Customs &Traditions tours

Belarus has its original cultural identity, which goes back to the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, when Belarusians were called Litvins. We offer you to get acquainted with Belarusian traditions and customs, take part in traditional entertainments, listen to folk songs and learn to dance Belarusian dances, watch craftsmen at their work and even partisipate in making handcrafts of Belarusian souvenirs, we invite you to dine Belarusian cuisine and drink Belarusian beverages and hooch.

Belarus is not the country of well-developed cinematograph, but it is a good playing field for foreign film makers. Many Russian films and series and especially historical ones are produced in Belarus. In Strochitsy Skansen Museum near Minsk there is a vast territory of 153 hectares with the authentic folk villages of the 18-19th centuries. The folk houses and other buildings of that epoch were transported here from various Belarusian provinces and nowadays create a unique authentic atmosphere in one place. Like typical Wild West decorations in Hollywood film making studios, folk villages in Strochitsy Skansen Museum are typical natural decorations for slavonic films. All attributes of life in the villages are original, that helps create certain reality in cinema. Usually popular local folk festivals such as Kupalle, Maslenitsa, Calling for Spring, Pulm Sunday or Shchadrets (Christmas carols) take place here. The festivals are organized as great shows with folk fairs and traditional rites, that immerse tourists into the action. Here you can buy original Belarusian souvenirs, selling by craftsmen, and taste original Belarusian goodies and dishes. The territory of Strochitsy Skansen Museum is divided into three provinces: Central Belarus, Dnieperland and Lakeland. Every province has its own ethnic feature and history. There are nearly 40 historical objects in the Museum. As the territory of the Museum is rather large, that’s why it’s better to take a bicycle or a horse-drawn carriage ride. But if you prefer more capturing adventure, we advise you to take an avia tour over the Museum or a water excursion on a comfortable boat to view picturesque surrounding landscapes and water expanses of the local lake, created by the last glacier. For sure, visiting Strochitsy Skansen Museum will impress you much, and who knows, may be this travel will inspire you to make a film or at least a film of your incredible trip to the authentic Belarus.

“Dukorski maentak” (Dukora gentry estate) is one of the most unusual sights of Belarus. It is a historical and tourist center, founded in 2015. The ancient gate tower of the early 19th century miraculously survived in WW2 starts our journey. Here you will be told about the life of the Belarusian gentry and family secrets of the most famous dynasties of the past. One of them was Oginski dynasty who owned Dukora many centuries ago. You will see a flipped upside down house, where everyone can test its endurance. Magical forest of fairy tales, zoological garden, rope town for children, street of artisans, 400-year old oak, everything here creates a special atmosphere of the noble past. Come to Dukora and feel yourself the part of the story!

The Museum of Folk Crafts & Rural Life is situated in the picturesque place of Dudutki near the river Ptich. The Museum is designed as a gentry estate of the 17th-19th centuries. Various folk crafts’ workshops, folk houses, stables, taverna and other estate facilities are situated on the territory of 162 hectares. The Museum first of all keeps the traditions of Belarusian folk crafts technologies, that’s why here you can see craftsmen at their work. At the bakery workshop you’ll see how a loaf is being baked; in the pottery workshop you can even try potter's skills of yours; you can be trained a blacksmith’s skills and have a chance to shape a horse shoe with your own hands. In the windmill of the 19th century you’ll see of how grain is being turned into flour. The visitors of the Museum are offered to taste typical local food such as lard, bread, onions, salted cabbage, old gentry vodka (hooch), traditional snacks, bread, cheese, butter and herbal tea. All treats are produced in the Museum’s workshops according to old recipes, using only natural ingredients. The other significant feature of the Museum in Dudutki is the collection of rear retro cars of the 20th century, that is one of a kind in the whole country. Horse riding or walks in a carriage will complement the feeling of being in the countryside. Embark an adventure to the old times with the Museum of Dudutki, and you’ll get an incredible weekend in the best Belarusian traditions!

The Resort is located just 5 km away from the city of Hrodna. It is the best place to have an amazing weekend with friends or children. Fresh air on the bank of the marvelous pond and freshly prepared food on the fire in front of you will create for you -the atmosphere of a home in a countryside. There is an excellent park zone, stables and horse riding school for children, guerrilla (partisans) camp and a zoo on the territory of the resort. The Resort maintains Belarusian customs and traditions, organizing numerous cultural festivals. Here you also can taste the dishes of Belarusian cuisine. The restaurant and the cafe, which are designed and constructed as a Medieval Castle, the service staff dressed in the historical costume, the statues of animated cartoon’s heroes and the presence of king’s brougham enhance the feeling of being in a fairy tale. Old times coaches with cab drivers will take you to any part of the resort. A big children’s playground with a pirate ship, a castle and a big dragon will capture your kids for the whole day. Entertaining fairytale performances and shows are regular things here, and if there is no fairy tale in your life, come to Karobchitsy Entertaining Resort and you’ll find yourself in the center of a dream’s reality!

The Museum of Folk Weaving “Bezdezh Apron” keeps the unique collection of weaving, clothing and arts and crafts of the Western Palesse region. It has over 200 homespun aprons, none of which repeats the previous one. The exhibition demonstrates the interior of a Belarusian peasant house, decorated with peasant household items and patterns of folk clothing. One of the show-rooms is fully occupied by the exposition of aprons. If you are interested in the art of weaving, the “Bezdezh Apron” Museum is the very place you should visit and take a part of art in the peace of souvenir with you. The vast territory of the Museum is designed as a peasant dwelling house with outbuildings, courtyard and a farmstead, garden and a pond. The visitors will be offered to taste western Belarusian cuisine: home bread, lard, homesalted cucumbers, mushrooms from the barrel, makuha, draniki, nalistniki, potatoes in their jackets and many others. Entertaining part of the excursion includes a master-class of folk dancing for tourists and joyful folk singing. For sure, having come to Bezdezh, you’ll enjoy a day of a Belarusian peasant’s life, full of mirth, humor, songs and art!

Slutsk belts are the national treasure of Belarus. They were a part of man's dress of priviledged gentry of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Wearing Slutsk belts tied on the weist was the mark of nobility and wealth of their owner. The origin of Slutsk belts comes from the Osman Empire and Persia. First belts manufacturing appeared in the Commonwealth in 1758 in Slutsk. It was founded by Mikhail Kazimir Radziwill, the great Lithuanian getman. He invited there Turkish and Persian weavers, who trained local apprentices, and so the technologies were adopted. The belts were weaved only by men, it was considered to be a good luck. Women were not allowed to the process of manufacturing. Every belt was weaved of thin silk, golden and silver threads, had the lenth of 2-4,5 metres and the width of 30-50 cm. All sides of the belts were front sides. Usually the belts were belateral, but the most precious ones were four-sided. The patterns were designed by artists and contained oriental and popular local tunes, but all the time unique and exclusive. The cost of the belts varied from 5 to 50 ducats (15-150 golden roubles) and in some cases could reach 1000 golden roubles, that was equal to the annual income of the Commonwealth's officer. Regardless the belts were produced in Nesvizh, Warsaw, Krakow and other cities, they were popular as Slutsk belts, because Slutsk manufacturing was the most influencial and skilled in the state. Since the end of the 19th century Slutsk belts became objects of collecting. Original belts nowadays are in many world's museums as well as in private collections. Belarusian scientists studied old manufacturing technology of the belts and invented a unique weaving machine, that helped recreate exactly manufacturing process. 250 years ago one weaver could produce 2-3 belts in a year. Modern technology allows to produce 1 belt in 60 hours. The materials and techniques of the replicas are the same as in the 18th century. Because of the complicated manufacturing process Slutsk belts replicas are very expensive, but as the masterpieces of art they can be good investment. Their cost varies from $500 to $2500. They are produced only on pre-order. You can see original belts in the National Art Museum of Belarus in Minsk and in the Museum of the history of Slutsk belts in Slutsk. In Slutsk you can also buy replicas of the belts and other related souvenirs. Come to Belarus, touch the history of art and feel what is to be a Lithuanian magnat!

