Brest-Minsk-Polotsk-Vitebsk
DURATION: 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS



DAY 1
Arrive in Brest. German-speaking guide meets the group in Brest on the border. Check-in at the hotel "Intourist". Lunch.

City tour of Brest-Western Gates of Belarus - including visit to Brest Fortress - the first stronghold of the Soviet Army during World War II, to an archeological museum "Berestye" - slavic settlement of ancient Brest.Belarusian national dinner.

DAY 2
Trip to Belavezhskaya Pushcha (Belavezhskaya Forest Reserve). The animal world of Belavezhskaya Pushcha is surprising, poetic and fantastic. It is a house for about 300 species of animals and birds. The king of Belavezhskaya Pushcha is the legendary Aurochs or European bison. Belavezhskaya Pushcha is one of very few places in the world where these ancient animals live. Today there are over 400 bisons in Pushcha. You can see them in open-air cages.

Lunch in Belavezhskaya Pushcha. After lunch departure to Minsk, Capital city of Belarus (350 km from Brest).

Arrive in Minsk. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner.

DAY 3
Half-day city tour of Minsk including architectural, historical and cultural monuments of 17th-18th centuries, Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb) - restored bildings of the 19th century, modern centre of the city, the local Arts Museum.

Visit to the Museum of Ancient Belarusian Culture, Ethnography and Folklore (Belarusian Academy of Sciences), featuring icon painting, wood-carving, folk costumes. Folklore concert "Presentation of Belarus".

DAY 4
Tour to the Khatyn Memorial (60 km from Minsk). Erected on the site of the village of Khatyn - one of 186 Belarusian villages burnt to ashes together with their inhabitants by the Nazis during World War II. After lunch visit to the War Museum, meeting the veterans. Theatre/Circus performance.

DAY 5
Full day trip to the village of Zhirovitsa features Holy Monastery of Assumption (17th century), the Convent of the Nativity of the Virgin, the Theological Seminary (190 km from Minsk).

Meeting the Clergy. Lunch in the monastery. Return to Minsk

DAY 6
Depart for Vitebsk (270 km from Minsk). Check-in at the hotel.

City tour including visit to Mark Chagall Art Centre and the house where the artist lived. Shopping.

DAY 7
Depart for Polotsk (100 km from Vitebsk). City tour and a close look at ancient architectural monuments of Slavic Rus - St. Sophia Cathedral (11th century). Lower and Upper Castles.

Lunch in Polotsk. Depart for Vitebsk. Gala dinner. Overnight there. Depart home.