This Citroen Jumpy Business 2.2 HDi at the Akropolis shopping center in Vilnius, Lithuania, is one of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind's two vehicles. Photo courtesy of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind

Two Cities

The impact of a rich and tumultuous history can be felt throughout Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Located in the country’s southeast, Vilnius is a superb example of a place where everything has been influenced by different and ever-changing artistic and cultural currents. Its many churches stand as proof of this with their Renaissance, Classical, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles, while the picturesque medieval Old Town of Vilnius, one of the largest in Europe, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

In contrast to Vilnius, Klaipeda is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea in the country’s northwest and serves as its main sea port. Small and quaint, it also has an enchanting old town with its own blend of architectural styles and peculiarities. Of particular noteworthiness though is the region’s geological wonder: the Curonian Spit. Also listed as a World Heritage Site, this thin strip of sand dunes stretches for over 98 kilometres and separates the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon.

Kestas and Vilija of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind enjoy other forms of transport too. Here they are canoeing on the Ula River in Lithuania. Photo courtesy of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind

One Company

The Beautiful Land of Nevermind was founded in 2005 by Kestas and Vilija as an inbound travel agency focusing on accommodation and tours for independent travellers. Since then, the business has grown and acquired a reputation as a leader in promoting responsible travel and local forms of tourism in Lithuania.

Aside from being genuinely friendly and helpful, Kestas and Vilija also are very knowledgeable about their homeland, capable of pointing you toward the unique off-the-beaten-track adventures, authentic local experiences and hidden gems of Lithuania.

Recently, in a response to increasing customer demand for greener and more fuel-efficient ground transportation, Kestas and Vilija expanded their existing car-rental and transfers business to include airport and intercity shuttle service. As an important environmental step, they decided to partner with Green Path Transfers, a far-reaching global network of eco-friendly airport transfer and ground transportation operators.

A view of the Curonian Spit of Lithuania as seen from space in 2006. The Baltic Sea is to the west and the Curonian Lagoon to the east. Courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory

Going Green

Building an eco-friendly fleet of vehicles has become an important goal of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind’s burgeoning ground transfers business. The company currently owns and operates two vehicles that run on diesel, a vital first step in reducing carbon emissions when compared to those from regular petrol engines. Through the Green Path Transfers 100% carbon-offset policy, all remaining emissions produced are neutralised.

In addition, Kestas and Vilija share a determination to pursue even greener forms of transport; they plan to convert entirely to hybrid vehicles in the near future. Of course, this commitment to going greener is in no way a compromise on service quality or attention for detail. “We’re always adding a personal touch to the transfer – our company’s drivers speak fluent English and are always trying to be extra helpful to travellers,” remarked Kestas. “We provide top-quality service without compromise, because we are travellers ourselves and treat our clients the same way we would like to be treated.”

“For these reasons and many others, we are excited at the opportunity to work with The Beautiful Land of Nevermind in Lithuania,” said Adrian Cordiner, CEO of Green Path Transfers.

Local Sights

The airport and inter-city transfer services provided by The Beautiful Land of Nevermind are available in all Baltic States, although there’s an understandable focus on the Lithuanian cities of Vilnius and Klaipeda, where vehicles are also available for sightseeing and touring.

Where should you go? Kestas recommends the historic town of Trakai, an easy day trip from Vilnius. Located 28 kilometres from the capital, it is a place where locals like to relax around quiet lakes, enjoy outdoor concerts and stroll through Trakai Castle’s stone passageways to reflect on its turbulent history.

Not far from Klaipeda is the rustic village of Nida on the Curonian Spit. Home to approximately 2,000 people, the village is known for its surrounding sand dunes and UNESCO-listed World Heritage forests. The views truly are magnificent as one contemplates the Baltic Sea to the west and the Curonian Lagoon to the east.

Finally, how about joining The Beautiful Land of Nevermind in trying one of the local culinary specialties? Skilandis is a pig’s stomach stuffed with meat and then smoked to perfection. Feeling adventurous?

To learn more about Green Path Transfers and how to be part of carbon-neutral travel arrangements that emphasise green technology in a growing number of destinations around the globe, visit www.GreenPathTransfers.com

Both Kestas and his business partner, Vilija, are devoted travellers themselves. Together with a group of friends, they’re always travelling around Lithuania and the Baltic region, whether it be for a weekend getaway or a month-long vacation. Kestas’ love for his native land inspired him to start a business dedicated to sharing its beauties with others.

