Vilnius has only been the capital of Lithuania since 1991, prior to this time it belonged to Poland and then Russia. In the 1940’s Vilnius was the capital of Soviet Lithuania until 1991, when Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania gained independence from the Soviet Union and Vilnius became the official capital of the country of Lithuania. Vilnius is the oldest city of Lithuania; first settled in the 11th century by Jewish settlers. The best time to go is May through September.

No one can get bored in Vilnius due to the eighteen museums, eighteen historic sites, six sightseeing tours, plus parks, gardens, educational sites and at least twenty buildings and structures with historical, architectural and aesthetic appeal. Add the restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, theaters and nightspots and your itinerary is booked solid.

Among the sites to visit in Vilnius are some beautiful churches of the Byzantine, Orthodox and Catholic faith traditions and the Vilnius Synagogue. You will want to visit Old Town and the University of Vilnius and walk through Old Town Square and visit the Gate of Dawn. The KGB building is a site offering an interesting guided tour. Buses, trolleys and trams are available, if you do not want to do a lot of walking. Of course you can always take a break at one of the bars along the way. Stop in and visit with the locals and other tourists. You can ask about the best places to eat and the best places to visit while sipping your drink.