Sometimes living in Lithuania can be a challenge (oh those dark winter days!), so I wanted to focus on forgetting about the challenges and enjoying the positives. I started this series a few years ago to make myself get out and experience the more creative side of Lithuania. For this series I wanted to focus on creative events, unique aspects of the culture or language, and cool places that I find around Lithuania. Previously I've written about Open Kitchen, the Beer Marathon, the Lithuanian Design Block, Pottery Class, Coffee Enthusiasm, and Vilnius Gastro. If you have any suggestions of things to check out I'd love to hear them!


Vilnius is pretty awesome when it comes to pop up events featuring local designers and small business owners doing there thing. I find new designers on Instagram and Facebook nearly each week. Every couple of months a new designer event makes its way onto my schedule.

Maybe you love supporting small designers and local businesses as much as I do, or maybe you are looking for a very authentic souvenir to remember your cool trip to Vilnius. Whatever it is, today I wanted to share how to find pop up shopping events and local designers in Vilnius.

 

Pop Up Events

 Kauno Kulturos Kablys

I'm starting off with my favorite pop up design event in Vilnius -- seasonal pop up shops held at the Kauno Kulturo Kalbys (otherwise known as the Hook Building). Held quarterly, these pop ups feature everything from clothing and accessories, to cake, coffee, and books. I've been eyeing some jewelry by several of the local Lithuanian brands (I love DD Workshop), so I think I'll be treating myself soon!

The pop ups held at Kablys are my favorite because the venue is smaller and feels a bit more manageable, even in crowds. It is easy to get to and the guys from Crooked Nose and Coffee Stories are always selling their awesome coffee and cool brewing devices. The Hook is also just a super cool building, making it fun to stop by and shop!

The Kablys will be hosting the Spring Pop Up on April 8 and 9 from 11 am until 7 pm.

Find out more on their website and Instagram, which announces all of the designers.

Loftas

Loftsa is a cool (way too cool for me) music venue that occasionally hosts design festivals, called Uptown Markets. These markets are held roughly once per quarter and feature similar local designers as PopUp.LT. Loftas is a much large venue, with outdoor space and potentially two large indoor spaces open for designers.

The only problem really with Uptown Markets held at Loftas is that they can be sometimes really confusing to enter. Though Loftas has a clearly marked entrance on Svitrigailos g. 8 (behind the bus stop), sometimes this entrance is closed and you must go around the side of the building.

The benefit of holding a design pop up at Loftas is the ample outdoor space allowing for food trucks, street art, tables, and sometimes, live music. They also tend to have far more designers due to the larger space.

To find the side entrance, walk past the Iki grocery store and store selling home items -- towards the building with street art (the written art, you'll see what I mean). Enter through the sort of dilapidated gates and wind your way through kind of creepy industrial buildings. As the street art becomes more concentrated, you'll start seeing signs and spotting food trucks and designer wear. Don't get discouraged! You'll find it! **If you'd like me to draw a map or have specific questions, feel free to email me!

The next Up Town Market is on April 22 and 23 from 12 pm to 6:30 pm.

Local Designers

If your trip to Vilnius doesn't happen to coincide with one of the pop up design events, don't worry! You can still shop great Lithuanian designers at brick and mortar stores in Vilnius. I've written quite a long post about second hand, vintage, and local designer shops before, so I'll link that here. Stores do tend to come and go pretty quickly in Vilnius and a couple of the stores I featured in that article are no longer around (I've noted it in the original article).

Locals.LT

Conveniently located in the mall Gedimino 9, Locals.LT stocks the most popular items from several Lithuanian designers. In store they sell clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home items -- a perfect place to stop for a locally made goodie to take home! The store is also really nicely organized, making it easy to find what you are looking for.

Aukso Avis

Aukso Avis is a jewelry store selling only handmade items from local designers. They carry both affordable and more luxury brands (prices tend to be about 10 EUR to 150 EUR), and everything is color coordinated!

Sarka

Sarka is one of my favorite places to shop in Vilnius as it has such a wide array of options to choose from. This small store is packed with high quality vintage finds, beautiful re-worked pieces, and clothes from their in-house designer. They also carry shoes, accessories, and decorations for the home.

