Reasons to embark on your next adventure: Belarus Belarus welcomes Indian travelers to discover its hidden treasures and create lasting memories. Experience the allure of Belarus, where every moment unveils a new facet of its charm. Here are compelling reasons to choose Belarus as your next destination:  
  1. Diverse cultural tapestry: Explore not only the capital, Minsk, but also delve into the charming cities of Grodno, Brest, and Vitebsk. Belarus offers a rich cultural mosaic beyond its capital, ensuring a holistic experience.
  2. Picturesque landscapes: From serene lakes to expansive forests, Belarus boasts breathtaking natural beauty, including the ancient Belovezhskaya Pushcha, home to unique European bison. Don’t miss the enchanting Dudutki open-air museum and the residence of Ded Moroz, adding a touch of magic to your journey.
  3. UNESCO Heritage: Step back in time with visits to UNESCO-listed gems like Mir Castle and Nesvizh Palace, epitomes of architectural marvels that narrate captivating stories of the past.
  4. Vibrant nightlife: Immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife, ranging from cozy bars to lively clubs, offering the perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment.
  5. Seamless travel: Belarus serves as a strategic gateway, allowing for combined tours with Russia, Poland, and the Baltic states. One journey offers the opportunity to explore multiple countries, enriching your travel experience.
  6. Effortless visa process: Benefit from a straightforward visa process, ensuring a smooth entry and allowing you to focus on creating unforgettable memories.
Eco-tourism: the top 10 marshes in Belarus

Belarus is often called the lungs of Europe, and not just because 40% of our land is covered by forest. Indeed, it is more so because the country has a huge number of marshes that are known to cleanse the air.

Belarus is most certainly a country of marshland, some of it impenetrable. And although in folklore these mysterious places were thought to be the domain of mer-people and other dubious creatures, today they are welcoming and popular tourist destinations, especially for Europeans, who even call Belarusian marshland European Amazonia. This is a wonderful domain for full relaxation, where it is possible to enjoy reverential silence and solitude, and to immerse oneself in a state of blissful inner peace.

Come with Prime Tour now on a highly unusual tour of our marshlands, based upon the lecture given by Dmitry Grummo, Research Director of the Institute of Experimental Botany.

1. Yelnya (Ельня)

With its 25,301 hectares of unspoilt nature, Yelnya is the largest area of marshland in Belarus, and the fifth largest in Europe. Incredibly, this wild, primeval place is 9,000 years old, which makes it prime for legend and fairy tale. Enjoy incredible views in and around 118 lakes, and indulge your love of bird-watching as you observe the 118 species that call Yelnya their home, some of them rare.

There are many eco-routes to follow here. The easiest of them is the 1.5-kilometre ecotropic that crosses the marsh to the lake by boardwalk and handrail, the longest and widest in Europe!

Болото Ельня © Виктор Малышчиц

2. Olmanskye marshes (Ольманские болота)

The first thing of note is that this area of 94,219 hectares encompasses the largest whole-forest area of marshland in all of Europe. It is home to a number of precious communities of rare and endangered species of plants and animals listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus.

It is also one of the most remote places in Europe, where the unusual combination of upland and lowland bog with lonely hinterland between presents a shroud of mystery.

Around 40% is open marshland, with approximately 50% marsh forest.

There are things here in this ancient place of beauty to open the eyes of he or she who has never explored marshland before. Moving around in thigh-length boots, visitors will get to know the vast areas of marsh cranberry (Olmany has long been considered the cranberry capital of Belarus) and study diverse flora and fauna, as well as tread the path rarely travelled across a 1.3-kilometre section of remote marsh. 3. Pripyat marshes (Припятские болота)

This colossal wetland complex, around 11,000 years old and believed to be one of the largest in the world, occupies an area of almost 4.7 million hectares. And it is a symbol of its significance that Western tour operators consider it not only to be a prime example of European nature with no equal anywhere else, but also that it rivals the famous US Everglades National Park for diversity of flora and fauna.

Eco-routes here meander areas of pine forest where cranberries grow in bountiful plenty, and visitors have access to a diverse variety of shrubs, grasses, wild animals and birds, all in abundance. A choice of individual trails is available, up to 20 kilometres in length. 4. Kozyanskye marshes (Козьянские болота)

Ah, the land of deep blue lakes, dense forests of green spruce and pine, fields, ravines and valleys pierced by the lazy, meandering ribbon of the Western Dvina river … If you didn’t know it before, this magical place reveals Belarus as a wondrous country of lakeland. Blooming water lilies are dotted around the crystal-clear waters, with large areas of beautiful shoreland ideal for swimming, but beware; step carefully and avoid unintentionally straying into deep, marshland waters.

