Magic in the Forests of Lithuania

MAGIC IN THE

FORESTS OF LITHUANIA

SEVEN OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS IN DEEP FOREST GREEN

WORDS OLEG VOLKOV, PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER, LITHUANIA TRAVEL, TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Historically a forest country, Lithuanians know the basics of herbal forest in Asveja Regional Park in eastern Lithuania has much to off er medicine: herbs that help digestion, ease Lithuania to view the largest dreamcatcher travellers looking for sustainable coughing or other symptoms of cold and in the world, which measures almost 13 outdoor adventure. Under-the- fl u. But some go much deeper than that. metres high and 10 metres in diameter. radar wonders of nature draw one into new In north-eastern Lithuania, in the forest- It is made of more than 1 kilometre of experiences. Visitors may try herb picking, surrounded town of Anykščiai, professional rope, 700 hundred wooden parts, 319 dragonfl y watching or forest bathing. With herbalist Ramūnas Daugelavičius combines beads, and weighs 156 kilograms. The discussions over climate change and world traditional Lithuanian experience with dreamcatcher is located in the territory health gathering pace, ever more people knowledge of other cultures and scientifi c of the eco resort Golden Forest. The express support for sustainable travel. In a methods to provide a unique experience resort also houses a forest labyrinth of recent survey, 42 percent of respondent of herbs from herb picking for spices to four elements that can only be passed travellers indicated their willingness to special tea ceremonies, fi re rituals and seed using intuition, and holds the annual prioritise sustainability. root coff ee — all possible ways to enjoy the Masters of Calm festival for the active

For those seeking sustainable under- original gifts of nature. and conscious community. the-radar experiences, Lithuania is a destination of peaceful respite. Its natural TWO | BUTTERFLY AND FIVE | FOREST GRAMOPHONE forests off er aesthetic pleasures of colour DRAGONFLY WATCHING The forest sound catcher may be found and sound. Not long ago these woods hid Butterfl y and dragonfl y watching may in the Curonian Spit — the natural seaside military secrets, as well. The remnants of be as interesting and rewarding as bird reservation in western Lithuania. A three-

Soviet ballistic missile bases may still be watching. Lithuania is the only place in the metre-high gramophone-like construction found in the forests of Central Lithuania, world where dragonfl ies are professionally enhances the natural sounds of the forest. such as the ground-based medium-range monitored and marked. These small Visitors should spend about half an hour nuclear missile base in the district of animals travel thousands of kilometres, inside to experience the peaceful fl ow of

Ukmerge. But with the end of the Cold scientists have found. At Ventė ornithology the forest symphony.

War, the forests of Lithuania have been station the secrets of dragonfl y migration returned back to people to enjoy, camp in, are only now being uncovered. Not far SIX | FOREST DUNES hike through, and so on. from the station, in the western part of Sand dunes are the usual sight of the

“We are a forest country,” explained Lithuania, ecotourism enthusiast Daiva Baltic seaside. But some of them are

Indrė Trakimaitė-Šeškuvienė, Head of Stanislovaitienė off ers butterfl y, dragonfl y located far from the sea and deep in

Marketing at Lithuania Travel. “Forest and bird watching trips combined with a the forests. In the pine forests of southis an important symbol of Lithuanian cosy stay in a comfortable villa. eastern Lithuania the dunes totally history and culture. Despite the industrial transform the landscape and provide development of the last two centuries, THREE | FOREST BATHING unique experiences of raw nature. we have preserved large spaces of natural The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku forest. With the rise of eco-tourism, (forest bathing) is a way to heal and restore SEVEN | METEORITE CRATER these locations are turning into sites of the human spirit, which tires of work Over 165 million years ago a huge meditation, natural health practice and and the rush of a technology-dominated meteorite landed near Vepriai in Central other ways to achieve a deeper sense of world. The slow immersion into the forest Lithuania. The explosion and fi re unity with nature.” through sight, sound, smell and even taste extinguished all life in the territory of

Trakimaitė-Šeškuvienė lists seven helps to relax, regain intellectual focus Lithuania and left a crater of 50 square opportunities to explore Lithuanian Forest and strengthen health. A certifi ed guide of kilometres. The best way to explore the

Green in all its depth. Several sites can be shinrin-yoku, Mila Monk, gives private and site is to take one of the many bicycle combined in one tour, taking one of the group tours in diff erent Lithuanian forests. routes across the crater. suggested camping routes, or developing a Deep, green and magic, Lithuanian route of your own. FOUR | LARGEST DREAMCATCHER forests are a place to enjoy peace and IN THE WORLD solitude whether on foot, by bike or with

ONE | HERB PICKING Dreamcatchers are said to protect camper. So when the travel restrictions

Using herbs and herbal tea as a cure is sleepers from bad dreams. Those with are over, a trip to Lithuania may be just an established tradition in Lithuania. Most serious nightmares should visit the pine the recuperation you need!