Belarus, a region blessed by nature and history, is situated in Eastern Europe accompanied by Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation as its neighbors. Forests and lakes offering rich wildlife and major rivers such as the Dnieper mostly adorn the landscape. For environment fans, cultural admirers, historic lovers, and adventurous visitors; Belarus is just the perfect place with its vast plains, scenic settlements, old castles, ancient monasteries, profound forests, picturesque lands, and several lakes.
A good exposure for nature fans, around 33 percent of the nation is occupied by forests that hold birches, oaks, maple, and pine trees. In addition, European bison, elk, deer, wild boar, wolf, bear, fox, beaver, lynx, and many birds literally hold your sight. If you love history and culture, Belarus offers a unique combination of history and cultural legacy that includes numerous architectural marvels of the 12th century.
Earlier known as Belorussia (White Russia), the nation got its new name Belarus in 1991 after it became independent from the Soviet Union falling apart from the USSR. However, the post-independence management maintained political and economic connections with Moscow. It supported largely the introduction of the Commonwealth of Independent 
States, which was an alliance of ex-Soviet republics, its headquarters lying in Minsk, the capital of the Belarus. Due to very close relationships with Russia, Belarus witnessed further worldwide separation.
Population here mainly comprises of Christians among whom majority is of Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic with small Protestant, Jewish, and Muslims. The formal languages spoken here are Belarusian and Russian.
History
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1991:
Republic Government came into order.
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1994:
The present president and Head of the State, Alexander Lukashenko, took over the power at the presidential election. He actually promised to remove corruption considering a vital element in the progress of the state. However, in contrast, in his rule, corruption increased by leaps and bounds along with favoritism, censorship, and random decision-making. It further spoiled the environs with limitations on religious and political assembly and the vanishing or death of main critics. Since this period, the human rights status also started to degrade.
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1996:
An uncertain referendum led to the extension of Lukashenko’s term and powers up to 2001. His political conduct has ruined the relationship of Belarus with the West, which was supposed to foster. Currently, keeping an eye on Moscow and its integration project, the government is looking for an alliance at political and economic levels that will result in mutual agreements. Nevertheless, corruption still prevails.
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2004:
People protested on streets to raise the issues to media and world. The formal outcome of a referendum displayed that majority was in favor of abandoning the two-term limit of Lukashenko’s control. However, formal results also showed that opponents could not even took over a single seat at parliamentary elections conducted simultaneously. Signifying the presence of corruption, international spectators were of the opinion that the votes were not fair as it included corruption and subsequently protested on the streets.
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2005:
USA entitled Belarus as the Europe’s only settlement of dictatorship.
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2006:
Alexander Lukashenko again came into power at the presidential elections scoring over 82 percent votes additionally. However, even this was said to be a fraud by the opposition leader, Alexander Milinkevich. Further, the foreign observers also said that the ballot ‘did not fulfill the necessary international standards for open and impartial elections’.
Etiquettes
Belarians meet each other by shaking hands, which is the gesture of greeting. Hospitality being woven in the blood of the people here, they are quite friendly and have a good tolerance level, but do not try to take their advantage. Gifts are given often due to business or dealing purpose. However, never ever wish to take pictures of martial or government fixes.
Tourists’ Attractions
Listed below are the captivating sites offered from Belarus.
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Minsk:
This is the capital of Belarus, an old city whose name was first taken in 1067 A.D. It is located at a distance of 340 km (213 miles) towards the northeast of Warsaw and 120 km (75 miles) southeast of Vilnius. Except some of the 17th century buildings, city now have very little of its glorious past to show to the visitors. Considered as a vital region of communication, it lost its charm during World War II. Currently, Minsk has an even topography with edges bordering the Svisloch River. Further, the Belarusian Ballet and good museums will attract you including the National Museum of Belarusian History and Culture, the National Arts Museum, the Museum of History of the Great Patriotic War, and the Museum of Old Belarusian Culture. There are more impressive museums that are related with the major Belarusian writers, Kolas, Kupala, Bogdanovich, and Brovka. The timings of the museums are Tuesday to Sunday – 1000-1900.