This area of 26,060 hectares is home to 21 species of plants, 47 species of animals and 175 species of birds. And this is one of only a few locations in the country where lynx and brown bear have been known to live in recent years. Козьянские болота © Сергей Плыткевич

5. Yukhovichsky Moss (Юховичский мох)

This area of 17 square kilometres is the jewel in the crown of the Krasny Bor forest reserve. Here stand a dozen mineral islands covered in ancient pine forest, as well as two residual oligotrophic lakes, where the low presence of algae presents waters of rare clarity and beauty.

The Yukhovichsky Moss bog is often referred to as the tundra of Northern Belarus, and to facilitate access to this remote area a boardwalk hiking trail has been laid to one of the islands of dry marsh.

Look to see tracks of wild boar, elk, roe deer and racoon; and if you keep very quiet and are very lucky, you may even spot some of these creatures themselves. If the weather is favourable and the big skies here are clear, then birds of prey are likely to swoop and soar, including even the rarest of all, the serpent eagle. You can also expect to see waders, golden eagle and eagle-fishers (the very symbol of Belarusian Lakeland).

Unusually, the culmination of a marshland excursion in this special place will actually be an amble without arboreal adornment, to study and to be amazed by the soft formation and intricate patterns of a rich carpet of moss.

And to complete the whole experience visitors can first visit the Zabrodye Museum of Partisan Life, before relaxing over dinner and a cosy overnight stay in authentic partisan dugouts. But will you be brave enough to submit to the black sauna?!

6.Sporovskоye (Споровское)

Created in 1991, the Sparovsky Biological Reserve covers an area of 11,288 hectares. It is a large area of lowland marsh and is located on the floodplain of the Yaseldy River. There is a rich diversity of shrubs here, all showcased in the annual Sporovskоye Hayfields Festival, which even features a competition of marsh football!

This special place is one of the largest habitats of the aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola), the rarest songbird in Europe and a globally threatened species. Around 43% of the world’s population nests in Belarus, of which approximately 9% live in this biological reserve. A further 27% live in the neighbouring Zvanets landscape reserve.

In Sparovsky, look to amble along the ecotropic route At the Edge of the Aquatic Warbler, a section of which passes through the lowland marsh. This route also navigates through a stand of pine and down to the bank of the Yaseldy River, which is then crossed by ferry (a round trip of 3 kilometres). The path through the marsh is along a boardwalk with access to an observation tower along the way.

Споровское болото © Kanstancin Chykalau

7. Zvanets (Званец)

What makes the Zvanets Marshes so unique is the fact of their being the home of large populations of a number or rare and endangered species of European birdlife, including the aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola). Furthermore, the composition of the various plant and animal species living here has not been recorded anywhere else in Belarus.

The ecotrope Secrets of the Plant World has been developed here. The length of the route is 2 kilometres, 300 metres of which run through the lowland marsh itself. The best time to visit is between April and September, preferably in dry weather, when it should not even be necessary to wear rubber boots. The very best time of all to be here is on a balmy June day, when the blooms along the trail present a riot of colour.

8. Osveyskoye (Освейское)

This area of marshland is situated in the Osveisky Republican Landscape Reserve and is the northernmost body of water in Belarus. The reserve itself has a total in excess of 480 plants, 9 species of amphibians, 5 of reptiles, 164 of nesting birds and 30 of mammals (almost 70% of the total composition of species in the country).

A walking tour here presents visitors with an opportunity to study the avifauna and flora at close hand, as well as showcasing a glorious panoramic view of the entirety of the island itself (and of the lake) from a height of 18-20 metres above the level of the water at the southern end of the island. And there is a 12-metre observation tower for close study of the birdlife.

9. Marsh Moss (Болото Мох)

Coniferous shrubs and peat mosses combine with birch, spruce and aspen here, as well as rare examples for Belarus of a wide variety of flora, including cloudberry, hollow corydalis, and dwarf birch. The diversity of animal and bird life includes wild boar, roe deer, elk, hare, fox, wolf and black stork. And foragers should not forget to bring their baskets, because copious supplies of cranberry, lingonberry, blueberry and mushroom may be harvested in this special place.