Wild & Adventure tours

Camping
Kayaking / Canoeing / SUP surfing
Cycling / Quard biking tours
Horse riding
Moto hang-glider / Halicopter / Parachuting / Skydiving
Fishing / Hunting
Picnic / Barbecue tours
Skiing / Snowmobiling tours
Russian banya (bath)
Swamp safari
River Cruises

Face caressing wind, playful glare of beams and intoxicating feeling of freedom... Moto hang-glider is smoothly moving along the slope of heaven, allowing you to forget about fear and enjoy the views. Roofs of houses scattered along the Ptich like bright beads, wooden and immersed in the greenery constructions of the 18-19th centuries of Skansen Museum, multi-story houses of Minsk and much more are underneath your wings. All you need is just stand still and reverently consider beautiful scenery.

First Belarusian Cruise Liner “Belaya Rus” has been launched on water in Brest. The Liner will bring tourists via the river Pripyats from Brest to Mozyr and back during the 7 day’s voyage. The tourist route is called “The Pearls of Palesse” and includes visiting the cities of Brest, Kobryn, Pinsk, Turov and Mozyr as well as terrestrial cities of Motyl and Dostoevo. Floating on the Liner by the old route from the Vikings to the Greeks you’ll get acquainted with the sights of the most significant Belarusian river ports, having existed since the 10th century. You’ll enjoy excursions over the ancient cities and know more about Belarusian customs and traditions. Picturesque landscapes of Belarusian Palesse will impress you much, creating a wonderful atmosphere of a beautiful adventure. The Cruise Liner can accommodate 35 people. It has 16 cabins of economy, standard and luxe class and provides customers with “all inclusive” service (4 meals a day/excursions/transportation/ entertainment programme). Economy cabins accommodation includes one bed, TV-set, refrigerator, safe, bath rooms of the common use. Standard cabin besides has one more bed, conditioner, bathroom. There are two luxe class cabins in the Liner, that are two-roomed apartments with all conveniences. These apartments are called after the names of the famous Belarusian poets of Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas. Here in the cabins you can also find their books to read and to touch Belarusian culture. First voyage starts in April, 2017. The cost of all-inclusive tour varies from 400$ till 1100$ per person. The booking for cruises has started. Take a chance to have this tour, BOOK it now!

We invite you to take an incredible voyage on the river Prypiats in the floating hotel "Palesse". Picturesque banks, fresh air and shining expanse of river's water will calm your senses and harmonize your emotions. You will enjoy dinner on the open deck, and even do fishing. Per your request the fish you caught can be cooked right here by the cook. Also an incredible picnic on the bank of the Prypiats can be organized for you by the hotel’s team. The hotel's route starts in the ancient city of Turov and goes down the river through several Belarusian towns and back. During your voyage you’ll get acquainted with the interesting history of Turov, one of the oldest and very important trading river ports of Europe, you’ll visit the most significant tourist places of the area and will touch to the legend of famous Turov miracle-working Crosses. The hotel can accommodate 16 tourists at the same time. The accommodation of the hotel includes 8 comfortable cabins with all conveniences and 2 cabins of luxe class. You can book a cabin in the hotel with the river cruise and excursions or without them and for any time you need. The cost starts from 25$ per day for a person. Living in the floating hotel can be the best alternative for river cruise for those who prefer create their own tours.

