Lithuania(2018)
In
the 14th century after
the Battle of Grunenwald, a replica of which
we saw in the museum in Vilnius, Trakai Castle was built on an island in Lake Galve to fend off German knights Afterwards it became the residence of the Archdukes of Lithuania, Vytautas and Kestutis Today it is the site of concerts, events and festivals |
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The area is home to the descendants
of the Turkish Kipchak tribe originally brought here from the Crimea as bodyguards for the castle Present day Karaims run a restaurant serving traditional food and even teaching customers how to make their own |
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Note the symbol of Vilnius perched on the "I" of the sign as we entered the city |
Back at the hotel we were treated with a special
dinner prepared by our guide Donata's mother and her friend as well as entertainment by a folk group performing traditional songs and dances |
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Even Joe joined in the dancing  |