• placement: fullWidth
  • path: articles/in-content-top
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "vilnius-imitate-other-cities",
  "destination": "Vilnius",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Lithuania",
  "city": "Vilnius"
}

The Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, is striving to give people a taste of global travel by celebrating one of the world's cultures every second weekend. It began the initiative as a way to give locals a flavour of international travel while the country was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hoping to provide them with positive emotions, such as the joy of travel and the discovery of new cultures in a healthy and safe environment.

Musicians in Vilnius giving a performance to people
Vilnius is striving to give a taste of global travel © Go Vilnius

As Lithuania has now opened again to some countries, visitors will also get a taste of the colours, aromas and sounds of some different cultures. The initiative kicked off with an Italian weekend, and the cultures of India, the US, France, Spain, Germany and Japan will get their moment in the sun as the summer progresses. The presentation of foreign cultures include food experiences, concerts and exhibitions, educational events, special projects for children, thematic guided tours and other attractions.

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: articles/in-content-middle
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "vilnius-imitate-other-cities",
  "destination": "Vilnius",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Lithuania",
  "city": "Vilnius"
}
Vilnius 3.jpg
The city wants to give people the joy of travel and discovery of new cultures © Go Vilnius

The Italian weekend saw the presentation of Vespa scooters and a Venetian-carnival-themed performance in the artistic neighbourhood of Užupis. Italian-themed family events, concerts and restaurants serving special dishes were held, and the events were dispersed around the city to facilitate social distancing and ensure that event attendee numbers did not exceed recommended limits.

  • placement: native
  • path: articles/in-content-native
  • possible size: [f, l],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "vilnius-imitate-other-cities",
  "destination": "Vilnius",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Lithuania",
  "city": "Vilnius"
}
People dreesed in white at an event in Vilnius
Italian-themed events were held in Vilnius © Go Vilnius

According to Remigijus Šimašius, the mayor of Vilnius, many of the city's tour and transport operators, restaurants, hotels, local communities and artists combined their efforts to create these unique experiences. For further information, see the website of Go Vilnius, the city's official tourism and business development agency here.

Lockdowns are easing globally as the planet adjusts to a new normal. Find out how COVID-19 is changing travel.

You might also like:

Travellers from these 24 countries can visit Estonia without quarantining
Cyprus will cover costs for travellers who get COVID-19 on holiday there

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: articles/bottom
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "vilnius-imitate-other-cities",
  "destination": "Vilnius",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Lithuania",
  "city": "Vilnius"
}

Explore related stories

Illuminated Christmas tree at night. Town Hall square with House of the Blackheads and Christmas tree in winter, old town Riga, Latvia. Christmas postcard of Riga. 1359359999 latvian, town hall, city hall, decorated christmas tree, downtown, brotherhood, fir, happy new year, house of the blackheads, christmas postcard, blackheads, xmas, illumination, historic, evening, holiday, european, square, building, landmark

Festivals & Events

8 Christmas traditions from around the world explained

Nov 24, 2024 • 5 min read

Read more articles