Would you like feel adrenaline in your veins? Just listen to how your quard bike’s motor is roaring. You are racing through the endless expanses of beautiful Belarusian nature into the wind! What can be better than the feeling of real freedom? The best is just having your best friends or family at these moments with you! One for everyone, and everyone for one! And then, at a lake side, you stop your flight to have a joyful picnic on the picturesque bank. And then, you understand: happiness exists! Come to Belarus and feel it. Extremely recommended for romantic couples ;)

Have you ever discovered unexplored and rarely gone paths before? Wild nature inspires, stirs your mind and by its beauty and perfection brings you closer to the Creator. Wild nature of Belarus is very unique. It is the vast territory of impassable swamps, that are considered being the lungs of Europe. Here and there the swamps are dangerous places, hardly possible to get out. But for tourists they built mounted trails over the swamp’s surface, that are absolutely safe. Walking on the trail you’ll enjoy wild nature’s landscapes. Here, on Belarusian swamps, you breathe the best and the purest oxygen on the Earth. You and your camera will like rare species of plants and birds, that inhabit here. For those, who like feel adrenaline in their veins, there are routes to go in swampshoes in assistance with an instructor or to take a safari tour in swamp buggies.

Bath traditions in Belarus came from Russia. Rassian banya (a kind of steam bath) is very popular here. Banya is a small room or building with dry and wet heat sessions. The steam and high heat make the bathers perspire. At Russian banya they use special bath brooms called in Russian "veniks". These brooms bound of bundles of twigs and leafy branches usually are made of birch or oak trees. The veniks are dipped into cold water and then are used to smack briskly over the whole body. A special person called banschik is responsible for this procedure. But usually people don't need banschik's help because groups of friends, taking banya, are able to smack each other with veniks. When you are in Belarus, at least one time, do not take a shower, do not take widespread SPA, but take Russian banya! You’ll enjoy your body and feelings after this healthy procedure. Banya on the route of your wild tour will become one of the most exciting adventure!

Camping is very popular in Belarus. The great privilege for tourists here is that Belarusian forests, lakes and rivers are free for camping. Fresh open air near the river bank or fir forest fragrance will fill your emotions with harmony. Beautiful landscapes will make pleasure for your eyes. You can join to the group of tourists and take kayaking, canoeing or SUP surfing tours. And then after long swim, all the group camps somewhere in a picturesque place for making barbecue and singing and talking near the fire. Romance is everywhere! It’s easy to make new friends!
Fishing is the other great opportunity here. It is available almost everywhere. Belarusian lakes and rivers are rich for fish and crayfish. Hunting here requires certain permissions and quotas, but there is nothing impossible! Horse riding or cycling can diverse your wild tour adventures, giving you sense of flight and freedom. For sure, camping in Belarus will become one of your most interesting and impressive vacations!

SPA & Medical Treatment tours

Foreign tourists can combine travelling and recreation with high-quality treatment and recuperation at Belarus's best healthcare facilities. Many foreigners come to Belarus for a complicated surgery or in-hospital treatment.

There are several reasons behind it:
1). Highly-qualified medical professionals
2). Exceptional quality of medical services and advanced equipment in hospitals
3). Cutting-edge medical technologies and progressive treatment methods
4). Reasonable prices for medical services
5). Convenient geographical location of Belarus in the center of Europe and well-developed transport communication
6). Mild climate, that does not require acclimatization and that contributes to faster rehabilitation

Medical services and treatment available in Belarus for foreigners:
Surgery
Dental
Cardiology
Oncology
Plastic surgery
Neurosurgery
Ophthalmology
Otorhinolaryngology
Traumatology and orthopedics
Reproductive technologies (IVF)
Organ and tissue transplantation
Rehabilitation
and others

There are also a number of SPA resorts in Belarus and in Minsk in particular.

All medical or SPA services are available on appointment/booking.

