brest information...

hello there,

im planin to visit belarus for two weeks,if anyone give any information about,howmuch pounds or dolars shud i take by my side(consider that ill have it large)?

how can i travel from minsk to brest(coach,train,flight)???

which season or month is the best to go?

which hotels do you recommend in city of brest,do you know howmuch is it to stay per night??

can i rent a car and is my uk licence is good in belarus and which company is the most trustworthy to rent a car?

is it an expensive country?food,drink,clubbin

do they welcome british people???

i met wiv sum good people in my holiday time at kusadasi,turkey who forced me to visit em in brest,wud be aprreciated if you give me any information or helpfull advises,thanx from now on...

mel...

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Brest is a nice city. Returned from there a couple of days ago.

The best travel to Brest from Minsk is by train. More comfortable, safe and less stressing. A ticket will cost around 15 dollars/8 pounds.

Summer is the best time to go there, the city%26#39;s green, it%26#39;s +25- +27 C, you can even swim in the local river Boug))

Well, i looked for one myself, but unfortunately i don%26#39;t remember it%26#39;s name. It%26#39;s just over the bridge near the railway station, very cheap (starting from 11 dollars per night and more depending on the facilities) and not very ... say... european style. There was one just half a mile further near the central square and the park, it looked more decent.

Your uk license wil be ok, though you hardly will find a car rent company. Here in Belarus I know only one of that kind, it%26#39;s in Minsk.

Food and clubbing is pretty much as expensive as in Poland or Ukraine, cheaper than in UK but not peanuts of course...

But drink is dirt cheap, local vodka - 3 dollars for a bottle, beer - 1 dollar for a bottle in local stores. Clubs and restaurants are more expensive.

There is a very nice pub in there, it%26#39;s Gogol street, named %26quot;Pubhouse%26quot;. It%26#39;s Bayern-style pub with polite staff and nice interiour. I%26#39;ve visited it this year and visited it last year and I adore it.

Simple Belarusian folk is very friendly to English-speaking foreigners, very hospitable and helpful. Even if they don%26#39;t speak English you%26#39;ll always get the answer in sign language. If you get in the company you%26#39;ll even be asked to have a drink together as you%26#39;re a guest.

but you%26#39;d better not speak about the policy of our dictator Loukashenko as some people love him and avoid criticising him in public - the police don%26#39;t like it. Not that you%26#39;ll be taken to prison and tortured (we%26#39;re not the country lost in the Middle Ages), you%26#39;ll just attract their attention, they%26#39;ll check your papers ask questions and stuff, i don%26#39;t think it%26#39;s so much pleasant.

So, anything i forgot to mention?

does anyone know where this is

We are going to Poland/Germany etc. in three weeks and going through old paper work found some documents that said our family lived on a small farm in a small town east of Baranowicze, the town was written on this paper as Swiskowscya, I can not find anything like this. They would have lived there between 1920%26#39;s and 1940%26#39;s on and off of course. We would like to be able to visit this area if possible but I need to be able to find it. We are going to Bialystok and then hopefully to this town. Any help or to long ago?

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Baranowicze (or Baranovichi) is currently situated in Belarus, neighboring to Poland country, so you won%26#39;t be able to get there from Bialystok directly without a visa.

In 1920-1939 this part belonged to Poland but later was taken by the Soviets.

I tried to look for this mysterious place on modern Baranovichi region maps but didn%26#39;t succeed.

http://karta.brestobl.com/03bar/16.html

this one for example

There are several reasons for that

1)this could be a village destroyed during Nazi occupation

2) if this was a Jewish shtetl they were not usually indicated on maps as they were considered to be the part of a bigger Belarusian settlement

3)and for the last one you should look carefully at the map i provided you with

you see the big town marked with big red capital letters БАРАНОВИЧИ, that%26#39;s Baranovichi. There is little place to the east of it , because there to the east starts a new region - Liahovichi region. Maybe you should stick to this place in the search, or even to a different oblast(several regions form an oblast - that%26#39;s administrative division of Belarus) which is further to north-east.

Anyway, your case is very complicated and needs knowing details and turning to special archives. If you still are interested in continuation of your search reply my post here. I%26#39;ll keep visiting this thread for a couple of weeks.

Yury Minsk, Belarus

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Thank you for your reply Yury, I almost sure it was not a Jewish shtetl as that would not fit the history. I may be able to find more information, for now I now it was right beside the Pripet Marshes? In my research I found a town? called Swizlocz, Svislac, Svisloc and wondered if that could have been it. I have to find english pages only. That is true about the visa%26#39;s, it looks as though we will not go to Belarus this time but I am still very interested in it for future trips. Thank you in advance.

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There is such a place in Belarus as Swislach(in polish), (Svislach(in belarusian),Svisloch(russian)). This is originally a name of a river. And it gave name to several places, that surprisingly are situated in different corners of Belarus.

1) Svisloch, situated in Grodno oblast, a town, centre of a region but!founded in 1940, so it%26#39;s a modern town.

2) Svisloch, situated in Minsk oblast, a village near Puhovichi

3) Svisloch, situated in Mogilev oblast, a vilage near Osipovichi

btw Puhovichi and Osipovichi regions are adjacent to each other though they refer to different oblasts (just to remind you: an oblast is similiar to a state in US and region is similiar to a county in US)

The nearest to Baranovichi Svisloch is #2.

I wish I could give you a link to a map in English but i didn%26#39;t manage to find any with those places even in russian. Maybe because those are really tiny and insignificant(not for you, of course ))) villages.

If you continue your search i got a piece of a very helpful advice for you.

In recent 10-15 years there%26#39;s been a project to create large history books about every single region of Belarus. There are 106 of them . This project is called %26quot;Pamiats%26quot; (belarusian for %26quot;Memory%26quot;). Every region gathered tons of information about its history, culture, economy and so on. They collected really valuable and rare material about every little place in Belarus.

I myself got a book of that kind about a region where all my ancestry came from. I read it from cover to cover and found even info about my dad and my granddad there. My granny found there stories about her neighbours and acquaintances from the village she came from. So those books are really very detailed. And you could find something concerning your serches there.

There are only three problems - they are in Belarusian, they come in a very limited edition and not every region has already published a Pamiats book of its own(they planned to finish this campaign by 2005 but i got no idea whether they managed to). So you will need a Belarusian translator(not from Russia, russian people understand only 60% of Belarusian language) and tons of luck to find the book of a necessary region in bookstores.

Good luck in your search!

need anything else to find out - feel free to ask

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photofile.ru/photo/…60521659.jpg

All such books have the same design.

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Removed on: 11:18 am, September 07, 2009

transportation

I am planning to travel to brest region. Stolin. Does anyone know if public transport would be available or any idea how easy it would be to hire a car and prices?

