Vilnius....

[James]

Where else have you been?

Most major cities in Europe.

It's a really lovely city, probably the cleanest place I've visited (very Scandinavian in that respect), the parks are incredibly well looked after and plentiful. Importantly, it's not dominated by cars and car parking all over, so there's great public space throughout the city. Small enough to walk everywhere on foot but not small enough to feel like you've seen everything in a day.

Pints are circa 2 quid all over, you can find cheaper and more expensive depending where you are (city centre off main square is actually the cheapest place we found, unusually, about 1.50 euro). Great craft beer scene kicking off as well, so plenty to sample. Plenty of bars that would be extremely popular around East London!

It's not somewhere you're going to enjoy much with a bunch of lads but with a couple of mates or your lass it's bloody excellent. Will be returning.

@shaun61 I'm busy today but will knock up a list of bars and places to eat when I get a chance.

 

[Harbour Boy]

Most major cities in Europe.

It's a really lovely city, probably the cleanest place I've visited (very Scandinavian in that respect), the parks are incredibly well looked after and plentiful. Importantly, it's not dominated by cars and car parking all over, so there's great public space throughout the city. Small enough to walk everywhere on foot but not small enough to feel like you've seen everything in a day.

Pints are circa 2 quid all over, you can find cheaper and more expensive depending where you are (city centre off main square is actually the cheapest place we found, unusually, about 1.50 euro). Great craft beer scene kicking off as well, so plenty to sample. Plenty of bars that would be extremely popular around East London!

It's not somewhere you're going to enjoy much with a bunch of lads but with a couple of mates or your lass it's bloody excellent. Will be returning.

@shaun61 I'm busy today but will knock up a list of bars and places to eat when I get a chance.

Can't wait, send the bars to me anarl mate. We're next to a place called Mr Pub.

 

[MackneyHackem]

Most major cities in Europe.

It's a really lovely city, probably the cleanest place I've visited (very Scandinavian in that respect), the parks are incredibly well looked after and plentiful. Importantly, it's not dominated by cars and car parking all over, so there's great public space throughout the city. Small enough to walk everywhere on foot but not small enough to feel like you've seen everything in a day.

Pints are circa 2 quid all over, you can find cheaper and more expensive depending where you are (city centre off main square is actually the cheapest place we found, unusually, about 1.50 euro). Great craft beer scene kicking off as well, so plenty to sample. Plenty of bars that would be extremely popular around East London!

It's not somewhere you're going to enjoy much with a bunch of lads but with a couple of mates or your lass it's bloody excellent. Will be returning.

@shaun61 I'm busy today but will knock up a list of bars and places to eat when I get a chance.

Sounds similar to what I was reading about Ljubljana this morning. I went to Norway earlier this month and I couldn't believe how clean the place was. Makes the whole of the UK look like a filthy shit hole.

Perhaps this lass who was slagging it off just has feelings of animosity towards the place because she grew up there and hates her family.

 

[James]

Can't wait, send the bars to me anarl mate. We're next to a place called Mr Pub.

Will do mate. I've got a Google Map with a load of recommendations plotted on it I can send across if that's useful. I'll apologise in advance, it's very hipster and the food recs will mostly be vegetarian but you'll get a lot of value from it anyway.

I went there expecting an okay city but nothing flash after reading about it on here. Maybe I just look for different things when I go away but it ticked all the boxes for me. Took me by surprise. I guess the city is what you make of it.

Sounds similar to what I was reading about Ljubljana this morning. I went to Norway earlier this month and I couldn't believe how clean the place was. Makes the whole of the UK look like a filthy shit hole.

Perhaps this lass who was slagging it off just has feelings of animosity towards the place because she grew up there and hates her family.

Yeah can see how you'd end up feeling like that! I actually think you'd really enjoy it, very cheap to get there as well from Luton or Stansted.

 

[MackneyHackem]

Yeah can see how you'd end up feeling like that! I actually think you'd really enjoy it, very cheap to get there as well from Luton or Stansted.

A mate of mine went to Tallinn and Riga last year and said they were both drab and grey, so I assumed this place would be much of the same.

 

[Harbour Boy]

Will do mate. I've got a Google Map with a load of recommendations plotted on it I can send across if that's useful. I'll apologise in advance, it's very hipster and the food recs will mostly be vegetarian but you'll get a lot of value from it anyway.

I went there expecting an okay city but nothing flash after reading about it on here. Maybe I just look for different things when I go away but it ticked all the boxes for me. Took me by surprise. I guess the city is what you make of it.



Yeah can see how you'd end up feeling like that! I actually think you'd really enjoy it, very cheap to get there as well from Luton or Stansted.

Nice one, our lass is veggie so perfect for her haha

 

[forzamilansafc]

Went last year for the England game, it rained.

