9 days / 8 nights

Beat of Jewish history in three Baltic States is still appreciable!

Come and get acquainted with many important objects and places to Jewish people in the Baltic States, such as Medieval Jewish quarter, Ghettos of Vilna, Jewish State Museum, Ninth Fort Museum, Memorial to the victims of the Nazis and others.

Visit Jewish communities and share one's experience and feelings with others.

Wayside crosses, chapels, religious statues characterized Lithuanian landscape especially in previous centuries, and still do now. Lithuania was therefore known as the Country of Crosses. The Hill of Crosses, being the unique pilgrimage site, justifies the ancient title of the country. Another title, the Land of Mary, originated from the widespread cult of the Blessed Virgin among Lithuanian people. One of the oldest Marian shrines is in Trakai. The miraculous image of Our Lady of Trakai was venerated for the special protection of Lithuania. Among the numerous churches, dedicated to Our Lady, the Sanctuaries of Šiluva and the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius are the most famous. The traditional indulgence feasts in Žemaičių Kalvarija focus on the meditation of the Stations of the Cross and traditional Marian devotion. The famous Stations of the Cross in Vilniaus Kalvarija were recently rebuilt after the devastation in Soviet times. The Marian shrines in Pivašiūnai and Krekenava are known far beyond the boundaries of the dioceses. The diocese of Vilkaviškis is famous for the places related to the Blessed Archbishop Jurgis Matulaitis. The relics of the Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis are being venerated in Marijampolė. The mentioned sanctuaries and pilgrimage places in all the 7 Lithuanian dioceses were chosen by Lithuanian bishops as main Jubilee 2000 pilgrimage sites.

Many other Lithuanian churches, chapels and monasteries are famous as monuments of history, architecture and art. Most of the existing churches in Lithuania were built in the 19th century, few survive from the 18th century. The wooden village churches with valuable decoration made by native folk artists are considered to be the treasure of the country’s culture. Still older churches, from the 17th century have mostly undergone considerable reconstruction. The first Christian churches in Lithuania were built at the end of the 14th century. One of the most ancient churches is St. Nicholas (Lith.: Šv. Mikalojaus) church in Vilnius. The beginning of the construction is dated back to ca. 1320, before the baptism campaign of Lithuanian nation. Ensemble of St. Anne and Bernardine churches in Vilnius represents the brilliant example of late Gothic style.

The movement of Counter-Reformation challenged noble sponsors and benefactors, who built ornate Baroque churches and monasteries. SS. Peter and Paul church in Vilnius and the Pažaislis monastery near Kaunas are the most beautiful examples of that époque. The Archcathedral of Vilnius, a monumental Classicist building of the 18th century, was reconstructed on the place of earlier church buildings from the times of Christianization.

The relics of St. Casimir, the patron of Lithuania, are venerated in St. Casimir chapel in the Archcathedral of Vilnius. The church of St. Casimir in Vilnius was built in honor of the canonization of Lithuanian prince. The church building has experienced dramatic meanders of history. During the Soviet occupation it was turned to the “Museum of Atheism”. The church of Resurrection in Kaunas, commemorating the revival of Lithuania in the 20th century, was used as factory in Soviet times. The memorial church Of resurrection was consecrated after reconstruction in 2004.

Over 5 million cultural properties - exhibits valuable in archaeological, historic, artistic, ethnic, religious, scientific, memorial and other aspects - are kept in the collections of Lithuanian museums. Lithuania has 105 museums and the majority of this number has their affiliates. Lithuania has three national museums, such as the Lithuanian National Museum, the Lithuanian Art Museum and the National Art Museum by M.K. Ciurlionis. Besides, Lithuania has plenty of municipal, county, regional, public, private, community museums, museums owned by separate institutions, over 90 galleries and exhibition halls.

2009 is the year of the Millennium Anniversary of the first mention of the name of Lithuania in historical annals. Reconstruction of the Monarchs' Palace is a step within the programme to commemorate the Millennium Anniversary of Lithuania.

The Lithuanian Monarchs' Palace in Vilnius Lower Castle was a political, administrative and cultural center of the time. Its history dates back to the 13th century. Within its ruins, archaeologists discovered the specimen of the oldest brickwork in Lithuania. Once, the Lithuanian Monarchs' Palace was famous for its rich library, well-known in all Europe, art collections and jewelry treasury. Opera was played here for the first time in the country's history. The reconstruction works of the Monarchs' Palace will be finished in 2009 - right before the Millennium Anniversary of Lithuania. The reconstructed Palace will be a center to represent Lithuanian statehood, culture and education.