Kestas Lukoskinas, the whl.travel local partner in Lithuania, poses in front of the Caucasus Mountains during a visit he made to the country of Georgia. Photo courtesy of Kestas Lukoskinas

WHL Group: Which is your favourite WHL Group destination and which would you most like to visit?
Kestas: My favourite destination is my homeland of Lithuania, but I would like to visit my whl.travel counterparts all throughout the whl.travel network. I’m interested in every single country that’s a whl.travel destination, especially the ones that I have never visited.

WHLG: What would you never travel without?
Kestas: I don’t hit the road without my mobile phone with integrated GPS, a good camera and a credit card with its details protected.

WHLG: What do you miss most about home when travelling?
Kestas: I would have to say my circle of friends – if they are not travelling along with me – and my two cats.

WHLG: What’s the most adventurous trip you’ve ever taken?
Kestas: I’ll always remember a 15-kilometre urban trek I did from Dublin city centre to Dublin Airport in the spring of 2006. I had no cash and my credit card was blocked, so I could not take a bus or a taxi. I had found a cheap plane ticket to go to Amsterdam for a weekend to meet up with some friends. Walking on the highway to the airport is prohibited, so I needed to go through huge districts with nothing but a maze of warehouses and office buildings.

To be on time for check-in, getting lost was not an option. I left from my starting point in Dublin city centre very early in the morning with nothing but my backpack. I underestimated my own walking speed, which gained me some time, but then a nervous detour around some long fences in a prohibited area cost me some time. Somehow, I found a way through and reached the airport on time!

The Vilnius Cathedral Basilica and Bell Tower is one of many sites that makes Kestas Lukoskinas' home country of Lithuania his favourite travel destination. Photo courtesy of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind

WHLG: What is your funniest travel experience?
Kestas: Of all the funny, crazy things that have happened to me on my travels, there are two that I remember most. One is this vacation where I was driving through Texas and was pulled over by police in the middle of nowhere. The situation was so odd and unreal because there was no one for hundreds of miles in all directions. I even took a picture with the police car, to prove to myself in the future that it really happened.

The second was when I was travelling in the country of Georgia with friends. For a couple days we stayed in a resort by the Black Sea on the border of Turkey. Since we were so near to the Turkish border, we one day decided to walk to Turkey, just to see it. The plan was to have a pint of Turkish beer and then head back to Georgia. Instead we spent around three hours at the customs stations on both sides of the border. Then we paid enormous fees for visas only to find out that there was some celebration going on in Turkey and all border pubs were closed.

We had a couple of bills of Turkish currency, so we bought two small bottles of beer in a shop, but we were not allowed to drink them publicly. So we returned to Georgia, sat down in an open-air pub and drank those two bottles. In the end, we set two records on that trip. The first is that it was our shortest country visit ever; we were in Turkey for about a half an hour. The second is that it was the most expensive beer we had ever bought; considering the visa fees each bottle cost around $25!

WHLG: What is your scariest travel experience?
Kestas: While I was living and working in Ireland, on one of the national holidays I rented a car and went to see the famous Cliffs of Moher in the west of the country. I stopped somewhere near the dramatic coast (but before reaching my destination) and went to watch the huge waves roaring and crashing against the cliffs.

I walked down approximately 100 metres to where waves almost reached my feet. Suddenly, I slipped on wet rocks, twisted an ankle and fainted. Thank God I did not fall off the cliff. I awoke in pain and regretted that I had made the trip alone. It took me forever to crawl back up from the ledge and then to drive to the nearest guesthouse, where I got some ice to cure my swelling ankle. I rested and returned home to Dublin without ever having reached the Cliffs of Moher.

In Kestas Lukoskinas' hometown of Vilnius, Lithuania, the Gothic St. Ann's Church and Bernardine Monastery are two gems out of a total of 42 total churches. Photo courtesy of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind

WHLG: If you could go on holiday with anyone famous – living or dead – who would you take?
Kestas: I’m going to go with Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Richard Branson. I think the three of us would have a great time.

WHLG: Describe the best and worst accommodation you’ve ever stayed in.
Kestas: The best would have to be Peric Family Camping in Croatia, near Dubrovnik. Early in the morning, while you are still sleeping, the owner, Mr. Nedjeljko Peric, quietly brings delicious red and white handcrafted wine, fresh spring water and bowls with fresh mussels and oysters, and leaves them by your tent! Because of this camping spot and the hospitality of the owner, I have been to Croatia four times and plan to keep returning.

I’d say the worst was an apartment in Amsterdam. I had found a place through a website of private accommodation providers. The apartment was so dirty that, even though we had paid up front, my girlfriend and I did not stay, choosing instead to leave a note to the owners with a suggestion to clean their apartment.

