Belarus holidays with Cox & Kings

Having long been off the mainstream tourist maps of Europe, Belarus is now one of the continent’s emerging destinations, helped significantly by the new relaxed visa regulations. When flying into Minsk, a visa is no longer required for up to 30 days.

The capital offers a pretty old town, gothic Soviet architecture and wide, tree-lined boulevards. Outside the city, the pace of life slows dramatically, with opportunities to enjoy some of the last primeval forest in Europe, native wildlife, Unesco-listed castles and manor houses, and cosy agritourism farm stays, giving the opportunity to learn traditional Belarussian cooking.

The historic city of Brest in the south-west of the country is another highlight. The city was the epicentre of the war between Nazi Germany and the USSR and was witness to some of the most brutal warfare of the 20th century. Today, this dark period of history is captured in the imposing ‘Courage’ and ‘Thirst’ monuments at Brest Fortress – a powerful reminder of the region’s tragic past.