Nature’s Photo Shooting tours

Belarus is a very beautiful country, that harmoniously combines the most interesting cultural and historical heritage with wonderful gifts of nature. Ancient forests, beautiful lakes and fields are the most attractive to the eye of a photographer. Because of its natural landscapes Belarus is very often compared to Switzerland. Belarus is the Motherland of white storks, which population here is great. And European aurochs, the last ones in their kind, that inhabit in Belavezhskaya Pushcha, are the visit card of the country. For sure, nature's photo shooting in Belarus will enrich your collection of impressive photo pictures.

Belavezhskaya Pushcha is called after Polish settlement of Belavezha (Białowieża). The Pushcha is the territory of a relict forest, which in old times covered most of Central Europe. Gradually the forest was cut down, but on the territories of Belarus and Poland it was saved. Noteworthy, that the Pushcha was protected by its owners since the Middle Ages. So the Grand Duke of Lithuania and Polish King Jagaila in 1406 prohibited hunting big game here. Today Belavezhskaya Pushcha is under the protection of Belarusian state and is the vast reserve of flora and fauna, where hundreds of rare and endangered species of birds and animals live and breed. The air of Belavezhskaya Pushcha is filled with the fragrance of flowers, pine and spruce resin, fern, wild rose, the smell of forest berries and mushrooms. Giant oaks, ash-trees, maples, pines and spruces are the great heritage of old times. Some of the trees are of 450-530 years old and have the height of 40 meters. The king of that forest is European aurochs, whose population here is the only one in the world. The animal is the symbol of strength and power and nobility, all that connects present days’ Belarus with the former power and glory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. That’s why you can often see aurochs’ image as a logo of Belarusian sport teams. Walking the Pushcha’s trails, you can meet the family of aurochs in natural habitat. Also you can found here deer, wild boar and other hoofed animals, lynx, marten, polecat and even a wolf. Near rivers and lakes you can meet otter, mink, beaver and other forest dwellers. In 1992 Belarusian part of Belavezhskaya Pushcha was included by UNESCO in the List of World Heritage. Today Belavezhskaya Pushcha is the museum of nature and is open for visitors. For professional photographers they organize special routes, where you can take unique and extraordinary photos of wild and rare European nature, which looks now almost as it looked many centuries ago. Belavezhskaya Pushcha is also the Residence of Belarusian Santa Claus (Father Frost). His estate is located near the highest spruce (natural Christmas tree) in Europe. Be sure, your journey to Belavezhskaya Pushcha will become picturesque and unforgettable!

Berezina Biosphere Reserve is situated in the north of Belarus and is the largest swamp area in Europe. Berezina Biosphere Reserve takes its name from the Berezina, the longest river in Belarus, and together with the Western Dvina, the Svisloch, the Druts and the Dnieper it creates the water system, which has been connecting the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea since the 10th century and was worldwide known as the most important trading route “from the Vikings to the Greeks”. The square of Berezina Biosphere Reserve is 852 sq. km. and contains endless forests, large swamps, meadows, rivers and lakes. It is the vast territory of wild nature! Here you can find brown bear, elk, wolf, lynx, European aurochs, deer, roe, beaver, hare and many others. The most significant dweller of the Reserve is golden eagle (one of the largest eagles in the world), whose wingspan up to 2.4 meters. The other rare birds here are black stork and gray crane. In spring and summer seasons the Reserve organizes special tours for observation of animals and birds in their natural habitat. In 2010 Berezina Biosphere Reserve was included in the list of Ramsar sites as the most important swamp area for birds protection. The other routes for tourists are: walking and bicycle tours, safari tours, horse riding, kayaking and others. For photographers they have the observation deck of 12 meters height to take excellent panoramic photos. For children it would be interesting to go by the Trail of Discoveries of the arboretum, play at the rope town or visit the zoo. Hunting tourism is also developed in Berezina Biosphere Reserve, it is organized beyond the boundaries of the Reserve and within a special hunting zone. They support foreign hunters with all necessary documents. Visit Berezina Biosphere Reserve and enjoy the wonderful opportunity to touch the real nature and breath the pure air!

