- It`s original. The place has a bad reputation as a holiday destination, so not many people go. And those who do only visit a limited area in the capital or a few stops for tour busses. As a consequence, most foreigners who have even been to Lithuania have all seen the same stuff.
- It`s cheap. At least for now. It used to be even cheaper, but if you mostly buy products that are locally made this is still one of the cheaper destinations in Europe. Eating in restaurants, having your nails done and that type of thing. Hotels have suddenly become rather expensive, but that is hopefully just a temporary thing.
- It`s underestimated. Lithuania, like most small nations in Europe, can seldom boast to be the best in anything. This is also true when it comes to what attracts tourists. There is always some other countries that does it bigger, better, cheaper or more spectacular. Lithuania on the other hand can sometimes compete when it comes to “doing it real”, with Rumsiskes and the Curonian spit as a prime examples. This fact is however often overlooked because the rest of the country is neither biggest, best, cheapest or most spectacular.
- It`s always available. You don`t have to stand in line to visit Lithuania. Most people are in fact heading in the opposite direction. This means that there will not be crowds of other tourists at the various attractions, no problems getting a room in a hotel without having a reservation, and certainly no problem getting a table in a restaurant.
- And…you`re welcome! Since Lithuania is among the least popular holiday destinations in Europe, you will find that enthusiastic foreign travelers are generally welcome there.
Many Lithuanians seemingly even hate their
own country. Until you criticize it, that is.
It seems that you didn't really enjoy your LT tour or maybe this blog is written just in a bad tone. Me, as a Lithuanian, cannot agree that Lithuanians hate their country - you probably talked to those who don't have an ability to take from our country all the best. It's very bright, very natural, very sincere and unspoiled and it has a lot to offer for everyone, despite what you are looking for. We have cold winters and sunny summers, skyscrapers and nature, rivers, lakes, forests, towns and so on and so forth. You just need to look deeper and don't believe every vodka-drinker you meet (especially that there are not so many of them).
ReplyDeleteOh, don`t worry. I in fact enjoy visiting Lithuania so much that I come back every year. My claim that most Lithuanians seem to hate their country does of course not apply to all, and my larger aim is to point out that these same individuals quickly become fierce patriots if I as a foreigner criticize Lithuania. My subtle point being that they are perhaps a bit quick to complain. As for vodka drinkers, the place just would not be the same without them. For better or worse. They are however not my main source of information about Lithuanian society. Anyway, thanks for commenting.
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