Linen Tales

Lithuania is well known for its linen products, so it seems only natural to purchase a linen item. Linen Tales has two stores in Vilnius as well as a really great online shop. Be warned -- those who are nesting or love decorating are going to want to watch their wallet here!

Eva Design

I love the gorgeous dresses by Eva Design! Selling very carefully tailored women's shirts, skirts, and dresses, the option is very selective, but really creative and beautiful.

Pop ups can also be found in Kaunas -- the 2022 European Cultural Capital! Check PopUp.Lt, although they same to be held less frequently. Local designers also sometimes share a text (the one that looks like a bubble) during large weekend festivals that happen pretty regularly in the summer months in Vilnius (also at Kaziukas and the pre-Easter festival).


What would you add to the list? Any other pop up events I don't know about yet?

Our trip to Bari was a bright ray of sunshine that we really needed during the long Lithuanian winter. The warm weather, beautiful buildings, great food, and lively atmosphere put a smile on my face and gave me the endurance to survive the rest of the winter. One of the best things to do in Bari is wander the city and enjoy the affordable local food including the fabulous street food.

Keep in mind that in Bari, as in many other places in Italy, restaurants open around 12 for lunch and close in the afternoon, then reopen again around 6 or 7 pm. This can be difficult when traveling with a perpetually hungry toddler, so we opted to snack a lot when out and cook dinner at home. In general, food prices were inexpensive -- we even ordered a pizza to go for 3.50 EUR!

Where to eat:

Pasticceria Boccia: Located near our comfortable Airbnb apartment rental, Pasticceria Boccia seemed to be a local hang out. Coffee lovers would belly-up to the bar to order an espresso and a fluffy, sweet brioche. The meringues were also amazing and had a surprising number of flavors. The staff were super helpful, kind, and friendly and the prices were great. Find Pasticceria Boccia on C.so Sonnio, Bari.

Pasticceria Portoghese: Located in the old town, Pasticceria Portoghese is a delicious bakery selling cookies and other Portuguese sweets. The cookie sandwiches were delicious and melted in the mouth. Pasticceria Portoghese is located on Via Giovanni Modugno 29D.

Pasticceria and Bistro Salvatore Petriella: Located in one of the several stunning opera buildings in Bari, this pasticceria was seriously to die for. Though a bit pricier than elsewhere, the dainty cakes were beautiful and incredibly tasty. I have to suggest the pistachio desserts and pistachio filled croissant -- so good. The interior of the cafe was beautiful, making it a perfect place for a date, and the outdoor seating was ample enough for relaxing while people-watching. They also have sandwiches and light lunch options. Stop by for amazing treats at Via Fanelli, 207, 70125 Bari, Italy.

Panificio Fiore: Panificio Fiore is a little stand-up shop for homemade Apulian specialties. From focaccia to fried cornbread and spinach frittatas, Panificio Fiore was a perfect stop for a quick lunch. The woman running the shop reminded me of a stereotypical Italian grandmother and she even said "mamma mia" when she touched something hot. It was wonderful! Find them on Str. Palazzo di Città, 38, 70122 Bari, Italy.

 

Gadi: Gadi is a delicious gelato popsicle shop with numerous dairy-free options. The best thing though, is that the pops can be dipped into a fountain of melted dark chocolate and subsequently rolled in nuts or desiccated coconut. They also have swirl your own soft serve gelato and other mix-ins. Via Niccolò Piccinni, 14, 70122 Bari, Italy.

 

Gelateria Gentile: What would a trip to Italy be if you skipped traditional gelato? Located right across from the beautiful Castello Normanno Svevo, Gelateria Gentile served very rich, boldly flavored gelatos. The pistachio was really good, as was the regular chocolate (the dark chocolate was a bit too strong for me). They also featured numerous lactose-free gelato options. Find it at Piazza Federico II di Svevia, 34, 70122 Bari, Italy.

Where to shop:

As I mentioned in my last post about Bari, the city was surprisingly large and featured a huge amount of shopping. Think major brand names like H&M, the Disney Store, Zara, United Colors of Benetton, Sephora, and high-end shops way, way out of my budget. But those stores aren't my focus when shopping at home or while traveling; I'm all about the local stores. While I don't generally shop a lot, I did find two wonderful stores.

