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Shopping in Lithuania
While Vilnius is not exactly Vienna or Paris, it does offer incredible opportunities for shopping with its traditional buys being far more exciting than the usual overpriced array of international brands and upscale boutiques. Lithuania abounds in precious Baltic amber, linen goods and local crafts, all of them making for great gifts to take home with you. Here national artists sell their works in tiny art galleries, while craftsmen toil away in their ateliers carefully displaying their finish products. You can also purchase some of the excellent local cognacs.
The most popular souvenir item here is the above mentioned Baltic amber, available in the Vilnius Amber (Ausros Vartu 9) and the Amber Museum-Gallery (Mykolo 8) emporiums. The formation of amber pine tress goes way back to the Eocene period (55-40 million years ago), it can be found in the form of a drop, as amber stalactites, icicles, and tiny pieces embedded in larger amber chunks. An exquisitely beautiful example is the so-called bark lamellae, represented by an amber piece containing small bits of bark. These fossilized tree saps which have adorned the thrones of kings for thousands of years can also be found in its most rare and expensive variations: with an insect trapped inside. Otherwise amber jewellery from bracelets to watches are probably the most widespread items in Lithuania.
Other extremely popular gifts are Lithuanian wood-carvings. Wood craftsmanship in Lithuania is surprisingly variegated ranging from depictions of living figures to Lithuanian-style crosses. Linen items are another example of an excellent buy. A relatively new phenomenon the Cognac Boutiques throughout the country sell various world class fine cognacs as well as a selection of other local alcoholic beverages. A few bottles of Utenos or Kalnapilis beer would also make for some neat gifts and an extra bottle of Kvietino vodka would too. The krupnikas, or honey liqueur is also reasonably priced scrumptious buy. The Palanga, Dainava, and Sokoladinis liqueurs also make for a nice after-dinner drink.
When shopping in Lithuania, the ultimate place to visit is Vilnius. Here you should immediately head to scenic Pilies street where artisans and even some idle pensioners display their finest crafts ranging from woodwork, paintings of Vilnius and Lithuania, hand-crafted toys and amber objects, sometimes carved in intricate shapes. This place allows for some incredible bargains, and even if not intending to buy, it's still worth a look. In terms of local CDs, anything by M.K. Ciurlionis would satisfy even the most demanding of music buffs. Other places to purchase CDs include the HMV or Tower Records stores. And even if you’re not a basketball fan you can still leave the country with a jersey of the local top team, Zalgiris.