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Minsk
Minsk is the capital of Belarus.
80 percent of the city was ruined and razed in World War II. It is a city rebuilt in the 1950's to Stalin's tastes. Enormous, soviet-bloc style buildings make up most of the city. This is a city to visit if you are interested in the Soviet Union and would like to see it still alive, save for a few more advertisements and foreign cars. English is not really spoken, and tourisim is not a priority in Belarus or Minsk at all. Certainly an interesting stop after the non-stop tourism of Western and Central Europe.
Get in
There is an almost daily train leaving from Berlin's Lichtenberg station. 69€ second class, 3 people in a sleeping car, men and women seperate. First class is 109€, 2 person, not gender seperated. It leaves at 13:49 and arrives the next morning at 9:30 or so. This is the train en route to Russia.
There are also trains from Prague, Vilnius, Warsaw, and other European cities. Train from Warsaw goes about 10 hours. Every day it departs from Warsaw Central at 20:35, then arrives in Minsk at 8:00.
There are flights from Frankfurt but they are quite pricey, 500$ or so.
Driving in, while possible, requires knowledge of the border system. This is a border of European Union, so control is very strict. Crossing it can take 2 hours. They will check your bags. Without knowledge of Russian, Belarusian or Polish, this can be very hard. There is a very long line of cars at every border crossing. Width of tracks is different in Poland and in Belarus, so if you choose a train, be prepared for long wheel changing.
Get around
Get around by using bus, tram, or subway. All three are cheap and reliable. The subway is noted for being clean and safe. Additionally, each subway station is decorated uniquely. For instance, the station at Oktober Square is decorated in the theme of the Communist Revolution. The station at Victory square is decorated in a victory theme, and the Lenin Station includes a bust of Lenin and a host of Hammer/Sickle reliefs.
Buy
Local goods are usually bad quality, but there are several things that are worth buying.
Some wool and linen clothes - you can get very good stuff for little money. Womens underwear "Milavitsa", is widely known across former USSR. This good quality, and cheap as well. Various types of cosmetics - firstly brand-name, are called "O2". Vodka produced by Brest spirit factory, is probably the best in the world. This easily outperforms Stolichnaya, Absolut and Smirnoff. Generally, the Minsk Airport has a very reliable duty free shop with rich choice of fragrances, spirits and souvenirs. There is no sense to get international brands- usually it costs 20-50% more than European average.
Eat
Belarusians are good with their national cuisine, which is similar to other East European ones. Generally it features heavy-fat potato dishes, mushrooms, soups and baked meat. The quality of conventional european food (italian, french etc.) not...
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