Lithuania, one of the three Baltic states, is a country with a rich history and diverse culture. It is located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea and borders Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Russia (Kaliningrad). The capital of Lithuania is Vilnius, a city known for its beautiful baroque architecture and historic old town.
Lithuania has a diverse landscape of forests, lakes, rivers and coastlines. The country also has a number of national parks and nature reserves, such as the Aukštaitija National Park and the Aukštaimala Marsh.
Lithuania has a rich cultural heritage, with traditional folk music, dances and crafts still celebrated. The country also has a strong literary tradition and has produced many famous writers.
Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, Lithuania has developed into a modern European state and is a member of the European Union and NATO.

The route begins in the port city of Klaipėda. Situated on the Baltic Sea coast, Klaipėda is the country's third largest city and its main port. Klaipėda has a rich history and is known by several names, including Memel, the German name of the city.
The city was first mentioned in 1252 and has had a complex history since then. It was part of the Teutonic Order, the Duchy of Prussia, the Kingdom of Prussia, and later the German Empire. After World War I, Klaipėda became part of Lithuania, but was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1939. After World War II, the city became part of the Lithuanian SSR and remained within Lithuania after independence in 1990.
Klaipėda is known for its historic architecture, including half-timbered houses and the neo-Baroque bridge portal of Queen Louise Bridge. The city also has several museums, such as the Mažosios Lietuvos istorijos muziejus and the Lithuanian Sea Museum.

Heading south, the route soon reaches the Aukštaimala Marsh. It is one of the largest wetlands in the country and has significant ecological value. In 1995, the Telmological Reserve Aukštaimala was established to protect and restore the unique ecosystem of the marsh. This area is of great importance due to its valuable habitats and the presence of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.
The swamp is part of the territory of the Nemunas Delta Regional Park, an area known for its rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes.
The Nemunas River, the natural border between Lithuania and the Russian Enclave of Kaliningrad, is the guiding principle of the route up to the city of Kaunas. The river, also known as the Neman, Niemen or Nioman, is a major river in Northeastern Europe. The river rises in Belarus, flows through Lithuania and forms part of the border with the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia. With a length of approximately 937 kilometres, it is one of the longest rivers in the region.
The Nemunas River flows into the Curonian Lagoon, a lagoon connected to the Baltic Sea. The river is of great importance to the ecology and economy of the region, and its basin includes several valuable habitats and nature reserves, such as the Nemunas Delta Regional Park.
The river is also historically and culturally significant. In the town of Tilsit (now Sovetsk) the Treaty of Tilsit was signed in 1807 on a raft in the river.

Arriving in Kaunas, a stop is made at the Monument to the Victims of Nazism and the Ninth Fort. The monument is particularly impressive and takes your words away for a moment. The Ninth Fort is part of the Kaunas Fortress, which was built at the end of the 19th century. The fortress has a complex history and was used as a prison and a way station for prisoners transported to labor camps during the Soviet occupation. During the Nazi occupation of Lithuania, the fortress became a place of mass executions of Jews, captured Soviets and others.
Today, the Ninth Fort serves as a museum commemorating the victims of both Soviet and Nazi atrocities. The museum contains collections of historical artifacts related to these periods, as well as materials on the earlier history of Kaunas and the fortress itself.

After Kaunas the route continues towards the southeast. Here there is a gravel road of about 4 kilometers. Gravel roads are still common in Lithuania. They are usually well maintained and easy to drive on. During heavy rain showers it might be wise to avoid them.
The next photo stop is at Tarkai Island Castle. Trakai Island Castle is a beautiful medieval fortress located on an island in Lake Galvė, near the town of Trakai in Lithuania. The construction of the castle began in the 14th century by Grand Duke Kęstutis and was completed around 1409 by his son, Vytautas the Great. The castle played an important role in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and served as a strategic military stronghold. The castle is known for its beautiful Gothic architecture and picturesque surroundings. It was badly damaged during several conflicts, but was carefully restored in the mid-20th century.

From Tarkai it is a short drive to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. It is a city with a rich history and vibrant culture. Situated at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers, Vilnius is known for its beautiful old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has a unique mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and neoclassical architecture. Worth visiting in Vilnius include Gediminas Tower, which is a remnant of the Upper Vilnius Castle and offers a beautiful view of the city. Vilnius Cathedral: An impressive neoclassical cathedral located on Cathedral Square. And finally, the Gate of Dawn: One of the most important religious, historical and cultural monuments in the city.