Our travel dreams can take us all over the world – from tropical rainforests to paradise beaches.
And legend has it that it was within someone’s dream that Lithuania’s capital of Vilnius first sprung to life.
The city is 700 years old and it’s believed that it all started with a dream Grand Duke Gediminas had on a hunting trip.
In his dream, Gediminas saw a huge iron wolf standing on a hill howling as if hundreds of wolves were trapped inside it. When the Grand Duke consulted the court magician Lizdeika, he was told that the wolf was a symbol of a great capital that would one day stand at the top of that hill.
By 1323 Gediminas was sending letters to other European cities inviting people to visit the city.
It’s now home to one of the largest surviving medieval quarters in Europe – with almost two thousand medieval, gothic, renaissance and baroque buildings. Other popular attractions include the KGB Museum, located in a former Soviet prison, and the 13th century Higher Castle.
It’s also home to the country’s president, government and supreme court.
Vilnius, while crowned ‘Europe’s hidden gem’ by Forbes, has started attracting more tourists thanks to its affordability and gastronomic offerings.
One of its more famous foodie fares is pink soup – which has a whole festival dedicated to it.
At the Pink Soup Fest – dedicated to the cold beetroot soup – festivalgoers can tuck into delicious variations of the dish and join in themed entertainments that mark the start of summer.
Similar to the Spanish gazpacho because it is also served chilled, Pink Soup also features cucumber, fresh dill, eggs and buttermilk in its recipes and is served with a side of hot potatoes.
Vilnius’s gastro scene has flourished over recent years with a multicultural fusion cuisine dimension that includes Jewish, Polish, and Lithuanian dishes along with those from Lebanon, Japan, Nepal, and France.
Those who’ve made the journey to the city absolutely love it – and have taken to travel review website Tripadvisor to explain more.
One said: “Beautiful place full of history, nature, and friendly faces. A few days here just wandering around will freshen your mind.”
Another added: “Vilnius is a very special place with a great culture. People are helpful, respectful and welcoming. Very interesting history over the centuries.”
