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To the east of Russia, and sitting gently above the Ukraine, Belarus is deemed as the forgotten country. However, it doesn’t take long for people to realize how much there is to see in Belarus, and tourism is increasing. Belarus used to be part of the Soviet Union, but today, it is its own country in Eastern Europe.
The capital of Belarus is Minsk, however Belarus suffered greatly during both WWI and WWII and much of Minsk and its architectural structures were destroyed. However, what Belarus may have lost in architecture, it has made up with natural history. Belarus is home to over a thousand lakes and there are plenty of scenic activities to occupy your vacation with.
Belarus offers the tourist plenty of beautiful countryside, refreshing lakes, and plenty of historical site seeing fare. Some of the most impressive castles include: Kamajsk, Kajdanava, Lyubcha, and Niasvizh. However, there is no doubt that the Mir Castle is one of the most frequently visited and there is a proposed hotel to be built in the castle.
Along with the antique castles, you will also enjoy the plentiful churches and cathedrals that dot Belarus’ landscape. Worthy of mention are: the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, located in Minsk, the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, Maryinksy Cathedral, and St. Aleksander Nevsky’s Church.
Another wonderful feature of Belarus is their wide selection of native fauna. Belarus is home to many lowlands that are the perfect spot for sightseeing and viewing Belarus nature in all of its glory. There are also many forests in Belarus that are perfect for hiking or Nature Treks. Bird watching and natural history tours are a great way to spend your Eastern Europe, Belarus vacation.
You will also discover that the national parks and reserves are the perfect background for not only bird watching, but for hunting and fishing as well. The Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park features three hotels, four hunting lodges, a sauna, restaurant and secure parking. Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park is one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage sites and is a Biosphere Reserve. The forest consists of Pine, Oak, Juniper, and Ash trees and there are many native animals that reside there. At the Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park, you will see wolves, bison, deer, wild boar, and plenty of birds and fish.
Another Nature Reserve in Belarus is the Berezinsky Biosphere Nature Reserve. There is a hotel located on the reserve that contains fifty beds, sauna, and a restaurant. Those who visit will enjoy the rare birds and animals such as wild boards and elk that frequently roam the reserves.
Finally, when visiting Belarus another UNESCO World Heritage Site that you must see is the Sturve Geodetric Arc. Freidrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve created the Arc from 1816 until 1855. They stretch from Norway to the Black Sea and were used to prove the exact size and shape of the earth. The Struve Geodetric Arc was just added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2,005 and is a must see for anyone visiting this fascinating country.
