Kėdainiai

If you're a bulk purchaser of sulphuric acid or phosphate-based fertiliser then you've come to the right place. Lifosa chemical complex 3 km southeast makes exactly what you seek, and employs almost a thousand in the town. The tourist draw is Old Town, but the reason it's there is because of trade and industry, equally grubby in bygone centuries. For example the town attracted many Scottish business folk and settlers in the 17th century, and had a large Jewish population (skilled, amongst other trades, in dye-stuffs for fabrics) encouraged to settle in "The Pale" in Tsarist times. This means that Kėdainiai has a multicultural history, and one of the best-preserved Old Towns in Lithuania outside of Vilnius. It's also easy to reach, within an hour's travel from Kaunas.

Kaunas has the closest airport (KUN IATA). It's north of that city and less than an hour to drive, but by public transport you have to double back via the centre. There are more flights to Vilnius (VNO IATA).

By road take A8 / E67 north from Kaunas, branching off onto Route 144. E67 continues to Panevėžys and Riga.

Kautra buses run twice an hour from Kaunas, taking an hour to Kėdainiai and continuing north either to Šiauliai or Panevėžys. From Vilnius travel via Kaunas. For timetables and fares see Autobusubilieta.

1 Kėdainiai bus station is south side of town. It's clean and functional enough, with a pizzeria and supermarket adjacent.

Four trains run daily from Vilnius, taking 90 min via Jonava and continuing to Šiauliai and Klaipėda, another 3 hours. For schedules, fares and tickets see LTG Link.

One direct train runs from Kaunas, taking an hour and continuing to Šiauliai, otherwise travel via Vilnius.

2 Kėdainiai railway station is 2 km north of town on Route 195, S Dariaus ir S Girėno gatvė. It's small but even the toilets are kept clean. Boss Kebab outside is open daily to 20:00. While you're here, see the minaret just across the tracks.