Belarus is perhaps one of the best kept travel secrets in Eastern
Europe awaiting to be discovered. As one of the last bastions of
communism in Eastern Europe, Belarus offers a different travel
experience from its neighbouring Baltic neighbours but visitors
are ensured of a genuine friendly welcome.
Heavily bombed in World War II, Minsk offers an impressive display of
grandiose Stalinist architecture. Lenin still stands proudly in the main
square, but if the Soviet style becomes too much, you can immerse
yourself in more classical attractions like the Cathedral of the Holy
Ghost, Marinsky Cathedral or Mir Castle, located just outside Minsk.
Any visit to Belarus must include more than just the Soviet capital
Minsk, if only as a reminder that Belarusian history dates back further
than 1950. Wide plains, picturesque villages, ancient castles and
monasteries, deep forests, scenic landscapes and thousands of lakes
await nature-lovers and culture enthusiasts. One-third of the
Belarusian territory is covered with forests where birches, oaks, maple
and pine trees dominate with a rich and diverse fauna: here, one can
find European bison, elk and deer, wild boar and wolf, bear and fox, beaver and lynx.
