn European Capital of Culture 2011 programme details available

Anyone can now make deep investigation of the events that are planned for the Tallinn European Capital of Culture 2011.

Detailed calendar is posed online so anybody planning to go to Tallinn will be able to find all kind of activities that can be explored during the visit.

Please check our offers to visit Tallinn

"TOP 15 Tourist Sites In Riga"

2011-01-21 15:29:08

The Riga Tourism Development Bureau (RTAB) and the State Tourism Development Agency (TAVA) have published a guidebook in English – "TOP 15 Tourist Sites In Riga".

The guidebook includes information about: Dome Square, Livu Square, Town Hall Square, St. Peter's Church, House of Blackheads, Powder Tower, the arts center Spikeri Quarter, the "Three Brothers" complex, Art Nouveau section, Latvian National Opera, Central Market, Riga Castle, Latvian National Museum of Art, Kalnciema Street Quarter.

The guide also includes a map of central Riga, with marked locations of all sites.

The guidebook will also be published in the Russian and German languages, and will be available in Riga tourism information and coordination centers, as well as in several hotels in Riga.

Contact us to to get more information on our tours or book your weekend in Riga:

http://www.lithuaniantours.com/special-offers/bobsleigh-weekend-in-riga/918

Les États baltes au festival Les Boréales à Caen

2011-01-19 14:15:49

11.11.2010 - 27.11.2010

Les Boréales, plate-forme de création nordique proposée par le Centre Régional des Lettres de Basse-Normandie, reviennent en 2010, du 11 au 27 novembre, avec un programme riche en événements. Les invités d’honneur du festival sont cette année les États baltes ; aux côtés de l’Estonie, la Lettonie et la Lituanie, la Norvège, sera également mise à l’honneur, à travers le comté du Hordaland, en cette dix-neuvième édition du festival.

Les États baltes ouvriront le bal, la première semaine du festival (du 11 au 19) leur étant consacrée. Le public sera invité à (re)découvrir les pôles d’excellence de chaque pays, à commencer par la musique avec l’Estonie. Les concerts de musique classique et contemporaine, autour du grand compositeur Arvo Pärt ou du célèbre chef d’orchestre Paavo Järvi, constitueront l’un des temps fort de ces Boréales.

Le festival Les Boréales est proposé et organisé par le Centre régional des Lettres de Basse-Normandie.

Pour plus d'informations sur le programme :

http://www.crlbn.fr/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Boreales-2010-44mo.pdf

Une invitation à Tallinn

2011-01-19 14:14:04

En 2011, le programme culturel de Tallinn, capitale culturelle de l’Europe comprend 251 projets et des milliers d’interventions. Les évènements les plus importants en sont le festival international du jazz « Jazzkaar » en avril, les « Journées de la Vieille Ville » en juin, la « Fête du chant et de la danse de la jeunesse » et les journées maritimes en juillet, le festival d’opéra « Birgitta Festival » en août et le festival de films « Les Nuits Noires » (PÖFF) en novembre.

Le programme a pour but de mettre en valeur les communes, de soutenir les enfants, les jeunes, les nouvelles initiatives culturelles, d’ouvrir également la ville sur la mer, d’occuper de nouveaux territoires urbains, d’améliorer les conditions de la création et de favoriser des rencontres entre artistes locaux et internationaux.

Outre son programme culturel, Tallinn 2011 a relancé nombre de projets à long terme avec des volontaires et des jeunes afin d’éveiller la conscience environnementale de la population.

L’année de la Capitale culturelle prend son élan avec deux évènements majeurs : la cérémonie de l'Académie Européenne du Cinéma en décembre 2010 et la cérémonie d’ouverture de la Capitale culturelle le 31 décembre 2010.

