Alternative city breaks - Vilnius, Lithuania

There are some timeless classics when it comes to European city breaks, but this means that these cities are besieged by crowds. Luckily there are other, less-visited options that are surprisingly similar...

Vilnius, Lithuania
Instead of: Barcelona.
Who for? Lovers of atmosphere and attitude.
Why? While Barcelona is resolutely different because of its Gaudi architecture, fiercely independent Catalan identity and general exciting vibe, Vilnius has its own big bag of quirks. Amongst them is a statue of psychedelic musician Frank Zappa, which was erected to symbolise freedom, even though he has no link with the city.
Highlights: Vilnius has a passionate feel to it, especially in the suburb of Uzupis. It has declared itself independent and even has its own constitution. Which is largely about being nice to cats.

Search: Hidden gems of Europe | Eastern European cities
Be there: Flights to Vilnius | Hotels in Vilnius | Lithuania travel guide
Related articles: Travelling in Europe | Top 10 most romantic cities