Lithuania is known for its unspoiled environment, charming cities, beautiful nature and friendly people. With cool temperatures, it is a great destination for a weekend getaway during the summer months. It is also a place where lots of international brands produce their garments because of high quality standards and reasonable prices.

Interesting Lithuanian fashion brands are also emerging, strongly influenced by Scandinavian and Japanese clean design, and by the natural materials available there, like linen and wool.

In 2001 and I took a trip through the Baltic states and really liked Lithuania. There was a heat wave that summer in Europe and I have fond memories of Vilnius, Neringa (wonderful wild beaches), eating blyneliai (a crepe that would have married a pancake) for breakfast and smoked eel for dinner.

The country has changed a lot since 2001 say Inga Remeik of children’s label Ingugu; “I am out of English expressions to say how great it feels to live in Lithuania“. With the help of Dainora Jankauskaitė – Miežienė of children’s label  DJM), Inga prepared this post, gathering their favorite places and addresses, for a happy family trip to Lithuania.

Vilnius (the capital!)

A small vibrant city with cozy streets filled with designer boutiques, outdoor cafes and souvenir shops related to Lithuania‘s specialties like amber and linen.

Stikliu street is not to be missed and there you can find several boutiques like Julia Janus, Decolte and Boho chic.

Places to visit:

Toys museum  www.zaislumuziejus.lt showcase unique toys and games and allow visitors to try them out. It is located in the heart of Vilnius near the Bernardinai Garden where you can take a break. It is a beautiful park filled with water fountains and children playgrounds.

A cozy museum located next to the Town Hall is Kazys Varnelis House-Museum which a collection of antique paintings, prints, sculptures, furniture, maps, books as well as works by painter Kazys Varnelis.

For those who plan to visit Vilnius after the summer ends I recommend visiting The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre  and to see a ballet for kids like “Cinderella“ or “Cipollino“ . It will be an unforgettable event for kids at any age (I was there with my daughters and the youngest was only 3).

Places to stay:

stikliaihotel.lt – one of the most elegant and luxurious hotels in Vilnius well known for its gourmet restaurant.

shakespeare.lt – each one of the rooms at the hotel reveal a story and has a name of a famous author, a public figure or even pieces of literature.

oldmarket.lt – apartments and B&B

Places to eat:

en.holymikos.lt  – Lithuanian kitchen with a modern twist

pinavija.lt/ – a place for a cup of coffe and amazing desserts.

Kuku Muku  – a restaurant created exceptionally for kids.

Raw42 – to enjoy raw food or grab a fresh juice cocktail

If the weather is not looking good for the beach, have a side trip from Vilnius to Trakai and legendary Trakai castle or visit health resort Druskininkai – for a SPA weekend with activities in Druskininkai Aquaparc and Snoras Snow Arena working all year round .

Neringa (the beach!)

The most wonderful and breathtaking place in Lithuania I would say is Curonian Spit, a narrow peninsula separating the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. It is a perfect place for a beach holiday, known for its sand dunes, fragrant pine forests and resort villages like Pervalka, Juodkrante or Nida (the largest settlement in Neringa).

Please keep in mind that it is usually fully booked in summer so you should make your reservations at least a month before going to Neringa. If you still have problems finding a place to stay contact tourist information center for a help visitneringa.com.

Places to stay:

Visit Nida apartments visitnida.com

Vaivos Gintaro namai vaivosgintaronamai.lt

Family villa in Pervalka pervalka.com

Places to eat:

Nidos seklycia  – a quiet restaurant with a wonderful view and delicious food.

Nerija restaurant – known as a high class restaurant

Čili Pica – simple Italian like cuisine with kids menu, situated next to the main Nida’s port.

Things to do:

Nagliai Nature reserve and the Dead Dunes are not to be missed. These Dunes can be found in the stopover just before Pervalka if going from Juodkrante.

Kids will enjoy a day trip to Lithuanian Sea Museum  and visiting on of the best dolphins show in Europe at Delphinarium. Because of reconstruction a part of Sea Museum will be open for public from June 24 to August 31.

Rent bicycles and explore fragrant forests and little villages Preila and Pervalka along the way and have a stop near the sea for a picnic.

Have a boat trip on the Curonian lagoon to Nemunas delta, Mingė village and Uostadvaris.

 

Ingugu

A label born in Lithuania which combines strong knitting traditions, softness and warmth of alpaca wool and focus to a child well being.  Our brand is dedicated to children but step by step is growing towards adult fashion.

D.J.M.

A children’s fashion studio producing handmade clothing and shoes for children from 2-10 years.

More about Ingugu : a team of young and creative parents, who joined forces, skills and passion for design of softest baby and children clothes. Our main goal is to create products focusing on child well-being, fair trade and sustainability.

Finding the right clothing for children in northern europe can be true challenge for parent, as weather conditions varies a lot and the temperature may hange dramatically in a couple of weeks or days. Parents aso face the difficulties if the child is allergic to sheep wool, so they are looking for high quality organic products. It was a natural decision for us to choose alpaca wool from Peru for the perfect baby and children clothing as our inspiration comes from nature and our own parenting experience. All the products are made in Lithuania – Northern Europe, the country which is famous for its textile traditions and technologies. Lot of high quality clothing of brands are produced here. Being the menber of European Union, Lithuania has high standards of employment relations, the environment proetction and the businesss ethics.

 

DJM Ingugu