Lithuania is waiting for you!
This is the 4rd Newsletter of Global Passenger Network. GPN is an elite group of networks representing the best motor coach and travel companies in the world. We offer our clients high quality coach services and travel opportunities all over the globe through a single website: www.gpn.travel
GPN - Lithuania
Lithuania is represented by OLLEX, a company which offers passenger transportation and car hire services including minibuses and buses. In each case OLLEX consider client's individual requirements and make every effort to offer the best possible solution. Company render a full range of transport-related services including passenger transfer by buses or minibuses, self-drive car hire and, if requested, limousine services.
Ollex is oriented towards clients' satisfaction and convenience. 
Trakai
Trakai is a town situated between three lakes, 28 kilometres to the west of Vilnius. On your way there you travel through the historic lands of the former Duchy of Trakai, whose centre, Old Trakai, was the capital of Lithuania in the Middle Ages. Not tar away (3 km), in the midst of the lakes, an other settlement was founded which has grown into the present town of Trakai . This town did not grow much later on: therefore, Trakai today, together with its environs, is an area strongly representative of the history of the Lithuanian state. Its three castles point to the exceptional significance of its place in national life. Even after losing its military importance, the location long remained the residence of the rulers of Lithuania. The two castles which have survived to this day are the most famous works of defensive architecture in Lithuania. The process of founding the town and its surrounding settlements in the 13th century went hand in hand with the process of the integration of the Lithuanian territories into a unified state. In those days the newly founded and yet pagan Grand Duchy of Lithuania was attacked on a regular basis by the Teutonic Order, and for two centuries had to withstand invasions from Christian Europe.
Fortresses were built in all the strategically important locations nationwide. Trakai was mentioned as on e of the crucial political and defensive centres of the state. Enemies on the Crusades to Vilnius would avoid these locations in order to avoid their garrisons. The most Fierce bat tles took place at the Peninsula Castle . As early as 1377, however, the German chronicler Wigandus Marburgensis pointed out that the Crusades "in the land of Trakai " have besieged "the new castle ". Thus Trakai was first recorded in history with this reference to the Island Castle. Nowadays the restored Island Castle (late 14th and early 15th century) is the only one of its kind in Eastern Europe. In 1991 the national and historic park status was granted to Trakai.
Your choice in Trakai - tourist excursions, resting by the waterside, aboat ride, a yacht or motorbike ride, swimming, fishing, camping or simply a quiet time in a cafe on the bank ... In June you may want to see the " Amber oars" International Rowing Regatta. The "Living History" programme projects. Royal Palace Theatre performances, the Prehistory experimental centre with their social events in the Peninsula and Island castles add to and broaden the historical mind, enrich through living pictures and impressions, and it seems that the shadows of past ages come to life again... The Trakai Castle Festival, which is becoming increasingly popular, is taking on the status of a tradition. Its inspiration is the legendary Russian ballerina, a ballet-dancer with both Lithuanian and Russian citizenship, the world - famous Maya Plisetskaya.
Curonian Spit National Park
The Curonian Spit National Park (26461 ha, including 9761 ha of land, 4200 ha - Curonion Lagoon (Kursiu marios), 12500 ha - the Baltic Sea) is the most frequented protected area in Lithuania. Chains of North Europe's highest dunes, the soughing of the sea and rustling of sand as well as old Curonian houses smelling of fish accompany a traveller all along the spit, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. The formation of a small and narrow sand strip between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon from the sand carried by water streams and drifted by the wind started around 5 thousand years ago. The current landscape of the spit is the result or human activities and natural forces. After deforestation in the 15th-17th centuries, the sand dunes started moving and buried villages. Only well-planned human activities could provide protection against natural elements. The formation of a protective dune ridge and afforestation were commenced 200 years ago.
This area is distinguished by unique landscape, flora and fauna. That includes the Large Dunes ridge of the spit, the ancient parabolic dunes near Juodkrante, the Grey Dunes between Juodkrante and Pervalka, the drifted Parnidzio and Sklandytoju (Gliders') dunes, soils which have been buried beneath a layer of sand, sea and lagoon plains, natural complexes of kupstyne (tops of buried old dunes), and the protective seacoast dune ridge.
Tourists are attracted by interesting and original cultural heritage, including ethnographic fishermen's houses, old villas constructed in late 19th - early 20th centuries in Nida, Juodkrante and Smiltyne settlements, the old cemetery of Nida, the Evangelical-Lutheran churches of Nida and Juodkrante, and buildings of typical wooden architecture.
Every year, Lithuanian Sea Museum-Aquarium and Dolphinarium in Smiltyne, Weathercock Museum-Gallery in Juodkrante, the Nature Museum of the Curonian Spit National Park, Fisherman's Ethnographic Home, Amber Gallery-Museum, Neringa History Museum and Thomas Mann Culture Centre attract many visitors.
A 26-kilometer long cycling trail has been built in the Curonian Spit. Soon it will stretch along the entire Curonian Spit. Visitors to the spit can explore the landscape of the Grey Dunes on the sightseeing trail (1,2 km long) of the Nagliai Natural Reservation. A sightseeing hiking trail (1,6 km long) is built in Juodkrante old grove, and Parnidzio sightseeing trail (1,8 km long) - in the environs of Nida. Close to Juodkrante, bird lovers can observe the life of the grey herons and large cormorants. Lithuania's largest brooding place of these birds is here. Viewing grounds opening up scenic views of the Curonian Spit and the Baltic Sea or the Curonian Lagoon are built on Avikalnis, the Grey Dunes in Nagliai reservation and Parnidzio Dune.
The Open Air Museum of Lithuania in Rumsiskes
Rumsiskes is located 25 km from Kaunas near the Vilnius-Kaunas highway. It is an ethnographical open-air museum which depicts the life of peasants during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The exposition is divided according to the four ethnographical regions of Lithuania: Aukstaitija, Dzukija, Suvalkija and Zemaitija.
Each section is highlighted by buildings and farmsteads characteristic to the specific region. The interior of the farmhouses is traditionally decorated with linen tablecloths, towels and bedspreads. In summer songs and dances ensembles come to Rumsiskes on weekends perform. Traditional festivals are organized in the museum, such as for Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day), Midsummer's Day and for the harvest celebrations.
One can spend the day in a splendid way riding on horseback or taking a short drive in a coach.
