I'd recommend renting a car and even a driver/translator with a car. The distances from Vilnius are a bit much to try it by bus.

Are your ancestors from those two towns or from smaller villages near by? I've been researching my Lithuanian ancestry for the last nine years and would be willing to help you in your research efforts.

Tom S.

USA

Thanks for the advice, Tom. According to another TripAdvisor writer from Lithuania, we can take a bus to Panavezys. A friend of mine bought me a travel book of the Baltic countries. There is a picture of a bus in Lithuania. It looks modern and nice.

Most of our relatives were from Panavezys...or so we think. I can give you their names or you can tell me how to search for family members. My cousins last name and my Mom's maiden name is Zablock. Our Grandmother was a Zaura. My Dad is from Taurage. My Dad's name/my maiden name is Kilkus.

Have you visited Lithuania? If so, maybe you will tell me not to fall for the picture I saw of the bus in the travel guide....haha. Tell us places not to miss..........thanks, joan

Thanks for responding. I have received a travel guide of Lithuania from a friend. It talks of good bus transportation as you have advised. Another writer has suggested we rent a car and interpreter. Do you think thats necessary?

I/we would like to spend most of our time in Vilnius but would like to see as much of the country as possible in 7 days. Is that something you think we can do?

Trakai and Kaunas are close to Vilnius, correct???

Id like to see Palanga, Klaipeda and Nida. Is it worth traveling to Sauliai to see the Hill of Crosses?

Are we being overly ambitious?

We will take your advise and look for English speaking ticket agents.

Is Sept 8th a big religious holiday honoring the Blessed Mother? Should we plan to attend a Mass?

Hope to hear from you. Appreciate any information you can write us.......joan

Joan,

Taking a bus trip to Trakai from Vilnius is pretty easy. Kaunas is about 65 miles from Vilnius.

One thing to watch out for are police and speed traps. Make sure you follow the speed limit if you drive. The limit changes when you go from rural to urban areas. I got a ticket the first time I was there driving back to Kaunas from Kalvarija.

My favorite dish is cold beet soup and I kept ordering it everywhere I went and kept comparing it to my grandmother's.

Taurage and Panevezys are big enough towns so you should be able to find younger people who speak English. I know enough Lithuanian to be dangerous so I'm a bad person to ask about English speakers though it's the younger set that is learning it in school today.

I'll respond to your other message tomorrow about finding possible relatives.

Tom