LITHUANIA

In the 15th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was the largest state in Europe, stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. A century earlier, its capital, Vilnius, was already a major East-West crossroads and a mix of cultures.

The dinky, UNESCO-listed Old Town has more than 40 churches, from Gothic to Baroque, while its beating heart, Cathedral Square, is dominated by a neoclassical basilica, rebuilt in the 18th century but retaining elements of earlier styles. Dishes served in cosy local restaurants are literal melting pots too, influenced by Polish, Russian and Jewish traditions.

Outside of Vilnius, Lithuania's best-known attraction is the Hill of Crosses near the city of Siauliai, established in the 19th century as a religious site and a symbol of resistance to Russian rule. Other popular day trips include the 14th-century Gothic castle in Kaunas, and the Trakai Historical National Park, which also has a medieval fortress now housing a local history museum, in the middle of Lake Galve.