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While Kaunas, the 2nd largest city in Lithuania, is European Capital of Culture 2022, Vilnius starts preparing for its 700th anniversary in 2023. The world learned about Vilnius for the first time in 1323 from the letters written by Gediminas, the Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

As of January 22nd 2022, the Lithuania city of Kaunas along with two other cities – Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg and Novi Sad in Serbia – is holding the title of European Capital of Culture for one year, 12 years after the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, was European Capital of Culture in 2012. Kaunas, which is dating back to the 10th century, is the country’s second largest city with almost 600.000 inhabitants. It was the temporary capital of Lithuania during the two world wars and has changed dramatically into a modern and smart city over the last three decades.

The legendary Hotel Radisson Blu Klaipeda is changing its branding and will from October 1st become Hotel Mercure Klaipeda. The facilities and the amenities at the hotel will remain the same as before, as well as the price policy will remain the same, only the branding will change, and there will be some smaller adjustments to the standards of Accor.

Via Hansa & Borealis has for many year had a solid co-operation with the main hotels in Nida, the main resort on the Lithuanian side of the Curonian Spit, a 100 km long land spit connecting Klaipeda with the Kaliningrad Region. However, the main hotel in the resort, the Nidos Banga hotel, changed its operator this spring and half of the hotel has been closed.

The Hotel Radisson Blu Klaipeda has completed a full renovation of the hotel’s guest rooms. The interior based on the classic maritime theme prevailing until now has been replaced by a sophisticated contemporary Nordic style. The 74-room hotel remains the leading hotel in Lithuania’s port city.

Together with the cities of Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg and Novi Sad in Serbia, Kaunas in Lithuania has been designated as Cultural Capital of Europe for 2022. Kaunas is planning to use the celebrations to highlight Kaunas as a city, which is taking advantage of its history, dating back to the 10th century, to form a new modern legend about the city.

Vilnius will welcome another great addition to the city’s hotel scene when the new Hilton Garden Inn hotel will open in July. The hotel is located in the city center neighboring Lithuanian parliament building, many museums and the newly reconstructed Lukiskiu square and just in 15 minutes walking distance from the Vilnius Old Town.

After the recently opened centrally located 4-star Hotel Courtyard Vilnius with 199 guest rooms and economy Hotel Ibis Vilnius Centre with 164 guest rooms, the city has welcomed another new property – the new 4-star Hotel Vilna was opened in October and offers 79 guest rooms. Hotel is situated in the heart of the city, just opposite the entrance to the Bernardine Garden and the Hill of Three Crosses.

The new economy Hotel Ibis Vilnius Centre is scheduled to open in September, with 164 guest rooms, a restaurant with 90 seats, a bar and two conference rooms. The hotel is located in the centre of the city, within five minutes’ walk of the historic Old Town and the most famous places of interest such as Gediminas Castle and Cathedral Square.

The hotel scene in Vilnius is continuously changing and there are several openings expected already this year. The new four-star Hotel Courtyard Vilnius with 199 guest rooms is planning to open in spring. Another opening in spring is scheduled for the new five-star Design Hotel Pacai.