East Aukštaitija is the north-east region of Lithuania. In Culinary Heritage project East Aukstaitija is represented by Utena county and Švenčionys district.

Lithuania is situated on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea and covers the area of 65.3 thou. sq. km. The country is in the very center of Europe: as determined by the National Geographical Institute of France in 1989, the geographical center of Europe lies 24 km north of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

Utena is the capital of East Aukštaitija and the centre of Utena County.

Visit us in summer time – enjoy the untouched beauty of nature – not yet discovered by tourists.

Escape from the noise and pollution of metropolis to peacefull idylic countryside – wake up to the sound of cows or chicken… Start your day by a delightful swim in a lake – stay in a secluded cottage by a forest and a lake.

And – what’s important – it’s dirt cheap! Choose yourself, we have a lot to offer – for all tastes:

Clean water
Untouched nature
Secluded places for romantic holidays
Canoing
Bicycle-routes
Lithuanian traditional *sport*: mushroom gathering
Traditional dishes of East Aukštaitija

Lithuanians have always liked to eat good, tasty and filling foods. There is even a saying: *he who eats well, works well*. East Aukštaitija cuisine is known for its simplicity; it is the product itself which gives the dish its flavor, followed by various additional ingredients and seasonings.

Rye bread is one of the oldest and most fundamental food products in East Aukštaitija, eaten every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Two kinds of bread are traditional - plain fermented and scalded. Plain fermented bread has been baked from earliest times, while scalded bread has only been baked since the beginning of the 20th century.

Potatoes are considered second bread and are eaten throughout the year. The most popular potato dishes are "zeppelins" (cepelinai), potato sausages (vedarai), potato pancakes.

Milk products have been popular since ancient times. The most popular is a so called "Lithuanian cheese", fresh or dried, that can be sour, sweet or flavored with caraway seeds.

The most widely used meat has always been pork - fresh, brined or smoked. A great variety of smoked sausages are very popular. Beef, veal, wild boar, venison, elk-meat, hare-meat and fowl meet are also popular.

The oldest traditional drinks are mead (produced using natural honey) and beer. Apple and berry wine is also well-liked.

East Aukštaitija is known for various pancakes.

Come and enjoy the East Aukštaitija traditional food.