| Lithuania ((lt)Lietuva) | |
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| Flag | |
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| Information | |
| Capital city | Vilnius |
|---|---|
| Area | 65 000 km² |
| Population | 3 300 000 hab. (2010) |
| Density | 50,77 inhab./km² |
| Form of State | semi-presidential regime |
| Change | Euro (EUR) |
| Electricity | 230 V/50 Hz, European plug |
| Telephone prefix | 370 |
| Internet suffix | .lt, .eu |
| Flow direction | Right-hand drive |
| Spindle | UTC 2 |
| Location | |
 55 ° 18 ′ 0 ″ N 23 ° 48 ′ 0 ″ E | |
| https://www.lietuva.lt/en/ Official site | |
The Lithuania is one of the three Baltic countries ofEurope on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It is border of the Latvia to the north of the Belarus to the south-east, Poland to the southwest and the Russia to the west with the enclave of the oblast of Kaliningrad.
Understand
Although it was once a powerful kingdom, then stretching as far as the Black Sea, we cannot talk about Lithuania without talking about his occupations. Over the centuries, this country has been tossed around in the hands of Germans, Poles, and Russians. Independent between the two world wars, Lithuania was annexed by theUSSR in 1940. The , Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not recognized everywhere until September 1991 (after the failed coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops left in 1993. However, many Russians still live in Lithuania, which still poses integration problems.
This perpetual change of occupation means that the inhabitants have had few opportunities to develop a specific architecture. The little Lithuanian architecture was visible in the castles of the Middle Ages (ex: that of Ukmerge ...), made of wood (Lithuanian soil does not contain stone except "Puntukas" and "Puntukas brolis" (the brother of Putunkas), which are the only two large stones in Lithuania). Unfortunately, all that remains of these castles today is the mound of earth where they were installed. The buildings are therefore of German, Polish or Russian influence. Today, they are proud of their hard-won independence, and want to stand out culturally.
The Baltic States entered theEuropean Union, among 10 Eastern European countries, on May 1, 2004.
Regions
 Regions of Lithuania |
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Cities
- 1 Vilnius – The capital offers a renovated and very pleasant medieval old town, especially in summer when the terraces bloom. The city, although marked by Soviet architecture, is a pleasant stopover between Poland and Russia.
- 2 Kaunas – rival of Vilnius since always
- 3 Šiauliai – and its hill of crosses
- 4 Klaipėda – seaside resort and major port of Lithuania
- 5 Druskininkai (to the south, near the border with the Belarus) – the Lithuanian spa, with multiple hot springs of salt and unsalted water, and its magnificent open-air museum of ancient Soviet statues "Grūtos Parkas"
- 6 Nida (in the extreme southwest of Lithuania, on the small strip of land in front of Klaipėda) – its endless sand dunes (protected site) and its nature reserve.
Other destinations
Trakai (http://www.trakai.lt) is a city worth seeing. Located halfway between Vilnius and Kaunas, it is surrounded by about sixty lakes and coniferous forests. It has the particularity of housing a Caraïte Jewish community, a people who came in the Middle Ages from Turkey. You can admire its fishermen's houses by the lake, its medieval castle, and taste the local specialties. The city is very easily accessible by train from Vilnius (journey of about 30 minutes) and offers a significant relaxation to the inhabitants of Vilnius.
Šventoji, a small town in Northwestern Lithuania, on the Baltic sea, it is the seaside resort known for its beautiful beaches, its large pontoon on the Baltic Sea and its many activities, in summer (TV shows, parties, festivals ...), very popular with Lithuanians.
To go
Formalities
- See as well: Traveling in the Schengen area
Lithuania is part of theSchengen area. The citizens of the Swiss and the European Economic Area which includes theEuropean Union, theIceland, the Norway and the Liechtenstein only need a national identity card or a passport valid. They don't need any Visa to enter or circulate in the Schengen area and are generally allowed to stay as long as they wish.
