Day 1

July 17

Wednesday

Arrival in Vilnius. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Acquaintance with the capital of Lithuania – Vilnius.  Vilnius city tour includes the Old Town (UNESCO Heritage list): Cathedral and it’s square, Gediminas Castle, University campus, Pilies street with the 16-18th century historical and architectural monuments, Gothic corner of Vilnius with St Anne's and Bernardines churches, former Town Hall square, the Gates of Dawn with miraculous icon of Virgin Mary. Welcome dinner. Overnight in Vilnius.

Day 2

July 18

Thursday

Trip to meet a representative of wild beekeeping (in the hollows) in Dzūkija National Parkwith en route stop in Trakai. Trakai isthe capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Visit the 15th century Insular Trakai Castle housing an exhibition on prehistoric findings and the 17-18th century applied art, the way of life of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes, and the Karaites, brought to Lithuania from the Crimea. Lunch at the restaurant. Proceeding to Dzukija National Park, located in Southern part of Lithuania, famous for wild forests, mushrooms and berries, authentic villages and friendliness of local people. Visit Musteikiai village, where you can find ancient beehives and to know more about wild beekeeping. Walk the wild beekeeping route where you can see life examples of “beehives” in the trees of hundred years. After all day exciting tour drive for overnight in Druskininkai – charming spa town. Dinner. Enjoy yourself at spa or water amusement park.

Day 3

July 19

Friday

Morning drive to the Rumšiškės - unique open air country life museum, depicting the 18-19th century architecture, traditions, crafts and the way of life of different ethnographic regions of the country. Candle making workshop. Learn how to make candles in traditional Lithuanian way using natural vax. Lunch. Later trip to the apiary of  Z. Solys. Here, in the forests, full of magnificent lime, raspberry, pine trees, on the shore of Kaunas lagoon you will learn about Lithuanian bees, beekeeping, procedures and equipment. Have a chance to taste traditional Lithuanian cheese with fresh honey as well as Lithuanian mead and honey beer. After interesting visit drive to Kaunas – second largest city and the capital of Lithuania between the World Wars. Dinner, overnight.

Day 4

July  20

Saturday

Trip to the unique Horse Museum in beautiful Lithuanian resort Anyksciai. Lunch.  Later visit  to the NINE HONEY apiary in Aukstaitija region. “A person's life is like a bee's way. In the childhood we are looked after by our parents and loved by them, later we live separated from our parents and take the responsibility of ours. We start our career, work long hours as a honeybee does and make our homes as bees living in the hives. Old apiarists respect and treat bees like a human being. The first bee-hive in our family was made a decade ago. This occupation becomes like a hobby to our family. At the beginning, only our family used honey as a sweet, delicious, natural product and a remedy too. Later a lot of people became interested in our honey and today we have many clients. Our apiary NINE HONEY is in a remote place near Kukiai forest glade in (the ethnic region of) Aukštaitija, Lithuania. This region is well-known for its tree-covered hills, dotted lakes and open-hearted people. In this marvelous scenery Lithuanian original honey is made.” – says the owner of the apiary NINE HONEY. Dinner andovernight in a nearby homestead/ hotel.

Day 5

July  21

Sunday

After close acquaintance with beekeepers of various Lithuanian regions time to  summarize all the things and visit museum of ancient beekeeping. Founded by Bronius Kazlas in 1974 the beekeeping museum is one of the oddest things you’ll ever come across.  Attracting around 10,000 visitors annually the museum, situated in a rustic cottage, depicts the art of bee-keeping throughout the ages, as well as exploring its spiritual links. The role bees have played in ancient mythology are well presented with displays detailing their part in ancient Egyptian, Native American and pagan Lithuanian culture. Wood carvings of native bee gods Babilas (a fat, hairy spirit) and the altogether more dainty Austėja (a bee goddess) make for great photographs. Indeed, the reason you’ll find many bee hives standing atop of trees was in theory to keep them as close as possible to these gods. Items of interest include an oak tree once worshipped by pagans, hilarious carvings, elaborate hives and a couple of ingeniously menacing anti-bear traps (think rusty spikes on springs). The woodland surrounding the museum is currently home to seven swarms of bees, and a short trail makes for a scenic and interesting walk. Guests are welcome to sample their honey at the end of their visit. Later visit some most beautiful places of Aukstaitija National park – Ginuciai, Ledakalnis. Drive back to Vilnius for overnight.

Day 6

July 22

Monday

Free time for independent activities.  Transfer to the airport. Departure home.