Pour plus d’Information et le programme, veuillez consulter le site : www.tallinn2011.ee

Notre invitation pour fêter le Nouvel An à Tallinn:

http://www.lithuaniantours.com/offres-sp%C3%A9ciales/nouvel-an-dans-les-pays-baltes/nouvel-an-%C3%A0-tallinn/946

Nordic-Baltic Concert Season 2010/2011

2011-01-19 08:31:40

The Nordic-Baltic Concert Season is organised jointly by eight countries – Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

The aim of the Nordic-Baltic Concert Season is to introduce the contemporary music and musicians of the participating countries to a wider audience at home and abroad, via the medium of radio.

The 2010-2011 season, which is the 16th, will feature the music of legendary classics, such as Sibelius and Leifs, alongside the premiers of recent works by several young composers: Jon Øyvind Ness (Norway), Mirjam Tally (Estonia), Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmbreen (Denmark), and Uljas Pulkkis (Finland). One more name will be added to this list in due time – the name of the winner of the Latvian National Orchestra’s composition contest.

As always, the Nordic-Baltic Concert Season presents the national orchestras and leading performers of the participating countries. The concerts are conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Thomas Dausgaard, Juha Kangas, Osmo Vänska et al. Among the featured soloists one will hear young talents and well-established artists alike: trumpet player Tine Ting Helseth, the pianists Peter Friis-Johansson, Vestars Shimkus, Elisso Bolkvadze, Kari Kriikku and Kalle Randalu, and the percussion ensemble Kroumata.

In addition to the Nordic-Baltic Concert Season, the eight countries collaborate on a number of other projects: a separate series of summer concerts, a special project devoted to the music of female composers, the jazz and choir music series, the annual meetings of music program directors and the workshops for radio presenters.

Full Program of Nordic-Baltic Concert Season 2010-2011:

http://klassikaraadio.err.ee/klassik/nordic2010.htm

Era of payphones ends in Estonia on December 1

2011-01-19 08:31:07

The era of payphones ends in Estonia on December 1, 2010. AS Elion, who owns the payphones that haven’t been dismantled yet, withdraws payphone cards from sale on October 15. The last call from a payphone can be made on November 30.

“We will start dismantling payphones on December 1. We are ready to give them for example to artists if they want to make installations of payphones, for example,” said Elion’s PR head Lilian Nõlvak.

“The payphone business is loss-making and unpopular among clients. The number of calls fell from 2004 by nearly 30 times,” she added.

In 1997 when the installation of modern payphones using chip cards was completed, there were 3,000 of them in Estonia. By now there are just about 550, most of them in Tallinn.

While in 2004 still 6 million minutes worth of calls were made from payphones, now it is 30 times smaller due to the wide spread of cell phones. The annual sales volume of payphone call cards has fallen by 20 time since 2004.

source:
http://www.baltic-course.com/

How will Estonia change over to the euro?

2011-01-19 08:15:16

Starting from 1 January 2011 the euro will come into effect as currency in Estonia. During 2010 Estonia successfully fulfilled all the Maastricht criteria, which are required to join the euro zone. Estonia will be the 17th country and the first Baltic state to join the monetary union.

From 1 January 2011, ATM's will issue 5-, 10- and 50-euro banknotes. All deposits in Estonian kroons will change over to euro deposits (only the payment unit will change).

Until 14 January 2011, it will be possible to use both euros and kroons in making cash payments.

From 15 January 2011, the only official means of payment in Estonia will be euro.

Until 30 June 2011, the companies must show their prices both in kroons and euros.

Until 31 December 2011, banknotes and cents will be exchanged for euros in the bank offices.

The Bank of Estonia will exchange kroons and cents for euros indefinitely, without a service fee and according to the official exchange rate.

More information:
http://euro.eesti.ee

12th annual baroque music festival in Tallinn

2011-01-17 16:20:11

The opening concert of the baroque music festival, entitled ‘Jerusalem, Holy City’, will take place on 28 January at 7.00 pm at the Estonia Concert Hall. A musical homage to the holy city, it will feature eponymous works by seven composers.