Remarks (1) Nationals of these countries need a biometric passport to enjoy visa-free travel. (2) Serbian nationals with passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (residents of Kosovo with Serbian passport) need a visa. (3) Taiwanese nationals need their ID card number (a letter followed by nine digits) written in their passport to enjoy visa-free travel. |
Nationals of the following countries do not need a visa to enter the Schengen area: Albania(1), Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and herzegovina(1), Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, United States, Grenade, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, North Macedonia(1), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova(1), Monaco, Montenegro(1), New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St. LUCIA, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia(1,2), Seychelles, Singapore, Taiwan(3) (Republic of China), East Timor, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela as well as holders of a passport of Hong Kong SAR, of Macau SAR and all nationals British (including those who are not citizens of the European Union).
- The visa-free travelers mentioned above and not members of theEEE or from Swiss cannot stay more than 90 days in a period of 180 days in the Schengen area in general and, in general, cannot work during their stay (although some countries in the Schengen area allow certain nationalities to work). The counting of days begins once you enter one of the Schengen countries and does not return to zero when you leave one Schengen country for another.
- New Zealand citizens can stay longer than 90 days, but without working if they do not have a work permit, in some countries of the Schengen area, namely Germany, Austria, the Benelux, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland
If you are not a national ofEEE or from Swiss, even if you are exempt from a visa, unless you are Andorran, Monegasque, San Marino or Vatican, make sure your passport is stamped both when entering and leaving the Schengen area. Without an entry stamp, you may be treated as having exceeded the length of your stay when trying to leave the Schengen area. Without an exit stamp, you may be refused entry the next time you seek to enter the Schengen area as you may be assumed to have exceeded the time allowed on your previous visit. If you cannot get a stamp in the passport, keep documents like boarding passes, transportation tickets, etc. which can help convince border control personnel that you have stayed in the Schengen area legally.
By bus
The French company Eurolines serves Lithuania: (http://www.eurolines.fr) It offers prices among the lowest on the market and in any case often cheaper than the airlines.
The Ecolines company also offers trips from Paris to Vilnius and serves several cities in Lithuania: (http://www.ecolines.net). The rates are quite competitive too.
The LuxExpress company provides various journeys in this European zone: (https://luxexpress.eu/en).
By plane
Air Baltic offers flights Paris - Vilnius. If you are taking a bicycle, a tax of 75 € you will be asked, even if you take it apart.There are two low cost companies taking off and landing in Vilnius (non-stop): Ryanair (http://www.ryanair.com/site/FR/) Wizzair also has non-stop flights from Paris to Vilnius. From France other companies (not low cost) offer flights to Lithuania, but a stopover is necessary, for example in Stockholm.
- Vilnius International Airport
- Kaunas International Airport
- 1 Palanga International Airport (IATA : PLQ, ICAO: EYPA, Palangos oro uostas) (7 km north of Palanga, 32 from Klaipėda, in Little Lithuania)
On a boat
From Kiel, Lübeck or Sassnitz, in Germany, with the companies Lisco (http://www.lisco.lt/?en=start), with arrival in Klaipeda. Useful to avoid Poland where the roads are unsafe and often in poor condition.
By train
From France in any case, it is not advantageous to take the train all the way. We cross Germany and Poland right through. Prefer the ICE (German TGV), otherwise you will have to change trains every hour, in addition to the reduced speed. On the other hand, be aware that ICEs do not accept bicycles that have not been dismantled.In addition, crossing the Germany-Poland border, if it is not done in ICE, requires taking a night train and arrange with the controller. In Poland there is no high speed train.
The daily "Jan Kiepura" night train connects Brussels and Warsaw. It is very comfortable. Another international night train PKP (Polish trains) INTERCITY runs between Warsaw and Vilnius on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
By car
From France, Switzerland, Germany. You can either go through Berlin, then Warsaw in Poland (note the toll section between Berlin and Warsaw) or go through Nuremberg (Germany), through Prague (Czech Republic) (when entering the Czech Republic, you have to buy (in a tobacconist, police station ...) a sticker as in Switzerland (except that it is much cheaper) but possibility of taking the day, the week, the month or the year, otherwise fine at the exit), then Hradec Kralove (Czech Republic) then Wroclaw (Pol.) and Warsaw (Pol.). After from Warsaw (Pol.) To Lithuania, one passes through Bialystok (Pol.) And Augustow (Pol.) And then one arrives either at Alytus (LT) or at Marijampole (LT).
