Roman Holiday: Lithuania capital turns Italian as virus stops travel

In the weeks to come, the theme will change to India, the United States, France and Spain

Published: June 09, 2020 12:37 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Editor

1 of 14

With virus travel restrictions preventing summer holidays abroad, Lithuania's capital is offering a low-cost alternative by mimicking the look and feel of different countries at weekends. | Visitors check out the legendary Italian Vespa scooters and Italian Alfa Romeo cars at Town Hall Square in Lithuania. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 14

France, Japan and the US are among the more than half-a-dozen nations that Vilnius residents can get a taste of without leaving the Baltic city. | Italian Vespa scooters at Town Hall Square. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 14

Last weekend Italian music filled the Old Town, while local restaurants offered Mediterranean dishes as green, white and red flags fluttered nearby. | An Italian music group performs at Konstantinas Sirvydas Square in Lithuania. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 14

Aurelija Baniulaitiene, a Lithuanian civil servant who came with a friend to an open-air restaurant, said the southern European atmosphere helped her "leave the lockdown cocoon". | People sit in cafes during a tourism event to mimicking the Italian holiday experience in Vilnius, Lithuania. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 14

In the weeks to come, the theme will change to India, the United States, France, Spain, Germany and Japan. | People sit in cafes during a tourism event in Lithuania. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 14

A short walk away, in a former Jewish neighbourhood, jeans designer Milda Paukste used pieces of denim to stitch an outline of the Italian peninsula on a sheet laid out in the street. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 14

In the nearby Town Hall Square, hundreds of Lithuanians admired a collection of iconic Vespa scooters and Alfa Romeo cars. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 14

Visitors check out the legendary Italian Vespa scooters and Italian Alfa Romeo cars at Town Hall Square. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 14

Lithuania itself re-opened for tourists from most European countries earlier this month after containing the spread of the disease. | A woman wears a Venice carnival mask. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 14

Reported COVID-19 deaths stand at just 71, with case numbers at 1,720 in the eurozone nation of 2.8 million people. | Lithuania's capital is offering a low-cost alternative by mimicking the look and feel of different countries at weekends. Image Credit: AFP

11 of 14

Many European countries are beginning to re-open their borders but health concerns are hindering efforts to bring visitors back and the travel industry fears steep losses. | A woman wears a Venice carnival mask. Image Credit: AFP

12 of 14

Women dressed for the Venice carnival . Image Credit: AFP

13 of 14

People sit in cafes during a tourism event to mimicking the Italian holiday experience in Vilnius, Lithuania. Image Credit: AFP

14 of 14

In the capital's Bernardine Gardens, the entrance gate invited visitors to enjoy "An Italian holiday in Vilnius". Inside the park, a children's entertainer was disguised as the video game character Super Mario, an Italian plumber. "This is great for kids after the quarantine. A nice opening of the summer season," Justina Sapokiene said as her five-year-old daughter played with the character in his trademark red overalls and a blue shirt. Image Credit: AFP

Photos News

Roman Holiday: Lithuania capital turns Italian as virus stops travel

More From Photos

In pictures: Heatwave scorches Pakistan

Photos: UAE President attends official reception in China

Photos: Giant icebergs drift past Canada's Iceberg Alley

Photos: UAE President attends official reception in Korea

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Roman Holiday: Lithuania capital turns Italian as virus stops travel

More From Photos

In pictures: Heatwave scorches Pakistan

Photos: UAE President attends official reception in China

Photos: Giant icebergs drift past Canada's Iceberg Alley

Photos: UAE President attends official reception in Korea

GULFNEWS SECTIONS