LITHUANIA: DISCOVER ONE OF EUROPE'S BEST-KEPT SECRETS
Where Ancient Castles Meet Modern Startups
End of July 2026 | 12 Travelers | 7 Days/6 Nights
While tourists crowd into Western Europe’s well-worn paths, Lithuania remains one of the continent’s most exciting discoveries — a country where medieval castles rise from misty lakes, baroque churches rival Rome’s finest, and a thriving tech ecosystem is earning comparisons to Silicon Valley.
This is a land where you can float over a UNESCO World Heritage capital in a hot air balloon at sunrise, drive a Soviet tank through the forest, meet the entrepreneurs building Europe’s digital future, and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants in a 17th-century building — all in the same week.
Lithuania surprises everyone who visits. The capital, Vilnius, boasts the largest baroque Old Town in Northern Europe, yet permits hot air balloon flights directly overhead — something only a handful of capitals allow.
Medieval Grand Dukes once ruled an empire stretching from Baltic to Black Sea, and their palaces, towers, and crypts tell stories of power, intrigue, and unexpected alliances. The forests and lakes seem endless, offering a tranquility that feels increasingly rare in modern Europe.
But Lithuania isn’t just about the past. Vilnius has earned recognition as a rising tech hub, with a thriving startup ecosystem and progressive digital infrastructure that makes Estonia’s e-residency program look ordinary.
The restaurant scene punches well above its weight, with multiple Michelin-starred establishments transforming local ingredients into world-class cuisine. And the people — resilient, fiercely independent — welcome visitors with genuine hospitality rather than tourist-industry polish.
This carefully crafted journey takes you deep into Lithuania’s many layers.
You’ll wake up in a room overlooking Cathedral Square, descend into royal crypts by torchlight, sail an authentic Viking ship, and drive a tank.
You’ll sit down with the entrepreneurs and innovators building Lithuania’s reputation as Eastern Europe’s rising tech hub, gaining insights into investment opportunities and digital innovation.
You’ll spend two nights in Kaunas—Lithuania’s second city and interwar capital—exploring Art Deco architecture, WWII history at IX Fort, and the baroque splendor of Pažaislis Monastery and taste mead the way Baltic tribes drank it a millennium ago.
You’ll visit Trakai’s fairy-tale island castle and taste traditional Karaim pastries.
From the cobblestoned streets of Vilnius to the island castle at Trakai, from the sobering cells of a KGB prison to the baroque splendor of Pažaislis Monastery, this is Lithuania as few ever experience it — intimate, authentic, and utterly unforgettable.
Preliminary Itinerary
DAY 1
Welcome to Lithuania: Cathedral Views & Your First Evening
Your Lithuanian adventure begins at Grand Hotel Vilnius — a five-star property occupying the most coveted address in the Baltic states. Your Cathedral View room overlooks the stunning baroque Cathedral Square and Gediminas Tower, placing you literally at the heart of UNESCO-listed Old Town. Step outside and you’re immediately immersed in centuries of history; every street seems to lead to a church, a palace, or a hidden courtyard.
As evening approaches, those who arrive early in the day have an unexpected option: boarding an authentic Viking ship for a journey down the Neris River. The crew shares tales of the Baltic tribes and the Vikings who navigated these waters seeking routes to Constantinople. You’ll row alongside them, blow traditional horns, and sample mead as the river reflects the golden light of late afternoon. It’s an introduction to Lithuania that immediately signals this won’t be an ordinary trip!
We will then reconvene for a welcome dinner at Kristoforas, one of Vilnius’s most atmospheric restaurants. Set in a historic building with vaulted ceilings and candlelight, the restaurant serves creative flavors that honor tradition while embracing contemporary techniques.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Grand Hotel Vilnius, Curio by Hilton
DAY 2
Floating Above Vilnius — Sunrise Flight, Medieval Streets, and Modern Innovators
You’ll start the day early to experience something only a handful of cities in the world permit: a hot air balloon flight over a capital city. The city unfolds below like a baroque painting coming to life—red-tiled roofs, church spires piercing the mist, the Cathedral Square where you slept just hours ago.
