If there isn’t a word for something good, Kaunas creates one.
That’s how terms like ‘kaunastika’ and ‘NATOstogos’ came to be. As World Tourism Day approaches, the city is on the lookout for bold, adventure-seeking travelers.
‘An AvanTourist is a traveler who is open to all kinds of adventures and ready for anything,’ says Kaunas IN, the city’s tourism, business, and investment development agency.
World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on 27 September. That morning, around 200 AvanTourists—selected from those who registered on time—will receive a special message with a plan for the future. Until 6 October (or even later if additional adventures are added), over 200 special offers from Kaunas residents, created specifically for this occasion, will be available to them. Many of these offers are designed for couples, groups of three, or even larger groups.
“Get ready to step out of your comfort zone—whether for a night, an afternoon, a solo adventure, or with a group of fellow explorers. Once confirmed, experiences cannot be exchanged, swapped, or transferred. If you respond, you’re in for an adventure. If you don’t, unfortunately, your journey ends here. That’s why, before registering, we encourage you to carefully consider your readiness to be open to yourself, to Kaunas, and to the world. And if you don’t receive a letter, don’t be discouraged—being an AvanTourist partly depends on luck, which may smile on you next time,” says Agnė Poderytė, Head of Tourism and Marketing at Kaunas IN, with a smile.
AvanTourists will not only discover one of the city’s oldest restaurants but also state-of-the-art cinemas, cafés, bars, hotels, galleries, theatres, and tour guides. In Kaunas—or on the way there—they might find themselves climbing, sipping, rolling, touching, flying, crawling, rehearsing, refreshing, admiring, getting plenty of rest, or even meeting the sunrise without ever taking off their hat.
Additionally, all visitors to Kaunas will be welcomed at the Kaunas IN Tourist Information Centre (Laisvės al. 36, Kaunas), where they can pick up a very limited edition commemorative badge as a special award.
Registration opens on 9 September and will run until 20 September.
AvanTourists will enjoy entertainment and surprises from Kaunas IN partners, including 9 Zuikiai, BōHEME HOUSE, Neo Kaunas Bowling, Kiemas Bar, Boulder House, Hexa Cinema, Ibis Kaunas Centre/Ibis Styles Kaunas Centre, the Lithuanian Aviation Museum, LTG Link, Maironis Lithuanian Literature Museum, Kaunas Gidas, National Kaunas Drama Theatre, National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum, Gaivi Gaiva juice bar, Žaliukė, Trip Guru, KAUTRA UAB, VMU Botanical Garden in Kaunas, VMU Art Gallery 101, Very Bad Hootel, Vero Cafe, Victoria Hotel Kaunas, and The Lithuanian Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted South-West Centre.