10. Dikoe (Дикое)

At 6,000 years of age, Dikoe Marsh is as old as the Egyptian Pyramids. And there are only four such marshes in the whole world.

The topography and landscape resemble the savannah and in the opinion of eminent scientists, this is one of the most beautiful and largest of the lowland marsh areas in Europe. Sadly, however, only a small part of the original 16,000 hectares remains. At one time, this wondrous place stretched for 15-20 kilometres in the north-eastern section of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park.

But the good news is that the surviving area of Dikoe Marsh is included within the territory of the cross-border UNESCO Belovezhskaya Pushcha World Heritage Site. It also forms part of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere reserve here, so this unique location has the protection of a duet of significant international environmental classifications.

Access to the open area of marshland is permissible only in a few places. Just one ancient road crosses the marsh from north to south. Along it, visitors can become acquainted with the diversity of biotope in and around the marsh itself. At close hand, it is possible to study the transition from dry pine forest, through hinterland and down to lowland marsh. The route is of particular interest to biologists because of the opportunity it presents to observe rare plant life not just within Belarus, but throughout Europe.

Болото Дикое © Volha Kaskevich

To sum up …

Specialists from many branches of science all agree that the existence of huge wetland complexes within the country has significantly influenced the development of culture and the national psyche of the Belarusian people.

It has long been acknowledged that they are characterised by reliability, tolerance, compromise and goodwill, traits that have been shaped and crafted across the centuries. And it is an undeniable fact that without resilience and the ability to adapt to difficult circumstances, it would simply not have been possible to survive and flourish in these areas of challenging marshland.

Marshes teach patience and encourage quick wit and determination. They offer tranquillity and a life lived close to nature. Historically, communities have cohabited here in large groups on isolated islands entirely surrounded by marshland, so an ability to control emotions, a responsive nature and endurance have always been essential qualities.

Further, marshes have long served as defensive protection against enemies; they have fed people with nutritious berries; and they have provided medicinal herbs for healing. In ancient times, sacrifices were made to give thanks for their bounty.

The Marshes of Belarus are an essential and significant feature of the country’s popular ecotourism routes, where visitors have the opportunity to experience unique mysteries. And after all these years, still they offer unconditional hospitality to pilgrims with open minds and open hearts, in the form of delicious and nutritious berries. Will you come? Will you gladly accept these gifts?

A final word of caution; these are places of wonder, beauty and mystery but don’t forget, they can bite. For the unwary and ill-prepared there are potential dangers, so you should only visit with a knowledgeable and specially-trained guide, whose advice and instructions you should always observe without question. Follow this simple but essential warning, and you are unlikely to go far wrong.

Kalyady – authetic celebration of winter soltice

The Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Lifestyle is an open-air museum which presents a typical Belarusian village of the XIXth century. Farmsteads, wooden churches, schools, public barns, mills, smithies, stables – all elements have been brought here from different ethnic regions all over Belarus and were carefully restored. Moreover, exactly here you can buy handcrafts souvenirs made by locals.

Kalyady is a pagan fest to celebrate the end of the year and the winter solstice. The fest starts on the 21th of December and last till the 6th of January. People dance in costumes and sing ritual songs, hoping for good harvests during new year. Everybody has a role, the goat, the bear, the angel, the hunter, the old lady of the village, the evil and the death. It is a fight of the good against evil. Generally, people go from one house to another in the villages. Here, at Ozertso, people were performing for us on the stage. They told us a very specific story. Everybody makes a round and dance around the goat, which is the symbol of fertility. Then suddenly, the evil and the death attack the goat to try to take her soul. Other members are defending the goat and bring her back to life. Then, the goat goes to see the spectators and ask people for sweets or fruits. Everybody sings the Kalyada song.

Kalyady is a must see for people who wish to understand better Belarussian culture. I highly recommend it as an unusual experience. The atmosphere is very cheerful and people really create a bond between each other. I was amazed that this show gathers every generations. Even if this tradition tends to be less and less celebrated, this small group of passionate has the willingness to perpetuate the tradition. This is maybe something I like most about Belarussians, they are looking forward to their future with optimism but never forget the past. Kalyada is a brilliant demonstration of Belarussian mentality. So don’t hesitate and be part of this amazing fest!