Late morning brings a walking tour through Old Town with an expert guide. You’ll visit Cathedral Square properly now, learn about the pagan temples that preceded the current cathedral, wind through narrow cobblestoned streets to St. Anne’s Church (a Gothic masterpiece Napoleon reportedly wanted to carry back to Paris “in the palm of his hand”), and discover the bohemian Užupis district — a neighborhood that declared itself an independent republic complete with its own constitution. The history here runs deep: from pagan settlement to Grand Duchy capital to Soviet occupation to proud EU member, Vilnius has survived everything.
Lunch at Lokys restaurant brings you into medieval cellars where game meats and traditional Lithuanian dishes transport you back centuries.
But the afternoon session jolts you firmly into the 21st century. You’ll meet with Vilnius’s startup ecosystem leaders, tech entrepreneurs, and real estate developers who are reshaping Lithuania’s economy. Learn about the country’s investment opportunities in the rapidly evolving market, and understand why some are calling Vilnius “the next tech capital of Europe.”
We will end the day with dinner at Džiaugsmas restaurant, a Michelin-guide spot which showcases modern Nordic-Lithuanian fusion — proof that Vilnius’s culinary scene deserves its growing reputation. The evening ends early enough to prepare for another full day ahead.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Grand Hotel Vilnius, Curio by Hilton
DAY 3
From Medieval Glory to Soviet Shadows: Towers, Tanks & Tombs
Morning takes you up Gediminas Tower for panoramic views, then into the reconstructed Palace of the Grand Dukes — an archaeological marvel that showcases Lithuania’s medieval glory when the Grand Duchy was the largest country in Europe. You’ll continue to Vilnius University, founded in 1579, where baroque courtyards and a historic library remind you that scholarly traditions survived centuries of occupation. Climbing the St. John’s Church bell tower offers yet another perspective on the Old Town’s stunning architecture.
We will enjoy lunch at Bernelių Užeiga which features upscale traditional Lithuanian cuisine before the afternoon pivots dramatically.
A short drive outside Vilnius brings you to a private military experience center, and for the next three hours, reality feels suspended. Professional instructors teach you to fire an AK-47, a Glock 17 pistol, and a pump-action shotgun. But the main event? Climbing into the driver’s seat of a British FV432 tracked armored personnel carrier — essentially, a tank. You navigate it through a rugged off-road course, feeling the raw power of this 15-ton beast. It’s simultaneously ridiculous, exhilarating, and oddly satisfying.
After a moment of rest and change at the hotel, we will enjoy dinner at a Michelin guide restaurant, Ertlio Namas, where you will get a chance to taste interesting dishes from a bygone era – dating as far back as the 16th Century.
But the evening isn’t over. After dinner, you walk across Cathedral Square — literally two minutes from your hotel — to descend into the crypts and royal mausoleum. These underground chambers, dimly lit and ancient, hold the remains of Grand Dukes, queens, and nobles of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
You’ll see the empty sarcophagus prepared for Vytautas the Great, one of Lithuania’s earliest frescoes from the Christianization period, and hear stories of medieval power struggles that echo through the centuries. The crypts take on an especially haunting quality at night, when daily crowds have vanished and you’re alone with history.
You will walk back across the square to your hotel, perhaps stopping at the bar for a nightcap while gazing at the illuminated cathedral.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Grand Hotel Vilnius, Curio by Hilton
DAY 4
Journey to Kaunas: Lithuania’s Interwar Capital and Baroque Masterpiece
After a leisurely breakfast and relaxing time at the hotel, you will depart for Kaunas, Lithuania’s second city, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west.
Arriving in Kaunas, your first stop is Monte Pacis restaurant at Pažaislis Monastery for lunch. Set within a 17th-century baroque monastery complex on the shores of Kaunas Lagoon, Monte Pacis is a Michelin Guide restaurant serving modern Lithuanian cuisine using local ingredients, accompanied by monastery wines from across Europe.
