Discover Lithuanian Cuisine, Key Highlights and Old Craftsmanship
Welcome to a journey of delicious Lithuanian culinary discoveries! During this trip, you will explore Lithuanian cuisine, uncovering the roots of its cooking and the symbolic meanings of traditions that have been passed down through generations. You’ll also get hands-on experience by participating in the cooking process. Discover the secrets of Lithuanian pink soup, celebrated with its own annual festival in Vilnius, learn the art of making potato cepelinai, and bake the traditional Lithuanian dessert, Šakotis, alongside skilled professionals. The trip also includes key cultural and historical highlights, opportunities to explore local crafts, and the chance to experience relaxing sauna traditions.
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Highlights:
Lithuania culinary heritage
- Explore two iconic markets in Vilnius: Hale and Kalvariju and get the full perspective of local produce and tastes.
- Visit to one of Vilnius old town family owned grocery stores with tasting Lithuanian cheese, smoked meats and drinks. All products are locally sourced.
- Be part of one of the most meaningful culinary traditions in Lithuania – bake traditional rye bread in an ancient furnace in Anyksciai. The educator will uncover the symbolic meaning of bread and importance to local people.
- Discover the dishes of a local Karaim ethnic community in Trakai, participate in a kibinai making workshop, and create your own pastry with various fillings inside.
- Explore the secrets of cottage cheese making tradition at a tranquil homestead surrounded by natural Lithuanian beauty.
- Enjoy the peaceful forest and be as one with nature while picking mushrooms or berries. If the season is right in the evening, enjoy your findings over dinner.
- Experience the local hospitality at one of Lithuanian homesteads and together with the hosts discover the cooking secrets of Lithuanian pink soup (cold beetroot soup) and cepelinai (potato dumplings with minced meat).
- Visit a Lithuanian brewery and taste the most popular drink in the country. Discover the production process and taste various types of beer.
- Observe how traditional Lithuanian desert Sakotis (treecake) is baked. See the final process and have a taste of this mouthwatering delicacy.
- Explore the methods of mead production, one of the oldest and most noble drink in Lithuanian history, the drink of the dukes and kings.
- Discover various traditional herbs, their preparation methods and various types of teas in educational workshop.
Lithuanian culture and traditions
- Discover the tradition of straw gardens (sodai) making. Straw gardens have a deep, symbolic and archaic meaning in Lithuanian culture.
- Explore traditional crafts at Vilnius Old Crafts Workshop or visit a wood carving studio at Uzupis workshop and make a panpipe.
- Visit a gallery in Vilnius with an exhibition of Lithuanian Ethnic clothing. Various types of clothing have meanings and explanations.
Uncover the joys of traditional local sauna in a homestead surrounded by forest and lakes. Sauna experience is organized in an ancient wooden windmill.
Key sites and locations in Lithuania
- Vilnius City Tour featuring highlights such as Cathedral Square, Town Hall, the gothic St. Anne’s Church, Gediminas Avenue, Vilnius Universuty, and the Royal Palace of the Grand Dukes.
- Discover Uzupis republic, a fictional, artistic area within Vilnius with its constitution, Independence day, the president and various art galleries.
- Take a day trip to Trakai from Vilnius, home to the Karaim ethnic community and the only insular castle in Lithuania, dating back to the 14th century.
- Discover Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city, with its Old Town, the famous M.K. Čiurlionis Art Museum, the Devils’ Museum, vibrant Laisvės Avenue, and the 17th-century baroque Pazaislis Camaldolese Monastery.
- Explore the mysterious Hill of Crosses, one of a kind location in Europe, the symbol of belief and defiance for Lithuanian society.
- Discover Anyksciai, a calm retreat that offers such attractions as tree-top walking path, the Narrow-gauge railway museum, the Horse Museum with various educational programs, and an adventurous barefoot walking trail in the forest.
- Visit the Cold War Museum in Plunge district, a former missile launching site, telling the stories of the Cold war in Lithuania.
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Travel Advisor Recommendations
“Join a Lithuanian food tour to discover the delicious local cuisine and, most importantly, meet the hospitable locals who will share authentic recipes and demonstrate the real process behind their tasty dishes. This trip will uncover not only Lithuanian cuisine but also local traditions of old craftsmanship, such as wood carving, traditional costume design, and the construction of straw gardens.”, – says Jolita Rezgyte, Travel Advisor at Estravel.
The culinary heritage trip explores the whole Lithuania visiting not only the main cities of Vilnius, Kaunas and Trakai, but also the smaller towns like Anyksciai. You will stay in hotels and local homesteads with hospitable hosts presenting their crafts and traditions. You are welcome to contact us with any questions and comments. We are happy to adjust the itineraries to your needs and expectations, ensuring an unforgettable exploration of Lithuania.
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