FESTIVE LIGHTS AND SKATING IN VILNIUS, LITHUANIA

Vilnius comes into its own in midwinter, where the mercury can plummet to minus 20C and the old town’s cobbled courtyards drip with icicles and fairy lights. Lithuania’s capital will be 700 years old in 2023 and between January 25-28 it plans to celebrate with the Vilnius Light Festival. Meanwhile, the Lumina Park light extravaganza will blaze all winter long at the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University in Kairenai, and there’s ice skating in the former exercise yard of Lukiskes prison (some dates free, adults €6, bilietai.lt). An essential side-trip takes you to Trakai, with a castle on its own island. Details Three nights’ B&B at Stikliai Hotel from £695pp including flights.