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Overview
This new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's Belarus remains the only full-blown standalone guide to the most westerly of the constituent republics that formed the Soviet Union prior to the break-up in 1991. Written and updated by expert author and Russian speaker Nigel Roberts, who has been travelling throughout the country for over 17 years, it is the definitive guide to understanding, and making the most of a visit to this much-misunderstood nation.
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.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781784775490 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Bradt Travel Guides Ltd |
| Publication date: | 10/05/2018 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 20 MB |
| Note: | This product may take a few minutes to download. |
About the Author
Nigel Roberts first visited Belarus in 2001 and worked on sustainable development projects there with rural communities blighted by the Chernobyl catastrophe for 14 years. By profession a lawyer, though he has now left that life behind, he is also a Russian speaker. His interest in the former Soviet Union was kindled as a boy and since then he has researched and travelled widely in the area. Since publication of the first edition of this Bradt guide, he has written about his travels in Belarus for a number of print and online periodicals, particularly concerning the close relationship he has developed with communities and families in the district of Vetka. Over 16 years he has developed a comprehensive portfolio of contacts amongst ordinary people, broadcast, print and online journalists, the tourism industry, local government, central government ministries and diplomats within Belarus.
Read an Excerpt
'One day, perhaps soon, I shall sit down to write a travelogue by way of homage to the truly astonishing people that I have met; it may or may not include the aged babooshka whom I was foolish enough, in a moment of utter madness and entirely baseless bravado, to challenge to a drinking contest. After an evening of sumptuous but simple provender in a rural homestead close to the Russian border, we sat down to exchange traditional songs, tell stories and debate big issues. Almost everyone you meet has an enviable grasp of significant international affairs. The level of intellectual debate on matters of relevance to the future of the planet and to society puts us to shame in the West. One toast followed another as each topic of conversation came to a head, then we reached the point at which only she and I had yet to refuse the inevitable invitation for our glasses to be filled to the brim. My exhortations for the granny to drain hers met with a nonchalant look of utter indifference. Her timing was perfect; having milked the moment for every last drop of drama, she proceeded to raise the glass to her lips, then slowly but steadily, drank to the bottom before returning it to the table with precision and a further look of indifference, this time, bordering on contempt. I should have seen the signs and backed away in shame. But I persisted. And as my foolish bravado led me on, she maintained her steady hand, inscrutable visage and a clear resolve to see me off. I’m told that it was wonderful spectator sport and that I didn’t admit defeat for at least four toasts after the first look of fear came into my eyes. And the babooshka? The only indication of any slight effect of the vodka was that she sang louder and louder, but no less melodiously. That apart, not a single word passed between us.’
Table of 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
Index