“OUR BOW TO HERO CITIES”

1^st day

Transfer to Minsk (375 km). Excursion to Khatyn on the way to Minsk. The thematic excursion “The State Memorial Complex “Khatyn" – a monument to the victims of fascist terror in Belarus, the unique cemetery of villages burned during the World War II. The memorial located on the territory of ​​approximately 50 hectares. It resembles original Khatyn village. You will see the former village streets, will pass the obelisks set on the places where the houses used to stay, you will the mournful sounds of the bells and find out about the causes of the tragedy and the terrible events of that day.

Sightseeing bus and walking tour around Minsk – the capital of Belarus. You will have an opportunity to explore the city, which is among the top ten Eastern European destinations for tourists. Trinity Suburb - the historic center of the old town has retained the flavor of the XVIII-XIX centuries with ancient, like toy houses and the Upper Town with the Town Hall and the Holy Spirit Cathedral. Picturesque twisting streets, cozy cafes, craftsman houses, artist galleries, catholic Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary, street shopping rows, an ancient Nemiga The Island of Sorrow and Tears on the Svisloch river and the war memorial complex to “Sons of the Fatherland”, opened in memory of the inhabitants of Belarus, who fell in the battles of all time.

You will also see dynamic modern look of Minsk, the unique architecture of the main street – a monument of urban art of the XX century, Independence Square – the main square of Belarus, Church of Saint Simeon and Helena. Victory Square and the National Library are included in the list of the most outstanding contemporary architectural structures.

Excursion to the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. During its construction they have declined the use of the classical methods of space and town planning of facilities, arrangement of urban environmental, areas and interiors. The museum has 10 exhibition halls organized according to the chronology of events - from 1930^th to 1950^th, covering the pre-war situation in Europe, the events of the Great Patriotic War and the first years of peace, and the Victory Hall (covered by a glass dome which is crowned by a copy of the Victory Banner). The total area of ​​the museum is 15 thousand square meters. The new museum building is equipped with multimedia complexes with plasma screens, installations.

Leisure time. Overnight stay at the hotel.

2^nd day

Early breakfast. Transfer to the Bialowieza Forest (360 km), listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. You will enjoy the combination of a rich flora and amazing landscapes. There is the highest European spruce, powerful European bison, an amazing variety of the wild world. You will have an opportunity to see over cages with the inhabitants of the Bialowieza Forest. Excursion to the Museum of Nature.

Visiting the Memorial Complex “Brest Hero-Fortress”. You will see here old buildings, ruins, sculpture and architecture structures, “Courage” and “Thirst” monuments, Ceremonial Square, Bayonet Obelisk and Eternal Flame. Excursion to the Fortress Defense Museum.

Sightseeing excursion “Brest - the town on the border.” Brest is an ancient town on the border between Belarus and Poland. You will discover its cultural heritage, ancient temples and monuments.

Leisure time. Walking along the main pedestrian street at the sun set, you can admire here a daily ceremony of lighting retro street-lamps by the lamplighter wearing the uniform of the Peter’s the Great time.

3^rd day

Sightseeing excursion “Through the pages of the history of a millennium city Vitebsk”. You will enjoy the magnificence of the architecture of the city with more than a thousand years of history, combining the West and East features; perfectly preserved and restored buildings of historic area of the city of the XVIII-XIX centuries. Town Hall – the symbol of a free city. Church of the Resurrection is one of the most beautiful monuments of Vilnius Baroque, majestic Cathedral of the Assumption, the pedestrian street of Suvorov with souvenir shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, coffee shops located along it. Annunciation Church is a monument of ancient architecture of the XII century. The pearl of modern architecture is the Summer Amphitheatre - the best performance venues in Europe, which runs the world famous arts festival “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”.

Sightseeing bus and walking tour “Smolensk is the city of military Glory, the Hero City”. You will visit the Smolensk fortress wall, an outstanding defensive structures of the end of the XVI and early XVII centuries; Cathedral Hill – the religious and administrative town center since Vladimir Monomakh; Holy Assumption Cathedral – the pearl of Russian architecture of the XVII-XVIII centuries in which one of the most important and most revered Russian shrines – the Miraculous Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, Hodegetria.

The heroic history of Smolensk is closely connected with the events of the Russian Patriotic War of 1812. The tour offers views the monuments erected in honor of the battle of Smolensk, formations of the Russian armies, monuments to Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, Anton Skalon and to other generals in the Square in Memory of the Heroes.

The centerpiece of the tour is the theme of the Great Patriotic War. Smolensk, as in the Patriotic War of 1812, was in the direction of the main attack of enemy troops on Moscow. Two years and three months Smolensk was burning in the fire of war. Numerous monuments and memorials are historical records of all these events. Departure after 09:00 p.m.