Vilnius is the capital and the largest town of Lithuania, founded in 1323,  with the population of about half a million (58% Lithuanians, 18.5% Poles, 14% Russians, 4%, Jews 0.5%, and the remaining 5% comprising some other nationalities) covering the area of 392 square kilometers. Vilnius is also the largest administrative centre in Lithuania with all major political, economic, social and cultural centres.

The Old Town, historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest in Eastern Europe (360 ha). The most valuable historic and cultural heritage is concentrated here. The buildings in the old town - there are about 1.5 thousand of them - were built in a number of different centuries, therefore, it is a mixture of all European architectural styles. Although Vilnius is often called a baroque city, here you will find some buildings of gothic, renaissance and other styles. The main sights of the city are the Gediminas Castle and the Cathedral Square, symbols of the capital. Their combination is also a gateway to the historic centre of the capital. Because of its uniqueness, the Old Town of Vilnius was inscribed on the UNESCO world Heritage List.

The predominant religion in Lithuania is Catholicism (over 75% of the population).

The State currency is litas (1 Euro = 3.45 LTL).

You can change currency into LTL at banks, or withdraw Lithuanian litas from cash machines if you bring a payment card (VISA, Master Card etc.). There is a cash machine at Vilnius airport.

Banks are open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., most of them do not work at weekends and public holidays.

Most shops and restaurants accept payment cards.

Usually, at this time of the year, the weather in Lithuania is rather rainy, so it would be wise to bring along an umbrella and a pair of water-proof shoes.

Vilnius University

The seminars will be held at Vilnius university- the oldest and largest university in Lithuania and one of the oldest universities in both the Baltic region and Europe.

Room 238 where most seminars will take place is located in the Central University building based in the Old Town, in the vicinity of the President's Office and very close to the Cathedral. For more information about Vilnius University visit http://www.vu.lt/en/international/

There are plenty of cafés, cafeterias, snackbars and restaurants in the Old Town, so you will always find a place to eat to your taste.

The Intensive Programme participants will be accommodated in the dormitory for students of Vilnius Co-operative College, Konstitucijos ave. 12, Vilnius.

The dormitory is situated next to Fashion and style centre “Europa” which provides a variety of services and houses more than 80 shops. It has ATMs (cash machines), cafeterias, restaurants, beauty salons, and a pharmacy. The centre is open Monday-Sunday (10 a.m.-8/9p.m.), food store Maxima from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and cafeterias from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk form the dormitory to the University. You can also travel one stop by buses 2, 43, 47, or 56, then change to Bus 10, go two stops further and get off at the Cathedral.

You can travel around in Vilnius by public buses and trolley-buses, minibuses, or privately-owned buses. If you choose to travel by a minibus or a private bus, you will have to pay cash to the driver. While travelling by public transport, you have to buy a single ticket (one ride- 2 LTL; 1 LTL with a student's card) at news agent's kiosks or from the driver (which is a bit more expensive). Single tickets have to be validated immediately by punching them or having the trip time stamped with a special device.

Vilnius has recently introduced electronic tickets. Visitors can also purchase a Vilnius City Card (24-hour card or 72-hour card). Card holders may use public transport (both buses and trolleybuses), visit museums free-of charge, get other discounts paying restaurant or café bills.

24 hour card 52 LTL (15 EUR)
72 hour card 110 LTL (32 EUR)

If you complete the arrival and departure time table, the organizer will arrange to pick you up from the airport. If you decide to take a taxi, it will cost you about 10 Euro. You can take Bus 2  from the airport  which goes past the dormitory in Konstitucijos ave.

More about public transport at http://www.vilniustransport.lt/en/pages/about_us

Do not forget to bring you International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Holders of it are offered a wide range of discounts for city and inter-city transport, in restaurants and museums.

Keep all the boarding passes and other receipts justifying your travel expenses. They will be reimbursed on arrival.

The organizers of the Programme will offer a sightseeing tour to the Open Air Museum of Lithuania in Rumšiškės and the Baltic seaside. We recommend you have an insect repellent and a sunscreen (just to be on the safe side). If interested, visit

http://www.travel.lt/turizmas/selectPage.do?docLocator=DF873CD2CFA011DA8602746164617373&inlanguage=en

http://www.visitneringa.com/en

Vilnius is a safe place but like anywhere you have to use common sense. Try and walk with a confident air and never look lost.

Around the central train station is a particularly dangerous area and most of the street lighting is not functioning. Being drunk and obviously foreign in the city at four o'clock in the morning is a bad idea. It might be useful to get acquainted with some other details at

http://www.guidepicker.com/europe/lithuania/vilniaus-apskritis/vilnius

Embassy of Austria in Vilnius, Lithuania

Gaono St.6 01131 Vilnius, Lithuania
Phone: (+370) (5) 266 05 80

Embassy of France in Vilnius, Lithuania
Svarco St.1, 01131 Vilnius
Phone: [370] (5) 21 22 979

Embassy of Greece in Vilnius
Didzioji St. 33 / Rudninku St. 2, 01135 Vilnius
Phone: (003705) 2610526, 2610527

Embassy of Hungary in Vilnius
Jogailos St. 4
Tel.: +370 5 269 0038, +370 5 269 0041

Embassy of Italy
Vytauto St. 1
Tel.: +370 5 212 0620, +370 5 212 0621

Embassy of Poland
Smėlio St. 20A
Tel.: +370 5 270 9001, +370 5 270 9002, +370 5 270 9003

Royal Danish Embassy in Lithuania
T. Kosciuskos St. 36
LT-2001 Vilnius
Phone: +370 5 264 8760

Vilnius Tourist Information Centres:

Vilniaus St. 22 (Main Office), tel. +370 5 262 9660,

Didžioji St. 31 (Town Hall), tel. +370 5 262 6470,

Geležinkelio St. 16 (Railway Station), tel. +370 5 269 2091,

Šventaragio St. 2 (Cathedral Square).

Emergency Service

112