Although Lithuania has been busy doing away with the drab remnants of its Soviet past, it's also been spiffing up the wonderful old buildings that represent its earlier history. In Vilnius, the capital, hundreds of grand old baroque buildings have been artfully renovated into well-appointed hotels, minimalls and cafes. Foreign investment capital is pouring in, and there is talk of Vilnius as the new Prague.
Still, despite all the shiny facades, prosperity is a long way off, and average Lithuanians are struggling to make ends meet. In the countryside, life goes on pretty much unchanged.
Lithuania is more agricultural than the other Baltic nations, which gives it a slower pace and a bit more charm. In rural areas in the south, horses are still the preferred mode of transport. Although the nation as a whole is intensely Roman Catholic, you can still detect traces of pre-Christian religions influencing life in the countryside, where elaborate wooden sculptures of ragana (witches) and barzdukais (gnomes) are almost as common as crosses.
The attractions of the country are far more than mere old-world charm. As one of the new countries of Europe, you can expect (in Vilnius at least) Western standards of service at many places, but at a fraction of the cost of more traditional and well-traveled tourist destinations. For young people as well, there is much to do and see. The Baltics are looking to become fashion and cultural trendsetters in the years to come, and the country can boast several exciting nightlife spots