The opening concert will feature a mixed choir with the Latvian and Estonian State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andres Mustonen.
Israel-born violinist Pavel Vernikov is one of Europe’s greatest, and plays an instrument the likes of which are rarely heard in Estonia – a Guarnieri ‘Baron Knopf’ dating from 1743.

The festival’s guests also include the baroque ensemble La Fenice (France), the prestigious vocal group Die Singphoniker (Germany), Natalia Gutman (cello, Russia), Joel Frederiksen (bass and lute, Germany) and many more. The final chord will be struck by the gala concert ‘Bach and Sons’, featuring players from the Tallinn Philharmonic and many soloists from Estonia and abroad. The artistic director of the festival is Andres Mustonen.

The festival will take place in conjunction with the Estonian State Symphony Orchestra, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Philharmonic:
http://www.concert.ee/baroque_music_festival_2011

Contact us to to get more information on our tours or book your weekend during Tallinn European Capital of Culture 2011:

http://www.lithuaniantours.com/special-offers/tallinn---european-capital-of-culture-2011/951

Updated Vilnius City Card 2011

2011-01-13 16:23:29

On the 1st of January Vilnius Tourist Information Centre and Convention Bureau launched updated Vilnius City Card 2011. City Card is a usual service, offered by most European cities to their guests. Purchasing City Card encourages city guests to get acquainted with the city more actively, to visit more objects, to use offered discounts.

City Card 2011 provides more innovations:
• a new type of City Card was introduced - valid for 24 hours without public transport ticket;

• 17 new objects were added to the list of sites, which can be viewed here:
http://www.vilnius-tourism.lt/topic.php?tid=170&sid=280

• a catalogue available in 5 languages (Lithuanian, English, German, Polish and Russian) is received upon the purchase of the card.

There are three types of cards from 2011:
• Valid for 24 hours with public transport ticket (58 Lt/17 EUR);
• Valid for 24 hours without public transport ticket (45 Lt/13 EUR);
• Valid for 72 hours with public transport ticket (86 Lt/25 EUR).

In 2011, a holder of the card can use public transport (except the 24 hours card without public transport ticket), visit museums and take part in walking tours free-of-charge. A card holder can also obtain discounts when booking sightseeing tours by bus and minibus, buying tickets to concerts, paying for meals in restaurants and cafes, booking wellness services and accommodation. You may purchase Vilnius City Card in all Vilnius Tourist Information Centers.

Contact us to to get more information on our tours or book your weekend in Vilnius:
contact@lithuaniantours.com

http://www.lithuaniantours.com/special-offers/husky-dog-sledging-in-vilnius/919

15 000 people attended the opening ceremony of European Capital of Culture Tallinn 2011

2011-01-08 16:35:22

Member of the board of Tallinn 2011 Jaanus Mutli thanked everyone who came to the Theatre Square on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the start of Capital of Culture. „I saw thousands of happy faces during that night and I hope that all of them will attend many other events of Capital of Culture during 2011,“ said Mutli.
The highlight moment of the opening ceremony of European Capital of Culture at Theatre Square in Tallinn was the arrival of an UFO.The UFO, hanging from a 100 m crane, was purpose-built of steal, plywood and foil for the Capital of Culture opening ceremony.Immediately before the arrival of the UFO the spectators saw a video clip in which the giants of European culture – the Coliseum of Rome, Eiffel Tower of Paris and Brandenburg Gates from Berlin – landed in the new European Capital of Culture. The clip was produced by creative director Andrus Kõresaar and Produktsioonigrupp OÜ.

„Every capital of culture throughout the 25 years has attempted to amaze with something unprecedented during the opening ceremony. But considering the different budgets, we are not so wealthy as to import big international names. So we decided to take a more creative path,“ commented the creative director of the opening ceremony, Foundation Tallinn 2011 programme director Jaanus Rohumaa. „Half-jokingly we could say, we sent invitations to very far away and received a reply – our invitation reached the universe,“ added Rohumaa.

