Belarus

Belarus is bordered by Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The country is covered largely by forests and lakes, is rich in wildlife and crossed by major rivers such as the Dnieper. Minsk, the capital of Belarus, was first mentioned in 1067, but little of the old city survives except a few 17th-century buildings. Modern Minsk is symmetrically designed with wide embankments flanking the Svisloch River. The cultural scene is very diverse with the Belarusian Ballet and museums such as the National Museum of Belarusian History and Culture. The suburb of Troitskoye Predmestye gives an insight into the way Minsk once looked; 19th-century houses with colourful façades line the streets. When visiting the city of Brest, a tour of the Brest Fortress, used to repel the German forces during World War II, is recommended. Local dishes worth trying are dracheny, a tasty potato dish with mushrooms, and draniki which is served with pickled berries. A favourite drink is chai (black tea). Minsk has a thriving cultural scene with opera, ballet, theatre, puppet theatre and a circus. Brest also has a renowned puppet theatre.