WHLG: Describe your earliest travel memory.
Kestas: I was riding in the child seat of my father’s three-wheeled motorcycle. I was wearing the helmet, but not goggles or glasses. I was crying as bugs hit my face all along the road.

WHLG: Please briefly explain what you think local travel is.
Kestas: Local travel is interaction with locals. It’s getting to know not only a bunch of facts about their history, but also how they live nowadays and what they dream about. Economically, it means choosing to buy travel services more from locals than from international corporations. Geographically, it’s about visiting not only established tourist destinations, but also going off the beaten track. Local travel in Lithuania is like having a friend or acquaintance in the destination you choose. Local travellers explore a destination slowly, without “consuming” it.

WHLG: In what ways do you see local travel benefiting the country in which you live?
Kestas: If travellers find a trusted local friend and advisor in a destination they plan to visit, this local contact will suggest the most beneficial ways to travel in the country they live, one of value to both the travellers and the locals. Locals like us love to support small family tourism businesses and their communities.

The devoted team at The Beautiful Land of Nevermind is your whl.travel local connection. They can assist you with any travel request to make your visit to Lithuania one you will never forget.

Canoeing from the outskirts of Vilnius into its historical centre is an active way to discover both Lithuanian sport and history. Photo courtesy of Kestas Lukoskinas

This may in part be why Lithuania was recently selected as a European Destination of Excellence. Of course, it’s got other alluring qualities: friendly and warm people, beautiful outdoor landscapes, one of the oldest spoken tongues in the world and a broad historical spectrum of architectural traditions. Visitors are also drawn by affordable high-quality medical tourism, upscale resorts, hearty food and delicious beer. But topping it all off is Lithuania’s competitive sports scene, which has put the country on international maps as an exhilarating destination for physical recreation.

Proud Host of EuroBasket 2011

This year, for the second time, Lithuania will proudly host the 2011 EuroBasket – a premier European basketball championship – which will be played in six Lithuanian cities from the 28th of August through the 12th of September. The 2011 EuroBasket will be the 37th continental championship organised by FIBA Europe. Basketball fans from all over Europe and the world are expected to pour in to witness the tournament, the two winning teams of which are guaranteed spots in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

The Šiaulių Arena is part of Lithuania's impressive stadium infrastructure. Combined with 36 other stadiums and three more under construction for EuroBasket 2011, it puts the country in good shape to host the international competition. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Lazdynas

Why does Lithuania make a great host for EuroBasket 2011? The country already has 36 officially listed stadiums available for all kinds of field sports. Additionally, Lithuania’s first official national stadium is currently under construction in the capital city of Vilnius. In anticipation of Eurobasket 2011, three more new sports arenas are springing up in Kaunas, Klaipeda and Alytus.

EuroBasket 2011 will be an opportunity for Lithuania to showcase itself as a country that is fiercely proud of its own world champion sportsmen and athletes, like two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion discus thrower Virgilijus Alekna. Every season a few Lithuanian basketball players make it all the way to the American NBA. Lithuania’s own national basketball team is a three-time winner of EuroBasket and holds the bronze medal from the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Sports in Lithuania, Then and Now

Since its independence from Soviet rule in 1991, Lithuania has been quick to embrace contemporary sports like cycling, canoeing and rafting, sailing, blokarting and waterskiing. There are even leagues for air-based sports such as parachuting, paragliding, sports-plane piloting and hot air ballooning.

The practice of all these relatively modern sports meets international standards and is open to travellers, but there’s also Lithuania’s commitment to its traditional sports.

Sadly though, while Lithuania has been known across the ages for more than 50 traditional folk sports and games, only a few remain alive today. For this, age-old competitions such as medieval weapons tournaments and field archery championships are still held in the present day, but other sports are more dance representations carried through time by the Lithuanian pagan games associated with the festivities around Midsummer Day and Užgavėnės (Lithuanian Mardi Gras).

One, however, is truly an athletic game. Called ritinis, it is played somewhat like rounders or baseball. The first written mention of the sport appears in documents dating back to the 17th century, when it was apparently indulged in not only by shepherd children but grown men too. Today ritinis is receiving more and more attention – the year 2011 will see the 50th local championship.

Horses too have long been a part of Lithuanian life and recreation, so much so that, according to historical sources, every year since the early 19th century has seen horse racing on Sartai Lake. Actually it is both a race and a folk art fair – a daylong celebration for the whole family. Travellers who love horses will easily find stud farms or farmsteads all across Lithuania, where they can ride horse or enjoy time in horse-drawn carriages.