Working in close cooperation with the Polish Institute and cultural institutes of other European countries and diplomatic missions functioning in Lithuania, the Lithuanian National Museum of Visual Arts has prepared and implements the programme for the presentation of the Monarchs' Palace in other European countries, which includes meetings and scientific discussions with researchers, experts and heads of museums and other cultural heritage protection institutions situated in historical residences of other states in Europe. The implementation of the programme was commenced in October 2003, by the meeting with Hellmut Lorenz, the Expert of the Restoration Project of the Royal Palace in Berlin and Professor of the History of Architecture, the University of Vienna (Austria).

The programme is due to be completed by 2008, on the eve of completion of restoration work on the Lithuanian Monarchs' Palace. The programme is of educational and scientific character. First of all, it will present a description of activities of museums and other cultural heritage institutions situated in other historical residences of European monarchs to explain to the Lithuanian public at large the sense and significance of activities of such institutions functioning in modern societies. The programme also aims to present European practices of historical functioning, restoration, full or partial reconstruction of royal, ducal and other representative residences, preparation of permanent topical expositions and temporary exhibitions, implementation of educational programmes and contemporary ways of work with visitors thereof, organization of representative events on the State level, as well as cultural and musical projects and information programmes for persons taking part in the preparation of the Lithuanian Monarchs' Palace Reconstruction Project, researchers, interior and exposition designers.

In recent years, a structure of visual arts and photography galleries and centers has been formed in Lithuania. The structure includes galleries founded and maintained by the State and municipalities, non-governmental organizations (including creative artists' unions and public institutions), higher education institutions as well as private persons. Such galleries function in all largest Lithuanian towns and district centers. Lithuania has over 50 private art galleries and galleries founded by different artists' unions (such as the Lithuanian Artists' Union and the Lithuanian Photography Artists' Union). In 1996, the Association of Lithuanian Art Gallery Owners was founded.

The key institution representing contemporary art in Lithuania is the Contemporary Art Center (CAC) in Vilnius founded by the Ministry of Culture. The CAC presents different styles and art forms of Lithuanian as well as foreign art in its exhibitions and also arranges exhibitions of young artists. Within the last decade, the CAC has become one of the most outstanding exhibition institutions in the Baltic countries. The educational activities performed by the Center are aimed at ensuring access to information on contemporary art for all culture consumers in Lithuania. In 1999, the Center introduced the library of publications on contemporary art and mini-internet center Infolabas to its visitors.

The State-provided financial support to contemporary art and photography covers several stages. The State allocates funds for different art and photography work presentations to the public. Since 1999, the Lithuanian Culture and Sports Foundation has granted this type of support to events held in different art galleries and centers. Art and photography projects, retrospective exhibitions by artists, topical exhibitions, festivals, theoretical conferences and round-table discussions of art and photography issues are eligible to receive such funding. From 1997 on a part of the State budget has gone to support creative programmes prepared by different artists; organizations on an annual basis. The Media Support Foundation provides support to the implementation of various publishing programs by the Lithuanian Artists' Union and the Lithuanian Photography Artists Union (such series as the Contemporary Lithuanian Artists, periodicals Arts and Lithuanian Photography could be mentioned on this occasion). Annually, the Ministry of Culture provides the State grants to culture and art figures, about 8 percent of which goes to artists and art critics, and about 3 percent - to photographers. Such grants are aimed at ensuring proper conditions for artists and photographers to create new works, present such works to different exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad, perform research on art works and improve professional skills.

The Lithuanian Museum of Visual Arts, the Lithuanian National Museum and the National Art Museum by M.K. Ciurlionis perform the function of collection of art and photography works and their presentation to the public at large. The Ministry of Culture allocates some funds for the acquisition of contemporary art and photography works. In 2002, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the concept of the Lithuanian National Gallery, which provides for the establishment of a permanent exposition representing the development of visual arts in the 20th century Lithuania (28, Ukmerges St., Vilnius).

Come and spend two nights at the heart of Vilnius Old Town in a superior class hotel and experience the magic aura surrounding Lithuanian National Opera’s ballet and opera productions and enjoy the enthralling voices of favourite singers and vibrant performance of ballet dancers!

The package includes:
· 2 nights accommodation DBL room with buffet breakfast in superior class hotel;
· Private transfers;
· Vilnius Sightseeing tour;
· 2 tickets to the Ballet or Opera performances;
· Information package.

3 days / 2 nights package 179 EUR per person

Important : to ensure you the best seats, we highly recommend bookings at least 1 week ahead.