Wednesday — Arrival in Minsk, meeting at the station at the railroad car No. 5 of Your train with yellow plate "тур БЕЛАЯ РУСЬ", transfer to the hotel, check-in (from 00.10). Information package handout (travel advisory with a detailed program description and Minskmap). Buffet breakfast.
9 a.m. Sightseeing tour “MIR AND NESVIZH monuments of architecture” (approx. 11 hours). You will see the most valuable monuments of Belarus entered by UNESCO into the List of World Heritage Sites — Mir Castle and a series of castles and gardens in Nesvizh which years-long restoration was finished in 2011. The magnificent MIR CASTLE www.mir­za­mak.by built in the first quarter of XVI c., its bright architectural look, powerful walls and towers and cobbled inner baily leave unforgettable impressions added by MUSEUM EXHIBITION viewing. Dipping into atmosphere of the live of its owners begins from basements where food provisions were kept and wine cellars were located and ends with the Ball Room drowning in rococo splendor… Near the castle You can see a modern-style burial vault church for the last titled castle owners — the Sviatopolk-Mirskiy princes. The MIR SETTLEMENT historical part miraculously kept the colour of a former cubby place where Belarusians, Poles, Jews, Gypsies and Tatars have lived as one world for centuries… The Marketplace is formed by orthodox church, catholic church, synagogue, yeshiva, houses of craftsmen and merchants. LUNCH.

Half an hour travel to NESVIZH — the former capital of Radziwill Family Fee Tail www.niasvizh.by. The Marketplace of this picturesque town preserved a town hall, old-fashioned merchants’ rows and craftsmen houses; not far from here You can find the Brama of Slutsk (town gate of XVII c.). Viewing SERIES OF CASTLES AND GRADENS of XVI-XVIII centuries built by Mikolaj Krzysztof "the Orphan" Radziwill (architect G. M. Bernardoni) surrounded by high earth walls and vast ponds. The Series architecture combines elements of the Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism. The magnificent castle palace is a system of buildings combined in a single series forming a graceful court of honor. Viewing impressive exhibition in the palace complex — great halls (Hunting, Ball, Portrait, Fireplace, Golden, etc.), residential and household rooms. Walking along the picturesque PARKS adjoining the castle. Visiting the CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH (1593, architect G. M. Bernardoni): marvelous wall-painting in the cathedral, underground CRYPT — the Radziwill family vault — make this holy place one of the most valuable places of Belarus. During the visit You will hear a story of the Radziwill dynasty — one of the most powerful families in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth who have left their marks in the cultural heritage of the Belarusian people and the whole European civilization… Return toMinsk about 8.30 p.m. Free time, walks around the city. Night inMinsk.

Thursday — Buffet breakfast. 10 a.m. – Excursion to the Museum complex of ancient crafts and technologies DUDUTKI www.du­dutki.by (about 5.5 hours). You will have a wonderful trip: a serious tour with non-serious adventures: samogon tasting, horse cab riding, miller’s treatment. Dudutki is a Skansen-type museum. Being created in 1995 through the efforts of enthusiasts headed by E. Budinas this ethnographic museum is now one of the most visited places in Belarus! During the visit You will have a chance to see folk artifacts and acting workshops of the XIX century Belarusian farmstead. You will see the only acting wind mill in Belarus and try some tasty food from the miller; You will find yourself in the pottery and see the master working at the throwing will and showing his craftsmanship right in front of Your eyes; visit the ancient XIX century blacksmith shop and will be able to hammer a horseshoe for Your luck… Another place You will be able to see is a traditional joiner’s shop with astonishing tools of old masters; a picturesque bakery which will tell You a history of bread baking; old-fashioned automobiles exhibition… And You will find yourself in the center of ethnographic environment and interactive action wherever You are. In addition, You will see Orlov Trotters in the stable, ostriches, wild boars and other animals. You will also have a ride in ancient horse carriages and CABS; You will visit a picturesque picnic area and experience szlachta estate. During the visit you will have 4 TASTE TESTS:
    • at samogon still (samogon, bread, pickled cucumbers, honey)
    • in the bakery (hot bread, 3 types of cheese, butter, tea)
    • at mill (peasant bread with salo (pork fat))
    • from the bee keeper (honey)
Here you can buy fine souvenirs and take wonderful photos. Belarusian folk-style LUNCH. Return toMinsk about 3.30 p.m. Walks around the city. Night inMinsk.

