Cultural Discovery Tour of Belarus and Poland

• 1

  Join tour Warsaw airport (Poland) and drive to Bialystok

  Our adventure begins at Warsaw airport, from where we drive to the north-eastern town of Bialystok on the banks of the Biala River. The largest city in the region, Bialystok lies at the heart of Belarusian culture in Poland and was a recent finalist for European Capital of Culture. Home to a number of museums and parks, the city also boasts one of the oldest puppet theatres in the country.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel
  Single Room Available

  Included Meals:  None

• 2

  Drive through the Knyszynska Forest and onto Hrodna (Belarus)

  Driving across the Bialystok Uplands this morning we head further east, travelling through the charming villages of the Knyszynska Forest. Stopping in the small communities of Bohoniki and Kruszyniany, we visit the unique wooden mosque that is still used today by the small Tartar population of the region, before continuing towards the Belarus border. Immigration formalities at the border may take around an hour to complete, after which we continue by road to the city of Hrodna (otherwise known as Grodno) on the Neman River.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel
  Single Room Available

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 3

  Morning sightseeing in Hrodna; visit to the Augustow Canal

  Home to one of the largest Catholic populations in the country, Hrodna is filled with a wonderful collection of medieval and baroque architecture, including the impressive Cathedral of St Francis Xavier and the unique Church of Saints Boris and Gleb; the only surviving example of Black Ruthenian architecture left in the area. We take a tour of the city this morning, before driving out to view the restored eastern section of the 19th century Augustow Canal on our way to the historic city of Lida.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel
  Single Room Available

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 4

  Drive to Berezinsky National Park via Naroch Lake

  We continue our eastward journey towards the forests and marshes of the Berezinsky National Park. Covering around 400 kilometres today, we will break our journey on the banks of Lake Naroch, the largest lake in Belarus. Covering nearly 80 square kilometres, the lake is home to pike, perch, eel and tench and its picturesque landscapes provide us with an ideal lunch stop before continuing the rest of the way to Berezinsky.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel
  Single Room Available

  Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

• 5

  Hiking in Berezinsky National Park

  Encompassing one of the largest areas of marshland left in Europe, the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve provides a haven for an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including more than 780 herbaceous species, 34 species of fish, over 50 species of mammal and an impressive list of over 200 different birds. We have a full day hiking or you may choose to partake in optional canoeing through the park today, enjoying the natural and scenic beauty of one of the most pristine environments in the country.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel
  Single Room Available

  Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

• 6

  Drive to Vitebsk via the historic town of Polotsk

  Straddling the waters of the mighty Dvina, close to Belarus's border with neighbouring Russia, lies the thriving city of Vitebsk, birthplace of Marc Chagall, one of the most renowned painters of the 20th century. Driving to the city today, we pass through the historic town of Polotsk, a cultural gem that is one of the oldest Slavic towns in the region. Tracing its origins back to the 9th century, the town is home to no fewer than 130 historical and cultural monuments, including the 11th century Cathedral of St Sophia, providing us with a fascinating stop en route to Vitebsk

  Overnight: Standard Hotel
  Single Room Available

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 7

  Drive to Minsk with a city tour on arrival

  This morning we will drive south, heading towards the Belarusian capital of Minsk. Set on the banks of the Svislach River, the city was first settled by the Early East Slavs back in the 9th century AD. Trinity Suburb is one of oldest and most picturesque areas, which is perfect for strolling in, and Victory Square is the most famous part of the city and features a memorial to the fallen heroes of World War II. On arrival we'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel
  Single Room Available

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 8

  Travel to Nesvizh and visit Nesvizh and Mir Castles

  This morning we drive west towards Nesvizh. Along the way we'll stop at Mir Castle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction began at the end of the 15th century and it has sections in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. We then continue to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Nesvizh Castle, which has been home to the Radswill Family for over 400 years and is where we spend the night.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel
  Single Room Available

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 9

  Visit Brest Fortress en route to Warsaw

  Today we visit the 19th century fortress at Brest, once the largest in the old Russian Empire. An infamous prison during the Soviet trials of the 1930s, this immense fortress went on to achieve lasting fame when it became a symbol of Soviet resistance during the German invasion of Russia in 1941. After our visit we continue our drive across the border back into Poland and to the Polish capital of Warsaw to enjoy a final evening in the city before our departure tomorrow.

  Overnight: Standard Hotel
  Single Room Available

  Included Meals:  Breakfast

• 10

  Tour ends Warsaw

  Tour ends in Warsaw after breakfast.

  Included Meals:  Breakfast