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hiring a car in Stolin is practically impossible

the bus service should be quite efficient in there, though you seem to not speak Russian and will have some difficulties in buying tickets

there will also be a taxi service(around 30p for a mile, I think)

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Thanks you blr. I was planning to stay in Minsk and travel to Stolin for 2 days.The more Im reading the more Im thinking it sounds too difficult.Thanks for response.

Annemarie

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just take someone of minskers with you on the trip and you will have no problems.

though if you%26#39;re tough enough )) you%26#39;ll be able to make it yourself.

I remember one American, 22yrs old, i think, who was so upset that he would not see Minsk because he and his companions were to stay in the middle of nowhere in Brest region(120km from Minsk), that he asked me how to call the local taxi service and he managed to reach minsk, do shopping there not knowing a word in russian and go back just for 120 dollars(the driver was cheating of course, it should have cost 90 dollars). All his american friends thought he was nuts, but he made it. Belarus is comparatively safe and hospitable to foreigners, so, good luck!

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Thanks again blr. Dont really know what to do. All sounds very difficu lt. would love to go though. I had a little boy from Belarus stay with me here in scotland for 4 weeks. it was arranged through chernobyl childrens lifeline charity.He was a lovely boy and we grew very fond of him while he was here.I told him I will arrange for him to return to scotland in 2 years but in the meantime I would try and vist him in belarus.is He was so excited at the prospect of that also we had an interpreter here and she said she was sure his parents wouold give us a very warm welcome. They live in a village called Rubel nr stolin. Hence the reason to stay in

minsk and visit him for a day or so. The charity said they would try and get me a price for a car and driver but it would be really expensive. So far they havent got back to me with a price.

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I%26#39;m sure the boy%26#39;s family will give you a warm welcome.

You can go to Rubel this way

Minsk - Pinsk - Stolin - Rubel

You can go from Minsk to Pinsk by train. I travelled this way myself. 10 hours, 10-15$ depending on the class of a ticket.

(a funny thing - locals call this train %26quot;round-the-world-train%26quot; as it%26#39;s rather long)

From Pinsk railway station you take a taxi to Stolin or Rubel as you wish.

This is some 80 km, 50 min drive, it should cost you some 70$(in case the taxi driver wants to cheat, let it be 90$)

The way back should be easier as the family of the boy will definitely help you with transport. I%26#39;m sure they will accompany you to Pinsk and get you on the train back to minsk.

Or they will offer you a better/shorter/cheaper route than i did.

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A little mistake:

Minsk - Pinsk is only a 6 hours trip, 8-12$

This makes your travel even shorter!

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thanks again blr. you certainly know your stuff!!

do you live in belarus? Also have you any idea how long post from the uk should take to reach belarus or vice versa?

Many thanks blr

annemarie

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yeah, i live in Belarus.

Now about your mail question... let me think a little...

Glasgow - Minsk will be 4-6 days(par avion, prioritaire, of course)

Minsk - Stolin(and villages)2-3 days

So Glasgow - Rubel will make 6-9 days, depending on how lucky you are.

Anyway, i got a friend in a little town in Florida, US. When i want to send a postcard there I do that 12-13 days beforehand and i %26#39;ve never made a mistake. Scotland is much nearer. Local post in Belarus works very well. A letter from Minsk will reach any little spot in Belarus in 2-3 days.

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DHL works here. I saw its several offices in Minsk.

If you want to send just text - use EMS, it%26#39;ll take then just a couple of days.

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Thank you again blr, I have loads of questions i could ask someone like yourself who seems very knowledgable, however Im sure youl be fed up with this thread going on and on.......If you ever feel in the mood to answer 20 questions plz email me. I would be delighted annemariebradsha@aol.com

Thank you again you have been so helpful

annemarie

International train ticket from Minsk

I%26#39;m going to be in Minsk at the end of August for one night and need to buy a train ticket from Minsk to Berlin. I haven%26#39;t found any agencies who are able to provide this in advance so I%26#39;m left with buying it while in Minsk. However I will only be there on a Sunday and the train leaves at 7am the following morning. The Lonely Planet website says that at the train station International Tickets are only available on the day of travel but my train leaves before the ticket office opens and the travel agencies in Minsk all seem to be closed on a Sunday.

So does anyone know how I can buy an Interntaional train ticket from Minsk - Berlin either in advance from London or on a Sunday in Minsk?

Many Thanks

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You CAN buy an international ticket on a Sunday in Minsk!

You just need to go to the old building of the railway station(it%26#39;s just 50 metres from the new one) where there is a special department for selling international tickets.

There are no queues there, just make sure you have all papers ok (passport, visa etc).

Several weeks ago i and my friend went there to buy a ticket to Warsaw, month ago I booked there a ticket to Kiev - so i know it for sure.

Don%26#39;t worry, you%26#39;ll be able to buy the ticket/

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Oh thank you! You%26#39;re a star.

One more question then...........how likely is is that the train will already be fully booked if I%26#39;m only booking the day before it goes?

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photofile.ru/photo/…60537881.jpg

this is the new building

and that%26#39;s the old building

photofile.ru/photo/…60538349.jpg

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tell me the day, ask me here, i%26#39;ll check out whether there are vacant places

i travel often and i%26#39;m a frequent visitor of minsk railway station

so that%26#39;s no problem

expensive tickets will be at your disposal, that%26#39;s for sure

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Thank you!

It%26#39;s the direct Minsk-Frankfurt train leaving Minsk at 7.06am on Monday 27th August. I think it%26#39;s Train No. 11.

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okey-dokey

just check this thread out for a couple of days

i%26#39;ll make inquiries

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i visited this international tickets booking office and that%26#39;s what i%26#39;ve found out.

This office really works 24 hours 7 days a week.

The tickets for the train #11 can be bought only on the day of departure. I asked the cashier whether this train is popular at the end of august, and pitifully Moscow-Berlin direction turned out to be very busy as lots of people come back to work after summer vacations. She couldn%26#39;t guarantee that there would be vacant places for this train.

But she told me there is one more daily train going from Minsk to Berlin. It%26#39;s Moscow - Berlin, #15. It arrives in Minsk on Monday at 15-26 and reaches Berlin at 9-12 the next day. And the tickets for this train are available in Minsk even now (it costs 95 euros for a comfortable %26quot;coupe%26quot; place).

So technically you%26#39;ll be able to buy tickets for two trains, either #11 or #15 but in reality you could stay without any as this direction is very busy at the end of August.

i think i could help you to buy the ticket you need but as money is involved i can%26#39;t imagine how to make things done.

if i were 100% sure you will come to Minsk on 27th of August, I would buy you a ticket, meet you at the railway station and get the money back.

or you could make a money transfer via Western union or anything else.

it%26#39;s up to you.

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Thank you so much for your help. We have decided to go to Vilnius now from Minsk and I%26#39;m going to head back to London from there. But if I can ever return the favour for you let me know.

Thanks again xx

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Removed on: 2:19 am, September 07, 2009

Minsk Gberna

I had a relative who I was told was from Minsk Gberna. Does anyone know if that is in or near Minsk and how I would locate it on a map or a hotel I could stay in at that location?

