FDB2. Long week-end in Belarus

In the Medieval Ages Belarus (White Russia) was a part of Kievan Rus. In the 13th century after the Feudal dissociation of Kievan Rus and its devastation by Mongols Russian principates located on the territory of Belarus voluntarity united with the Lithuanian Principate. After union of the Great Lithuanian Principate and Poland (1569) Belarus became a part of new state - Rzeczpospolita. In 1772-1795 as the result of three Divisions of Rzeczpospolita between Russia, Austria and Prussia Belarus was included into Russian Empire.

A capital of Belarus Minsk is one of the oldest cities in Europe (the first written reference to it was made in 1076). During World War II Minsk was completely destroyed but soon after war Minsk was rebuilt (including historical Cathedral Square of the Upper Town with buildings of the 17-18th centuries: Rathaus (Town Hall) with tower clocks, St.Mary Polish Roman-Catholic Cathedral, St.Spirit Ortodox Cathedral, trading arcades) and now it is twice as big as before the invasion.

The most important places of interest in Belarus out of Minsk are Nesvizh castle (the end of 16th century) - residence of the richest family of Lithuanian Principate – Radziwills and Mir castle (16-17th centuries) also belonged to this family. Now the both castles are included to the list of the World Culture Heritage of UNESCO.

If you stay in Belarus too long for one day only you have a chance to visit the Belovezhskaya Puscha Reserve included to the list of the World Nature Heritage of UNESCO. The Belovezhskaya Puscha is the largest in Europe huge tracts of virgin forest with unique flora and fauna. You can see bisons, elks, deers, wild boars, bears, wolfs, lynxes, foxes, raccoon dogs at volieres (open-air cages).

Type: Discovery
Tour duration: 3 days
Months of Operation: Round the year
Recommended Group Size: 2-9 pax
Mode of Travel: car (2 pax), minibus (3-9 pax)

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival in Minsk (for persons living in Moscow overnight train Moscow-Minsk is recommended). Individual Minsk 3-hour city tour including Square of Independence, Yanka Koupala park, Cathedral Square of the Upper Town, Avenue of Conquerors – the most picturesque street of the city, Trinity Suburb District with buildings of the 19th century, The Island of Tears – memorial to soldiers perished in Afghanistan and other places of interest. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 2. Breakfast. Optionaly 8-hourexcursion to Nesvizh and Mir (270 km)is recommended.
Transfer to railway station. Departure for Brest by train #111 at 17:37. Arrival in Brest at 22:00. Transfer to the Intourist hotel ***. Accommodation. (B)

Day 3. Breakfast. 6-hour excursion to the Belovezhskaya Puscha Reserve. Transfer to the railway station. Train #28 Brest-Moscow (17:40-09:20) is recommended.

Costs for indiidual tourists - 2010: