For more than ten years, I am helping visitors from all over the world discover and reconnect with Lithuania’s Jewish past.
Photo: Mantas Gudzinevičius, “Passport Journal”
1. Who are you?
My name is Aušra Mikulskienė, and I’ve been working as a guide since 2012. Exploring Jewish heritage in Lithuania began as a personal hobby, which over time grew into my main professional focus.
Today, my work combines Jewish roots trips, Jewish heritage tours, and general cultural tours across Lithuania.
About 30% of my work involves family roots searches. Another 30% covers Jewish heritage tours in cities such as Vilnius, Kaunas, Žiežmariai, Anykščiai, Ukmergė, Kėdainiai, etc. The remaining 40% consists of general cultural tours in Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga, Neringa, Druskininkai, and other towns.
I always try to integrate Jewish stories into non-Jewish tours (and vice versa). Lithuania’s story makes the most sense when told as a shared one.
2. Are you a legal guide? Why can’t we find you on GetYourGuide or Viator?
Yes, of course. I am a licensed guide, certified by the State Department of Tourism of Lithuania. I have all the necessary documents to work permanently in Lithuania and, if needed, temporarily in Latvia or Poland.
You won’t find me on platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator simply because I don’t need to be there. Most of my tours come through personal recommendations. Other clients find me via this blog or Facebook pages (Litvak Shtetls and Famous Litvaks).
In the future, you might see my ads on Jewish heritage websites. You might also find them in Jewish newspapers in South Africa, Israel, or the United States. For now, my work grows naturally through word of mouth.
3. If I want to plan a family roots trip to Lithuania, how should I book a tour with you? What would it look like?
The best way to start is to write me an email at info@litvakshtetls.com.
If your matter is urgent, you can also contact me via WhatsApp: +370 610 46155.
Please tell me:
– When you plan to come,
– How many days you have,
– Which towns or family names you are researching (if known).
I’ll prepare a short itinerary. I will suggest on the most efficient plan. If my calendar fits your dates, we’ll complete the price and details.
Since I live in Vilnius, I usually offer a half-day Jewish walking tour of Vilnius, followed by one or two days of travel to the former family shtetls.
A Typical 3-Day Itinerary Looks Like This
Day 0 – Arrival
Arrive in Lithuania. Free time to rest or explore Vilnius Old Town. I can suggest dinner spots or evening strolls.Day 1 – Jewish Vilnius Walking Tour
10:00–13:00 – Half-day tour of former Jewish Quarter streets, sites of the synagogues, monuments to the Gaon of Vilnius and other prominent Jews, and memorials with stories of prewar Jewish life, the Holocaust, and memory today. Afternoon free to explore independently.Day 2 – Family Roots Trip (Shtetl 1 & 2)
Depart Vilnius ~8:00 a.m. Spend 2–3 hours in each ancestral town, visiting Jewish quarters, cemeteries, and meeting locals or historians when possible. Lunch between towns. Return to Vilnius or stay overnight near the second shtetl.Day 3 – Continuation (Shtetl 3 / Heritage Sites)
Visit another ancestral town or additional Jewish heritage sites, such as the Ninth Fort (Kaunas), Lost Shtetl Museum (Šeduva), Litvak Memorial Garden (Plateliai), or stops in Kėdainiai, Telšiai, Žiežmariai. Return to Vilnius in the evening or continue elsewhere.
4. Do you do family records research?
I do not conduct professional archival research, but I often use my personal books, interviews, and online sources to find background information about families and shtetls.
For official documents, I can recommend reliable professional archivists who specialize in Jewish genealogy in Lithuania.
5. When is the best time to travel to Lithuania? When should we start planning?
The best season for travel is from May 1st to October 15th, when the weather is mild and daylight long. However, April and late October can also be pleasant and less crowded. If you don’t mind the cold, December offers a beautiful winter atmosphere and festive lights in Vilnius.
Since this is my busiest period, I recommend starting to plan as early as possible.
During high season, I often spend long days on the road. I may not answer emails immediately. But I always reply carefully when I’m back.
Prices stay fixed once agreed, though they may rise later if my schedule fills up.
6. What are your prices?
Prices depend on the itinerary, distance, and number of participants.
Generally, a half-day walking tour in Vilnius is around €150, and a full-day guided trip with car and driver starts from €450. The above mentioned 3 day sample would cost approximately €950 – €1050.
These are private tours, not group excursions.
7. Do I need to book a car and driver, or can I use my own vehicle?
You can absolutely use your own or a rental car. In that case, my guiding fee is about €250 per day.
However, I usually recommend using my trusted driver. It’s more comfortable. You won’t have to worry about navigation, fuel, or parking. We can focus fully on the stories and the places themselves.
8. How do I confirm a booking?
To confirm your tour, I ask for a €50 (or $75) per tour day deposit, non-refundable but transferable up to an agreed date. Once received, your dates are reserved in my calendar.
9. What if a guided trip is beyond our budget?
If a fully guided tour is not within your budget, you can absolutely travel independently.
I’m currently creating personalized self-guided itineraries for independent travelers, priced between €20 and €50, depending on the depth of information.
Itinerary will include:
– A detailed route with key stops and explanations,
– Recommendations for local researchers, places to eat, and accommodation (if available),
– Practical tips to help you make the most of your visit.
From my conversations with independent travelers, I know that even experienced visitors often miss important heritage sites. These guides will help you explore more deeply and meaningfully.
Interested in one? Write me to info@litvakshtetls.com to get your personalized itinerary and start planning your journey today!
10. What else could you add to our conversation?
I would simply encourage you to travel.
Lithuania is a beautiful, safe, and welcoming country, where much of the Jewish heritage, though sometimes hidden, can still be found and felt.
Even when few physical traces remain, the stories are strong, and the experience of being here is deeply emotional.
Some of my guests have described their journey as “life before and after.”
Visiting Lithuania is not only about what was lost. It’s also about re-connection, understanding, and the quiet but powerful continuity of memory.
If you’re dreaming of walking in your ancestors’ footsteps, or wish to learn more about Jewish heritage in Lithuania, write to me at info@litvakshtetls.com or follow me on Facebook at Litvak Shtetls.
Litvak Shtetls 