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well, i think your relative mispronounced the name of the area he was from.

gubernia(guberniya) was the name for an administrative part of Russian empire

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk_Governorate

Minsk gubernia represented almostly a half of modern Belarus territory. That%26#39;s just the same if i were told by some my relative that he was from Florida.

It%26#39;s necessary to find out the exact city or town where he was born.

Or at least an uezd(a part of gubernia) where he was born.

Here are the options: Bobruisk uezd, Borisov uezd, Igumen uezd, Minsk uezd, Mozyr uezd, Novogrudok uezd, Pinsk uezd, Rechitsa uezd or Sloutsk uezd.

Make inquiries.

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all of those places I%26#39;ve mentioned are no more than 150-200 km from Minsk

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Removed on: 6:21 pm, September 01, 2009

Going to Minsk from Vilnius

We are planning on going to Minsk from Vilnious on a day trip - we will not be staying overnight as we are returning the same day. Do you know if we still need an invite or just a visa?

Also do the locals speak English as I know only a couple of words of Russian.

Thanks

Dave V.

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you will need a transit visa. google %26quot;belarus consulate%26quot; and check their webpage. i will be able to tell you in a couple of months but i highly doubt that the locals speak very much, if any english. the border/customs people might know a bit, but i wouldnt bank on anything. i would pick up a small russian phrase-book. even though belarussian is slightly different, it will work.

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Labas/Hi,

Just a normal tourist visa, you can get eg from railway station of

Vilnius even in one day, colour picture needed, no invitation

Please note that for transit visa you need a nother visa already

in your passport

You can find people who can speak english, recommend to try with young people (especially if they look students)

Regards

Tuomo H (Finn from Vilnius)

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this is an edit/clarification to my earlier post.

the belarussian language is actually quite different from russian, but most everyone there will speak russian.

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Eeeeeek, no I don%26#39;t think you can%26#39;t get a visa for Belarus in Vilnius - not with a UK passport - unless you%26#39;re flying between the two in which case you can get one at Minsk aiport. You need to get a transit visa before you leave the UK. Either look at the consular website at http://www.belembassy.org/uk/consular.html or use an agency like www.realrussia.co.uk (they also cover Belarus).

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the locals speak mostly Russian

turn to young people

they will know bits and pieces of English

it%26#39;s compulsory at schools

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I%26#39;ve just returned from Minsk, having travelled from Vilnius by train. I got my visa by using the Kelvita agency in the International hall of the Vilnius railway station, this took 48 hours and was something like €20 more expensive than the actual visa fee. There are both buses and trains from Vilnius to Minsk, these take 4 hours so it would a long day trip. While English is easily used in tourist facilities in Vilnius, this is not so in Minsk!

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ha-ha!

i%26#39;ve always known in those agencies they employ workers from the countryside knowing just two words in english:o%26#39;k and McDonald%26#39;s:)

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Removed on: 1:23 am, September 08, 2009

visiting Belarus

My partner and I hosted two children last year for one month through the Chernobyl Charity and have been invited over to stay with them. We are visiting at the end of September and staying for a week with them and their families. We have obtained our visas etc and booked our flights and one of the families is collecting us from the airport. I am just wondering if there is anything I need to know before going - I think we have to register with the Police or someone when we arrive, is this correct? What is the weather normally like at the start of October? Any other info would be appreciated. We are staying in the Mogilev region - Osipovichy.

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We too hosted children ffrom the same region this year and would like to visit them next year, so any information regarding your trip would be much appreciated.

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Hi

yes you must register with the police i think it is within 72 hours.

are you staying in a hotel? if so i believe they do it on your behalf (but check).

if your renting an apartment then you will need to do it yourself.

you will need to find out which station you can do it at also. im sorry cant help you anymore than that.

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Removed on: 3:17 pm, September 09, 2009

old Jewish area tour guides?

Hi,

can anyone pls tell me, if there are recognised guides whom I can book a half or whole day with, to tour the old Jewish parts of Vitebsk? I%26#39;ve not been to Belarus before so wouldn%26#39;t really know where to start. Also, anyone got a rough idea how much it might cost for half and for a whole day%26#39;s tour? I%26#39;m thinking of a tour guide with a car, similar to a cab driver but with the experience of being a guide and not just a driver.

Thanks for your help

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Hello ClassicBee!

I am sorry to say that being Jewish and lived in Vitebsk for 19 years I cannot realy help you. I live in Canada but my family is in Vitebsk. My brother has a very good conections with Vitebsk Juwish comunity, so if you really need help just let me know the detailes of your trip and your questions. I will transfer all this to my brother and hope he would be able to help you to make it as easy as possible.

You can right me on m_ushenka@yahoo.com

All the best!

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Hi there,

as far as i know www.ncg.by.ru provides their clients with the services not only in Minsk. Contact them to know the detailes.

www.ncg.by.ru

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Are you still interested in visiting the Jewish area of Vitsbsk? I cna help you.

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Removed on: 8:18 pm, September 08, 2009

Map over Gomel

Where , what web.adress, do I find a map over Gomel city (not russian letters)/Evalena

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try this

http://www2.mappy.com

look for Homel(Homyel) - that%26#39;s Belarusian for Gomel

better to buy such map when in Gomel

it should be sold in kiosks

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Removed on: 10:16 pm, September 08, 2009

Salsa dancing in Minsk

I am visiting Minsk next week and have heard that salsa dancing is quite big. If so where are the best places to go. I will be in Minsk from 21 to 29 July.

Thanks Chris

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Hello,

I am travelling next week to Minsk and I also woder if there is any salsa activity in Minsk. I will stay there one week!

Thanks for any information.

Tom

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Removed on: 8:16 am, September 04, 2009

Moving to Belarus

I would like to move to Belarus. I am a native English speaking person with a small pension and would like to know about teaching English in Belarus. Is it possible to get a position or to volunteer to teach English anywhere in the country?

Is it very difficult to find a small apartment or a room with a family? What is the weather like in Belarus? I can%26#39;t think of any other questions right now but please clue me in to any information you might have about Belarus.

Saore

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Hi

I have visited Minsk once so can give you a little advice.

Warm summers and cold winters are the climate answers for you.

As for teaching English you would most likely need a TEFL (Teach English as foreign language) certificate or a CELTA certificate, google them for info.

As a volunteer i would guess you may not need such certifcates and being a native speaker may suffice.

As for being any vacancies i am not sure. There are usually plenty in Ukraine/Latvia/Estonia but Belarus is still pretty much behind the times as far as opening up to the west unlike the other ex Soviet states.

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I would say it is a very brave decision of you!!! Firstly, you need to learn Russian! Secondly, prepare yourself for the harsh weather - hot summer, cold winter.

You will need a certification to teach English.

It is no problem at all to rent a small flat or a room in Minsk.

Will be happy to answer any questions.