Fuecu: Fuecu is a gorgeous shoe store selling handmade Italian shoes and when I visited, had amazing sales. Stop by their shop on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 72.

Citta del Sole Bari: When traveling with kids, it becomes a must to stop into at least one toy store when traveling. It is even fun for us adults to check out the cool toys available in different countries, and perhaps make a sneaky purchase to reveal during the flight (what kid doesn't love a new toy). Citta del Sole featured a section with children's books in Italian, games, plush toys for babies, manipulatives for toddlers, and activity books and games for older children. It also had a great selection of plastic animals. Find Citta del Sole on Via Nicolò Putignani, 14/A, 70121 Bari, Italy.


Where else do you suggest eating in Bari? What is your favorite Italian street food? 

When planning our February break vacation we knew we wanted something cheap and warm. Those were our only two requirements. So, my search began for a cheap flight and a destination with affordable accommodations. My search on Ryan Air and Wizz Air led to a few options, but the best for our travel dates and awesome for affordability was Bari, Italy. Located in southern Italy in the heel of the boot, Bari was definitely warmer and way sunnier than Vilnius. Perfect.

Are you looking for a sunny European destination in the wintertime? Consider Bari for its delicious food, warm weather, friendly people, and perfect location. We loved it!

What To Do In Bari, Italy

Old Town

 The first thing to do once you arrive in Bari is to walk around the old town. The stunning white architecture makes it appear as though the stone buildings have been whitewashed by the sun. Each little winding street opens into a beautiful square, religious icons on homes, or cathedrals. It is beautiful. Smells from little shops selling delicious food provide navigation hints for those in search of snacks -- look out for the Portuguese bakery and the nearby tiny shop selling hot out of the oven focaccia.

Cathedrals and Churches

Staying true to its Catholic roots, old town Bari alone had four impressive churches. Practically every winding street you take in the old town opens to a beautiful, white stone church. The Archdiocese of Bari and the Basilica San Nicola are particularly stunning.

Beach Promenade

 Running along the harbor is a beautiful promenade taking you from the beach all the way to the castle (though that would be a longer walk than cutting through the city). Along the promenade you could watch fishermen preparing their squid and octopus for meals. Fishing boats were coming and going and numerous runners were making their way along the path. The waters were also surprisingly clear, although trash was common in the shallows.

Castello Normanno-Svevo

Bari even has a beautiful castle -- Castello Normanno-Svevo. Castello Normanno-Svevo was built in the 1100s by King Roger II. It was destroyed shortly after it was originally built, and then rebuilt several times throughout history. The interior of the castle is now a museum and can be visited for a small fee. We opted to spend the fee on gelato rather than visit, but reviews on TripAdvisor are decent.

Beach

If the weather is really warm during your visit, Bari even has a small sandy beach that would be nice for a swim or great for toddlers to play in the sand. It is always good to have a beach option!

Day Trips

With Italy's great train connections, Bari is a wonderful base for day trips around Apulia. Day trip options include Monopoli, Lecce, and Alerobello. The trains were really affordable and made for easy connections, making it unnecessary to rent a car. Alerobello (pictured below) is a beautiful town that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its trulli homes. We didn't make it to Lecce, but I did read that it is a scenic destination!

Shopping and Eating

There were delicious restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, and street food stops everywhere in Bari. It is truly a tasty heaven for foodies -- and better yet, the prices were really great! The local specialties are focaccia, orecchiette, and fried corn bread. All so good! I'll share an entire post soon about the restaurants and food stalls we loved.

After our first day exploring Bari, J and I both shared our surprise at the size of Bari. We both had anticipated it would be a small, sleepy town, but boy we were wrong. As the capital of the Apulia region, Bari is a center for food, shopping, and tourism (it also has the airport). There are several pedestrian shopping streets located in Bari, making it a perfect relaxing escape for a family or girls' trip.

Have you been to Bari, Italy? Have you ever chosen a destination because of the cheap flights and warmer weather?

