Berlin is a city where families will feel welcome.
20.07.2023 - 13:21 / wanderlust.co.uk / Christmas Market
Set almost in the middle of the country, Lithuania’s second city is 92km from the capital of Vilnius. Two rivers – Neris and Nemunas (Neman) meet close to the Old Town, a compact tangle of streets. The centrepiece is Town Hall Square, which hosts events such as a Christmas Market.
Kaunas Town Hall is set within the square, and it’s a good place to start exploring as you get a bird’s eye view from the 53m-high tower perched above the entrance. Nicknamed the White Swan because of its appearance, the hall dates back to 1542, although the current building was rebuilt following a fire. Inside there’s a museum dedicated to local history – don’t miss the prison cell and archaeological finds from Hanseatic traders.
If you’d like to discover more about the city’s role in the Hanseatic League – a trading route that spread from Germany and across the Baltic – visit the House of Perkūnas nearby. A former merchant’s house, the Gothic red-brick building now hosts concerts, exhibitions and tours.
Vytautas the Great Church, built in 1400, is opposite, on the banks of the Neman. Aleksoto Street guides you from the church to the imposing Cathedral of St Peter and Paul, which is home to a grand organ, nine altars and the tomb of the Lithuanian poet Jonas Mačiulis-Maironis.
Built from stone in the 14th century, Kaunas Castle sits behind the town hall in Santaka Park, at the confluence of Neris and Nemunas. Once a prison, former inmates allegedly haunt the round tower and bastion which are partly surrounded by the remnants of defensive walls. Today, the grounds host cultural events, festivals and archery and crossbow workshops while inside a museum displays paintings, historical photos and archaeological discoveries such as crossbows, axes and spears.
This monastery is set within extensive grounds that jut out into Kaunas Reservoir. It’s a scenic spot and you could be forgiven for thinking the site was chosen for its beauty – but the 17th century monastery was built long before the reservoir. Topped by a dome, the Baroque monastery is decorated with frescoes and marble pillars inside, while concerts and music festivals take place beneath its arches. The grounds are also home to the four-star Monte Pacis hotel. Its restaurant serves ingredients grown in the monastery garden and some local dishes, such as grilled cabbage with wild garlic cream and buckthorn gel.
Laisvės Alėja, or Freedom Avenue, runs from east to west through the centre of Kaunas, roughly parallel with the Nemunas River. With its fountains and flowerbeds, the 1.7km leafy boulevard wouldn’t feel out of place in Paris. Like in Paris, the pedestrianised path is lined with shops and restaurants and locals enjoying the city’s café culture. St Michael the
Berlin is a city where families will feel welcome.
Germany is the world’s fourth-biggest economy, has a history that’ll take you a lifetime to unpack, a capital city that seems to be crawling into the future and a population of more than 80 million people, almost one-fifth of whom have an immigrant background – that makes it almost impossible to form any generalisations about a singular Germany. Instead, expect a country full of bewildering contradictions, quirky social norms and, in the capital especially, stereotypes turned on their head.
Berlin has long enjoyed a reputation for being a city of bargains, but don’t be fooled: it’s catching up with London, Tokyo and New York – and fast!
For grand castles and gritty industrial architecture, half-timbered taverns and edgy techno nightclubs, head to Germany.
New Braunfels is a vibrant and lively city in Texas with several must-see attractions. Here are the top things to do while visiting New Braunfels. [viator_tour destinatio
Some sights are touristy for a good reason. They’re the ones you go to Europe to check off: a wobbly gondola on the canals of Venice, or a mandatory Eiffel Tower selfie. Europe has countless sights all worth a visit in their own right, but there's so much more to the continent than cathedrals and beaches – and some of it's pretty bizarre. So from plastic hammer fights in Portugal, to a night behind bars in an ex-Soviet prison, here are a few things to do in Europe you probably never considered.
Georgia long attracted visitors from neighbouring countries – and there's really no wonder, in addition to its wealth of culture and natural beauty, it is also one of the most budget-friendly travel destinations. In this article, we cover the best things to do in Georgia, from stunning mountain hikes to cosmopolitan cities, ancient monasteries and — of course — some of the world's best wine.
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Stuck for summer holiday inspiration? Lithuania has loads to offer, from wild, dune-backed beaches to even wilder festivals. And, with the country gearing up to celebrate 100 years since the restoration of independence (in 2018), there's never been a better time to visit.
Few other European capitals can compete with Berlin, a city that’s simultaneously funky, cultured, gritty and glamorous. And whether you want to see museums, or be seen at trendy galleries, there are enough free things to do in Berlin to keep you busy for a week or more.
Serbia is a buzzy and boisterous country, compact enough for visitors to sample both Belgrade’s urban hedonism and the gentler pace of the smaller towns or national parks – and it’s one of Europe’s most affordable destinations to boot. Grittier than its neighbour Croatia, it is nevertheless an integral part of any backpacker’s Balkan tour. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Serbia.
Thanks to the stratospheric rise of the aussie dollar, Sydney has now leapfrogged New York and London as one of the world’s most expensive cities. Almost every street seems to have a concept wine bar or Masterchef-style restaurant popping up and even scuzzy old Kings Cross has cleaned up its act.