Programme

Day 1: Amsterdam - Kaunas You fly direct from Amsterdam to Vilnius. The flight takes about 2,5 hours. On arrival in Vilnius you will travel directly to the hotel in Kaunas. Since some of you will most probably have left early in the morning, we will have an easy day today. At the end of the day we will organise for you a traditional welcome party.

Day 2: Kaunas - Sventoji - Palanga Today begins your exploration of the Baltic mythology. In the morning, you will visit artist Virginijus Kasinskas. Kasinskas is a leading painter in the Baltic mythology. Through his paintings he will introduce to you the Baltic deities. After your visit to Kasinskas you will continue to Sventoji located on the Lithuanian coast. On your way, you will stop for lunch. On the 'hill of Birute' in Sventoji, you will find wooden statues, each depicting a Baltic deity. The images form a kind of sundial with the help of which the pagan holidays can be determined. After visiting Sventoji, you will continue to Palanga. Palanga is the most famous seaside resort of Lithuania. You can get a breath of fresh air on the beach and/or take a walk in the marvellous nature of the regional park of Palanga. Certainly worthwhile is the visit to the Amber Museum that holds the world's biggest collection of amber.

Day 3: Palanga - Lopaiciai - Moletai  On the third day of your trip you will first travel to Lopaiciai. At Lopaiciai you will find one of the most impressive holy places of the Baltic mythology. After visiting Lopaiciai, you will continue through Oznugaris to Moletai. Oznugaris is also one of the most famous sacred places. On your way, you will stop for lunch.

Day 4: Moletai - Kulionys - Verkiai - Karmazinai - Moletai Today you will start with a visit to Kulionys. In Kulionys, you will visit the ethno cosmological museum and  an ethnographic farmstead. The special feature of this farmstead is, as it was very common in the past, that there is an 'altar' built for conducting mythological rituals. After your visit  to Kulionys, you will continue to Verkiai. In Verkiai, after lunch, you will have an introduction to Baltic mythological rituals. Here you will discover what clothing and jewelry was worn during the rituals. After this visit, you will travel to Karmaziniai where you will visit a holy place. At the end of the day you will return to your hotel in Moletai.

Day 5: Moletai - Vilnius Today you will return to Verkiai. In Verkiai, you will witness the implementation tof a fire ritual. After the implementation of this ritual, a 'saturtines' meditation will be held. You will have the opportunity to play your part in this. At the end of the morning, you will continue to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. In the afternoon, you will visit in Vilnius the shrine in the valley of Sventaragis and (possibly) the  ancient mythological altar in the catacombs of the Cathedral. For the rest of the day you will have the possibility to lexplore Vilnius. Vilnius has a beautiful old town, a number of wonderful museums, a large number of impressive churches and is a paradise for people who love shopping.

Day 6: Vilnius - Kernave - Vilnius The programe of today contains a visit to Kernavė in the first part of the day. In the 13ht century, Kernavė was the capital of Lithuania. During the summer, different celebrations are held in Kernavė, the mythological Rasa festival being probably the best known one. After visiting Kernavė you will return to Vilnius. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to to look further around in Vilnius at your leisure.

Day 7: Vilnius - Trakai - Vilnius Today you will travel in the morning to the old capital Trakai, circa 25 km to the West from Vilnius. After returning to Vilnius, you will make a city tour led by a local guide, after which you will be able to further enjoy Vilnius by yourselves. At night, you will have at one of the most famous restaurants your farewell diner.

Day 8: Vilnius - Amsterdam This morning you will fly with a direct flight back to Amsterdam.