Old town is pleasant enough and the castle is worth a visit for the views across the city. KGB museum is a must do.

Wasn't overly fussed about it though but I suppose the weather didn't help. Much preferred Riga which I thought was great.

 

[Deleted member 6830]

Went last year for the England game, it rained.

Old town is pleasant enough and the castle is worth a visit for the views across the city. KGB museum is a must do.

Wasn't overly fussed about it though but I suppose the weather didn't help. Much preferred Riga which I thought was great.

I really liked Riga, nice feel to it.

 

[forzamilansafc]

I really liked Riga, nice feel to it.

Somewhere I'd revisit, probably wouldn't bother with Vilnius again though.

Stayed about a 25 minute walk from the old town in a proper local area, the nearest bar was €1.10 a pint.

I liked Kaunas in Lithuania as well, not a lot going on but nice enough for a day/night.

 

[Madchester Mackem]

I'd recommend King and Mouse Whiskey Bar and Spunka....

Preferred Vilnius (in 2016) to Riga (in 2008). Thought Riga was edgy and a bit shit, though obviously this was a while ago. I also stayed in 'Funtime Franks Happy Hostel' in Riga, which was weird.

 

[StripedPaddy]

Me and a pal are doing the above after a cracking few days in Riga last year.

If anyone has been, any top tips on what to do and see, and where to go ie bars and r-rants ?

Also, is it possible to visit Minsk in Belarus for the day just using our passports ?

Cheers in advance.

Ps before anyone says Tallinn is best, I cant be arsed to trail to Edinburgh which is the nearest airport that flies there as far as I am aware !

Look pal, Soho Club is the one for you, guaranteed a great time.

 

[James]

Somewhere I'd revisit, probably wouldn't bother with Vilnius again though.

Stayed about a 25 minute walk from the old town in a proper local area, the nearest bar was €1.10 a pint.

I liked Kaunas in Lithuania as well, not a lot going on but nice enough for a day/night.

Kaunas is going to be European City of Culture in 2024 (?) so there's loads of development happening now ahead of that. It'll be a great place to visit in the near future.

 

[Polski Mackem]

Vilnius - can't remember what time of year, but there is an organised pub-crawl marathon that you can take part in, it's mad. Local brews are some of the best in Europe, which is a bonus.
Minsk is a beautiful city, full of parks. People are friendly. I believe you can fly in at the moment without a visa (could last year at least) - please check. It only applied to Minsk airport, other airports or routes still needed visas.

 

[Deleted member 6830]

Look pal, Soho Club is the one for you, guaranteed a great time.

Hmmmmm

 

[forzamilansafc]

Vilnius - can't remember what time of year, but there is an organised pub-crawl marathon that you can take part in, it's mad. Local brews are some of the best in Europe, which is a bonus.
Minsk is a beautiful city, full of parks. People are friendly. I believe you can fly in at the moment without a visa (could last year at least) - please check. It only applied to Minsk airport, other airports or routes still needed visas.

Correct and they've recently increased the period of time allowed to stay in the country from 5 to 30 days.

 

[James]

@shaun61 & @Harbour Boy PM'd that map.

 

[Roger Mellie]

I'd recommend King and Mouse Whiskey Bar and Spunka....

Preferred Vilnius (in 2016) to Riga (in 2008). Thought Riga was edgy and a bit shit, though obviously this was a while ago. I also stayed in 'Funtime Franks Happy Hostel' in Riga, which was weird.

Hahaha I stayed in fun Frank's too
What a weird place.
Agree about the Riga thing. Enjoyed it but totally on edge more than anywhere else I've been in eastern europe.

 

[Harbour Boy]

Me and a pal are doing the above after a cracking few days in Riga last year.

If anyone has been, any top tips on what to do and see, and where to go ie bars and r-rants ?

Also, is it possible to visit Minsk in Belarus for the day just using our passports ?

Cheers in advance.

Ps before anyone says Tallinn is best, I cant be arsed to trail to Edinburgh which is the nearest airport that flies there as far as I am aware !

How did you find it mate?

Going tonight.

 

[Wearside Wanderer II]

I’ve been twice, decent places but not in my favourite eastern euro cities.
The pubs tend to be very up on their craft beers, yer know those beees that just don’t taste right, struggles to get hold of an average European lager.
Food and drink is relatively cheap, around £2 a pint and say a burger for £5/6.
I can also replied highly their A&E, £22 to get stitches in a head would with no waiting around.

 

[Harbour Boy]

I’ve been twice, decent places but not in my favourite eastern euro cities.
The pubs tend to be very up on their craft beers, yer know those beees that just don’t taste right, struggles to get hold of an average European lager.
Food and drink is relatively cheap, around £2 a pint and say a burger for £5/6.
I can also replied highly their A&E, £22 to get stitches in a head would with no waiting around.

Love craft beer so good news for me