Circulate
By plane
By train
As in the other Baltic countries, the rail network is little used. It is practically reserved for freight. So be careful with the cards. The lines shown are sometimes unusable for passengers. Also be careful at borders, which trains do not cross. Often, only one or two trains run per day, and at times that are impractical, although often inexpensive.
The inhabitants prefer the bus, which is very developed.
By car
The main road network is in good condition (similar to France), the secondary roads much less. The highways are free, on the other hand, it can be a bit confusing to move there (compared to in France, for example), because pedestrians have the right to cross the highway (pedestrian crossing, near the stops of 'bus) and possibility of making a U-turn on the motorway (deceleration lane on the left). In the event of an accident, above all do not move the vehicle, only the Police are authorized to make a report (amicable findings are prohibited).
The speed limits are as follows:
City: 50 to 60 km / h
Out-of-town: 80 to 90 km / h
Fast Track: 100 to 110 km / h
Highway: 110 to 130 km / h
The authorized blood alcohol level is 0.4 g / l.
By bus
There is a bus network with several companies, which allow you to cross the country from side to side.
By bike
Lithuania has a very good road network near major cities or major axes but in average condition near borders and in remote places. It is constantly improving, thanks to renovation works, subsidized by the EU.The network is divided into three:
- the main axes. They connect all the major cities, but have no cycle path. Approaching our national roads or even certain highways (2 times 2 lanes as in Brittany ...), they are all paved and often (given the size of the country) in 2 times 2 lanes, (from Vilnius to Klaipeda (300 km approx.) and from Vilnius to Panevėžys (approx. 150 km).
- the secondary roads are very often paved but very narrow (passage to a single car and therefore sand or gravel roadside, sometimes with holes, be careful!). When they're not, they're gravel, or worse, sometimes sand. It is very painful to borrow them.
- the smaller roads are always sand. However, they are sometimes necessary to enter certain natural parks.
So study the map carefully, and watch out for western maps, especially IGN, which don't always have the surfacing information. Worse, they sometimes include "ghost" bridges!
Other tips:
- On the tire side, the use of semi-slick (or city) tires is a compromise. But prefer rougher tires if you plan to venture onto secondary tracks.
- pay attention to spare parts. In fact, few cities have bicycle shops. Sometimes you have to do about fifty kilometers.
Speak
Lithuanian is a Baltic language with a Latin alphabet and some diacritics. It is the official language but many people in Lithuania speak and understand Russian, due to the Soviet occupation. Likewise, English is very often spoken in tourist areas and in the capital. So you can get by if you know a little English. Universities like Kaunas (http://internet.ktu.lt/en/), offer training courses in which all courses are given in French, English or German. In addition, French culture and language are quite present in the capital (http://www.centrefrancais.lt/index.php/pageid/748).
Buy
Lithuania uses theeuro. It is one of the many European countries that use this common currency. Euro banknotes and coins are legal tender throughout the country.
Countries which have the euro as official currency:
These countries are collectively referred to as the "euro area". |
One euro is divided into 100 eurocents or euro cents abbreviated cents or cents.
The official euro symbol is €, and its ISO code is EUR. There is no official symbol for Eurocents.
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- Tickets
- Euro banknotes are the same in all countries.
- Ordinary parts
- All euro area countries have issued coins with a distinctive national side on one side, and a common standard side on the other side. Coins can be used in all countries, regardless of the country of origin of the coin used, for example a one euro coin from Finland can be used in Portugal.
- Two euro commemorative coins
- They differ from normal two euro coins only on their "national" side and circulate freely as legal tender. Each country can produce a certain quantity of it as part of their normal parts production. There are also commemorative two euro coins "at European level". They are produced to commemorate special events, such as the anniversary of important treaties.