In Lithuania's capital city of Vilnius, kids often opt for internationally popular culture against a backdrop of historical cathedral architecture. Photo courtesy of Patricija Jurksaityte

Today, sports and games in Lithuania are an amalgam of those from the past and the present. What sports will children carry to later generations? In the schoolyard, basketball and soccer are common amongst boys, while girls favour jumping rope or a game known as ‘the class.’ For an adrenalin fix, hide-and-seek and tag are as popular as ever, while indoors, various local card games are supplemented by international favourites such as Monopoly, checkers and Settlers. Of course, video and computer games are kid-magnets in the home.

Winter Sports in Lithuania

Whereas the main summer sports for both adults and children are basketball, soccer and bicycling, the leading winter sports are ice skating, sledding, cross-country skiing and, ever since Lithuania’s independence, alpine skiing. Fortunately, sports infrastructure, especially for skiing, has come a long way since the early 1990s and, although Lithuania has no mountains, there are several ski centres. The three most important are the Lithuanian Winter Sports Centre in Ignalina, Liepkalnis in Vilnius and the slopes in Birstonas, Anyksciai and Alytus. A new indoor slope called Snowarena also opened in 2011 in the spa town of Druskininkai.

In the Lithuanian countryside, families still make their own ice rinks by hand to enjoy the sport of skating that has been practiced for generations. Photo courtesy of Kestas Lukoskinas

Are you thinking about travelling to Lithuania? The Beautiful Land of Nevermind is the whl.travel local connection in Vilnius and Klaipeda, there to help you experience local culture and excitement. Get in contact to arrange the best local tours and accommodations.

For inspiration, we turned to the Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI), a ranking system designed to spotlight and encourage adventure travel markets that are sensitive to the needs of communities and the environment. The admirable result of the combined efforts of our friends at the Adventure Travel Trade Association and Xola Consulting, as well as The George Washington University’s International Institute of Tourism Studies, the ATDI emphasises what most mainstream ranking systems overlook; it awards high marks for community and environmental development as much as hard infrastructure, all in keeping with 10 pillars of adventure tourism market competitiveness based on principles of sustainable adventure tourism.

From the popular resort town of Nida, Lithuania, hikers can access some of Europe's tallest moving sand dunes – some reaching up to 60 metres in height – on the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO-ranked Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/Lee Fenner

Given the WHL Group’s commitment to working in off-the-beaten-path destinations, we were most interested in the 10 developing countries ranked highest for adventure travel competitiveness. The ATDI recommendations may surprise you, but we believe you should keep the winners on your radar.

#10 – Lithuania

Numerous conservation areas and abundant hiking trails make Lithuania an excellent choice for nature lovers. One particularly unique site is the Curonian Spit, a long thin peninsula stretching south from Klaipeda in western Lithuania to Russia and separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Curonian Spit is renowned for its white-sand beaches, picturesque dunes and secluded pine forests. Near the Russian border, the quaint settlement of Nida has attracted artists and creative types for centuries. With onshore and offshore sports opportunities made possible by The Beautiful Land of Nevermind, the whl.travel local connection, the area makes a great retreat from hectic city life.

#9 – Botswana

The vast sands of the Kalahari cover roughly 85 percent of Botswana, and the country’s wildlife reserves are some of the world’s premier safari destinations. To the north, at the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve is best toured during dry season, with game watching at its peak from July through October. Nearby Chobe National Park has superb birding in the Savuti Marsh. In the east, the Tuli Game Reserve promises abundant wildlife, plus ruins of ancient Rhodesian settlements. Cube Safaris, the whl.travel local connection in Botswana, offers a range of tours to wilderness areas, including mokoro boat rides through the flood plains of the Okavango, elephant-back safaris and more.

The white storks of Latvia are also known as Svetelis, which signifies the thought of stork as the saints. Locals believe that farmsteads or meadows frequented by storks are blessed.

#8 – Latvia

Dynamic Latvia is rich in natural wonders, with forests covering more than 40 percent of the country. Just north of the capital, Riga, hikers can explore the caves, rivers and dense woodlands within Gauja National Park. Elsewhere, the sprawling Kemeri National Park contains 427 square kilometres of preserved forests, bogs and lakes, in addition to a well-maintained network of nature trails. The whl.travel local connection in Riga, Blueberry Travel, offers guided excursions to historic towns and medieval castles and other longer trips exploring the scenic beauty of the countryside, the local culture and many other extraordinary architectural gems and palaces.

