Editor's Choice: Dachas

Why not try a dacha, near the lakeshore of the Braslav Lake District, for instance? Since the 1960s a majority of Muscovites have come to own some type of dacha. These 'people's dachas' consist of a small cabin, sitting on the smallest possible plot of land in the countryside, which follows the ways of Russian villages. In the Soviet time, one of the most important duties of trade unions was to obtain the land for the dachas and distribute it among the members of the union. Since everyone then was a member of one or another trade union, everyone had a chance to get the land - although there were very special dachas for party functionaries. The regular dacha was where people could escape cities and grow their own food. Dachas were formed as cooperatives supervised by trade unions making dachas owners devoted 'weekend farmers'. The typical size of land given by the state to a family varied from 4 to 12 sotok, 6 and 8 being the most common (a land area of 6 sotok is equal to 0.16 acres). However, dachas were much more than just a shack for most people. This is the place to escape from the rush and the problems of a big city.

There are 2- and 3-star hotels in Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev and Pinsk. Minsk and Vitebsk have 2-, 3- and 4-star hotels. Two 5-star hotels are due to be built soon. There are also hotels in practically all small towns in Belarus. Belintourist can provide more information on accommodation (website: www.belintourist.by).

There are limited facilities for camping in Belarus, though several camping sites will be organised soon according to the National Program of Tourism Development. However, camping is permitted outside towns anywhere in the countryside, provided consideration is shown for other countryside users.