Europe
Castles, primeval forest and broad Soviet-era avenues.
Belarus is a flat land of forests, lakes and marshes, shaped by centuries of shifting borders. Minsk was rebuilt after the Second World War with wide avenues and monumental Stalin-era architecture, while the castles of Mir and Nesvizh are UNESCO-listed. Białowieża Forest on the Polish border is one of Europe's last primeval woodlands and home to European bison, and Brest Fortress is a major war memorial.
Travellers should check their government's current travel advice before planning a visit, as many advise against all travel. The country's food is rooted in potatoes, with draniki pancakes, mushrooms and rye bread, and English is not widely spoken. Climate-wise, late spring to early autumn is most comfortable, with warm summer days, while winters are long, cold and snowy.
June, July, August.