Friday — Buffet breakfast.10 a.m. GENERAL SIGHTSEEING TOUR ofMinsk(4 hours). During the tour You will get to know the city’s past within a wide historical framework. The Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, thePolish-LithuanianCommonwealth, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Belorussia and theRepublicofBelarus— that is the wayMinskhas passed throughout the centuries... You will see the Saint Peter and Paul’s Cathedral of the early ХVII century and the "Red" Church of the early ХХ century; the earliest Nemiga Street which was started from earth-timber fortress — the Minsk Castle, and the picturesque Upper Town the life of Minsk has been associated with throughout five centuries. TheUpperTownpreserves monuments of the XVII — early XX century architecture. On its main square — Ploschad Svobody (Freedom Square) — You will see the city hall, bazaar, shopping arcade, series of monasteries (Bernardian, Basilian, Jesuit). Here You will visit the most valuable city’s monuments of architecture — orthodox and catholic cathedrals of the ХVII century. In the catholic cathedral You will enjoy ORGAN RECITAL. During the visit to the CITY HALL You will get acquainted with the city’s magistrate functioning, the Magdeburg Law traditions and pre-revolutionaryMinsklife. Tragedy of the city residents during the World War II; modern, rapidly growing Minsk at the turn of the ХХ-ХХI centuries will also be reflected in the tour. Majestic ensembles of the main squares and avenues ofMinsk, monumental buildings of Constructivism period, modern public and sport facilities — innovative National Library and grand Minsk Arena — will burst upon Your eye… The city’s history, its great personalities will miraculously come alive in the guide’s story and keep on telling their stories during the walk along the TRINITY SUBURB where the city’s life was pulsing in the century before last and where the guests are attracted today by museums, gift shops, cubby cafes, taverns and many other things. This walk will finish the tour around the capital ofBelarusin terms of time and space. LUNCH. Free time, walks around the city — everything at Your hand! Night inMinsk.

Saturday — Buffet breakfast, check-out.8 a.m. Departure fromMinsk. During the trip to Polotsk You will enjoy most beautiful landscapes of Belarus ("Belarusian Switzerland") including the unique Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve; get to know prominent events and persons that left their notable marks in the country’s history and culture. About12 a.m. – arrival to Polotsk. LUNCH. General sightseeing tour of Polotsk — the patriarch of Belarusian land. The city meets a traveller with a picturesque panorama of theWestern Dvina. You will visit the SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL of the XVIII century built on the remnants of the XI century cathedral, view its museum and descend to its underground part, and enjoy the ORGAN RECITAL in the reconstructed hall of the cathedral. Then comes viewing theBOOKPRINTINGMUSEUMexhibition in the halls of the ancient Theology monastery. The museum is dedicated to all the aspects of book printing, from the first manuscripts up to the modern book. It tells the story of creation of writing, book illustrations and printing trade. Visiting the ancient SPAS-EUPHROSYNE CONVENT keeping the relics of Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk. The ancient streets of Polotsk remember the steps of the legendary Polotsk Prince Vseslav the Seer of Polotsk, architect John, jeweler Lazar Bogsha, the first printer Francysk Skaryna and many other notable persons. Moving toVitebsk, hotel check-in, Free time, walks around the city. Night inVitebsk.

Sunday — Buffet breakfast, check-out. GENERAL SIGHTSEEING TOUR OFVITEBSK. The city kingly standing on the Western Dvina appeared in the X century and played an important role in the history ofBelarus. You will visit its historical part with both surviving and restored buildings of the ХVIII-XIX cc., see the Magdeburg Law symbol — graceful Town Hall (1775); the Governor’s Palace (XVIII c.) where Napoleon Bonaparte used to stay during the war of 1812, as well as many other famous figures. The Dormition Cathedral of the former Basilian monastery restored on the steep bank of the river Vitba has become a delicate viewing focus of the city. You will also see theResurrectionChurch— the monument of the Vilna Baroque architecture; theAnnunciationChurchrestored in Byzantine style, the styled medieval tower "Dukhovskoy Kruglik", amazing outdoor sculptures. You will also have a walk along the picturesque pedestrian street of the city with gift shops, picture galleries, coffee houses… At the beginning of the XX centuryVitebskturned into a peculiar symbol of dynamic art of the world famous "VitebskSchool" vividly represented by the brilliant Marc Chagall, the author of the mysterious "Black Square" Kazimir Malevich, founder of the Russian Seasons in Paris Mstislav Dobuzhinsky. "OhParis! You are my secondVitebsk!" — exclaimed the greatest artist of the XX century, Marc Chagall, who had carried the love to this city through the whole life. Owing to his pictures with flying brides and fiddlersVitebskis known all over the world... You will visit theMARCCHAGALLMUSEUMin the house atPokrovskaya Streetwhere the artist spent his early days. The Art Center of Marc Chagall permanently holds exhibition of his pieces of graphic art… TodayVitebskis known as a capital of music festivals. The city hosts jazz, bard and piano festivals; since 1992 it hosts the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar" the music arena of which — the Summer Amphitheatre — You will see during the tour. Then You will see the restored ILYA REPIN’S ESTATE IN ZDRAVNEVO with its interesting museum exhibition, picturesque buildings and magnificent surrounding landscapes… Return toVitebsk. Free time in the city center: walks, gift shopping, cafes… Departure to the railway station at 5 p.m., departure home at 8.07 p.m. or return toMinskby bus and departure toMoscowfromMinskafter 10 p.m. Wish You a safe trip!