Next month, J, Baby ISO, and I are headed on our first international trip of 2017 to the Puglia coast, Italy (the heel of the boot). We scored an impossibly cheap Wizz Air flight direct from Vilnius to Bari, so we jumped on the opportunity to have a bit of winter sun. We have plans to spend a week in a beautiful Airbnb in Bari, Italy with friends, and I know we are all excited for delicious food and relaxation.

BC (before child), J and I visited Milan, Venice, and Cinque Terra, and while two months pregnant and sick with horrible morning sickness, I visited Rome with my parents. I LOVE Italy and can't wait to be back wandering a completely different part of the country.

In preparation for every trip we take, I spend a few hours scouring the web so we'll have a loose idea of what to do upon arrival. On the blog, I like to share these resources that I've found helpful with trip planning in the hopes that they'll be helpful to you, too!

Our first few days will likely be spent wandering Bari, checking out the churches, and visiting the university. The seafront promenade and Basilica both look charming! Bari's old town looks like it is full of winding streets and hole-in-the-wall eateries -- just what we always look for!

Relying on Italy's great train system, we'll probably take a day trip to Monopoli to see the defensive city walls and bell tower.

A day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello is also definitely a must-do because the white houses with little domed roofs are impressive. The 1,500 trulli (the name for the white, stone homes) are so fascinating and I hope we can enter one. I also have a feeling that Alberobello won't be super crowded because we are visiting in the off-season -- gotta love off-season travel!

Perhaps what I'm most looking forward to from a trip to Puglia is some budget-friendly, amazing Italian food and wine. The Budget Traveler blog has posted a really nice guide to the food of Bari.

Want to read more about our previous visits to Italy? Check out the Italy section of my Destinations Page.


If you have any suggestions for what to do in and around Bari, let me know! I'd love to have some more tips!

Our first 3/4 of our Netherlands trip was spent exploring Rotterdam, followed by a quick three days in Amsterdam. First off, let me say that Amsterdam was AMAZING and I can absolutely see why it is such a popular tourist destination and a desired place to live. I wish that we could have stayed in Amsterdam for longer than we did, but the price of accommodations made us decide to spend longer in Rotterdam than Amsterdam.

My trips tend to be a bit on the relaxed side with tons of sightseeing and museum visits combined with leisurely strolls and window shopping. I don't like to make specific daily plans, rather I like to create mini city guides or lists of things I hope to do or see on the trip and tick them off depending on how we feel and the weather. For example, on one day we got coffee and breakfast at a cafe near our accommodation, then went to the iAmsterdam sign and walked through the weekend market in Museum Square. After that, we went to the Van Gogh Museum, strolled through Vondelpark, and picked up takeaway from Martinot (Italian food) and cake from Arnold Cornelis Patisserie. It was a relaxed, but very fun day filled with sightseeing and great food! So, find my tips and suggestions for things to do in Amsterdam for a relaxed three day trip.

First, let's look at a few photos of Amsterdam's canals ...

What to Do and See

Vondelpark: Vondelpark is Amsterdam's most popular park and is conveniently centrally located, making it a great place to visit. We strolled through Vondelpark for a couple of hours and found the wonderful children's section, which had several playgrounds, a cafe, and an activity center. Hours of entertainment for free!

Van Gogh Museum: When you visit Amsterdam, you have to go to the Van Gogh Museum. The collection of Gogh's art, letters, and personal items was impressive. I also loved seeing the art that inspired Gogh or artists who were inspired by him. If you are visiting with kids, be sure to stop on the 1st floor (not the ground floor) near the gift shop and bathroom area. There are recreations of Van Gogh's most famous works that you can touch! My toddler absolutely loved this!

Another thing to note about the Van Gogh Museum is that strollers are allowed, so you'll be able to keep your child in their stroller throughout the visit. We purchased our tickets at the external museum shop and ticket booth near the iAmsterdam sign because the line was a bit quicker. 

Foam Museum: If you are interested in modern art, Foam Museum gets some pretty cool rotating exhibits. We visited the Foam Museum to see the

Nine Streets: The Nine Streets is a set of three parallel canal streets. The Nine Streets area was one of my favorite places in Amsterdam to wander around. The streets were filled with little shops and cafes, and the canals were beautiful in this area. 

