Lithuania is a relatively small state in the Baltics. The country regained its independence in 1991 after the breakup of USSR. Since then the country saw rapid growth and development. Lithuania is famous for its many basketball players in NBA and for being the last European country to convert to Christianity after a long opposition to the Teutonic Order.

Traveling info

Because Lithuania is a member of the Schengen convention all citizens of the member states of this agreement may move freely to Lithuania for tourist, business, starting a new life or any other purpose without the requirement to obtain any sort of a visa document. The only document required to cross the border is an ID card. There are several countries who are outside of the European Union however they are a part of the Schengen convention. These are Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland. Nationals of countries which are not part of this convention are required to obtain a Schengen visa that will allow them to move freely within the boundaries of the Schengen convention nations. Schengen visa is normally admitted once per half a year for a duration of 90 days. Schengen visa holders can not work or study during their stay within the Schengen boundaries. Visitors who decide to drive a rental or a private vehicle in Lithuania must have their national driving permit, vehicle registration documents and certificate of insurance with them at all times whilst driving. An international driving permit is optional. EU and EEA citizens may use their national driving permit without the requirement of switching to a Lithuanian one. Drivers from the outside of Europe may drive in Lithuania using their national driving license for 90 days. After that period expires they must obtain a Lithuanian driving permit.

Traveling hazards

Road conditions in Lithuania vary. There are well maintained and well-built highways connecting major cities and secondary and rural roads which are often poorly maintained with rural roads being mostly unpaved. Driving safety is fair, however, traffic laws are often broken by the locals. Drunk driving is common along with speeding and overtaking in not designated areas including cities. When driving at night, it is important to drive carefully particularly in the country where wild animals often wander onto the road causing road accidents which often result in fatalities.

Environmental hazards

⅓ of Lithuania is covered in lush forests inhabited by a variety of different animals. Some of these animals may be dangerous if coming into contact with humans. There are three relatively large mammals which inhabit different parts of the country. Bears in Lithuania, however, they are not permanent residents. These animals migrate between Lithuania, Belarus, and Latvia. It is hard to determine their exact numbers however encountering one is extremely unlikely. To avoid an encounter on a hike into the remote areas of the country it is important to make a lot of noise. By doing so we allow the animal to retreat before it spots us. Unlike their American cousins, European bears avoid human contact. Wolves are present in the country however these animals avoid human contact. Contrary to their reputation, wolves do not openly attack humans and avoid contact however local livestock is often targeted. Wisents inhabit the southern part of the country. This equivalent of American bison is docile however approaching one too close may cause it to react and trample the intruder. These are powerful animals not to mess with. The European adder is present throughout Europe inhabiting wet areas mainly around rivers, lakes, and ponds. Their venom is mild however it has caused fatalities before. If bitten by the snake, medical help should be sought as soon as possible. Tick are small parasites which inhabit almost all of Europe. Ticks carry Lyme disease which attacks organs including the nervous system and joints in the human body. The disease is curable in early stages however later stages become very difficult to be dealt with. If untreated the disease kills within 5 to 10 years. When bitten by a tick, remove it and submit it to a laboratory for Lyme disease testing as soon as possible. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease. Coastal waters of Lithuania are safe. There have been no recorded shark attacks in any of the countries with a Baltic coastline and there are no dangerous fish in the Baltic Sea.
Lithuania experiences floods which may happen seasonally. Particularly after winters when snow melts and river levels increase alarmingly.

Health hazards

There are currently no outbreaks of any diseases nor are there any vaccinations requirements in order to enter Lithuania however there are several vaccines which are recommended. These are the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccine. Public healthcare in Lithuania is government funded and free for the citizens enrolled in the public health scheme. This is done through employers who enlist their employees which automatically enrolls their closest relatives. Services provided by public healthcare are fair but improving. Private hospitals and clinics provide a much better quality of service compared to their public equivalent. The holders of European health insurance card holders are eligible for discounted or free services in the public facilities. Those who are not eligible for the EHIC or are from outside of EU should consider purchasing medical insurance.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Violent crime in Lithuania is rather rare. Tourists are also rarely affected by violent crime although petty crime concerns both the locals and tourists. Vehicle break-ins, bag snatching, pickpocketing, theft of unattended goods, etc. all these forms of petty crime are quite common and mostly occur between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am. It is important to stay vigilant particularly in crowded areas as thieves often work in groups employing a variety of tactics to mislead their victims. There are several things tourists can do to reduce the risk of becoming a victim. To avoid getting too much attention, modest clothing is advised. Wearing overly expensive clothes and expensive jewelry will certainly attract the attention of thieves. Wearing money belts is a good way of preventing pickpockets from lifting money or important documents out of peoples bags and pockets. Although nightlife in Vilnius and other Lithuanian cities is vibrant, it is important to remember that petty and violent crime is most common after dusk. When traveling from point A to B at night it is advised to refrain from using public transport and to hire a taxi. Lithuanian drug laws state that possession of small quantities is punishable by a fine however possession of larger quantities, distribution and cultivation is punishable by jail sentences.

Summary

Lithuania offers a variety of activities which are usually seasonal. There are sandy beaches along the Baltic coast which are flooded with people during the summer. Lithuania has lots and lots of castles, forts, and museums spread all over the country. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/lithuania-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/lithuania
(EHIC)
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559