Published 27 Feb 2025
Lithuania is more than just a point on the map—it’s a hub for business, culture, and history. From its claim as Europe’s geographical center to unique investment opportunities and rich traditions, discover why this Baltic nation is a rising star.
When I first arrived in Lithuania, to work on our (deep breath in) real world asset tokenisation project, friends, family and of course colleagues all had a couple of questions…
1) Are you mad?
2) Where the hell is Lithuania
And once I’d answered those…. and the pin had dropped..
3) “How do we get involved?”
Now, thanks to our French friends, and a rather underwhelming “monument”, I can say (with a hint of Euro-Snobbery), didn’t you know “Lithuania’s the centre of Europe?”
The geographical center of Europe is located near the village of Purnuškės, about 26 km north of Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital.
This was calculated by the French National Institute of Geography in 1989. And yes, there’s even a monument marking the spot!
Of course, we’ve come a long way since we got peppered with questions about our new digs. The family’s joined me (the kids are now multi-lingual), we own a little local dirt, and a couple of small, modestly thriving businesses in the region.
For me, the juice has been – and is – well worth the squeeze!
Staggering back from lunch the other day, I walked past a small sign, dang precariously above a doorway pronouncing that within lie the cognac boutique. Perfect timing! That was precisely the beverage. I was looking forward to enjoy enjoying. Should I make my way home safely rather long lunch at Cafe Montmartre in old town.
I normally don’t include these little finds in emails to our clients, rather preferring to show them around in person when they get here.
I thought I would make an exception with this one though, when my new friend. Youzan (pronounced a little like Yoseph.. with an “n” at the end) whipped out a bottle of cognac from 1893, and no, sadly, he didn’t give it to me, or anything in fact, an exchange for me broadcasting his excellent store abroad.
Turns out my career as a surreptitiously funded influencer is destined for failure.
What I did manage to secure were several bottles of fantastic cognac, of different vintages, at a great price, the oldest being a rather lovely 1991 Frapin I may save for a special occasion. Like a Tuesday.
Of course, my fellow Europhiles will know that tiny shops like this, specializing in amazing specialties are plentiful around Europe. In fact, I would go so far as to say if anyone finds themselves in a shopping mall, buy Chinese made polyester, they should probably be shot. There is a wonderfully diverse range of owner operated businesses, serving a vast array of clients, everything from handmade shoes and fur lined gloves to traditional chocolates, bespoke furniture, and hand bound leather journals.
What most people don’t know, is how affordable many of these things are, despite sounding wonderfully glamorous.
What I’ve learned on my journey through Europe is often buying great products, from people who care about making, and selling them to people who care about enjoying them, is often no more expensive than enriching the coffers of some giant corporation mass producing rubbish for the local supermarket or shopping mall.
Our green grocer has incredible tomatoes, for example, at half the price of our local mega store. Until I found him, I think I had genuinely forgotten what a tomato tasted like.
So my advice is, the next time you’re traveling through Europe, try and stay away from the high Street stores, dive down alleyways, plunge into basements, and whatever you do, if you see a hamburger, full English breakfast, pizza, or Coke on the menu of any “café” in Paris – stand up immediately, throw the menu on the table with disgust and storm out with your nose held high. I guarantee the food will be awful, and cost three times as much as a genuine bistro, when you can find one.
* Australia, or The Commonwealth of Australia, was officially formed on the 1st jan, 1901. According to our friends at Wikipedia. Of course, First Nation Peoples have been there forever (over 50,000 years anyway). Still.. you have to admit.. it’s a bloody old bottle of Grog (to speak a little Aussie)!
As a (former) foreigner with a penchant for rather odd cultural celebrations, when I learned of Lithuania’s Shrovetide (locally known as Užgavėnės – and good luck pronouncing that!) it was a wonderful excuse to replace my normal frightening exterior for something entirely fantastical – and burn anything not nailed down of course!
Imagine a festival where winter gets theatrically booted out, pancakes rain supreme, and kids make and wear masks that put Halloween’s creepiest characters to shame. Sheer bliss – and fun for the whole family!
Once the kiddies have begged the neighbours for “coffee and candy”, scared the hell out of the dog, and warmed smoked meats on the fire (marshmallows are sooooo American), they’re off to bed and the real fun begins..
Adults can celebrate all night, mixing pagan music and dance with a huge range of homemade distilled spirits (like vodka and cherry brandy) and the odd naked nordic sauna (no its not weird, its normal.. and after the vodka feels very natural!). Saunas are then often followed by a roll in the snow to cool down and exfoliate (the healthiest way to sauna – and in my opinion the best by far).
French President Emmanuel Macron says a truce between Ukraine and Russia could be agreed in the coming weeks, following talks with Donald Trump in the White House
Macron said any peace deal must “not be a surrender of Ukraine” and must be backed by security guarantees
But Trump said he wanted a ceasefire as soon as possible, adding that the cost and burden of securing peace must be paid for by the nations of Europe, not just the US
Exclusive home and income opportunity for sale on the shore of Lake Lavys!
Are you looking for peace, privacy, and comfort surrounded by nature? “Nakcižibis” is a place where modern architecture and the beauty of the wilderness come together. This well-functioning holiday home in the Varėna district can become your holiday oasis or a profitable investment.
About the holiday complex:
Total floor area: 11,227 sq. ft.
Land area: 2.96 acres
Composition of the complex:
A 9-house modern holiday complex, designed for a comfortable holiday.
Restaurant facilities that can become your business centre.
3 cosy saunas and a hot tub for pleasant relaxation.
Children’s playground and volleyball court for active recreation.
Amenities in every cottage:
Mini-kitchens with all the necessary utensils.
Underfloor heating in the bathrooms.
Toilets, showers, hairdryers.
TVs and access to private outdoor terraces.
Advantages:
Spectacular location on the shores of Lake Lavys.
Modern buildings built in 2008, continuously renovated since 2009.
Open all year round—a great choice for both leisure and business.
A steady flow of customers since the beginning.
FEATURES:
Area: 11,226 sq. ft. (0.24 acres)
Land Area: 2.97 acres
Number of Floors: 2
Year Built: 2008
Building Type: Blockhouse
House type: Homestead
Heating: Liquid fuel, solid fuel
Water Supply: Local water supply
Condition: Furnished
Nearest Water Body: Lake
Distance to Water Body: 3.3 ft.
– Convenient location: only 20 km or 20-25 minutes by car to Konstitucijos Ave (the CBD).
Website for business (as a going concern) – https://nakcizibis.lt/en/
Website for the sales listing of the business and space – https://www.aruodas.lt/namai-varenoje-lavyso-k-ezero-g-parduodami-isskirtiniai-poilsio-namai-2-1678845/?search_pos=2
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