De Pijp: When in the de Pijp neighborhood, do yourself a favor and pick up the beautifully illustrated free map called Undiscovered Pearls of de Pijp. I picked up my copy in Kolifleur (see below) and used it to check out the shops and eateries. There was a ton of construction in de Pijp, so it made it difficult to find the Albert Cuyp Market stalls.

Anne Frank House: I really wanted to visit the Anne Frank House, but unfortunately I tried to buy tickets too late. Don't make my mistake and buy tickets early online!

Museum Park: If you visit the Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum, you'll certainly stroll through the wonderful Museum Park. Here you'll find the iAmsterdam sign, a small playground, and a wonderful weekend market with food and antiques.

Where to Eat

Stef's Bakery: Stef's Bakery had AWESOME double chocolate cookies. I'd absolutely recommend a stop here for a delicious baked good to fuel wanders through the canals and winding streets. You can find Stef's Bakery on Nieuwe Spiegel Straat 62 B

Bakers & Roasters: This New Zealand cafe and brunch spot that we stumbled across in de Pijp was packed! J popped in for a coffee and cake, and I must say that both were very tasty. I'd suggest planning ahead and adding Bakers & Roasters to your itinerary for a big brunch before wandering around de Pijp. You can find Bakers & Roasters at Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat 54. See their menu on their website.

Martinot: Martinot is an Italian restaurant with reasonably decent prices as far as Amsterdam goes. We ordered a margherita pizza and a plate of sweet potato gnocchi to share and everything was delicious. The total price for our meal was 23 euros. You can find Martinot on Moreelsestraat 3.

Frnzy: This Vietnamese street food restaurant was a cool stop in the De Pijp neighborhood. We ordered bahn mi and bun and both were really delicious. Keep in mind that this restaurant was hopping during our meal, so if you really want to eat here, you may be in for a bit of a wait. You can find Frnzy on Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat 27 and follow them on Instagram at @frnzyamsterdam.

Arnold Cornelis Patisserie: This patisserie was located right near our accommodation (City Den; review coming soon) and sold incredible cakes and pastries. We ended up purchasing a hazelnut cake and a caramel cake. Yum! You can find Arnold Cornelis at Van Baerlestraat 93.

Corner Bakery: Corner Bakery was also conveniently located near our accommodation and had simple breakfasts and great coffee. The interior was really cute and the staff were really friendly. You can find Corner Bakery on Johannes Vermeerstraat 40.

 

Where to Shop

Carre D'artistes: This art store's motto is "Art is for Everyone!" and their prices and huge selection certainly reflect this belief. I strongly believe in supporting local businesses and artists both while traveling and at home, so I make it a priority to visit art stores and small designers while traveling. Though I have a very limited budget, my favorite souvenir from any destination (and from home!) is an original work of art. On this trip to Amsterdam, J and I stumbled upon Carre D'artistes, which is an affordable art studio selling works from artists around the world. They also have an online store with a HUGE selection of original works that I find very tempting indeed. If you'd like to support an artists and purchase works from Carre D'artistes, stop by one of their four stores in The Netherlands or check out their website.

Tinkerbell: This 25 year old toy store located on Spiegelgracht 10, has a huge selection of cool toys for babies through to school aged children. Learn more on their website.

Kolifleur: This cozy store located in De Pijp neighborhood sold women's clothing, shoes, and accessories, but what really caught my eye was their unique pottery. I especially liked the pieces by Studio Ineke van der Werff. Kolifleur is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 11-7 pm and Sundays from 1-5 pm. Check their website for more details.

Blender Kids Concept Store: We kept missing the opening hours of this store and cafe, but it looked awesome! At Blender, you can find cool toys, children's clothes, and play area/cafe for families. You can find Blender at Ruysdaelstraat 11I.

Other Tips

Getting to Amsterdam: Getting to Amsterdam from the airport or train station is simple due to the wonderful public transportation. Just keep in mind that if you have an early flight out of Amsterdam, you'll likely need to call a cab to take you to the airport. Note that cabs in Amsterdam do not have car seats for children.

We stayed at the CityDen apartments near Museum Park and it was wonderful! I'll have a review coming soon, so check back if you want to learn more :)


Have you been to Amsterdam? What did you love doing there? What else would you add?