I am originally from Belarus but live in UK

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Removed on: 4:16 pm, September 12, 2009

Hotel in Vitebsk

Hi!! Someone can help me?? I would like to have news on Luchesa Hotel and their price.

Thanks

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Hello!

This is their website - http://luchesa.by/en/?f=main

You can find all the necessary information their.

Best Regards,

Vera - tourist information centre info@belarustourism.by

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Decent hotel next to a church. It has a lovely lobby. Rooms are very small but quaint. A double room consists of 2 single beds on opposite sides of the room. It has a small, tube TV and a radio on the wall next to the bed.

If you don%26#39;t mind not having modern conveniences and like %26quot;hamish%26quot; comfort this is more than adequate.

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Removed on: 6:22 pm, November 10, 2007


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Removed on: 8:18 pm, September 11, 2009

weather

Can a local or regular vistor to Minsk, Pinks and Brest let me know what the weather is like during September and October in Belarus. Thanks in advance for any info.

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Here are climate tables for Europe in Danish: http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/index/verden.htm

%26quot;Verdensvejr - Europa = The weather of the world - Europe.%26quot;

%26quot;Vælg et land...= Choose a country.%26quot; %26quot;Vælg en by... = Choose a town.%26quot;

%26quot;eller vælg en by på kortet...= or choose a town on the map.%26quot;

Regards Naturelsker

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The translation of the Danish names, words, abbreviations and sentences:

The days of the week:

Mandag = Monday.

Tirsdag = Tuesday.

Onsdag = Wednesday.

Torsdag = Thursday.

Fredag = Friday.

Nedbør (mm) = precipitation (mm).

Nedbørdage: Consist of the words “nedbør” (precipitation) and “dag” (day).

Dagtemp: Consist of the words “dag” (day) and “temperature” (temperature).

Nattemp: Consist of the words “nat” (night) and “temperature” (temperature).

Solskinstimer = hours of sunshine.

En nedbørsdag er en dag, hvor der falder 1 mm nedbør eller mere = A nedbørsdag is a day where there is falling 1 mm precipitation or more.

Regards Naturelsker

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PS: Lørdag = Saturday. Søndag = Sunday.

Regards Naturelsker

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Removed on: 5:24 am, September 13, 2009

Minks - info to Pinsk

Hi, I will be in Minsk Sept 08 and travelling to Pinsk, can anyone give me ANY info on travel options and (family of 5) accommodation in Minsk and especially Pinsk (getting info on Pinsk is difficult to say the least!) We are travelling there for my father-in-law to visit his place of birth - he has not been there since he left in the early 1940%26#39;s! Any information would be very appreciated.

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Removed on: 6:22 pm, November 10, 2007


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A page about Pinsk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinsk

A direct train from Minsk to Pinsk via Luninets (German: Luninez) with departure at 22:50 and arrival at Pinsk at 6:12 according to the website of Die Bahn: http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Remember at inter Luninez in the field %26quot;via%26quot; (so you do find the direct train).

Regards Naturelsker

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Removed on: 3:19 pm, August 26, 2009

Luninets Accommodation

I am trying to find accommodation in Luninets. I am their with my family of 5 for visiting relations. Any help would be appreciated I have searched high and low and found nothing yet.

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This page indicate a hotel in Luninets: eng.belarustourism.by/catalog/catsearch.html…

Regards Naturelsker

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The map of Luinets and neighbourhood: http://www.brestregion.com/m8.html

Regards Naturelsker

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A page about: Luninets: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luninets

English - Belarusan Dictionary: www.belarusguide.com/dictionaries/index.html

Regards Naturelsker

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Belorussian is spoken by about two-thirds of the population according to this page: www.worldlanguage.com/Countries/Belarus.htm…

Regards Naturelsker

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The menu “Dictionaries” don’t work on the website %26quot;English - Belarusan Dictionary%26quot; but the menu %26quot;Sounds%26quot; do work on the site.

Regards Naturelsker

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Thank you for your help ... it is very much appreciated.

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Removed on: 1:20 pm, September 13, 2009

English bookstores in Belarus

Hello,

do you know any good bookstores in Belarus

that have books in English? doesn%26#39;t matter if they%26#39;re secondhand..

even better..

If so, where and what are they like?

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hello:) the only good store that comes to my mind which sells books in English is Lexis in Minsk. it%26#39;s in the Linguistic University which is in the center of the city. metro station %26quot;Victory Square%26quot;, there should be some students around there who speak English and who can give you additional information how to get there:)

P.S. there are new books and secondhand books there, the choice is ok, mainly classical literatue:)

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thanks.. you wouldn%26#39;t happen to know the website though? i%26#39;m trying to find it but so far, i%26#39;ve had little or no luck..

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if you mean the lexis website, it exists i think but it%26#39;s being developed now, so it%26#39;s currently not working. www.lexis.by - just in case it will work one day:)

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Removed on: 10:17 pm, September 13, 2009

Prescription medicine rquirements ?

Hello Everyone :)

I will soon travel to minsk and have read so many different articles, but my main question is :

Is there a requirement for documentation in order to enter the country with presciption medicine ?

I know some are considered %26quot;drugs%26quot; in the schengen area.

I would greatly appreciate any info.

Tom

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you know, if you want to be on the safe side, you%26#39;d better bring some prove teh medicine is prescribed for you:) and definitely dont%26#39; bring tons of the medicine with you cause it seems suspicious:)) actually, i don%26#39;t think they will make you get rid of all your medication if it%26#39;s vital for you:) and in general, i think the rules here are the same as everywhere:)

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Removed on: 9:17 pm, September 14, 2009

Visas

I received a message back from Atlana Tours that I could apply now for my visa. Everyone else I have contacted tell me to apply only within 90 days of the trip ie three months prior to 13th October?

I beleive there is some changes going on with administration of the visas at the moment. I do not know if this is for the better or for worse.

Has anyone any definite information on this please.

Cheers

ITS

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me again pal about visa for belarus,

What I think it is is that you can apply for your invitation. Its like Russia you need to be invited by a travel company - money grabbing exercise.

I would apply for visa 10 weeks in advance due to changing situations all the time then you dont lose money. the only problem is if you have a family holiday plan then cut yours losses and go thru a agency, I try to use consulates in Scotland, I thinks theres a belarus one in Aberdeen (???) as its quicker. We used the russian one in edinborough for russia and hed back in 5 day!!

I know a lad who applied for a Burmese visa (sorry for going off topic a bit) and when it all kicked off there last year wasn%26#39;t allowed in, he%26#39;d applied well in advance to be prepared but the rules had changed.

cheers

blacky

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Hello mate,

Thanks for the reply. I%26#39;ve looked at Atlana Tours, Allbelarus, RealRussia and another one which I%26#39;ve forgotten about. All I%26#39;m really concerned about is the hotels getting booked up in central Minsk early on. I know a lot of the lads that have already booked up through one of the above. Never thought about going through an office in scotland so I%26#39;ll look into that as well.

