During this tour you will witness and learn the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which consisted of the territories of present-day Belarus and Lithuania.
In the Middle Ages the Grand Duchy used to be the most powerful state in Eastern Europe. Rich heritage is left: from impressive castles and palaces to thrilling legends and myths.
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Arrival in Minsk. Check-in at hotel
We warmly welcome you in Minsk – the capital of the Republic of Belarus, its political and cultural centre. It was first mentioned in the chronicles of the XIth century. Today, it is a dynamic city with expansive boulevards, modern and historical buildings, endless parks and well-developed infrastructure. Being an impressive example of the Soviet planning on a grand scale, Minsk however has a number of outstanding historical sights, proving city’s rich history.
Overnight in Minsk.
Minsk city tour. Minsk – Dudutki – Minsk
Sightseeing tour of Minsk includes the main avenues (Independence Avenue , Victory Square ) and the architectural monuments of the XVIIth - XXth centuries (Upper Town with the City Hall , Holy Spirit Church and the Cathedral of Blessed Virgin Mary , old streets of the Trinity Suburb ). The Victory Monument and the National Library (included into the list of the most outstanding buildings of the world) are waiting to be explored.
Transfer to Dudutki , which is a former country landowner’s estate, where typical village life of the XVIIIth – XIXth centuries is impressively recreated. Today it is a popular open-air museum, displaying all the traditional Belarusian crafts. Beside the working farm with different animals, it includes an original working windmill and lots of functioning workshops, presenting to visitors carpentry, pottery, braiding, blacksmithing, bakery and even cheese-making. The craftsmen will be happy to show off their skills and guests will be invited to try! And do not miss a chance to have some training in horse-riding or try some splendid traditionally cooked meal accompanied by homemade moonshine (samogon).
Return to Minsk. Overnight in Minsk.
Minsk – Stalin Line – Minsk
Excursion to Stalin Line , which is an open-air museum of military fortifications, including the defensive line with trenches, anti-tank obstacles and ditches, anti-personnel obstacles and machine-gun pillboxes. You will have an opportunity to walk around a pillbox and sit in a gun emplacement, stroll along the trench system and clamber over a tank. The guides are dressed in uniforms of the day. To feel the atmosphere of that by-passed war you should also try the sample rations eaten by soldiers of the time!
Return to Minsk. Free time. Overnight in Minsk.
Minsk – Nesvizh – Mir – Lida – Grodno
Transfer to Nesvizh – a delightful historic town, one of the oldest in the country. You will visit the magnificent Nesvizh Palace – former residence of the aristocratic Radzivili family, which also includes beautiful park and Farny Roman-Catholic Church of the XVIth century. The complex once numbered around 170 rooms, with a series of underground passages connecting it to the town’s monasteries. Today the exposition of the Palace includes more than 30 exhibition halls, including Prince's apartments, Golden and Star halls, Hunter’s hall and others.
Transfer to Mir, which is a small town 90 km to the south-west from Minsk. It is most famous for the fairy-tale Mir Castle , still known today as the “medieval flower”. Castle is an impressive architectural monument, included into the list of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. It was erected at the end of the XVth century and today it is a combination of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture that makes Mir Castle so unique. This red brick castle is also a historical monument, which used to belong to several aristocratic families, who have left their mark in the history of the town and of the country in general.
Transfer to Lida, which is famous for its castle, built by the Grand Duke Gedimin in the XIVth century. For many centuries it used to be an inaccessible citadel over the western lands of Belarus. Today along with the Exultation of the Holy Cross Church these are the main sights of the town.
Transfer to Grodno. Overnight in Grodno.
Grodno city tour. Grodno – Vilnius
Grodno city tour. Grodno city tour. The name of the city is tightly connected with the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Indeed, under the rule of Grand Duke Vitautis the town acquired equal status with Vilnius as a second state capital. It also used to be the main residence of the Polish King Stefan Batory in the XVIth century. His influence can be widely seen today in much of the city’s architecture. The most interesting sights of Grodno include Jesuit Farny Cathedral , Kolozhskaya Church of St Boris and St Hleb , Old Castle and New Castle , Great Choral Synagogue , Sovetskaya Street and others.
Transfer to Vilnius. Overnight in Vilnius.
Vilnius city tour. Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius
Vilnius city tour, which starts at the Cathedral Square - the place full of myths and legends. Further you will visit Vilnius University - the oldest university in the Eastern Europe - founded in 1579, the Vilnius Town Hall, built in the end of XVIIIth century, beautiful ensemble of Orthodox monastery, St. Theresa church and Gates of Dawn, with the Holy image of the Virgin Mary. The city tour of Vilnius will be followed by St. Anne's church, representing the peak of Gothic architecture in Lithuania and St. Peter and Paul's church - the example of Lithuanian baroque.
Excursion to Trakai, the picturesque Trakai national park territory with pine forests and lakes, and the ancient Lithuanian capital - the residence of Grand Dukes of the country. Visit to the XVth century insular castle hosting the museum of Lithuanian history nowadays.
Return to Vilnius. Overnight in Vilnius.
Departure
Transfer to the airport. Departure
