Green tourism

Belarus, a land of forests and water beauties, is an ideal place for the “green” tourism.

Have a look at the map of Belarus and you will see the colours that dominate are green and blue. It is because Belarus counts more than 20 thousand rivers and 11 thousand lakes. The speed of rivers flow is slow enough. Thus the pleasure of water trips can be enjoyed even by not specially trained or experienced people.

The rivers of Belarus have a virgin beauty and magnificence. Calm lapping of water and murmur of trees make the wonderful conditions for having a rest in the harmony with nature. One can be struck to see virgin forests stretching for miles and miles. The national parks are the pride of our country. They are all exclusive in their own way.

The national parks “Braslav Lakes” and “Narochanski” are the most beautiful places of Belarusian Lake District. The chaotic alternation of hills and hollows and countless lakes is the result of the glacier that ploughed the Belarusian land 13-16 thousand years ago. The precious wealth of these parks is the lakes with clear water. The most famous among them are the Braslav Lakes, the Naroch, the Blue lakes. It makes a heaven for the fishing-lovers. Apart from — pike perch,pike,wells and bream, you can be lucky to fish some eel.

Berezinski biosphere special nature reserve was founded in 1925 for the protection and increase of the rare and disappearing species of animals and birds.

Belarusian National Parks have a good experience in arrangement of ecological tours. Most of them have good references from western tour-operators that run the “green tourism”. For the wildlife-lovers there are specially devised programs of watching elks, wild boars, beavers, foxes, wolves and other animals. There is quite an exciting eco-tour arranged for the groups of 5-10 people to enjoy grouse-mating place. At last but not at least one can admire the nature on board the boat or motor vessel doing some fishing and then having a picnick. Any of these tours will make your meeting with nature simply unforgettable.

Over the past few years rural tourism has paved its way. And now it has been developing actively. There is a network of rural mini-hotels “Bed & Breakfast”. The owners of these hotels are the members of the rural tourism and Ecological tourism Association.

A weekend or a holiday in the country is a real value of a friendly welcome and relaxed atmosphere of and the best chance to get embraced by the hospitality and generosity of the Belarusian soul, national customs and traditions.

Belarusian rural cottages are unique and each of them possesses an individuality, reflecting the tastes and character or the owner. Though they can provide not so perfect facilities for accommodation you’ll be pleased with the quality, friendly service and value for money wherever you stay. There are more than 50 rural cottages are at the disposal of the tourists. There are cottages ready to satisfy the most demanding visitors (“Veres”, “Lebedinoye”, “Nad Nemanom”). Some of the cottages are the converted farmhouses (“Dokudovo”, “Komarovo”, “Svityazyanka”). There are some dachas (summer rest houses) in villages (“Solovushka”, “Ivle”, “Kchmelya”).

All of them are situated in the picturesque places — either on the river banks and lake shores or in the forests. The guest rooms are comfortable and cosy, and the hosts are attentive and caring.

There are four categories of service and comfort in the rural cottages that are shown with the green cocks instead of usual stars. Every cottage has its own program for a stay: banya (sauna) “with a groom”, fishing, gathering of berries, mushrooms or herbs, the country hikes and discovery excursions, boat or raft floating etc.

Here you will certainly be pleased by the home-made dishes of the national cuisine, walks in the neighbourhood, participation in the local cultural affairs and holidays celebrations. One can have a try at household chores or start learning any kind of rural crafts. But the main idea of such a rest is the feeling of the calm peace provided by the rural life that flows moderately far away from the haste and noise of the “stone jungles”. No matter what “green” route you choose to discover our welcoming Belarus the simple pleasures and the warmth of Belarusian hearts will make you feel at home. Once you felt the joy of being in harmony with nature and being captured by the openheartedness of the native population you’ll certainly be coming back here again and again.