Looking Back – New Year in the Days of Soviet Belarus In 1917, the celebration of New Year was officially cancelled by the new Soviet Government. It was only in 1936 that the law finally permitted our citizens to decorate their houses with Christmas trees and to celebrate the forthcoming year. So, what did New Year celebrations actually look like in the Soviet Union? For a start, January 1 was a working day. It only became a day of rest in 1947. But life was difficult and frugal in those times, and some products could only be bought with a ration card. Festive treats were modest – potatoes, herring and vinaigrette. Only those with money were able to afford chocolate. Then in the 1950s, things began to change for the better and the importance of New Year as a holiday increased. Christmas trees started to appear in schools, in offices and in factories. At the same time, people began to exchange presents. Ded Moroz (the Belarusian Santa Claus) gave children a small gift – a bag containing two sweets and two cookies. Times were hard in those years of hunger, and a gift that would today be seen as modest was then thought to be lavish in the extreme.   Then by the 1960s, New Year was becoming a very significant holiday celebrated by many. Families gathered around the radio to listen to the chimes striking twelve, before heading out to greet the New Year by visiting friends and neighbours. At parties, everyone had to show off their good side. Men would wear their best suit or at the very least, a collar and tie, whilst women were supposed to appear ‘with hairstyles’. Around the time of the New Year, hairdressers knew that they would be working around the clock.   And the presents, oh the presents! No-one arrived empty-handed! Salads, champagne, vodka and chocolate for kids. Classic dishes appearing on New Year’s dining tables in the era of the Soviet Union now usually included Baltic sardines, squid from the Far East (later crabsticks), Bulgarian green peas, smoked sausage, mayonnaise, tangerines and the much-loved Soviet champagne, which it is still possible to buy today! Shop-bought cakes on the table were a sign of affluence and sophistication. They were rarely more tasty than homemade, but their value came from the fact of them being bought for money, usually after standing in line for hours. In 1951 the new GUM store opened its doors for business, followed exactly 13 years later by the Central Department Store. Then in 1978 the department store Belarus appeared on the scene. These three major city stores soon became the prime purveyors of New Year gifts. In the 1970s the new tradition of celebrating New Year ‘at the TV’ began to establish itself, as TV sets were by then an essential household item. Programmes such as Blue Light (iconic Soviet light entertainment featuring popular music and comedy) were a must-see. In 1970, Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev had delivered his New Year address to the people for the very first time. Then in 1986, an event unthinkable in the freeze of the Cold War took place – Soviet President Mikael Gorbachev congratulated the United States on the occasion of New Year while simultaneously, American President Ronald Reagan returned the compliment to the peoples of the USSR. Even today, many people still talk about how New Year in the Soviet Union felt special. This fond remembrance relates to the difficulties and privations of life in those times, and the particular effort that was needed to celebrate the holiday – buying things for the New Year table months in advance when they were in the shops (because you didn’t know if they would be available in December), the struggle to find a decent Christmas tree, the lack of choice and quality of gifts for friends and family. Then when everything finally worked out ok, against all odds, what a wonderful feeling there was that some miracle had occurred, and that the celebrations could finally begin! For those who want to learn more about the unique spirit of the Soviet New Year, a number of cult movies still exist; and Belarusians continue to watch them, again and again, every New Year! Look out especially for Carnival Night (1956), Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka (The Night Before Christmas) (1961), This Funny Planet (1973), Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath! (1975), Office Romance (1975), Old New Year (1980), and Carnival (1982).

All at BelarusPrimeTour wish you a Very, Very Happy New Year!

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      New Year 2020 in Minsk    <p> Minsk might not yet be top of your list of places to see in the New Year, but stick with us on this one – the capital of Belarus has lots to offer visitors from all around the world. Come with us on a journey to discover your perfect New Year in and around this lovely capital city!<p/>

 
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" " Events in Belarus 2020

«What is the best season of coming to Belarus?» – one of the trickiest questions indeed! As you already know – winters are not that bad and bring us a special atmosphere, spring is a beautiful time of blossoming and nature awaken, summer – no wonder – the most popular season to come, pleasing with great weather and outdoor activities, autumn – the time of golden leaves and a start of something new…Each season in Belarus brings you to different kinds of atmosphere and that’s why we recommend you to choose by activities, not by the weather!

Here is a small list of each month activities in Belarus, that will be constantly updated – so you can choose the best one for you!