I%26#39;m off abroad in August on hols so it leaves me about 2 months to get the visa sorted. That is another reason I binned Zagreb for the Croatia game due to the time between in getting visas sorted. Too much of a risk.

Anyway cheers mate

ITS

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Removed on: 7:23 am, September 08, 2009

Price of train to Minsk?

How much would a train cost from Poland (probably Warsaw) to Minsk? The only websites I can find are in Polish.

Thanks in advance!

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Your best bet is to give DB Rail a call - 08718 80 80 66. Also have a look at their website if you want train times www.bahn.co.uk (but no on-line prices for that journey)

To give you the roughest of ideas I took the Berlin-St Petersburg train last year which cost £120 one way, sharing a 3 bunk couchette. Warsaw - Minsk is the middle section of that train journey so it should be at least half the price and there are day time trains as well which will probably be cheaper.

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i know the price if u buy the ticket in Minsk.

Minsk - Warsaw cheapest ticket costs 40 euros, that%26#39;s for a compartment u got to share with 3 more people.

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Removed on: 8:16 pm, September 18, 2009

Direct Flights London to Minx

Hi All,

I am looking to travel to Minx on Feb 11, Can anyone please advise on Cheap Flights and apartments ?

many thanks

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Its an absolute nightmare to get there, we have been looking into it for ages. I saw you can go through Riga and then get a flight to Minsk. check the website skyscanner.net its pretty useful. I am looking into going too but one of main problems about the place is getting there from UK. I suppose you could always get a bus or coach from Warsaw too? aint checked into that, hope this helps

Pad

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I flew from Heathrow to Minsk via Vienna with Austrian Airlines. Another alternative is Heathrow to Minsk via Prague with Czech Airlines.

Only direct UK flights to Minsk are with Belavia, from Manchester (two flights per week) and Gatwick (one flight on Wednesdays and 1 flight on Sundays).

I hope this helps.

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Hi,

Gatwick and manchester are far from me. i would have prefered stansted but i have no choice and will have to go with the flights from heathrow. Belavia are too expensive £351. I just wish there was a easier way i hate having to rely on flight transfers with all the wasted time at airports

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Prices for flights are too expensive but I think your best going with my option, saw flights from Lpool to Riga = £12 and then flights to Minsk from Riga for £60 and they are all return flights! you should have cheap flights from a London airport for around the same price I would imagine? all other ways cost way too much plus at least you get to see another country??

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Book in advance and you can get Austrian Airlines or Czexh Airlines for less than £240 return.

I%26#39;m going in 2 weeks time Heathrow to Minsk via Warsaw with LOT and returning Minsk to Heathrow via Vienna with Austrian for £218.

I am surprisd Belavia so expensive.

Will look into Riga though - problem might be only 1 flight per day from Riga to Minsk, so might have to stay overnight.

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Check skyscanner.net but ryanair flights have been removed so you will need to check their website directly.

|||

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Removed on: 7:19 pm, September 20, 2009

Minx Flights

How did you get that price £218 is that through Skyscanner or opodo ?

I assume you have booked single tickets to/from each location ?

Skyscanner shows me

16:20

23:20

Minsk International 2 (MSQ)

London Stansted (STN)

via RIX 9h

* airBaltic

* Ryanair

£114.65 Estimate

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I booked though Opodo on 24/12/07 - it is a round trip.

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Removed on: 7:16 pm, September 20, 2009

Things to do?

I%26#39;m heading to Minsk and I have thinking to do during the day. I would love to go to a spa (facials/manicure/pedicure), or hair salons, or anything else that is relaxing. Does anyone know of any nice places?

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I know very good SPA in Minsk - SPA in EKOMEDSERVIS Medical Centre. Please, visit www.ems.by. Good luck!

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Removed on: 12:20 pm, September 17, 2009

Need information on travelling to Vitebsk from Ireland

Hi Everyone, I need advice on what is my best and fastest route to Vitebsk from Ireland. I presume to fly from Ireland to London Heathrow and then to Minsk. Can I get a flight to Vitebsk from minsk ? and are they any good places to stay there? Need your help thank ou you, TAP9331

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There are no flights from Minsk to Vitebsk mostly because it%26#39;s just 350km away.

Better take a train.

There%26#39;s a daily train: 16-50 departure from Minsk, 21-15 arrival in Vitebsk just for 7-9 pounds per ticket.

If you need a different train - there are many of them, 3-4 every day at least.

Besides there are buses.

Best hotel is probably Eridan (3 stars).

35-60 pounds per suite

and Luchesa (4 stars)

guess it%26#39;s more expensive

there is a cheap one

4-12 pounds per person

http://www.csk.vitebsk.by/gostinica.htm

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Thanks for information re:-Vitebsk from Ireland.When you are quating hotel rates are u stating per night rate? and where exactly is the cheap hotel pleae and (1) contact details,(2) Can one stay there regarding the authorities,(3) Is one allowed to stay with friends are they restrictions? thanks again,Andrew

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the cheap one is situated on 12,Liudnikova av.

have no idea if it%26#39;s in the city centre, but Vitebsk is not a big city

the prices are per night

well that cheap hotel is the hotel which is near a sport arena

i guess it%26#39;s for athletes mostly

looks like a %26quot;Formule 1%26quot; type

you pay per person not per suite

there are 2-3 people in one room

i%26#39;m very surprised at the price of 3-4 pounds per person per night there

maybe it%26#39;s the price for belarusians

foreigners usually pay a double(triple) price

so maybe this hotel is for belarusian athletes only

so better make inquiries csk@vitebsk.by

got nothing to say about authorities and friends though...

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Thanks for the advice very greatful, think I%26#39;ll stick with the travel agent even it%26#39;s a bit dearer better to be safe than sorry! I wonder if they do deals for the two weeks stay special rate anyway thanks.

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Removed on: 2:19 am, September 22, 2009

Belarus, VISA from USA

Am traveling to Belarus in May and need visa. Live in western USA..... any suggestions on easiest way ti obtain, greatly appreciated. From visa info, hotels, restaurants. Not sure if we are taking train or driving a rental car. Any thoughts? Many THANKS

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I%26#39;m doing the same, so if you you find out anything, let me know? Thanks!

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www.mfa.gov.by/en/consular/airport-visas/

that%26#39;s one option

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Download application from the Belarus Embassy in Washington DC, fill it out, enclose the require pictures, fee, and your American passport and you will have it back in a few weeks with a visa.

I know you will not easily be dissuaded, but I recommend strongly, very, very strongly against travel to Belarus. This place is nothing like the western world, there are no tourist services, no signs in english, people will not help you if you are lost in the streets and you will become prey to criminals.

This is not particularly a dangerous place to residents who speak the language and know what to avoid, but a foreigner will stick out like a sore thumb.

