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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Julie Delahaye

Where is Vilnius? City launches tongue-in-cheek campaign as people keep getting it wrong

Where is Vilnius? Well according to the city's tourism board, that's a question that quite a lot of people are actually getting wrong.

Despite being the capital of Lithuania, a campaign from authorities found that people often guessed the likes of Italy, Austria, Sweden and even South America as its location.

Last year, the city's tourism board Go Vilnius launched a 'Where is Vilnius' website where visitors were asked to indicate the city's location. The answers were generated into a heat map with Finland, Romania and Kazakhstan amongst the top guesses.

Taking it in their stride, the tourism board created a new tagline for the hotspot; 'Amazing wherever you think it is'.

Well, this year the city's tourism authorities have come up with a quirky way to inform people of the correct location, while celebrating the upcoming festive period in the process.

As Vilnius prepares to kick off Christmas celebrations from November 27 from its Christmas markets to decorations, Go Vilnius has unveiled a brand new video showcasing the best of the festivities.

In the tongue-in-cheek clip, the city's municipal choir Jauna Muzika cheerfully sing a list of all the places where Vilnius isn't located, al to the tune of 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas'.

Handily, the video clip also happens to showcase some of the breathtaking sights to be found around Christmas across the city, from a huge Christmas tree to markets filled with artisanal stalls, and plenty of family-friendly highlights such as a 3D display in the Cathedral square.

People keep getting the location of Vilnius wrong (Getty Images/Westend61)

Inga Romanovskienė, Director at Go Vilnius said of the cheeky campaign: "Like every year, Vilnius will transform into a winter wonderland for the delight of all the guests and residents.

"Although sometimes there’s still some confusion among foreigners over where Vilnius actually is, our campaign endeavours to show that, all confusion aside, our capital has some tricks up its sleeve to make Christmas a truly memorable experience."

You can find out more on the Go Vilnius website.

Currently Lithuania is open to Brits, but there are entry rules which differ depending on your vaccination status.

Vilnius (Go Vilnius)

If unvaccinated or partially vaccinated: You'll need to fill out an online form, have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival OR an antigen test within 48 hours, and you'll need to self-isolate for 10 days.

If fully vaccinated: You are exempt from PCR test and self-isolation requirements, although you will still need to fill out an online form.

You can get the full details in the Foreign Office's travel advice for Lithuania.

The country is currently on the 'rest of the world' list in the UK. This means that you won't need to stay in a quarantine hotel when returning to the UK. However, again the rules depend on your vaccination status.

If you're unvaccinated you'll need to take a pre-departure test, and PCR tests on days two and eight back in the UK, as well as self-isolating for 10 days. If you're fully vaccinated you simply need to take a PCR or lateral flow test on day two.

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