Summer is almost here and thoughts about your holidays, places you haven’t seen or flavours you haven’t experienced yet are already revolving in your mind. This year, one Lithuanian city is offering you a plan for a unique weekend “at your neighbours’”. Just a few dozen kilometres from the Latvian border – and you are in Šiauliai – the sunniest city.
City symbols-record holders: the first, the highest, the largest
At the beginning of your date with the city, we will offer a stroll along the first boulevard in Lithuania, which is also the third in Europe. What is a crayfish wrapped around an old cigarette pack doing here? What distances does the famous scientist N. Copernicus look into? Why are there so many metal cats on one house? In how many languages of the world will the Cock Clock greet you? We promise that 1280 meters will be full of joy and discoveries. Just one turn to the side and your gaze will rise to the very top of the Šiauliai Cathedral tower. If you make arrangements in advance, you can take part in a tour and measure the height of the tower with your feet. The panorama that opens up is stunning. You say “goodbye” to the Cathedral, which is also referred to as a white swan, and greet the city symbol – sculpture Šaulys (The Archer), which has been the host of Sundial Square for almost 40 years. Once you are convinced that the country’s highest sundial doesn’t lie, you will head for to the largest animal sculpture – the Iron Fox. It is big, cute and cunning, and a selfie with the “iron lady” of Šiauliai is a must. The Šiauliai Fox has in its possession the entire shore of Lake Talkša with an entertainment park, cycling and walking paths, and playgrounds.
A postcard-worthy sunset and thousands of rose blossoms
The next stop on the perfect plan is the Rūta Chocolate Museum. This is the sweetest place in Šiauliai. The four-thousand-year-old history of chocolate, its consumption traditions and the ever-present aroma of confectioneries... The shop next to the museum offers the best gifts, while in the Rūta café, you will find out what is hidden in the chocolate bubble, beloved by those with a sweet tooth and Instagrammers. When visiting the Sun city, it would be a sin not to see the Sun going down. Here is a special offer for you: the shore of Lake Rėkyva. A sandy beach or a bridge stretching into the lake with an observation deck are the most perfect places to enjoy spectacular sunsets. After a day full of experiences, Rėkyva can be a perfect choice for those who want to relax. A historic restaurant and hotel await guests on the shore of the lake. We will give away a little secret why it is particularly worth coming to us in mid-June and later. At that time, a rose garden with 1700 rosebushes comes into bloom in the Ch. Frenkelis’ Villa-Museum park. An ornate Art Nouveau manor house, a fountain, a sea of colours and scents that can hardly be described are a perfect reason to stop for a moment in life. There will never be too much love and beauty, so head for Šiauliai Botanical Garden, where the beauty of nature is truly loved. This is an oasis of calm, an unexpectedly large rock garden and the pride of the garden – an enchanting collection of rhododendrons.
Fascinating history and the city menu
Now open your eyes and return to the boulevard. Can history be playful and engaging? We say “yes”! The best proof of this is the only interactive Baltic culture centre in Europe “Balts’ Road”. An attempt to “try on” a Baltic profession will bring many smiles, and the game-installation “Balts’ Life” filled with sounds and lights will enrich your knowledge of history. Travel impressions remain in memories and photos. A few minutes away and you are at the only Photography Museum in Lithuania. The museum offers exclusive exhibits, a walk on the open-air roof terrace observation deck and the opportunity to see what the view looks like from the inside of a “camera obscura”. Believe us, there will definitely be plenty of places to feast your eyes and lens. Acquaintance with the city should be memorable, informative and, of course, delicious in the truest sense of the word. Legendary potato dumplings (cepelinai) with chickpea filling, healthy desserts at the tea house of Valerijonas pharmacy, French-style confectionery masterpieces at the Dessert Workshop (Desertų dirbtuvės), the said chocolate bubble, fermented bread drink and beer brewed at the oldest brewery in the Baltic countries Gubernija make up the main menu of the Sun city’s gastronomic experiences.
It will be really interesting, so grab your family, friends and head for Šiauliai!
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