I went through some really scary situations on my trip there. You know they turn out the street lights at night? They cancelled my flight, didn%26#39;t tell me about it, and I was lost in the city on a cold december night and they were turning off the lights. I have never been so scared in my life. The hotels wouldn%26#39;t accept me because they have %26quot;special%26quot; hotels for westerners and they won%26#39;t even allow you to sit in their lobby. I couldn%26#39;t hire a taxi because there were rumors that they would take you out to the country, rob you and kill you.

This is only one horror story. I don%26#39;t know what reason you have for going there, but asking about a visa tells me you know very little. If you have to go then go with someone who knows the language and can guide you or go with a tour group. If you%26#39;re going there to meet someone don%26#39;t assume that you will be meeting the person that you think you will be meeting and don%26#39;t think that everything will go right and that person will be there to help you.

If your life doesn%26#39;t depend on it then don%26#39;t go!

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Hello, I happen to be a travel agent in Belarus (cannot name my firm - forum policy). The tour will be only a pleasant experience if properly organized. The best way for you to obatin a visa is on arrival to the National airport Minsk-2.

You should submit:

- voucher from a travel agent (where your hotel will be stated);

- invitation from the same travel agent;

- application with photo (it seems they gave you the link);

- the consular fee is 180 USD if I am correct.

Belarus is a post - Soviet country and is actually not supposed to be like a western one. The quality of service is improving, especially in decent establishments.

Thank you for attention, and ask if anything occurs.

Andrei

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Resolute Traveller, you%26#39;ve had a really nasty experience during your stay in Belarus...

I would say you%26#39;re a bit wrong in your description of Belarus. Taxi drivers don%26#39;t just kill foreigners, they torture them first and then eat them alive.

But no need to worry - this happens only once in a month when the Moon is full when taxi-drivers grow fur and fangs(muahaha)

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Resolute Traveler, you are describing something really scary and that is not my home country!

I`m assuming that it is Minsk you are talking about.

First of all, most young people speak English there and can help with directions. Main streets have signs in English. Menus in restaurants are bilingual too nowadays.

And of course, investing in a city map and learning the letters to recognize the signs is a time well spent too.

Secondly, I have never heard about taxi drivers kidnapping and robbing their passengers. Unless instead of hiring a real taxi cab, you hitchhike in the middle of nowhere.

Thirdly, it is a very safe place (said by my American husband who liked to wonder alone on the streets there).

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Removed on: 6:18 am, September 23, 2009

Sheikh marries Hotel Minsk waitress

Not sure if Sheik Saeed bin Maktoum al Maktoum reads tripadvisor or if this lead him to choose the Hotel Minsk where his future wife served him orange juice.

dailymail.co.uk/pages/…

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yeah, they wrote much about that in local tabloids

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How funny! I used to work there as a waitress too. :) Our Arabic guests were always extra nice to me but no one offered marriage. :)

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With all the things happening now and then in the Arab world she may be already very sorry and wishing she had been serving orange juice to someone else. However, although described always as a %26quot;citizen of Belarus%26quot;, probably a most highlighted detail in papers, the girl%26#39;s surname suggests she descends from the East - so they%26#39;ll understand each other somehow.

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Removed on: 9:17 am, September 23, 2009

train from riga to minsk

Hello all

I am planning to take a train from riga to minsk.

I believed and suppossed there is an overnight service between these two cities.

is that correct?

how much did you guys paid more less? was it safe? and how long did the journey take more less?

many many thanks in advance for your tips and answers

marino

london uk

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No, there is no direct train between Riga and Minsk. There are buses. Check at www.1188.lv/satiksme/starppilsetu_autobusi/

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Removed on: 7:21 am, September 26, 2009

US-Belarus relations

Hi All -- I am considering a trip to Belarus this summer and just found this while doing some research

minsk.usembassy.gov/consular_section.html

Any thoughts from those living there or Americans who have visited recently?

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pay less attention to politic! you are tourist-not a spy! so be like a tourist and you will experience beautiful Minsk with its own culture and life. try to stay in city limits because the infrastructure outside is not at the desirable level but city itself is too much modern! i want you to be sure that you will feel safe in Minsk. let me know if you have any other questions.

i%26#39;m sure you will have a wonderful trip!

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Don%26#39;t worry about problems of government international policy. Visit Minsk, maybe come to other interesting places here and you will see my country and belarussian people are not hostile to foreigners.

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Getting a tourist visa to Belarus

All you need is to book and prepay a hotel through a licensed travel agency in Belarus (you have to order two of any services they offer). The agency then sends faximile copy of the invitation to the US embassy. According to the new amendment you don%26#39;t have to present the voucher in any form to the embassy, as you are the US citizen. The voucher is issued here and you get it on check-in from the travel agent. The number of the voucher is put in the invitation.

Don%26#39;t deal with on-line operators if they do not have a Tour operator%26#39;s licence, issued by the local tourism authorities.

Regarding politics - if you see some meeting - go in the opposite direction.

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That is right! the best way to stay from troubles is to stay away from troubles!!!!

have fun in Belarus!!!!!

|||

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Removed on: 9:19 pm, September 24, 2009

Flight or train to Minsk from the UK (North East England)?

I%26#39;ve looked at flights to Minsk and it looks like Air Baltic/Ryan Air %26amp; Belavia come out the cheapest although ideally we would want to be flying from newcastle or Durham Tees Valley which knocks up the price a lot. Does anyone have any other recommendations please?

We would also consider a flight/train option, flying to a nearby country and then getting the train in, but all I%26#39;ve come up with is pricey options and half the time going round in circles.

If we fly then we would probably be staying from a Monday to a Thursday/Friday (3-4 nights). If it is the train option then that will impact on the length of our stay.

Any advice is appreciated.

Cheers

ITS

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The fastest way (but more expensive)will be by plane into Minsk. Other ways is to fly to Berlin or Warsaw, and then take a train to Minsk. Let me WARN you: the train between Warsaw and Minsk take about 10 hours, the good think Minsk-Warsaw is overnight train so you don%26#39;t have to worry about hotel. Berlin-Minsk takes around 16-18 as far I remember.

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Thanks very much for your advice. Can you recommend any reasonably priced hotels in central Minsk in close proximity to the tourist sights, bars and restaurants.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

ITS

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Eh, sorry can%26#39;t help you there. I stayed at my friends house when I was there. Look in %26quot; Hotels and Accommodations section. One thing I can tell you, their 5 star hotel is like 2-3 star in Europe or USA.

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If you have any more questions, please ask. I%26#39;ll to check this forum everyday.

|||

Thanks very much mate, your advice is much appreciated.

Cheers

ITC

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Hello webeagle12,

A heap of questions here if you or anyone else would be kind enough to answer and put me in the picture please:

We%26#39;ve got our flights sorted out now for October 2008.

1. Looking at the hotels they%26#39;re coming across as canny expensive in the City Centre of Minsk. Can you recommend any in or as close to the centre as possible that are semi-reasonable?