January

Kalyady (pagan celebration of Christmas) at villages, traditional farmsteads, open-air folklore museums

Christmas balls in Mir Castle

Christmas ball at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus in Minsk

New Year and Christmas festivities in the magic estate of Santa Claus in Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park

February

Maslenitsa ( pagan spring calling ) at villages, traditional farmsteads, open-air folklore museums

March

Maslenitsa (pagan spring calling) at villages, traditional farmsteads, open-air folklore museums

Beginning of flowering at Botanical Gardens in Minsk (March – September)

April

International festival of water tourism “Neman spring” at Augustow Canal

May

Night of museums at all big museums across Belarus

Victory Day in all big Belarusian towns

Belarusian Fashion Week in Minsk

International Bicycle Carnival “Viva, Rovar” in Minsk

International Art Festival ART-MINSK (May-June) in Minsk

June

Kupalle (pagan holiday of the summer solstice) at villages, traditional farmsteads, open-air folklore museums

Festival of Opera and Ballet Art “Evenings of the Bolshoi Theater in the Castle of the Radziwills” at Nesvizh Castle

“Musical evenings in Mir Castle” at Mir castle

July

Reconstruction Festival «Our Grunwald» in Minsk, open-air folklore museum “Dudutki”

«Slaviansky Bazaar» – art and music festival in Vitebsk

Viva Braslav Open Air (the largest open-air festival of modern electronic music) in Braslav lakes, Vitebsk region

FSP Freaky Summer Party Festival – art picnic and youth music festival at Komsomolskoe Lake, Minsk

August

Music Festival “Rock za Bobrov” in Minsk region

A-FEST Music Festival in Loshitsky park, Minsk

«Vulica Brasil» Urban Art Festival in Oktyabrskaya street, Minsk

September

Day of the city of Brest and Minsk

Dazhynki (harvest festival) from September to November in all cities of Belarus

Lidbeer – music and beer festival in Lida, Grodno region

Tankman Day – music festival + military-historical reconstruction at the Stalin Line in Minsk + Stalin Line

Annual festival of historical reconstruction (knight theme) in Minsk

October

International festival of organ music “Zvany Safіі” in Polotsk, Vitebsk region

Samhain (pagan celebration of the end of the harvest) in Botanical Garden, Minsk

November

International Film Festival Listapad in Minsk and other cities of Belarus

December

Kalyady (pagan celebration of Christmas) at villages, traditional farmsteads, open-air folklore museums

New Year and Christmas festivities in the fabulous estate of Santa Claus in Belovezhskaya Pushcha national park

Festive procession of Santa Clauses and Snow Maidens big cities of Belarus Belarus : let’s break the myth

When I arrived in Belarus, I barely knew this little country in the middle of Europe. This country, which is placed between Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, is still unknown from the tourists. Numerous people have preconceived ideas about this nation, which for centuries saw its cultural identity tormented because of a heavy and complex cultural past.

It is necessary to break some of these myths of a “post-soviet” State with all the negative ideology within them and to make an effort to understand and analyze the transformations of this society, more and more attracted to the West. The best example is the organization of the World Ice Hockey Championship & European Olympic Games held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, last July. This event not only embellished the city with modern infrastructures and places to visit. It also turned the spotlight on the country, allowing foreigners to discover the true face of Belarus.

Looking towards the West, doesn’t mean to forget the past. For Belarussians, remembering where they came from, is essential, in order to not repeat the mistakes of the past. From a European point of view, you might think that memory to the soviet past is everywhere. However, should we not ask our nations the same question? In our European countries, too, one can find many places and monuments dedicated to their glorious past. We also celebrate our glorious leaders from the past like Napoleon or Churchill.

As a tourist, you will always receive a warm welcome in the different cafes, bars or restaurants. Belarussians are extremely welcoming and curious; it is very easy to start a conversation. Got lost? Don’t panic and ask someone for help on the street! People will always be ready to give you a hand. At first, their faces may look withdrawn, but it’s simply because they don’t know you yet and that they aren’t used to smile easily. For these people, a smile comes from the bottom of their heart, it is franc and sincere. When Belarussians grant you their trust, it can last for a lifetime! Belarussians are curious, funny, proud of their traditions, and they have every right to be!

For Belarussian people, being aware of their past is a necessary condition in order to look towards their future with serenity. Also, for Belarus to find its place on the global map, which borders now are being redistributed, is crucially important!