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Minsk Lake:
This is the tranquil lake holding several islands and dense pines. From Raubichi, the lake is just at a distance of 10km/6 miles.
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Troitskoye Predmestye:
This is the worth visiting suburb that gives you a picture of the old Minsk geography – 19th century homes with multihued facades along the streets. Other attractions here are splendid structures of baroque style, which include the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (1642), the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul (1613), and the Maryinsky Cathedral that has been renovated to its initial look and feel.
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Novogrudok:
This is the capital of the great principality of Lithuania of which Belarus was its heart in the 13th century. Attractions here are 14th century fortress and Lida that is the birthplace of Adam Mitskevich, the great Belarusian poet.
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Russian Orthodox Churches:
These churches are worth visiting for its onion-like domes that can be found all through the country. Particularly, do visit them at Logoysk at 40km/25 miles from Minsk, Krasnoe at 60km/38 miles from Minsk, and Molodechno at 80km/50 miles from Minsk.
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Khatyn:
This is the holder of the memorial that stands for its demolition by the German military at the time of World War II.
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Zhirovitsa:
This is a village located at a distance of 190 km (119 miles) from Minsk. It houses the popular 15th century Monastery of the Assumption whose certain part is holding a convent and a theological seminary dated back to the 17th to 18th century.
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Mir:
This is a small town located at a distance of 120 km (75 miles) from Minsk famous for its Jewish Cemetery and the 15th century Mir Castle that is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just near to this is the ancient Nesvizh with historic buildings.
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Former Residence of the Radzivill Family:
This is among the mostly visited palaces of Belarus that is enclosed by a vast park entertaining you with its several lakes and detailed gardens. Very close to this palace covering only few steps of walk, is the beautiful Catholic Church of the 16th century that was planned by the Italian architect, Bernardoni.
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Polotsk:
Bring the oldest city discovered in 862 A.D., this town was the hub of Christianity at the time of Rus, the first Russian state. Attractions here include the Church of St. Sophia that is an exemplary architectural marvel dated back to the 11th century, two close by citadels, the 12th century convent called St Ephrosinia of Polotsk, and the 16th to 17th century Epiphany Monastery.
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Pinsk:
Enjoying its pride of the largest city in the Brest region, this is situated at the distance of 300 km (186 miles) towards the south of Minsk. The city is full of ancient, architectural, and cultural wonders. Not only this, but also it is blessed with environs of inborn charm and is accredited as the place of the Belarusian Polesye, which is a low-lying area of waters and fog.
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Grodno:
Considered as the fifth largest city of the nation, it offers the Old Town centre, the 11th century Kalozh Church, and the 11th century ancient castle.
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Raubichi:
This is a scenic settlement located at a distance of 22 km (14 miles) from the Minsk that offers exciting ethnographic museum housed in an abandoned church. If you love sports, try out the outstanding cross-country skiing in the Raubichy Olympic Sports Complex. The hamlet also offers mountain skiing at its two stylish resorts namely, Logoysk and Silichy at a distance of 30 km (19 miles) from the capital city. Skating is also offered here.
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The Museum of Folk Architecture:
Located in Ozerto at a distance of 15km/10 miles to the southwest of Minsk, it exhibits the original parts of the buildings dated a century back from different regions.
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The Dudutki Museum of Material Culture:
Located at a distance of 40 km (25 miles) from Minsk, it is accredited as the only private museum in the nation exhibiting traditional crafts and behaviors of life.
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The Braslav Lake District:
This is famous for boating fun through 30 lakes spreading in a moody forest linked by canals. The area comes in the north and northeast of the country, near the borders of Lithuania and Latvia. Housing facilities are provided small dachas in the area besides the shore.