#7 – Bulgaria

Beyond the stunning landmarks and red army monuments of Sofia, the wide open terrain of mountainous Bulgaria will give even the most avid hikers a serious run for their money. In the heart of the country, Central Balkan National Park has excellent hiking trails and native residents that include bears, wild goats, wolves and over 200 species of birds. The popular ski area of Bankso makes a great base for outdoor pursuits in summer as well for hiking, cycling, horseback riding and even fishing in Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At night, head out to the local mehanas (traditional taverns) for live folk music and good local wine.

Located in southern Chilean Patagonia, the spectacular 181,000-hectare Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO-rated Biosphere Reserve and an unequalled destination for nature lovers, backpackers and mountaineers. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/ground.zero

#6 – Chile

Chile has long been regarded as a must-see destination for adventure travellers. It’s no wonder why. From pristine Patagonia to the unearthly Valley of the Moon and harsh environment of the Atacama, this 4,300-kilometre-long country covers an extraordinary variety of climates and ecosystems. Torres del Paine is a solid choice for hikers and trekkers, while Pucón in the scenic Lakes District has both great winter skiing on Volcán Villarrica and an endless range of warm-weather activities like hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing and white-water rafting. Meanwhile, Chiloé Island is renowned for its birding, paddling and wildlife like Magellanic penguins, Chilote fox and rare pudú miniature deer.

#5 – Slovenia

From lush vineyards to remote forests and alpine peaks, the landscape of Slovenia is tailor-made for nature lovers and outdoor entusiasts of all abilities. For a serious trek, the 30-day Slovenian Mountain Trail is the oldest traverse in the country, crossing directly over the Julian Alps and ascending Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak (2,864 metres). You can also catch a glimpse of the traditional herdsman’s life on a two-day countryside trek to the Alpine dairy settlement of Velika Planina or tour the Pokljuka plateau. After a long hike, unwind while sampling local vintages on a wine-tasting tour in cosmopolitan Ljubljana.

In Estonia's Soomaa National Park, when there are no raised paths, special bogshoes aid with trekking through a watery fairytale landscapes. Here, travellers study plant species.

#4 – Estonia

It’s easy to escape the crowds in Estonia, with just 1.3 million people one of the least populous countries in the European Union. Natural wetlands cover more than one fifth of the country – and the parks are prime territory for canoeing, kayaking and bog-shoeing. For glorious outdoor indulgence, head to Soomaa National Park – its name translates literally to “land of the bogs.” From a base nearby, on the banks of the River Navesti, at Ritsu Talu Farm (cosy camping huts, saunas and rental canoes), explore the park on your own or venture off on a nighttime beaver safari for close encounters with the area’s infamous flat-tailed inhabitants.

#3 – Czech Republic

The culture-filled capital of Prague is reason alone to travel to the Czech Republic, but we strongly suggest veering off into the wilds of Bohemia’s natural forests, historic villages and scenic national parks. From the medieval town of Český Krumlov opportunities abound for kayaking along the Vltava – the upper reaches of the river near the Lipno Dam are best suited to white-water rafting. For heart-pounding downhill winter action, head to the snowcapped peaks of Rokytnice nad Jizerou, an ancient mining town in the western part of the Krkonoše – also known as the “Giant Mountains.” In summer, gorgeous waterfalls, caves, and forests make the area heaven for hikers.

Dominated by a castle built during the 13th Century, the medieval town of Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic has maintained its historic character and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/Midweekpost

#2 – Israel

Despite its small size, Israel boasts a spectacularly varied landscape that includes arid desert, towering cliffs and stunning coastline – terrain perfect for all sorts of outdoor pursuits. Underwater enthusiasts should head straight to Eilat on the Red Sea, where dives feature shallow coral gardens, wrecks and abundant fish life. By the Dead Sea, the 2,500-hectare Ein Gedi Nature Reserve has posted hiking trails and animals like ibex, hyrax and Egyptian vultures. Further north, Metzoke Dragot makes a great base for rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking. The village has guides for desert excursions – canyon hikes, abseiling courses, camel rides and more – just one hour’s drive east of Jerusalem.

#1 – Slovak Republic

Long viewed as a junior partner to the Czech Republic, Slovakia has emerged as a leading destination for adventure travellers, complete with plenty of well-marked mountain trails, challenging cycling routes, and numerous glacial lakes and rivers well suited to canoeing, rafting and fishing. Although prices have gone up slightly since the euro was adopted, the Tatras Mountains along the border with Poland still boast plenty of affordable hotels and quaint mountain huts. One popular trek is the Tatranska Magistrala, a red-blazed trail crossing the Tatras from east to west between Velke Biele pleso to the town of Podbanske. The hike takes about 16 hours, although trailside huts are available for multi-day undertakings.