Visiting a FAIRY TALE

Soak up the storybook atmosphere of Vilnius, Lithuania's capital city, this winter

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Filled with ornate, baroque architecture, this compact capital is entwined with cobblestone lanes, lively squares and grand churches. It is especially magical in winter, when the streets are dusted in snow and the pale light shimmers on the River

Neris, which runs through the city. It's a budget-friendly time to visit too, as flights and stylish rentals are particularly affordable in December and January.

Art-filled streets

Vilnius is a dream to explore on foot, so wrap up warm and take to the streets. Start with a wander inside the magnificent Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, dating from the 15th century. Marvel at the sparkling chandeliers, and the wall of icons painted in deep green and gold. Equally impressive is one of Lithuania's most significant religious and cultural monuments, the Gates of Dawn. Part of a defensive wall constructed in the 16th century, it has its own chapel decorated with a shining gold painting of the Virgin Mary.