The city of Minsk has great ambitions, especially in the technological and touristic fields. Minsk offers us a way of life close to nature, with numerous parks, which go easily with its taste for the contemporary art. A rich and generous cuisine is a sign of the great hospitality of Belarussians. Like French people, Belarussians like to have a bond with nature. They may open you the doors of their “datcha”, a small house in the countryside. Datcha is a key element of Belarussian lifestyle that allows to reconnect to nature and to enjoy simple things.

When I arrived in Belarus, I expected to find a closed country and to be back over 50 years in time. It all was absolutely the other way around! Belarus is connected more than ever to the present time and it’s so deserving to be discovered!

I bet you want to know more … 😉 Come and check it out by yourself!

٭”[a condition] without which it could not be”

Pierre, Marketing Manager at Prime Tour

Winter in Belarus – all you need to know!

Will I freeze to death? Will I encounter bears and wolves on the snowy streets?!

Don’t be scared! Read on to discover a few secrets about what a true Belarusian winter is like. Here we present some key facts for adventurers not afraid to emerge from the warmth of indoors. And after reading this, we’re confident you’ll be desperate for winter to come!

• Yes, winters in Belarus can seem quite cold, but specific climatic features ensure that it feels very much milder than further east into Russia and beyond. Average winter temperatures vary from north to south, such that in Vitebsk region the figure is -8 C, while in Brest region it is -4 C.

• Yes, there is snow on the ground almost every day in winter! If we talk numbers, the south of the country has around 75 snowy days each year whilst in the north, this figure jumps to an incredible 125 days! But you shouldn’t despair; this means Belarus people are well used to having snow around, such that everywhere indoors is warm and cosy.

• Belarusians do like to party, so we have two Christmas Days and two New Year celebrations! ‘How come’, you may say? Good question! It’s because December 25 is Catholic Christmas, while January 7 is Orthodox Christmas. Both religions are widely observed here in Belarus, so we like to make sure that nobody misses out. As for New Year, we celebrate it on January 1 as elsewhere in the world, but we also have the so-called ‘Old’ New Year. Confused? Don’t be! Old New Year is a fond remembrance of the former Julian calendar and although we don’t have a day off, we do celebrate on January 14.

• No, we don’t hide indoors for months and months over winter, even though it is cold. Instead we head outdoors to indulge our love of skiing, skating and snowboarding. We don’t have mountains in Belarus, but with ingenuity our clever people have made artificial ones. There are five outdoor sports complexes in Minsk region, with accommodation to rent.

• Harsh, unforgiving winters present an unusual opportunity you might not expect to find – fishing in the heart of the countryside, followed by a rural sauna. A stay in a lakeside cottage might seem a remote and extreme winter adventure, but just imagine the joy of lying atop a warm Russian stove after an active day amongst nature in the great outdoors?!

• For centuries, traditional winter recipes have delivered internal central heating for people. So while taking a walk in the city, why not try out hot, nourishing soups that will bring colour to your cheeks! Outdoors you might also indulge in a range of warming drinks such as mulled wine, cognac and even champagne. And if you are lucky enough to visit a traditional village in the countryside, don’t be afraid to sample local moonshine or home-made berry wine, which are absolutely delicious!

• For children of every age the best wish of all can come true, in Brest region, where you can meet Santa Claus in his home, in UNESCO World Heritage Site Byelovyezhskaya Puscha National Park. Is he the real Santa Claus? We’ll leave that for you to decide! But get ready to make a wish, surrounded by nature and wildlife, just like in fairy tales. Look to find European bison, fox, deer and all manner of creatures. How’s that for a wonderful winter experience?!

Making the Most of Rainy Days

Picture the scene : you’re in a new city, eager to see everything, you’ve had your breakfast, you’re raring to go, you step outside … and it’s raining. Which of us has not experienced that sinking feeling of disappointment? You’re caught in two minds, unable to decide between kicking your heels indoors, in the dry, or loading up your favourite search engine on your electronic device to find something to do and somewhere to go.

If the former, you spend the whole day in a mood, waiting for the rain to stop and thinking about how your plans for a day outdoors at the Stalin Line or the Mount of Glory have been cruelly crushed. If the latter, you soon find yourself drowning in a tsunami of information, data and consumer reviews.

Yep, I’ve been there. And I’m sure you have too.

But don’t despair, help is at hand. Here are some hot tips for indoor things to enjoy in Minsk when it’s raining outside, because it doesn’t have to be raining in your heart!

