| TOUR PROGRAMME
| Day 1 - Arrival to Minsk, transfer to the hotel, receiving of an information sheet, map of Minsk. Buffet breakfast. Excursion to ANCIENT TOWNS OF MIR AND NESVIZH (11 hours). You will see the most valuable monuments of Belarus listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Mir Castle and Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family in Nesvizh. The majestic MIR CASTLE, which was built in the XVI century. its bright architectural look, mighty walls and towers, colorful courtyard leave a lasting impression which will be complemented by the MUSEUM EXPOSITION in the northern part of the castle. You will feel the atmosphere of life in the castle passing through the basements where provision was kept and the Ball-room swimming in luxury of Rococo style… The historic part of the town of MIR - the place where Belarusians, Poles, Jews, Gipsies and Tartars had been living together for a long time - kept the atmosphere of the former small town… The ensemble of the market place is formed by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, synagogues, Yeshiva, the houses of craftsmen and merchants. LUNCH at the restaurant. Drive to NESVIZH - the former capital of the Radziwill's Ordination. At the Market place of this picturesque town you will see the Town Hall, shopping arcades, artisan houses; the Slutsk Gate (XVII cent.) is located nearby. Taking a view of the Park and Palace Complex of the XVI-XVIII centuries designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Maria Bernardoni. The magnificent castle surrounded by high earthworks and wide ponds represents the system of buildings forming the tasteful court of honor. The elements of Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism are interlaced herein. You will see the impressive expositions, great halls of the palace, livimg and housekeeping areas, picturesque PARKS adjacent to the palace. The FARNY CHURCH of the XVI century (architect G.M.Bernardoni) - the first Baroque building in the Eastern Europe. The guide will tell you about the history of the most powerful family of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - the Radziwill Family which influenced the cultural heritage of Belarus and Europe… Return to Minsk near 19.00, overnight stay in Minsk.
Day 2 - Buffet breakfast. Excursion to the MUSEUM OF FOLK CRAFTS DUDUTKI (5.5 hours). It's a really wonderful trip: serious excursion with playful adventures - degustation of samogon, horse-riding, farm bread and fat at the mill. The open-air museum "Dudutki" created in 1995 with its artifacts of folk crafts and workshops of the XIX century is one of the most visited museums in Belarus. You will see the only working mill in Belarus, visit pottery, forge of the XIX century, workshop of woodwork, bakery and the exhibition of veteran cars… Moreover, there is the stable with Orlovsky Trotters, ostriches, wild boars and other animals and birds. You will enjoy riding in the hackney-cabs, visit the meadow of picnics, feel the atmosphere of shlyahta estate. During the excursion there will be 3 tastings in Dudutki:
• near the hooch still (samogon, bread, pickle, honey)
• in the bakery (fresh bread, cheese, butter, herbal tea)
• at the mill (farm bread and fat)
Here you may buy wonderful souvenirs and take photos. Belarusian-style LUNCH. Return to Minsk near 15.00, overnight stay Minsk.
Day 3 - Buffet breakfast. MINSK SIGHTSEEING TOUR (3 hours). During the excursion you will learn about the past and the present of the city. The Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Republic of Belarus - that is the way that Minsk has passed during its life. You will see the most valuable architectural monuments of the city: Cathedral Orthodox and Catholic Churches of the ХVII-XVIII centuries (Organ Concert); St. Peter and St. Paul's Church of the beginning of ХVII century and the "Red" Church; the oldest street Nemiga which started its way from the Minsk castle, and the picturesque Upper Town. The historic centre of Minsk - the Upper Town - attracts the visitors with its unique atmosphere of the past which is felt in its old buildings and on its narrow streets where museums, cafes and restaurants, boutiques and sculptures are located. Magnificent architectural ensembles of the main squares and avenues of the city, monumental constructivist public buildings, parks and public gardens will burst upon your eyes. The tragedy of the citizens in the years of the World War II; modern Minsk of the ХХ-ХХI centuries - these points will also be in the picture of the excursion. Walking down the TRINITY SUBURB you will see different museums, cafes, taverns and gift shops. LUNCH at the restaurant in the centre of Minsk. Free time from 14.00, overnight stay in Minsk.
Day 4 - Buffet breakfast. Check-out. Drive to POLOTSK. On the way to Polotsk we will drive through Logoysk, the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve and will learn about the historical events and the development of Belarusian nationhood. Arrival to Polotsk. LUNCH. Polotsk sihtseeing tour. During the excursion you will see the CATHEDRAL OF SAINT SOPHIA (XVIII), built on undestroyed fragments of the Cathedral of the XI century, visit its museum, and go down into the vault. In the renovated hall of the temple you will listen to the ORGAN CONCERT. Then you will take a view of the exposition of the MUSEUM OF BOOK PRINTING in the old Epiphany Monastery where you will get acquainted with the history of book printing in Belarus andl visit the SAINT EPHROSYNE CONVENT where the relics of SAINT Euphrosyne of Polotsk are kept. The ancient streets of Polotsk seem to keep the sound of footsteps of Vseslav the Magician (Vseslav Charodey), the legendary Prince of Polotsk, the architect John, the jeweler Lazar Bogsha, the first-printer Francisc Scorina and many other outstanding people. Drive to Vitebsk. Hotel check-in. Free time. Overnight stay in Vitebsk.
Day 5 - Buffet breakfast. Check-out. VITEBSK SIGHTSEEING TOUR. "Oh, Paris! You are my second Vitebsk!" - the greatest artist of the XX century Mark Chagall exclaimed, he carried his love to Vitebsk through life. Vitebsk is known all over the world due to his paintings depicting flying brides and violinists… Let's admire this ancient city, which appeared in the Xth century. Here you can see the graceful Town Hall (now - the Local History museum), the Governor's Palace of the XVIII century, residential development of the previous centuries. At the beginning of the XX century Vitebsk turned into the symbol of the world-famous art school with its outstanding representatives - Mark Chagall, Konstantin Malevich, the author of the mysterious "Black Square", Mstislav Dobuzhinsky, the founder of the Russian Seasons in Paris... Visit to Mark Chagall Museum. LUNCH. Visit of the restored estate of Iliya Repin in ZDRAVNEVO with its interesting museum exposition and beautiful surrounding scenery… Free time. Transfer to the railway station. Have a good trip!
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There are no hidden extras - all of our tours are ALL INCLUSIVE! You will get:
• 3* or 4* accommodation
• Breakfasts and lunches
• Comfortable coach travel
• Audio guides in your chosen language for the length of your tour
• All entrance tickets
• Concerts, entertainment, tastings
• Viapol souvenirs and relevant city maps
| | Distance: Minsk-Nesvizh 120 km, Minsk-Dudutki 60 km, Minsk-Polotsk 230 km, Polotsk-Vitebsk 105 km, Vitebsk-Zdravnevo 20 km
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