These tunnels, 15ft underground, were dug in 1983 and used to house emergency TV and radio studios in case of Nato attack. They were later used as a Soviet base during Lithuania’s successful struggle for independence in 1991, but have lain empty ever since.

Now Ruta, 52, is using them to ensure no one forgets the unpleasant truth of that era.

Read more

The world’s bestselling city guidebook publisher, DK Eyewitness Travel, has named its pick of the best cities to visit next year.

After mulling it over a few cups of continental coffee and a biscotti biscuit, or two, the team that creates the DK Top 10 guidebook series have revealed their favourite cities for 2009, with a distinctive Northern European and Americas feel.

Vilnius – European Capital of Culture in 2009, the Lithuanian capital is planning 120 art and culture projects, and over 900 cultural events.

Highlights include the Vilnius Book Fair in February, Street Musician Day in May, Culture Night on Midsummer Night, and the LUX Festival of Lights in November which brings socially deprived groups into

Read more

The biggest air company in the Baltic “airBaltic” signed a cooperation agreement with the airline, British Airways, the UAE and Emirates airlines, so from now, passengers will have a wider choice of flights to the United States, Canada, South America, Africa, India and Asia.

The winter, traveling with airBaltic from Riga will be able to achieve the 13 United States cities (Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Fyniksą, Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco, Tampa and Washington), 4 cities Canada (Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver). The flights will be carried out through London.

Read more

Statistics Department report data through the first three quarters of this year, Vilnius hotel receive over 10% more visitors than in the same 2007 period. In just nine months this year were staying in hotels in Vilnius 488 thousand. 799 guests.

 Improvement in hotel room busy period - during this period in the capital of Lithuania hotels bookings grow to nearly 59%. Meanwhile, in 2007 over the same period the hotel rooms were occupied 56.7%.

 Most of the guests received from Poland, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Finland. Increased number of tourists from neighboring countries: Russia - 56%, Poland - 12% and Latvia - 6% more than last year. More guests received from other Vilnius important tourism markets: France - 21%, Estonia - 20%, Finland - 19%, Germany - 13%, United Kingdom - 10%, Italy - 7%.

 Hotels positive performance indicators encourage the creation of new hotels in town. Since the beginning of this year the capital has opened three new hotels. At March has opened a four-star hotel Villa Valakampiai, in June opened a three-star hotel  City Hotel Algirdas, in August near the Cathedral Square - a three-star Hotel Tilto.

 Vila Valakampiai****

 Hotel Algirdas***

 Tilto Hotel***

At December 16 th was published awards of the most successful tourism project year 2008 winners. The most successful tourism project - is the first major tourism project evaluation nomination in Lithuania. In 2003 it established at the State of Tourism Department.

This year was already the fifth Lithuanian tourism development for project selection. Successful tourism project contest receive growing attention to the tourism business, every year it provided more and more applications. This year, they received a record number - 43.

Read more

The winners of the Vilnius Hospitality 2008 competition have been announced.

The Radisson SAS Astorija was named the most hospitable large hotel.

The Shakespeare Hotel was the best among the city’s medium-sized hotels.

And Grybo Namai won in the category of small hotels.

Zoe’s Bar & Grill was named the most hospitable restaurant of the year.