Belarus is much closer to Estonia than it seems – it is less than 800 kilometers from Tallinn to Minsk and less than 650 km from Tartu to Minsk. At the same time, Belarus is a relatively unfamiliar tourist destination for Estonians, but there is more to discover than you might think. So what should you do during a week-long trip and how much will it cost?
Day one and two – journey to Belarus and exploring Minsk
Depending on when you start, by the end of the first day of travel you will either reach Minsk or have to find a place to stay on the way. It is very popular to enter Belarus through Lithuania, but by crossing the border in Latvia, you can avoid toll highways and also enjoy unique and beautiful views.
After a long day of driving, there is no point in rushing on, but you could spend the whole second day exploring the capital of Belarus. The architecture of Minsk's cityscape is a mix of Stalinist and modern architecture, which is definitely worth a visit. The Stalin Line (6,5 euros) is also worth a visit. Military equipment from different periods, bunkers and trenches. For military enthusiasts, this is definitely a destination that you must visit. A walk along the longest avenue in Europe offers a different experience. If you want, you can walk the entire 15 kilometers kondimootorto undertake with the help of i.
What may come as a surprise in Minsk is the abundance of parks and sculptures. Of course, there are statues of Lenin, but in addition to Lenin, there are also many other sculptures. The sculptures usually have a background story, which allows you to look at the works in a different light. Can you find the bronze carriage, which was used by the Minsk governor to go to work every day? Or a collection of sculptures that reflect everyday life from the 19th century? And the extremely detailed statue of a postman?
Day Three – Look Beyond Minsk
The next destination, the Dudutki Open-Air Museum (6 euros), is pleasantly close to Minsk. There are both everyday things and new and interesting things there. Workshops, a blacksmith and clay house, and a woodworking workshop. It is also possible to get acquainted with Belarusian cuisine and try local flavors such as “legal” samakh or cheese made in a cheese factory. Although you can spend a whole day at the open-air museum without any problems, an afternoon will probably be enough and it is time to head to visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
In the Hrodna region, Mir Castle (6 euros) awaits you, dating back to the 16th century. The castle has been fairly recently renovated and was reopened for visits at the end of 2010. The 26-hectare castle complex, open to visitors, includes the castle itself, the mausoleum belonging to the Światopełk-Mirscyte, an Italian garden, an English garden and a pond. In addition, the town of Mir and the market are close to the castle, as well as two churches worth visiting – the Roman Catholic St. Nicholas Church and the Orthodox Trinity Church. You can stay overnight in one of the nearby hostels, or pamper yourself and choose a hotel located in the castle.
Day Four – Exploring the Wonderful Buildings Continues
Less than 30 kilometers from Mir is the most famous attraction in Belarus – the Nesvizh Manor Complex (7 euros). It is the former residence of the Radziwill family, which also includes the Farny Roman Catholic Church and a magnificent park ensemble. The Nesvizh Manor is rightly considered one of the most beautiful in Belarus and attracts both domestic tourists and guests from across the border.
Like Mir Castle, Nesvizh has undergone extensive renovation and reopened in June 2012. In addition to the manor, nearby places worth visiting include the Nesvizh Town Square and the Benedictine Monastery. When heading to your next destination, you don't have to stay on the main road. There are also numerous old-fashioned villages that are worth a visit just by driving through, rather than stopping off. Before reaching Brest, the Hatyn Memorial is on the way. A somber and rather surreal place to make a quick stop.
Day Five – Brest Fortress
Between Brest and Minsk, there are many different castles, but eventually you will reach Brest Fortress, which is one of the most famous sights in Belarus and which you can safely count on spending the whole day there. Brest Fortress is located on four islands and in its heyday, the fortress had eight gates, five of which have survived. You can walk around most of the fortress area for free, you only have to pay for museum entrance fees (1-2,5 euros).
There is also a railway museum in the immediate vicinity of the Brest Fortress (ticket 1 euro). It is said that it was once the largest railway museum in the USSR, and the exhibits are still in working order. If possible, it is worth exploring the railway museum with a guide, who can bring out fascinating details and stories from each iron train.
Day Six – Something for Nature Lovers
The last leg of the trip is spent exploring nature – the Belovezhskaya Pushcha Forest. The forest is also the largest natural habitat of the European bison. In addition to the European bison, wild boars, elk and roe deer also live there. In the national park, you can visit the zoo, visit the museum, take a bus tour, explore the forest with a guide or walk around the corresponding trails on your own or, in the summer, ride a bike.
There is no single ticket in the park, but you can buy a ticket for exactly those things that interest you. For example, a 2-hour excursion through the national park and museum costs a little over 6 euros. The national park also features Ded Moroz, Külmataadi, or the Belarusian equivalent of Santa Claus. Taadi's home is in the national park all year round and guests are welcome (ticket 5 euros). And when you've had your fill of the national park, it's time to head back towards Estonia. Either through Poland or Lithuania, exactly as you wish.
How to extend a trip cheaply?
Traveling doesn't mean you have to wander around all the time and spend every night in a new place. Belarus is also an extremely popular destination for spa holidays and visiting sanatoriums, and unlike Estonia, sanatoriums there are much cheaper. Many sanatoriums specialize in a specific problem or age group, so finding a suitable place to relax shouldn't be a problem. Help is www.sanatorium.by website with more than a hundred different sanatoriums.
You can rent a minibus for your trip. www.rendibuss.ee
