DMBTraveler

Until May 30th, 2014 you can visit Belarus “Visa Free” because of the IIHF World Championship. I will be the first to admit I am not a big hockey fan but I cannot resist the opportunity to visit Belarus since it is so easy to do at this time.

Online I just purchased tickets to the Quarter Finals which will allow me to enter Belarus without the hassle and cost of getting a visa. My next step is to make travel arrangements which should be easy by air, bus or rail from any major European city.

Have you been to Minsk? Belarus? Would appreciate suggestions to explore and enjoy this fantastic country.

BigRuss

<<this fantastic country>>

Hmm. Have not heard that description of the last bastion of Sovietism . . .

DMBTraveler

BigRuss,

I guess you do not read much propaganda material or do not believe everything you read on the internet, I do

DMBTraveler

Off To Minsk

After a planned stay over in Vilnius, we board an early afternoon train for Minsk. At 15:03 we are on track to hopefully see the USA Hockey Team play in the Quarter Finals tomorrow afternoon.

At Gudogai Station we make our official crossing into Belarus and for us it is an interesting one. Our train comes to a stop and a swarm of Customs, Immigration and Police officials board the train. Some of them have on very cool hats but I am afraid to take pictures as for the most part they seem very stern.

We wait somewhat nervously for them to check our documents especially when my passport is taken for a closer examination. After about 15-20 minutes we are back on track.

Around 5:45pm we arrive at Minsk Central and a $9 cab ride later we are somewhere on the outskirts of the city in a neighborhood apartment. In a few minutes we will be ready to let our Minsk experience begin.

DMBTraveler

To Minsk By Plane, Bus And Train

Video:http://youtu.be/-uclW6i6yN4

DMBTraveler

A Glimpse Of Minsk

Leaving our interesting but charming $80 per night apartment, we take a walk along a well shaded path to a neighborhood grocery store where I meet a cool and refreshing Belarusian face.

Savoring a Summer treat we continue onto the nearby metro station where we meet some extremely friendly and helpful local students. With their help we are soon headed to another part of the city.

At an outdoor venue we go through a brief security screening then it's dinner and a local brew as we are entertained by a band that seems to be a crowd favorite.

Ghostbusters done Belarusian style is fun.


Video:http://youtu.be/zu4PE26PtFM

lauren_s_kahn

I found the security screenings in Minsk on July 3rd (their national holiday which celebrates the liberation of Minsk by the Russians during World War II) to be no different than similar screenings in the United States.

I have to say that my stay in Belarus was totally enjoyable if brief. I went to visit the towns from which my maternal family came. The blog of the the trip can be found here:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...tors-2014.html

Unfortunately, my camera was stolen in Istanbul (next stop after Belarus). I lost all the photos. Sniff!

sparkchaser

This is excellent news. Time for a driving tour of the Baltics!

lauren_s_kahn

I have been to both Tallin and Vilnius--both as side trips. I went to Tallin on a day trip from Helsinki. I went to Riga from Stockholm in 2012 and stayed one night in a hotel there. Both were interesting and I wish I had had more time to explore.

I was so close to Vilnius this summer when I was in Minsk but the timing just was not good. Vilnius is banked for another time.