After lunch, tour the stunning Pažaislis Monastery itself — built between 1664 and 1674 and considered the finest example of Italian Baroque architecture in Lithuania. The monastery church features breathtaking frescoes, marble altars, and elaborate stucco work. Walk the monastery grounds overlooking the lagoon and understand why this serene peninsula has drawn pilgrims for over three centuries.
Late afternoon, check into Radisson Hotel, located in the heart of Kaunas offering spacious suites with separate living areas.
Evening begins with drinks at nearby Knygnešys bar — before dinner at Laurus Soboras, showcasing contemporary Lithuanian cuisine in a historic setting.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Radisson Hotel Kaunas
DAY 5
Kaunas: WWII History, Art Deco Heritage, and Culinary Brilliance
After breakfast, you will explore IX Fort, part of Kaunas’s historic fortress complex, now a museum and memorial dedicated to the turbulent 20th century. It’s a place of reflection — somber but deeply meaningful, offering insight into Lithuania’s path toward independence.
For lunch, we will visit Avilys Brewery, a cozy restaurant set in vaulted cellars, where you’ll sample traditional Lithuanian dishes alongside a tasting of midus — Lithuanian mead, a honey-based beverage with roots stretching back to the Grand Duchy. Each variety tells a story of local craftsmanship and heritage.
From there, the city reveals a different side. During its years as the provisional capital, Kaunas became a hub of innovation and design, leaving behind a remarkable Art Deco legacy. A guided tour leads you through the Art Deco Museum and along Laisvės Alėja (Liberty Avenue), a grand pedestrian boulevard lined with graceful façades, cafés, and boutiques.
As evening falls, you return to Kaunas for cocktails on a rooftop terrace, before a memorable Michelin-starred dinner at Dia, where contemporary European cuisine meets Lithuanian creativity.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Radisson Hotel Kaunas
DAY 6
Trakai Island Castle and Return to The Capital: From Medieval Fairy Tales to Vilnius Luxury
After a leisurely breakfast, you will depart Kaunas for Trakai (en route to Vilnius), a small town just about a 40-minute drive.
Here, you’ll visit the iconic medieval island castle — once the residence of Grand Duke Vytautas — set on the serene waters of Lake Galvė. The restored fortress and its surrounding landscape of forests and lakes offer one of Lithuania’s most picturesque scenes.
Lunch follows at Senoji Kibininė, where you’ll discover the traditions of the Karaim people — a small Turkic community brought to Lithuania in the 14th century. Their signature kibinai pastries and centuries-old stories provide a unique window into Lithuania’s multicultural heritage.
You’ll then return to Vilnius, where you will check into Hotel Pacai for your final night—a 17th-century baroque palace remodeled into a heritage boutique hotel, where period features and historic charm infuse every space.
The afternoon is yours to tailor. Relax at the hotel, shop for amber, linen or local ceramics, or dive deeper into history with a visit to the KGB Museum or the Lukiškės Prison conversion. You might also explore the MO Museum for contemporary Lithuanian art or visit the baroque Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.
For dinner, we’ll head to Nineteen18, an intimate restaurant offering a modern tasting-menu experience rooted in Lithuanian tradition. Named after the year Lithuania regained independence, Nineteen18 sources produce from its own farm and nearby foragers, and serves about ten flowing courses that reinterpret local flavors with creativity.
After dinner, you’ll return to Pacai for a final nightcap or a quiet walk through Vilnius’s gently lit Old Town — closing your week where history, art, nature, and cuisine have intertwined every day.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel Pacai, Vilnius
DAY 7
Farewell to Lithuania: Until We Meet Again
After a final breakfast at the hotel there’s time for one last walk through Old Town before departing for the airport.
The week feels like it passed in a moment — sunrises over misty lakes, medieval castles, baroque monasteries, and evenings filled with stories and laughter. Lithuania leaves quietly, but deeply, in your heart — not just as a place you visited, but as a place you discovered.
Departures throughout the day.
