| TOUR PROGRAMME
| DAY 1 - Drive from Minsk to Polotsk. On the way to Polotsk you will see fabulous Belarusian landscapes - so called "Belarusian Switzerland", including Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve; learn about people and events that left marks in the history and culture of our country. Arrival in Polotsk. Lunch. POLOTSK SIGHTSEEING TOUR. During the excursion you will see the CATHEDRAL OF SAINT SOPHIA (13th century), built on undestroyed fragments of the Cathedral of the 11th century, visit its museum, and go down into the vault. After that we will listen to the Concert of organ music in the renovated hall of the temple. Then we 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; and visit the SAINT EUPHROSYNE CONVENT where the relics of Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk are kept. The ancient streets of Polotsk seem to keep the sounds of footsteps of Vseslav the Magician, the legendary Prince of Polotsk, Lazar Bogsha, the jeweler, Francisk Scorina, the first-printer and many other outstanding people. Drive to Vitebsk. Hotel check-in. Free time. Overnight stay in Vitebsk.
DAY 2 - Breakfast. Hotel check-out. VITEBSK SIGHTSEEING TOUR. Vitebsk was founded in the 10th century. We will visit the historical part of the city with its buildings of the 18-19th centuries; you will see the symbol of Magdeburg Rights - the City Hall (1755), the Governor's Palace (18th century) where Napoleon was staying for some time in 1812. There are several old churches - the Cathedral of the Assumption of the former Basilian Monastery, the Resurrection church - a monument of baroque architecture, the Annunciation Church. Walking along the pedestrian street we will have a chance to admire the beauty of the city…
At the beginning of the 20th century Vitebsk turned into the symbol of the world-famous Vitebsk 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... "Oh, Paris! You are my second Vitebsk!" - exclaimed Mark Chagall, one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, who carried his love to Vitebsk through all his life. Vitebsk is known all over the world due to his paintings depicting flying brides and violinists… We will visit the MUSEUM OF MARK CHAGALL which is located in the house where he spent his early days. Lunch.
Today Vitebsk is well-known as a city of festivals - jazz, bard, piano festivals take place in Vitebsk. We will see the amphitheater of the famous International Festival of Arts - "Slaviansky Bazaar in Vitebsk". We are heading out of town where we will visit the restored estate of Iliya Repin in ZDRAVNEVO with its interesting museum exposition and beautiful surrounding scenery… Return to Vitebsk. Free time. Return to Minsk.
| |
|
Distance: Minsk - Polotsk 220 km, Polotsk - Vitebsk 105 km, Vitebsk - Zdravnevo 20 km
| |
| |
|
|
