VILNIUS, Lithuania - A silent walk in a former Soviet City

Hi everyone! This is episode three of my Baltics plus Finland series, in which I travel to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. In this video, I explore the main street in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, namely Gediminas Avenue. This is a silent walking tour of this avenue - because it is silent, you get to experience the sights and sounds of the city without any verbal commentary from myself. It brings out the life of the city in a different way, and can even introduce some ASMR. So grab a tea or something stronger, relax and join me on a stroll through Gediminas Avenue!
Lithuania was the first of the former Soviet Republics to break away from the Soviet Union, and today Vilnius is a bustling and cosmopolitan metropolis. However, on a cold day in winter, there were not many people around, which also gave a unique atmosphere to Gediminas Avenue. I felt it brought out the architecture and monuments in a greater way.
Unfortunately I could not be a completely uninterrupted walk - I had to cut some parts where music was played in the surroundings.
Hope you enjoy! If you haven't done it yet, please LIKE this video and hit the SUBSCRIBE button. It is completely free to do so and it really helps me out. Thanks!
Date of filming: 8 December 2023

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for all the likes and even the dislikes - it shows engagement! Appreciate the support!

[@kudaisiaduntola2523]

Very nice walk, I noticed how clean the city is. Looks like the people take great care of their capital. Christmas spirit clearly visible too

[@willieexplore]

The cleanliness is definitely visible! Lots of people also working hard to clear away snow etc. Thanks for watching!

[@FloridaFlipFlops]

Like 33 👍 Hello from Naples, Florida We came over from No Soy Rubio channel. What a nice walk. We enjoyed the sights, sounds and scenery. Love, love the architecture there. Thanks for sharing with us, have a great week 💯

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching! A very interesting place indeed!

[@AZqyc]

Hi Willie ... you continue to find some really interesting destinations, and again thanks for sharing! Always a treat to "take a walk" with you! Stay safe and warm! [Greetings from Tucson]

[@willieexplore]

Thank you Jim! Hope you are staying warm across the pond. Vilnius is certainly a very interesting place!

[@sheilam4525]

Hi Willie, thank you for another immersive video. It really is a striking place. Hope you weren't too cold after it!

[@willieexplore]

Cheers Sheila! I had a nice warm coffee after this walk, let me tell you :)

[@gohardorgohome7687]

Hey Willie the silent walking tour was awesome . It seems like everyone is indoors i don't see that many people on the streets . One thing I've always noticed though living in a cold country myself whenever i go to warmer countries people seem to be a lot happier and not to mention that people in these nordic countries seem to be struggling with alcohol and drug addiction i think month's of cold and gloomy weather takes it's toll on their mental health, maybe that's my opinion. Do you agree with me? Take care brother and keep up the good work 🔥🔥👊

[@willieexplore]

Cheers brother as always for your engagement. I often wonder if I should continue with these silent walking tours, as they don't always get the traction of my other content, but I honestly think they add a different dimension to my viewers. So therefore I am delighted that you enjoyed this video! As for your comment regarding cold countries, I read that Finland, Denmark and Iceland consistently top the Happiness Indexes, so that might throw a spanner in the works. But I think many people struggle in the winter and cold, for sure. Have a great day my friend :)

[@gohardorgohome7687]

Yes sir please keep doing these silent walking tour's in my opinion they're awesome 👍👍

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

I've come over and subscribed from Matt's channel at the end of his coastal hike.

[@willieexplore]

Hi Chris, that's great to hear! Thanks for the support. Hope you find my channel enjoyable.

[@jaspervanzyl6212]

Great video again, Willie Explore. You continue to do great work. Thanks again.

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much!

[@mayousimon1]

Just watched very informative video on good sight viewing this is helpful for others to learn from what can except excellent quality video thanks Willie!

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much! I enjoy making these silent walking tours, so glad they give you some different perspective!

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

I missed this ep 3,and saw the one of your bus trip to Riga. Will watch this one now!❤

[@willieexplore]

That is great, thank you very much! :)

[@jaadarl3902]

I noticed there's a lot of coffee shops , restaurants and a little but of a traffic problem but overall it's clean and vilnius has very nice classical architecture

[@willieexplore]

A very nice place to visit. Was a cold walk - I needed a warm coffee in one of those coffee shops after!

[@toscabrutus1781]

Willie ek like die silent walks dis insiggewend! Groete

[@willieexplore]

Bly jy geniet hulle Tosca, groete daar!

[@vytenisketurakis6478]

Maybe it's about time to drop the naming "former soviet city" after >30 years after soviet empire dissolution? Vilnius have a rich history and soviet times were the worst and most harmful - why emphasize that?

[@willieexplore]

And your rich history or parts of it were not at the expense of others? We cannot change the past my friend.

[@vytenisketurakis6478]

@@willieexplore soviets came and our country and city was plundered by them. Nothing to cherish here.

[@LaurynasMilinis]

Why are you referring to Vilnius as a "former soviet city"? Vilnius was founded 700 years ago by a Lithuanian Grand Duke. Lithuania was occupied by the soviets for 50 years, yes. But referring to Lithuania as "former soviet country" is deeply disrespectful and insulting. Shall we refer to Germany as "the former 3rd Reich", huh? Or why don't you call russia - a former soviet country?

[@willieexplore]

If you get upset by history, oh dear, then you have an issue. Lithuania not the only country to have been colonised or occupied. If you watch my other vlogs, you will see I know Lithuanian history - probably better than most Lithuanians. I would not have learned it if I didn't have respect. So when I state a fact, namely that Vilnius is a former Soviet city, it is not out of disrespect.

[@willieexplore]

And what about all the pain and suffering that Lithuania would have caused other countries / peoples in its history? Or do you prefer to forget that and refer to that as the glory days? We cannot change the past and you cannot have your bread buttered both sides.

[@LaurynasMilinis]

@@willieexplore then you would have obviously have known better 🙂 Why not presenting Vilnius as a former Polish city then?

[@LaurynasMilinis]

@@willieexplore I dare you visiting Berlin and calling you a "former 33rd Reich" city. Not out of disrespect of course, just because of history.

[@willieexplore]

@@LaurynasMilinis I probably could have, or the street that was built in 1836. Anyways, go and watch my other Lithuania vlogs. I really think you will enjoy them

[@remigijuspocevicius7965]

the not soviet era city next building after the war build

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching! :)