Aukstaitija – Zemgale: gourmet journey in the countryside

Arrival in, examination of and accommodations in Vilnius.

The Trakai lake castle is the only castle of its type in Eastern Europe that is built on a small lake island.  Presumably work on the castle began in the late 14th century.  After a battle in 1410, when the Polish and Lithuanian military under King Jagailis defeated a force from the German Order, the castle lost its strategic military importance.  Today, the Trakai lake castle is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Lithuania.  It features a museum with information about the history of the region.  You will spend the night in Vilnius.

The Karaite Ethnographic Museum is based on a small Turkish nation that emerged in the 8th century in Persia.  The Karaite language is still spoken in Lithuania, and the museum focuses on Karaites in Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine.  National dishes are served at various cafeterias and restaurants in Trakai.

The Rumšiškes Open-Air Folklore Museum is one of the largest museums of its type in Europe, covering 194 ha of territory and with 91,420 items in its exhibit.

Accommodations:

    • Guronys guesthouse (order meals in advance)

    • Pas pona guesthouse (order meals in advance)

Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania, and it was the capital city of the country from 1920 until 1939.  It is worth visiting Old Kaunas, City Hall, the St Peter and Paul Cathedral and Basilica, the Thunder building, Laisve Alley, the Čiurlionis Museum of Art and the Devil Museum.

Taste honey and honey beer at the Šušves midus farm, where you can a wide range of beekeeping products such as natural wax candles and several types of honey beer.

Pakruojis muižas is the largest ensemble of estate buildings in Lithuania.  You will see how the estate operated and the everyday lives of the Byron family and its servants.  The estate also has an excellent restaurant where you can have lunch.

Accommodations in Pakruojis:

    • Pakruojo dvaras

Kryžiu kalnas is a hillock on which people from all around the world have planted crosses for several centuries to demonstrate respect and trust for Christianity and Christ.  This is an expression of religion and a symbol of faith, love and sacrifice, not death.  The pope visited the hill to bless Lithuanian and Christian Europe.

The alpaca farm offers a small zoo for individuals and groups.  Learn all about alpacas in terms of their origins, their appearance in Lithuania and the appearance of their wool.  The farm features alpacas, llamas, camels, goats and rabbits that you can feed, pet and take photographs with.

The Girele guesthouse and restaurant offers tasty meals, leisure and an enjoyable environment.  Traditional Lithuanian dishes are available.

The Blūdži farm offers tastings of cheese from the Mālkalni family farm (contact the farm in advance for tastings).  There are seven types of cheese, including smoked and matured cheeses, as well as bread that is baked at the farm.

The Tērvete Ancient History Museum and Wooden Castle offer the largest exhibition in the Baltic States about the culture of Semigallians during the Iron Age.  There are many ornaments, weapons and tools, including the largest collection of swords in the Baltic States.

For meals we recommend:

    • Pūteļkrogs café 

    • Mammadaba cafē

    • Zoltners restaurant

Accommodations near Tērvete:

    • Pūteļkrogs guesthouse

    • Ores weekend home

The Svēte bakery bakes bread in an oven that is fired with firewood.  The bakery uses ancient recipes and local ingredients that are not genetically modified to bake bread, cookies and other baked goods.  Small groups can take a tour, learn more about the bakery and taste and buy the goodies that it offers.

Tour the city of Jelgava, including the Jelgava Castle.

The Caunītes farm operates on the basis of Latvian traditions, offering an experience of true Latvian lifestyles.  The owners have combined modern elements with an ancient atmosphere.  The main building on the farm is a granary with a bread oven.

Garlic World offers marinated garlic blossoms, various mixtures of vegetables, garlic crackers. Etc.

Spend the night in Rīga.

Departure.