As many of you know, we love to travel, and are lucky enough in our line of work to be able to explore the world on a regular basis. Whether travelling to visit our artisans and suppliers, to gain inspiration or to meet our wonderful customers face-to-face, life on the road is something we thoroughly enjoy.
Off the back of our recent trip to Tuscany, we headed to Lithuania and ended up seeing our home country in a whole new light after exploring a little-known gem on the Baltic Coast.
A truly natural wonder
The Curonian Spit, known officially as Kuršių Nerija, is a unique and breathtaking destination located on the western coast of Lithuania. It’s a wide, sandy peninsula that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea, and is quite frankly a sight to behold.
This strip of land stretches about 98 kilometres and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its outstanding natural beauty, vast landscapes, endless forests, and stunning sand dunes and beaches. Team this with a particularly rich cultural history and diverse ecosystem, and Kuršių Nerija is a place of wonderment that’s inspiring to everyone who visits.
Coastal character and charm
The Curonian Spit is particularly famous for its towering sand dunes, some of which are the highest in Europe.
These constantly shifting dunes offer spectacular views and are must-sees for any visitor. Head to the Pardanis Dune for the best view, especially during sunrise or sunset. The vantage point provides one of the best outlooks on the spit, with the rest of the dunes, lagoon and Baltic Sea able to be captured in the same stunning scene.
Like many of the dunes, the Pardanis Dune wanders. Wandering dunes move just a couple of centimetres every year but over centuries have swallowed entire villages! For the villages that remain or rest outside of the dunes’ wake, there’s plenty to see.
Nida, Juodkrantė, and Pervalka are just some of the picturesque villages you’ll find on the spit, and they’re known and loved for their traditional wooden houses, colourful facades and vibrant heritage.
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Unique flora and fauna
While most sandy settings are barren, Kuršių Nerija is bursting with life. The area is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are rare or endangered. The spit is particularly known for its birdlife, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and the best place in Europe to see two species in particular as Unusual Traveller details:
“One of Europe’s largest cormorant and heron colonies is found in a forest 1 kilometre south of Juodkrante. Wooden steps lead from the road to a viewing platform where. From here the platform, marvel at the thousands of nests amid the pine trees. The sound of the 6,500-strong colony is also astonishing.”
Adventure for all
Kuršių Nerija really does have something for everyone. History buffs will delight at the Curonian Spit’s fascinating history, which has been influenced by various cultures over the centuries, including the Curonians, Prussians and Lithuanians. Local museums, such as the Thomas Mann Museum in Nida, provide a glimpse into the story of the region’s cultural past.
If outdoor adventure’s what you crave, the spit offers so much to see and do. This includes a huge and rather exciting range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling and water sports. The area’s natural beauty makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Take home comfort with you wherever you go
If you have a trip coming up, for work or leisure, packing a few cosy comforts can help you feel right at home wherever your adventure takes you. Our wool blankets and shawls are particularly travel-friendly.
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