Vilnius, the "G-spot of Europe"

Vilnius, the “G-spot of Europe”: nobody knows where it is. But when you find it, it’s amazing. We caught that slogan somewhere, and after today we kind of get it.

We started with the Cathedral of St Stanislaus, closest to our hotel. Lovely cool inside — though our shorts and t-shirts drew some disapproving looks.

Next, under a scorching sun, the presidential palace and Vilnius University. The kids’ mood is visibly drooping in the heat; a fountain in the university courtyard rescued us briefly.

The proper rescue came in the neighbourhood they call the Republic of Užupis — which even has its own constitution. It has a looser vibe — galleries, cafés, graffiti, art installations. What struck us most was the swing suspended straight over the water.

Continuing our historic tour, we escaped into the city walls. In the “underground” on the hill we spent an hour with archival displays and the kids coloured in worksheets (they didn’t budge until they were done — a clear sign they’ve had enough walking).

Just after lunch we gave up and fled the sun back to the hotel. In the evening the two of us wandered out again — Literatų street with its decorative plaques, the town-hall square, and since Gediminas’ Castle had already closed, we settled for climbing the Hill of Three Crosses instead. The whole city spread out beneath us.