Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, one of the three Baltic states. Its nearest neighbors are Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave). Lithuania is washed by the Baltic Sea. The total area is 65 thousand kilometers; the population is about 3 million people. The capital of the country is Vilnius. The official language is Lithuanian; English is well understood everywhere.

The national currency is the Euro.

The terrain of Lithuania consists of alternating moderate lowlands and highlands with numerous lakes.

The climate combines characteristics of maritime and continental: winters are moderate and summers are mildly hot.

Although now it is rather small country, long ago Lithuania was the greatest country in Europe. And some monuments still remind of these times. You can visit the medieval capital, Kernavė, which is now a museum; or go to the Trakai Island Castle, one of the main strongholds in the prime days of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

In Lithuania you will be equally charmed by its urban and rural beauties. Connoisseurs of architecture will like Vilnius with its Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical buildings. Those, who like basking on the beach and dancing in nightclubs, will be interested in visiting Palanga and Klaipeda. As for nature lovers, Lithuania has five national parks: Aukštaitija, Žemaitija, Trakai Historical, Dzūkija, and the Curonian Spit; each of them has his own character.

Vilnius Airport (VNO) is the largest international airport of Lithuania, located 5.9 km south of Vilnius.

Kaunas International Airport (KUN), the second busiest civil airport in Lithuania.

Palanga International Airport (PLQ) a regional international airport, located near the resort town Palanga at the Baltic Sea.

You can take up fresh-water diving in Plateliai Lake, interesting for underwater archeology. In 2002 a big stone with human-made markings, resembling the letter L, was found on the bottom of the lake. It was supposed, that there had been a sacred place for the pagans. Archeologists also found there three boats, dated to the times of Vytautas the Great.

Diving in the Baltic Sea is very exciting, though it can be difficult because of strong currents and low temperatures. Here you can explore such wrecks: a 9000-tonn vessel, sunk in 1944 and lying at a depth of 19 meters; the wreck of a 2 motor-plane, located about 11 kilometers to west from Juodkrante at a depth of about 38 meters; the wreck of Anna Katrina Fritzen, a cargo ship, sunk in 1942 and lying at a depth of about 20 meters, between Klaipeda and Juodkrante; German submarine U-580, sunk in 1941 near Klaipėda and located at a depth of 40-42 meters.

From October to May you have an opportunity to dive with dolphins in Lithuanian Dolphinarium located next to the Sea Museum.