The Braslaw Lakes is the water area of Belarus of more than hundreds of lake and river islands, the significant portion of the country’s islands. The Braslaw Lakes are situated in the north of Belarus (Vitebsk region). They were created by the last glacier more than 15,000 years ago. The boulders left by the glacier can be found here and there on the islands. The biggest boulder is on the western part of the bank of the Strusto lake and has the size of 4.5x4.5 meters and the mass about 40 tons. The territory of the Braslaw Lakes in the 10-13th centuries was on the route “from the Vikings to the Greeks”, that’ s why some of the nearby settlements keep the history of those times. So in the village of Maskovichy the archeologists discovered a Viking settlement and a place of a significant number of runes and images dating to nearly 900 years old.Today the Braslaw Lakes area is a well developed tourist region with a number of sand beaches and purest lake water.

The Islands in the Braslaw Lakes:

The National Park “Narochansky” is the resort area of Belarus famous for its healing mineral springs, pure lake water and very picturesque landscapes. It is situated in the north-west of the country and is a part of Belarusian Lakeland. There are 43 lakes on the territory of the Park. They were created by the last glacier 15,000-20,000 years ago. The pearl of the park is the Naroch lake, that is the largest lake of Belarus. Its square is 79,6 sq.km. About 48% of the park is covered with picturesque pine and birch groves. The flora is rich of variety of mosses, lichens, mushrooms and algae.The most beautiful Belarusian orchid “lady's-slipper” is growing here. You can find here European red deer, wild boar, elk, roe, raccoon dog, badger, marten, mink, otter, beaver, muskrat and other animals. Nearly 35 species of fish inhabit in the waters of the park, that’s why the Park is very attractive place for fishermen. The camping is also very popular here. There are 16 tourist equipped tourist parkings on the banks of 9 lakes. The Park offers walking and bicycle tours, kayaking, yachting, hunting, fishing, diving and others. For photographers it will be interesting a sky walk on a helicopter to take panoramic photos from the height of the bird's flight.

The National Park “Pripyatsky” is the area famous for its wild Belarusian nature and impassable swamps, that have no analogues in the world. According to the western tour operators the National Park “Pripyatsky” can easily compete with the famous National Park “Everglades” in Florida, USA. Indeed it is difficult to collect in one place such a diversity of animals, birds, plants, meadows, forests, wetlands and water bodies, which are available in the National Park “Pripyatsky”. The Park is situated in the south of Belarus in the center of the Palesse swampy lowlands, which are usually called “the lungs of Europe”. It is a paradise for bird watchers and for the lovers of birds. The Park organizes special tours for tourists and photographers, where they can observe birds and animals in their natural habitat. For the observations they use water routes, pedestrian or road routes, ambush, special observation decks with the opportunities for photographers to take pictures of wild life. The rich hunting and fishing grounds of the Park attract hunters and fishermen from all over the world. During the tour you’ll also get known with the unique customs and traditions of Belarusian Palesse.

For sure, you’ve heard much about flamingo lands, but you cannot even imagine that Belarus is the land of large population of white storks! White stork in Belarusian is called “busel”, that’s why busel is the symbol of the country. Busels nest in Belarus from March till September. According to scientists, they come here from African Sahara Desert. To see the beautiful royal storks and take their photos you don’t need to visit special area of Belarus, just take a car and go on a highway to the wide expanse of fields: the storks are everywhere! Busels like to nest on rooftops of the village houses or on poles of electricity transmission lines, that’s why it’s a usual phenomenon here. For ages the locals have known, it is a great luck and grace, if busel nests on the roof of your house, that’s why this bird here is in great reverence. Also, every child here knows, that stork brings children, for this is one more reason to take care of the stork’s population. August is a special time for taking photos of busels. When the harvest time comes, you can see hundreds of storks, walking in the freshly cut fields near combine-harvesters. White storks are very friendly birds, and here in Belarus we know it very well. Come here and see it with your own eyes!