Visit Galeria Y (Галерия У), the modern art centre located on colourful Oktyabrskaya Street, where you’ll find a broad range of exhibitions presented in a cosy and welcoming environment. Many works of art are displayed here, for visitors to browse at their leisure. And don’t forget to take a pit stop at the Y Bar, offering an enticing wine list in a relaxed ambience.

Or head to the Church of Sts Simeon and Helena (Minsk’s famous ‘Red Church’) to meander the interior of this impressive building.

Maybe dip in to Strana Mini Museum (Страна Мини), where you will be greeted by the sight of charming exhibits in miniature representing all the main sites of interest in Belarus in one room. Friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to help and to give you an audio guide to accompany you around the exhibits with stories and interesting facts. Who could fail to be entranced by the prospect of seeing a whole country in miniature on a single afternoon?!

Or perhaps the National Art Museum on Lenin Street to admire the eclectic mix of works of art by renowned Belarusian and international artists.

If you’re in the mood for a spending spree, head out to the retail centre Green City and while there enjoy the Park of Virtual Reality, where with friends or family a range of varied activities await adrenaline junkies of all ages!

Then for rest and relaxation after an adventure high, pay Kommunarka Café a visit for a warming, restorative homemade hot chocolate.

For those in search of something instructive and away from the norm, the Museum of the Second World War awaits. Professional guides are on hand to tell all you need to know about this momentous conflict, and to explain the heroic role of the Soviet Red Army in resisting the forces of fascism. More than 800 objects, artefacts and exhibits will transport you back in time to the dark days of war and conflict.

And finally, to wrap up your day of vibrant and fascinating experiences, unwind with a sumptuous and colourful performance at the National Bolshoi Theatre of Opera and Ballet. It’s the perfect end to a perfect day.

Rain stops play in Minsk? Don’t you believe it! You won’t even notice it’s raining!

One Day in Vitebsk

Vitebsk for Belarusians can be compared with St. Petersburg for Russians – culture capital, city of artists and musicians. Today Vitebsk boasts of USSR heritage, religious temples and modern buildings. It is also an extremely green and spacious city, that have been given inspiration for local artists for years! The pleasant fact is that your own city tour can be done on foot – the city center is small yet Vitebsk possess the largest square in BelarusVictory square that is a constant place for city celebrations and events. In summer, you can enjoy fountains touching the sky and during winter the square turns into a real skating rink with entertainments both for kids and adults. Another great square in Vitebsk is called Millennium Square and it is a usual meeting point and start of city tours. It is also a place of Annunciation Church – the first stone building in Vitebsk, a piece of the XII century Polotsk ancient architecture.

Walking along the square you will see a hill with the most noticeable and the biggest church of the city – Holy Assumption Church. Right near the church go for a stroll along two walking streets Tolstoy and Suvorov catch a glimpse of building of XIX – ХХ centuries.

Now you are coming closer to the heart of the city – Town Hall, which is the calling card of Vitebsk, an architectural piece of the 18th century. Here you can visit the local lore museum, one of the oldest and richest museums in Belarus with more than 200 000 items! The greatest attraction here is to go upstairs to the observation deck to see the city from a bird’s view. As we have mentioned, Vitebsk is the art center of Belarus and the number of galleries are a confirmation for this. Art center of Marc Chagall and his House-museum are must-visit places, which are included to all itineraries around Vitebsk. Besides, you are welcomed to visit The History Museum of Vitebsk Folk Art School which is a new gallery dedicated to avant-garde art. Each room concisely, but very accurately reveals its own theme or story of one artist. It is not a trite place yet and has a wonderful souvenir shop with things from local masters. Three Art Museums are certainly not enough for immersion in the history of Vitebsk art, so in this case you can enjoy amazing Contemporary Art Center which is located in a preserved building in which Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich, Yudel Peng and other famous personalities associated with the Vitebsk Renaissance (1918–1923) worked and lived.

If you are looking for some unusual experience, take a tour to Tram Museum (opened in 1966), as Vitebsk became the first Belarusian city where this kind of transportation appeared.

Interesting facts

– Vitebsk was the first town where plaster cast, osteoplasty and new methods to combat the epidemic were used.

– The oldest cinema in Belarus is located in Vitebsk on Lenin Street in the building, which is considered to be an architectural monument of the late 19th century.

– Vitebsk hosts the unique festival “Slavic Bazaar” that is one of the most popular music festivals in Belarus.

– This city is a place of the first art school of Belarus, founded in the late 19th century.