Some quick notes on being on a relatively upscale tour ("5 star" hotel quite pleasant, good food (even for an ovo-lacto-vegetarian in this meat and root vegetable cuisine), comfortable bus, the good life American retirees long for (or at least pay a lot for) I suppose, but the average age of my fellow ttravellers is well into the 70's, with some definite impaired mobility issues. No doubt my fate too, in a short few years, but I think I won't repeat with Odysseys Unlimited anytime soon. The particular attraction of this tour is the St. Petersburg extension. Can't wait. But Dahlia, the local guide continued to be a wonder. She participated in the 1991 demonstrations and was at the make-shift barricades protecting the Parliament buildings against the Red Army.
Cool but lovely sunny weather for the drive out of town to the village of Trakai, site of the 15th century castle/early capitol, featuring extensive fortifications on a beautiful lake. Overrun by large tour groups. And this was no doubt a slow day in May.
Then back to Vilnius, which is a very walkable city and well preserved (or rather reconstructed, since heavily damaged in the world wars) older section. The university has some interesting modern frescos, in the bookstore and Philology dept.
Then tonight out to dinner as a group at a traditional restaurant (venison featured) where I had a terrific eggplant/spinach parmesan wrap and good beer.
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