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Belavezha Wood:
You can see occasional animals including bisons, bears, and wolves along with their natural surroundings.
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The Nature Reserve of Berezinsky:
This spot is famous for its long picturesque trekking paths spreading in most of its area right from Berezina to Palik Lake. You will be amazed by its primitive forests, wetland, rivers, and lush fauna and flora. Due to this, it is a part of UNESCO’s list of protected biosphere. Historically, it was the holder of the grand trade route called the way ‘from the Varangians to the Greeks’, that linked the Baltic and the Black Sea nations.
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Vitebsk:
This is the place where the renowned painter Marc Chagall was born. Situated at a distance of 270 km (169 miles) from the capital, it also offers a cultural centre whose name is that of the admired painter and a museum, previously the painter’s family house.
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Brest:
The Fortress, worth visiting monument here, was capable enough to prevent the German forces to enter at the time of World War II. The citadel also holds the Museum of History and
Archaeology inside that shows the archives of its history dating to the 13th century and other impressive collections. Other attractions are the popular puppet theatre and the stylish Belaya Vezha (White Tower) also called the Kamenets Tower constructed in the 13th century. Around the city, it is worth noticing 500-year-old trees in the state national park, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the home of the wild European bison, 60 different types of animals, and 900 varied plants. -
Viskouli:
This is the place of government history where heads of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine entered into the famous agreement stating the last separation of the USSR.
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Shopping:
You can buy items such as wooden safe, ornament boxes, straw items, attractive plates, handicrafts, and typical Russian souvenirs such as the wooden matreshka dolls and original samovars. The main shopping site is the Scarina Avenue offering historic shops and department stores. A few shops been shut on Sundays, the tourist shops welcome visitors daily. The timings of shopping are from Monday to Saturday 0900-2000, whereas shops in big cities may remain open 24 hours daily.
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National Drinks:
There are two such drinks namely, Beloveszhskaya Bitters made from more than 100 herbs with good flavor and other is black tea.
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Special Food Items:
These include Belarusian Borshch – a soup of beetroot with sour cream, Filet a la Minsk, Minsk Cutlet, Dracheny – a dish of potatoes and mushrooms, and Draniki with pickled berries.
Passports and Visa
A valid passport until 90 days after exit is a must for all nationals. Except for the British citizens, all other visitors must have their medical insurance. It is mandatory for all nationals to register their passports with the local police station in the period of three days after arrival. Hotel reception will serve you for this.
Visa is required by all nationals. Tourist visas can be acquired only from a travel agency in Belarus or from another country that has an agreement with Belarus state travel. Children who travel on their parents’ passports are not entitles to a visa but must be mentioned on the application form of visa of the parents. A journalist requires only a Business visa after being qualified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
A return ticket is not required.
Reaching Belarus
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By Air:
Belavia (B2) is the airline of the nation. From London, it takes 3 hours to reach Minsk. Minsk 2 (MSQ) is the airport located at a distance of 43 km (27 miles) towards the east of the capital. Buses and taxis can take you to/from the city within an hour. After a long construction, Minsk 1 provides flights to Kiev and Stockholm and to international regional cities.
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By Rail:
The Minsk Central Railway Station in the heart of Minsk is the major station. You can reach here from Berlin via Warsaw and Brest, Vienna via Warsaw and Brest, Kaliningrad, Moscow, Odessa, Riga, and Vilnius.
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By Road:
You can opt to drive your own car or can take one. If you enter with your car, your visa must be registered at the hotel where you spent the first night. Do not forget to insure the car with a Belarusian insurance company at crossings. To reach Minsk, you can drive from Moscow (690 km), St. Petersburg (900 km), and Kiev (650 km). In addition, there are coaches from many halts. In fact, Minsk provides three global bus stations namely, Central Bus Station, Eastern (Vostochnaya) Bus Station, and Moscow (Moskovskaya) Bus Station.