2. What is the Metro system like (similar to Moscow)?

3. From Minsk International Airport (MSQ) how long on average does it take to get to the City Centre (taxi, bus, etc)? I ask this as in Moscow it took over 2hrs due to the 6 lanes of gridlock traffic.

4. Can you recommend a taxi operator and what is the %26#39;real%26#39; fare as I believe they%26#39;ll try to rip us anyway?

5. We intend staying two nights in a hotel and the third night at the airport due to our early check-in. I noticed on one Visa Support site that it was stating that your Visa is only valid for the amount of nights shown in a hotel?

6. Is it possible to walk to the Dinamo Football Stadium in Minsk from the City Centre? If not then is there a Metro or bus we could take?

7. Any recommendations on best bars, places to eat, etc.

8. On Visas is it possible to apply now for our trip in October or have we got to wait until nearer to the time?

9. What travel agency do you recommend for doing the visa support, hotels, etc.

10. Is there any must see places to visit near to Minsk?

Apologies that it is a bit of a list!

Any help, as always much appreciated.

Cheers

ITS

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Have you looked at flights with CSA Czech Airlines via Prague, i did a quick search the other day on their website for flights from Manchester to Minsk and they came out at around £280 inc tax

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Hello

1)yeah, as far as I know, the hotels are expensive here though the services they offer sometimes leave much to desire… I would recommend you to look for a flat in Minsk, though it can be also expensive… and even more difficult to find than a reasonable hotel.

2)the metro system is much much much better than in Moscow:))) at least because we have only two lines so no real chance to get lost:) besides it’s clean and it’s safe:)

3) it will take you about 40 minutes by car from MSQ to the city center, by bus, maybe a little longer:)

4)uhm, yeah they will try to rip you anyways:))) because you are a foreigner and you don’t know real prices:) unfortunately, I don’t know them either:))) but be sure that 100$ from MSQ to the city center is definitely too much:) I would say 30$ would be ok, you know taking the distance into consideration. Let’s say 15 minutes about Minsk by taxi is about 7$ so you can count:)

5) I have no idea:( though if it’s true it might mean you will have to pay for an extra night in a hotel.

6) yeah it is possible, it might take you about 15 minutes to get there on foot from the city center (Independence square, Minsk Hotel) but if you want to use public transport you will have to take a tram:)

7) I would recommend LIDO, that’s on Independence Ave, easy to get there + it’s pretty cheap, self-service, the food is really good + an opportunity to try real Belarusian food and they don’t smoke there:)

8) I can’t really tell you but I know you can apply right at the airport, you just need an invitation from a tourist agency and it’s pretty easy to get.

9)I can’t really help on the question but there are many agencies that offer their services as far as I know

10)Dudutki is a nice place:) besides it’s not far from Minsk:)Hatyn also, if you are interested in history and WWII.

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1. Tell you the truth, I don%26#39;t have a clue about hotels because I stayed at my friend house.

2. Well sort off, only smaller (and clean)

3. Its take about 30 min from Minsk by taxi ( it%26#39;s all matter if you hit gridlock in minsk) about 1+ hour on the bus (to Vostok Bus Station). It%26#39;s used to end at Minsk metro station until last year.

4. As of August 2007 fare was $35 for REAL taxi driver. ($3 for a bus)

5. You have to put the date on which YOU are leaving (lets say you are arriving on 15th and leaving on 18th at 5 am = that is 3 NIGHTS ( not 2). I always play safe and order visa for 30 days although I stayed there for only 2 weeks. WHy you ask? Well lets say your visa expires on 18th and your flight is canceled ( or you lost your passport), then you screwed so bad that the only person will save you is a god. Trust me its better to buy a ticket in hell sometimes!!

8. You can apply now!! and it is prefer that you do it.

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Hello inthesunshine

I%26#39;m just back from three nights in Minsk and can answer some of your questions.

1) We stayed in Hotel Victoria, it%26#39;s about twenty mins walk from city. Also bus number 22 stops right outside it and costs .44 this is about 2 cent in euros. Buses are very regular. The hotel worked out at 369.92 euro for twin room incl breakie, this was through ravel agency and they also helped with tourist voucher etc. Hotel was excellent, all very friendly and menu%26#39;s etc in English so great help.

2) Metro System apparently very good, but doubt you%26#39;ll need it as city quite compact. You can walk to stadium easily.

3) It’s about an hour max from city to airport and works out at 25euro so that%26#39;s 83,000 in Belarusian rubbles.

4) Your hotel will phone taxi for you, you may find difficulty communicating unless you%26#39;re going to airport and can make airplane noises!!!

5) No point staying in airport only an hour away. you visa MUST be from the date you enter the country until the date you leave.

6) Yes the stadium is in the city.

7) Some fantastic places to eat, but menus in Belarusian. While the people very very friendly and nice, it%26#39;s hard to communicate. We ate our main meal in hotel and Mac Donald’s etc or found restaurants that had menu%26#39;s with picture%26#39;s!!

8)I most definitely advise you to get your visa now. Happy to help you with that if you need help.

9) Totally recommend VNESHINTOURIST,MINSK,BELARUS. My contact was Nikolay, if you%26#39;d like further info on this let me know.

10) You should go to the library, it%26#39;s a brand new building and for about 2euro, you can take an elevator all the way to the top and see city of Minsk. It’s huge and looks like a glass egg. You need your passport to enter the inside of building but your hotel will probly hold onto it for registration etc. Also recommend Independence Square etc. City Gates, very impressive, just opposite the train station entrance. Island of tears, October Square, Victory Square, Loads of beautiful parks and water ways etc.

11) We flew Dulin - Riga; Riga Minsk, €473.46, so €236.73 each. I have heard though that cheapest connections are via prague.

12) Word of warning, only cross the roads using the underground crossings or the pedestrian crossings and wait for green light, you%26#39;ll be fined big bucks, possibly locked up for few hours if your caught jay walking...apart from that, you%26#39;ll have a great time.

visa question need help

Planning on visting Minsk this summer, I will be in Dubai, and Vietnam before Minsk is it possible to get a visa in Dubai or Hanoi ? will be traveling around south east asia and will not be in one city for more than a week

Thanks

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Hello from Belarus,

There are diplomatic missions in both Vietnam and United Arab Emirates. However it is not clear whether you can be issued a visa not in the country of your citizenship. But we recently checked with our embassy in Lithuania and they agreed to issue an urgent visa to an Englishman.

According to last amendments, to get a tourist visa to Belarus one (from EU, Israel, Canada, America or Japan) should submit to the embassy an application with a photo, a facsimile invitation from a tour operator in Belarus. The invitation can be issued if at least two services were bought (hotel booking and a transfer, etc.).

Andrei

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Thanks for the reply, I have a US passport , however I have not been back in the US for two years and will not be back until next year. I will be in Hanoi for appox 4 days , would that be enough time to get one ? I could also stop in Hungary or Poland before coming to Belarus , any suggestions would be great !!

