Belarus - Fehéroroszország - Bradt útikönyv

Included in this new edition is a detailed focus on the capital city Minsk, the most likely destination for first-time travellers and now becoming a major European capital city thanks to an easing of visa regulations, as well as coverage of each of the other five cities and all six regions. Roberts draws on his years of experience and shares many stories and vignettes of his own adventures and experiences of everyday life, all of which help to bring the destination to life. In addition, there are recommendations and tips from his wide circle of contacts, including people at all levels of the tourism industry, charities working on the ground, local people and travellers from abroad, who regularly share details of up-to-the-minute information, changes and developments.
With Bradt's Belarus enjoy the opportunity to put the cliché to the test; only ever described by Western media as 'the last dictatorship in Europe', travellers certainly do have the opportunity to experience elements of life as it was lived in the days of the Soviet Union but can also see beyond the cliché as Belarus seeks to free itself from the Soviet past and establish its own heritage and place in the modern world. Discover beautifully preserved and restored museum towns such as Mir, Njasvizh, Novogrudok, Pinsk and Polotsk; see Soviet-style brutalist and modernist architecture; explore accessible national parks and vast areas of unspoilt wilderness, with ample opportunity to study flora and fauna; visit historic palaces and castles stunningly restored; and enjoy the unconditional hospitality of a people who are anxious to interact with visitors from the English-speaking world.

Contents

Introduction viii

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information

Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government, politics and

administration, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture

Chapter 2 Practical Information

When to visit, Highlights and suggested itineraries, Tour operators and tourist information, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Electricity, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping,

Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Business, Buying property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively

PART TWO THE GUIDE

Chapter 3 Minsk City and Oblast

Geography and climate, History, Highlights, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping,

Other practicalities, What to see and do, Outside Minsk

Chapter 4 Brest City and Oblast

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Outside Brest

Chapter 5 Grodno City and Oblast

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Outside Grodno

Chapter 6 Vitebsk City and Oblast

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Outside Vitebsk

Chapter 7 Mogilev City and Oblast

History, Getting there and around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Outside Mogilev

Chapter 8 Gomel City and Oblast

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Outside Gomel

Appendix 1 Language

Appendix 2 Further Information