100,000 can't be wrong

After a slow start, I ride towards Vilnius. It's only about 90 kilometers, so a detour to Trakai is a good idea.

The island castle of Trakai is an expression of the most advanced fortress ideas from the 15th century. It is considered a masterpiece of medieval defensive architecture and is the only water castle in Eastern Europe. It is included in every Lithuanian travel program, so it's no wonder that all of Lithuania is gathered here on this Saturday. Upon entering the village, you immediately notice the many babushkas sitting on folding chairs, equipped with a large parking sign, trying to direct every passing car into their driveway. So every homeowner, depending on the size of their backyard, makes a nice (probably untaxed) extra income. The uniform daily rate is 5 euros. There doesn't seem to be any price competition :-)

Normally, I'm not a fan of such hotspots. But a short walk is a must. The location of the castle is really great and that makes up for the hustle and bustle.

Considering the long queue, I skip the museum visit. I leave the crowds behind and head towards Vilnius. For the first time, I get lost here and have to turn around. But the 'damage' is minimal. In the early afternoon, I reach the day's destination, City Camping Vilnius. My enthusiasm is not overflowing, but well, I'm a bit spoiled by the last few nights. Anyway, tomorrow I will be exploring Vilnius extensively. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and I'm really excited. I will stay here for two nights before heading to Latvia on Monday.