- Withdrawal of money
- Cash withdrawals from ATMs are billed at the same price as cash withdrawals in the home country for holders of a bank card from an account in a country in the euro area. Money transfers between two accounts are also considered by banks as a transfer between two accounts in the same country.
| Current EUR exchange rate | |
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| fxtop.com: | CADCHFGBPUSDPLNRUR |
Eat
Lithuanian cuisine is distinguished by its dishes with truly country sides made from pork, flour, potatoes or cabbage.
The national dish is the cepelinai, shaped like a zeppelin. It is a ball of grated potatoes that keeps in shape thanks to the starch, stuffed with meat or cheese. It is eaten alone, often sprinkled with crème fraîche and bacon.
The "šaltibarščiai", the traditional cold Beetroot soup, refreshing in summer. The "Blinai", a kind of "thick pancake" made from pan-fried potatoes, served with sour cream and bacon ( or bacon) grilled.
All this is drunk naturally with "degtinė" (vodka), sometimes flavored, or Lithuanian beer.
The Baltic States have many breweries, with different types of soft, strong, blond, white, red beers .....
Drink / Go out
The "drinks" sections of the stores are quite developed and offer a lot of choice. In Lithuania, the two main categories of drinks are beer (alus in Lithuanian) and vodka (degtine in Lithuanian).
Almost every big city has its own brewery (often, but not every time) (Vilkmergė beers for the city ofUkmergė, Utenos beers for the city of Utena ...) and offers different types of beers (blonde, original, ekstra, white, sweet, strong, flavored ...)
On the vodka side (even if it is not often written on the bottle), there are vodkas from different countries (Russian vodka, Lithuanian vodka, Polish vodka ...) which each have their own taste specificity. Some are flavored (forest fruits, herbs, currants, etc.).
There are also alcohols from different plants or fruits (around 40 ° like vodka), which there bear the generic name of degtinė.
To taste :
Vodka: degtinė Gera (plain), Lithuanian degtinė (plain)
Beer: Švyturys Ekstra, Švyturys Baltas, Utenos (all), Vilkmergė original
The "Gira", a kind of beer not yet "made" which has a slight taste of caramel (without alcohol, or 1, 2 °).
Housing
Accommodation is cheap. One can find a comfortable room in Vilnius for 8 € with respectable standing.
Wild camping is permitted in the Baltic States. However, it is best to ask a farmer for permission to pitch his tent in his field. Do not be afraid of the locals: although not very demonstrative at first (a constant in the countries of the new Europe), they turn out to be very courteous hosts.
Learn
To work
Communicate
European roaming
Since June 15, 2017, "European roaming" has been introduced. It allows all SIM card holders belonging to one of the European member countries to maintain the same pricing conditions as in the country of origin.
Telephone calls and Internet browsing are valid at no additional cost in all European countries, unless authorized by national authorities (generally minor operators) or when a data Gbit threshold is exceeded, which increases year by year. To use this service, simply activate the roaming option on your mobile phone.
The participating countries are those ofEuropean Union (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary , Ireland , Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, UK, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden), those ofEuropean Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and some Oversea territories (Azores, Canary Islands, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Madeira, Martinique, Mayotte, The meeting, Saint-Martin).
Manage the day-to-day
Health
European citizens
Citizens ofEuropean Union (EU), who fall unexpectedly ill during a temporary stay, studies or a professional stay, are entitled to the same medical care as in their country of residence. It is always useful to take the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which constitutes physical proof of your insurance in an EU country. However, if you do not have the card with you or if you cannot use it (as in the case of private assistance), you are still entitled to treatment, but you are obliged to pay the costs on the spot. , then you will ask for a refund on your return.
The countries in which health coverage is provided are all those that are members of theEuropean Union (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary , Ireland , Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden), those ofEuropean Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), the Swiss, the UK and the Oversea territories member of the European Union (Azores, Canary Islands, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Madeira, Martinique, Mayotte, The meeting, Saint-Martin).
security
 | Emergency telephone number: All emergency services:112 |
There is very little risk of physical assault in the country (just avoid leaving your things lying around, talking to people prowling near train and bus stations).
Government travel advice
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Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) 
Canada (Government of Canada) 
France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)
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