Rural tourism homesteads in Lithuania are opening their doors for the summer season, but vacationers are increasingly looking for more than just a quiet spot by the lake – they want experiences.
“We heat the oven for four hours. Dzūkian bandos are baked on cabbage leaves,” said Vytautas Mileris, owner of a homestead in the Lazdijai district.
For several years, Mileris and his family have offered banda-making workshops at their lakeside homestead on the shores of Lake Galstas. However, the classes only run for groups of at least 15 people to make them cost-effective. Their guests are mostly families who return year after year seeking peaceful relaxation, while anglers cast their lines in hopes of a good catch.
Last summer, the homestead was fully booked, but this year, some cottages are still available.
“Our shoreline is large. Each house has its own grill, gazebo, terrace or outdoor table. They’re spaced apart, so guests don’t disturb one another. The homes are surrounded by trees, which adds privacy,” Mileris said.
According to the president of the Lithuanian Countryside Tourism Association, demand is rising for slow and experience-based tourism.
“Food education is the most popular – guests learn to cook a local dish and get to taste it. Tasting dinners introduce visitors to the local culture through cuisine,” said Agnė Vaitkuvienė, the association’s president.
Art-related experiences are also growing in popularity, especially among visitors from larger cities.
“They come even in winter or autumn to sit by the fireplace, learn to weave palm bouquets, decorate Easter eggs or craft traditional straw ornaments,” said Laima Saviščevienė, a homestead owner in the Varėna district. “These guests often return – and we’re always happy to welcome them back.”
Returning guests are welcomed across the country.
“This summer, our homestead is nearly 100-percent booked,” said Živilė Milkė, who runs a homestead in the Lazdijai district.
Each cottage on her property hosts a maximum of five guests. Having hosted visitors for several years, Milkė said competition is fierce, prompting her to seek out new offerings.
“In summer, we have leisure fields. We sow sunflowers, hemp, and this year we’re planting a wildflower meadow. Many visitors come just to see them. Through online platforms, we’ve seen a significant increase in foreign guests,” she said.
Homesteads that host special events are also reporting near-full bookings.
“We spoke with the owners of event venues, and their occupancy rates are between 90 and 95 percent. At least in our region, this trend remains strong. The homesteads that operate in winter have 60 to 80-percent occupancy,” said Eglė Kubilienė, director of the Lazdijai Tourism Information Centre.
But in other regions, the number of large event-focused homesteads is declining, while interest in smaller accommodations is on the rise.
“Investments are going into smaller homesteads – cottages for couples or families. The new ones are more luxurious, and naturally, more expensive,” Vaitkuvienė said.
She noted that an overnight stay in a well-appointed countryside homestead can cost as much as a stay in a quality hotel.
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