BELARUS
Highlights
Minsk, symbolic capital of the Soviet era
Stalin Line and military memory
Polesie State Radioecological Reserve
Białowieża primordial forest
Where we will stay
3* hotels and lodges inside the Białowieża National Park
How we move around
Private van for the entire duration of the trip in Belarus + transfers during border crossings
Type of trip
A cultural and historical journey with a strong focus on nature and exploration. The itinerary includes long overland travel days and light outdoor activities, such as forest trekking. A flexible mindset, spirit of adaptation, and genuine interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations are essential for fully enjoying the experience.
For more information about our trips, see the FAQ section.
DAY 1: ITALY – GDANSK
Morning / Afternoon: Departure from Italy on an international flight to Gdańsk, the historic Baltic port city long shaped by the trade routes and conflicts of Northern Europe. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Depending on flight schedules, free time for an initial stroll through the beautifully reconstructed historic centre, among Hanseatic architecture, canals, and squares rebuilt after the Second World War.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Gdansk
DAY 2: GDANSK – KALININGRAD
Morning/Afternoon: Departure from Gdańsk towards Kaliningrad. After border formalities and entry into the Russian exclave, arrival in the city and beginning of the guided tour. Soviet-era architecture, traces of ancient Königsberg, and modern developments coexist within the same urban landscape. Explore the city centre while discovering the historical and political evolution that has shaped Kaliningrad over the decades.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Kaliningrad
DAY 3 – NERINGA PENINSULA (CURONIAN SPIT)
Morning/Afternoon: Departure for the Neringa Peninsula, a narrow strip of land stretching nearly 100 kilometres and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Separating the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon, this extraordinary landscape marks a complete transition from the urban atmosphere of Kaliningrad to a world of sand dunes, pine forests, and remote fishing villages. Explore the peninsula’s most iconic sites, including the vast shifting dunes, among the highest in Europe, the mysterious “Dancing Forest,” where trees have been twisted by the wind into surreal shapes, and traditional villages preserving the region’s distinctive Baltic architecture.
Evening: Return to Kaliningrad, dinner and overnight stay
DAY 4: KALININGRAD – VILNIUS
Morning: Final hours in Kaliningrad before departing towards Lithuania. After crossing the border and re-entering the European Union, continue through the rural landscapes and lesser-visited regions of the Baltic countryside on the journey to Vilnius. Arrival in the Lithuanian capital, hotel check-in, and, depending on arrival time, free time to begin exploring the city’s historic atmosphere and elegant Old Town.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Vilnius.
Morning / Afternoon: Departure from Italy on an international flight to Vilnius. Upon arrival in the Lithuanian capital, transfer to the hotel. Depending on flight schedules, free time to begin exploring the city’s elegant Old Town and historic atmosphere.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Vilnius.
Morning/Afternoon: Departure towards the Belarusian border. We progressively leave the Western European context behind as we approach a more closed and less accessible reality. Arrival at the border and crossing through security checks: a key moment of the journey, where the transition between two different worlds becomes clearly perceptible, not only geographically but also politically and culturally. Entry into Belarus and continuation towards Minsk. Arrival in the capital and first introduction to the city: grand avenues, monumental buildings, Soviet architecture, and vast urban spaces. Minsk appears orderly, almost theatrical, with an identity markedly different from that of more familiar European capitals.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Minsk.
Morning/Afternoon: Early departure from Minsk towards the Belarusian exclusion zone, an area subject to restrictions and accessible only with special permits and an authorized guide. Entry into the controlled area and briefing on the rules of conduct. Exploration of a territory seemingly frozen in time: evacuated villages, abandoned buildings, and nature slowly reclaiming human spaces. We will observe houses left intact, schools, public structures, and infrastructure that tell the story of lives suddenly interrupted. The silence and absence of human presence make the experience particularly intense. In-depth exploration of the historical context, the nuclear disaster, and its long-term consequences for both the population and the territory.
Evening: Return to Minsk in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay.
Morning: Departure towards the Stalin Line, an open-air military museum. The site allows visitors to physically enter Soviet defensive structures, including bunkers, trenches, and military vehicles. The experience is highly interactive: it is possible to board vehicles, explore the outposts and, for those interested, participate in optional activities (bookable on site) such as the shooting range or driving military vehicles.
Afternoon: Complete change of scenery with the transfer to the Mir and Nesvizh castles, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here, we enter an entirely different dimension: aristocratic architecture, decorated palaces, gardens, and a history deeply connected to European nobility. The visit offers insight into the region’s more “Western” past, in contrast with the Soviet narrative encountered earlier in the journey.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Baranovici or the surrounding area.
Morning/Afternoon: Departure towards the Białowieża Forest, one of the oldest and best-preserved ecosystems in Europe. During the transfer, the landscape progressively changes: fewer cities, more nature, isolated villages, and vast green expanses. Entry into the National Park and light trek along one of its forest trails.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in the surroundings of the park.
Morning: Wake-up at dawn for a morning outing in the forest, the best time to observe local wildlife. With a bit of luck, it may be possible to spot the European bison, the symbolic animal of the park.
Afternoon: Departure towards Brest with a stop in Kamyenyets, a small town known for its historical architecture and authentic local atmosphere. Arrival in Brest and beginning of the city visit: a border city with a unique identity, deeply shaped by its strategic position. Visit to the Brest Fortress, one of the most important sites of Soviet historical memory, closely linked to the resistance against the Nazi invasion during the Second World War.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Brest.
Morning/Afternoon: Departure towards the Polish border. Exit from Belarus and another border crossing, this time in the opposite direction. Continuation towards Warsaw. Arrival and, depending on border processing times, free time to explore the city or simply unwind after the intense days experienced throughout the journey.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Warsaw.
Morning and afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Italy and… until the next adventure!