Together with the team of three the UFO weighed almost 1000 kg. In addition to Andres Mirme, who came out of the machine dressed as an alien to wave to people, the flying saucer also housed two helpers, Oliver Kulpsoo and Priit Kukk, who took care of the lights and laser rays of the UFO. The UFO was designed by Enar Tarmo, the technical director of Von Krahl theatre and Stunts OÜ, it was built by Management OÜ. The live broadcast on Estonian TV was watched by 250 000 viewers.

The photos of the opening event are in the Experimental Gallery: http://galerii.tallinn2011.ee

Contact us to to get more information on our tours or book your weekend during Tallinn European Capital of Culture 2011:

http://www.lithuaniantours.com/special-offers/tallinn---european-capital-of-culture-2011/951

For Love, Not Money - 15th Tallinn Graphics Triennial

2011-01-05 16:41:56

The 15th Tallinn Graphics Triennial will be held at the Kumu Art Museum. The ‘For Love, Not Money’ exhibition will look at contemporary graphics in the broader context of the creation of and trends in modern art.

The title refers to a theme which incorporates a number of definitions, including addiction, list, dedication, obligation, family, love, passion, objectification, romance, religion, political ties and sex. The project will be attempting to reflect current trends in modern art, set against the backdrop of the global financial crisis, and to examine problems associated with the creation, exhibiting and reception of art in this context.

Contributing to the exhibition will be 51 invited artists and 63 additional artists who won places as part of a fiercely contested international competition. Part of the main exhibition will showcase the work of the grand prix winner from the last triennale, Colombian artist Óscar Muñoz. The triennale also traditionally shines the spotlight on art from the Baltic States, maintaining the fundamental identity of the event through the participation of artists from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The exhibition will focus on the latest trends in modern art, including video, performance, photography and print media.

In addition, Kumu will also host works by grand prix winners from the Ljubljana graphics biennale – the oldest international event of its kind – as part of ‘Mapping’, an exhibition created by biennale curator Lilijana Stepančič.
Website: http://www.triennial.ee

Lufthansa expects passenger record in Lithuania in 2010. Enhanced schedule in summer 2011 for more passenger flexibility and comfort

2011-01-04 16:49:06

Lufthansa announced that it expects its business in Lithuania to break new records in 2010. The leading European airline with 18 years of operational expertise in Lithuania observes unprecedented passenger growth on routes to and from Vilnius and reacts with an enhanced schedule for summer timetable 2011 resulting in more flexibility and comfort for customers.

“We are pleased to see such a positive development of our business on our Vilnius flights. A very good occupancy and increased capacity will lead us to a passenger record this year. We are confident to transport over 100,000 passengers this year. This confirms our approach to the Lithuanian market and our attractive products and services,” said Matthias Hinze, Lufthansa Country Manager Baltic States. “To cater to our passengers’ needs, we will further improve our schedule in summer timetable 2011. Our new morning and evening flight times will allow both business and leisure passengers to either make use of a full day in Frankfurt or ideally connect to any of our over 160 destinations worldwide which we serve from our biggest hub,” he added.

“Vilnius Airport has a strategic goal to guarantee very well possibilities to reach Lithuania from all over the world. New Lufthansa schedule will expand opportunities to reach Vilnius through one of the biggest airports in Europe - Frankfurt. With improving connections and growing number of flights Vilnius will become more attractive for business traffic,” commented Simonas Bartkus, Director of Commerce Department of Vilnius Airport.

Vilnius - Frankfurt - Vilnius
Flight schedule from 28 March 2011

Daily flights
LH 889 Vilnius 05:45 – Frankfurt 06:50
LH 887 Vilnius 14:15 – Frankfurt 15:20

LH 886 Frankfurt 10:30 – Vilnius 13:30
LH 888 Frankfurt 20:25 – Vilnius 23:25
Aircraft type: Airbus A 319 (138 seats in Business Class and Economy Class)

http://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/