Your Accommodations
Occupying the most prestigious address in the Baltic states — directly on Cathedral Square — this five-star property (formerly Grand Hotel Kempinski, rebranded by Hilton in 2024) offers Cathedral View rooms where you wake up to one of Europe’s most beautiful baroque squares. The hotel features restaurants and bars, an indoor heated pool, a luxury spa, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic Old Town views. You’re a two-minute walk from the cathedral, the perfect position for your late-night crypt tour. This is location and luxury combined.
Located in the heart of Kaunas, Radisson Hotel offers consistent suite accommodations perfect for your group of 12. The property features spacious suites with separate living areas, a full-service spa, fine dining restaurant, and modern amenities while maintaining proximity to Kaunas Old Town and Laisvės Alėja. The hotel’s professional service standards and uniform room categories ensure every group member enjoys the same level of comfort and luxury. Its central location provides easy access to the Art Deco district, museums, and restaurants while offering the reliability and consistency expected from a luxury hotel group.
Your final night brings you to this extraordinary conversion of a 17th-century baroque palace. Each room tells a story through preserved architectural details, period touches, and contemporary luxury. The hotel’s spa, Restaurant Pacai, and intimate scale create a boutique experience that contrasts beautifully with the Grand Hotel’s contemporary grandeur. Located just five minutes’ walk from Cathedral Square, it’s the perfect bookend to your Lithuanian journey — sleeping in a palace where nobles once plotted and celebrated.
Useful Information
Weather and Clothing
[TBD]
Electrical Outlets
[TBD]
Includes
Accommodations:
- 3 nights at Grand Hotel Vilnius, Curio Collection by Hilton (King Junior Suite)
- 2 nights at Radisson Hotel Kaunas (Suite)
- 1 night at Hotel Pacai (Deluxe Rooms)
Experiences:
- Hot air balloon flight over Vilnius at sunrise
- Vilnius Old Town walking tour with expert guide
- Private session with startup ecosystem leaders and real estate professionals
- Tower of Gediminas, Palace of the Grand Dukes, and Vilnius University tour
- Tank driving and shooting experience (AK-47, pistol, shotgun)
- Private late-night Cathedral crypts tour
- Trakai Island Castle tour
- IX Fort Museum, private Art Deco tour, Pažaislis Monastery
- Lithuanian mead tasting at Avilys Brewery
- Optional: Viking ship sailing on Neris River (Day 1 early arrivals)
- Optional: KGB Museum or Lukiškės Prison tour
- Multiple afternoon activity options for last afternoon in Vilnius (museums, views, shopping)
Dining:
- All meals with drinks, including high end and Michelin rated restaurants:
- Kristoforas
- Džiaugsmas
- Ertlio Namas
- Nineteen 18
- Dia
- Laurus Soboras
- Mead and beer tasting at Avilys
- Lunches at Lokys, Bernelių Užeiga, Senoji Kibininė, Monte Pacis, Grey, Avilys
Transportation and Other:
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Private transportation throughout
- All tips and taxes
Excludes
- International airfare to/from Lithuania
- Hotel spa treatments and massages
- Any additional snacks or beverages outside of included meals
- Room service
- Any activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
- Additional cultural experiences outside the planned program
- Any pre- and post- trip extensions
Cancellation Policy
We are so excited to see the interest in this trip, and worked hard to negotiate the best price on all of these high-end experiences, exclusively for our members.
Please note that due to the nature of the trip and the size of the group, we can only allow cancellations if we can find a replacement for your spot.
Please remember to check your calendar first… Cancellations/refunds will only be issued if a replacement is found.
Price
The trip is scheduled for end of July, 2026. Exact dates will be confirmed soon.
The cost for individual attendees will be around $5,800 per person (exact price to be confirmed).
The cost for double-occupancy slots is $9,300 for a couple (exact price to be confirmed).
Viktorija will be accompanying you on this trip.
Please also note that spots are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Express Your Interest
Reserve Your Spot Today!
Please select whether you are coming alone or with a guest:
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