Thanks

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Removed on: 5:18 pm, September 27, 2009

Kobrin

Has anybody been to Kobrin and can anyone tell me more about it. I am going to meet my fiance there in June

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Kobrin is a small town in Brest region in the west of Belarus. I believe you can get there by bus from Brest, after having got there by train.

Kobrin can boast of its past as a residence of Russia%26#39;s great military commander - A.V.Suvorov with a number of monuments attracting tourists.

I hope you%26#39;ll learn the rest from your second half.

Andrei

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just wanted to say thanks for the info. Am sure my fiance will be thrillrd to show me around.

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Removed on: 5:20 pm, September 27, 2009

Trains from Vilnius, and trains to Kiev

Hi.

In august I%26#39;ll be travelling by train from Vilnius to Minsk, and then from Minsk to Kiev.

Does anybody know how much I can expect to pay for each journey, for the different classes of accommodation?

And do tickets need to be bought in advance?

Many thanks.

KJ

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Minsk - Kiev is 24 US$(share a compartment with three more people)

anything more comfortable will be 40-50 US$per ticket

and book them in advance or ask someone to buy them because August is vacation time - crowds head south to the Crimea

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That%26#39;s really useful - thanks a lot for that.

KJ

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saying in advance i mean 2-3 weeks in advance

otherwise you%26#39;ll get a ticket to the last compartment which is near the toilet )))

Vilnius - Minsk direction is not very busy

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Thanks for the advice; we%26#39;re using a travel agent to sort out our visas, so we%26#39;ll see if they can book our tickets to Kiev too.

You%26#39;ve been really helpful :-)

KJ

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The travel agency in London that I%26#39;m using to sort out my visa has quoted me £57 for a 1st class ticket on the night train to Kiev. That strikes me as rather expensive. Since I%26#39;ve been advised to book in advance (because I%26#39;m travelling in August), I%26#39;m not keen to wait until I get to Minsk to make my reservation.

Does anybody have any advice? Can anybody recommend another reliable travel agency, preferably in Belarus? If business recommendations aren%26#39;t allowed on the forum, please send me a private message.

Many thanks.

KJ

|||

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Removed on: 12:18 pm, September 26, 2009

by car from Tallinn to Brest

can anyone suggest best route? googlemap does not. Is it Ok to drive Hrodna-Brest or maybe it is possible to enter Belarus from polish Czeremcha? please advise, since I have to make next wednesday.

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best will be to go this way:

1)tallin-vilnius-minsk-brest

the road quality is superb,not a single notoriously famous %26quot;russian ditch%26quot;

u ll go real fast

2)tallin-pskov-nevel-lepel-polotsk-minsk-brest

all u need is visa and papers ok

if u take lil roads u run risks

|||

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Removed on: 5:23 am, September 30, 2009

Mobile Phone

Hi! I have just received my visa for Belarus and will be leaving in 2 weeks. I would like to buy a mobile phone to use during my stay there. Is it possible to buy a phone that uses pre-paid phone cards? I do not want to sign up for a monthly service or anything. If so, which company would you recommend? Thank-you!

Rachel

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Try Velcom Privet

http://velcom.by/en/company/wheretobuy/

you can buy it everywhere in the city where u see velcom logo

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Thank-you very much! I looked at the website, and they do have a service and sales center in Bobruisk, which is where I%26#39;ll be staying. I will definitely check it out! Thanks again!

Rachel

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feel free to ask )

|||

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Removed on: 9:20 am, September 30, 2009

Visa dates

Hello.

I understand that you have to be very specific re dates when applying for a visa. If, for some reason, I was delayed in arriving in Belarus (eg. a day later than stated on my visa) would that prevent my entry to the country?

Cheers.

KJ

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Nope, you don%26#39;t have to be specific. For short-term visa you are give 30 days so if you lets say arriving there July 10 and leaving July 20, you can fill out your visa APPLICATION from like July 5th to august 1st ( remember UP TO 30 days), I did it many times before, never had a problem.

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That%26#39;s reassuring.

Thank you very much :-)

KJ

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Removed on: 3:18 pm, September 30, 2009

Khatyn

Does anybody know if there is a bus service between Minsk and Khatyn?

Cheers.

KJ

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nope

there%26#39;s a bus having a stop 5km from Khatyn memorial

usually they go there by car(50km)

or buy a tour from any tourist company(appr. 25-30$)

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Oh ok.

Many thanks for the info.

KJ

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As there were misunderstandings in the past, please, do not confuse Khatyn and its victims with Katyn near Smolensk in Russia where the Russian NKVD shot one by one ca. 4000 (out of total 22 thousand killed) Polish officers - prisoners of war in 1940 in an act of bestial genocide. The newest movie %26quot;Katyn%26quot; (this year%26#39;s Oscar foreign movie candidate) by A. Wajda tells the story. The similarity of names was used in Soviet times to introduce confusion - Khatyn is a German crime and KATYN is a Russian genocide (and many other places like Kuropaty, Bykovnia in Ukraine etc.)

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That%26#39;s a good point - thanks for the clarification.

I was referring to the Nazi atrocity carried out in Belarus.

KJ

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Why to use a misterous term Nazi? Young people ask where is this Naziland located? It is better to say German or German nazi. Hitler was elected in a democratic election. Let%26#39;s call things by their proper names.

Have a good and safe travel.

Cheers.

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I%26#39;ll reply to you in a private message, since we%26#39;re in danger of going off-topic here.

KJ

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The term Nazi is used to define all people - if they can be called so - who conducted crimes against humanity in the times of WWII. The German nation did not dominate in the troops that attacked Europe and Russia, that is why Nazi would be most appropriate.

Moreover, many crimes in Belarus as well as other countries were conducted by the collaborators, very often local residents. The German HQ only manipulated with these Sonderkommands to fulfill their dreadful plans.

Although there is an opinion that Khatyn was meant to draw attention from NKVD atrocities with Polish soldiers I cannot agree with it - you will see the point when you visit the sight and hear its story.

Regards, Burdenkoff

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Removed on: 4:20 pm, September 28, 2009

Is it possible to pay for a train ticket by credit card??

Dear friends,

I would like to invite a friend from Minsk to visit me in Kiev on 29 June. Is it somehow possible for me to pay for her train ticket by credit card at distance, in a safe way?

Thanks a lot for any advice, it will be really appreciated!

Marco

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i%26#39;m afraid it%26#39;s not possible. i know that online booking is possible in minsk.but anyway one must at the ticket office.

i paid for tickets to kiev with a card and even got a tiny discount. but i paid in minsk meaning i just gave my credit card to the cashier,signed a receipt and voila!

im surprised your friend cant buy a ticket herself,it costs just 23-25$...

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send her webmoney if you trust her

she will cash it and buy a ticket

i see no other way

unfortunately Belarus railway is not yet that financially and technically advanced...

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Thanks!

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Webmoney is quite a burden. Better take her to some restaurant as a refund.

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Removed on: 3:21 am, October 01, 2009