Belarusians Traveled All Districts of the Country in 10 Years. Now They Share Tips, Mistakes, and Six Routes for Beginners
Alena works as an SMM specialist, and Vova is an IT professional. But what made them the heroes of this text is not their professional activity, but a significant achievement: the couple visited all 118 districts of the country. The grand journey took a full 10 years, but the phrase "there's plenty to remember" perfectly fits this story. Why Yelnya is especially wonderful after a thunderstorm, where to find a safari in Mogilev, how insects can ruin a trip, and which places are worth packing your bags for right now – they compiled a big, verified guide for the warm season for the "Onliner" publication.
The Romance of Trains, Deadlines, and the (Ir)relevance of a Navigator: How It All Began
The story of their travels, Vova and Alena recount, began back in 2015. At that time, both moved to the capital from Maryina Gorka. The option of just going home every weekend quickly became boring, so the idea to explore the country emerged.
Molodechno, 2024
At that moment, everything came down to financial possibilities — as they were ordinary students. So they decided to travel with a touch of romance: overnight train journeys from Minsk to regional cities, a day there, followed by the journey home.
“Mostly we traveled together, but sometimes our friends joined us. As, in principle, happens now too. But our permanent team is two people,” says Vova.
Krasnaselsk Chalk Quarries, 2025
True, at that moment there was no ambitious goal to visit all districts of the country. And the trips themselves weren't very frequent — a couple of times during the warm season.
The couple started picking up the pace after getting a car. But things really got serious because of a scratch map. Essentially, it's a regular geographical map, but covered with a special film — the idea is to scratch off the areas the traveler has managed to reach. Specifically, with the map the couple had, the goal was to mark off every one of the 118 districts of Belarus.
Krichaw Chalk Quarries, 2023
“We thought: why not set ourselves such a goal — without deadlines? Although later we decided to set deadlines and push to finish everything quickly and beautifully. The gray spots started to annoy us,” Alena laughs.
All of this happened in 2019. It was from this moment that their travels reoriented from visiting sights to visiting districts. For fairness, places the couple had managed to visit before the challenge were "scratched off" in advance. For example, many locations in the Minsk region and regional centers. Still, they had to travel a good deal to achieve the goal.
Saltany, 2020
“I think that people on Instagram suddenly started talking about traveling around the country after the borders closed. Many, by the way, grew their blogs from scratch on this. But when we started, none of that existed yet. People still often ask us where we found so many interesting places – we were lucky to accidentally find a really cool old website "Globus.by". It features a large map of Belarus with attractions and their ratings from 1 to 4 in terms of architectural heritage. We, by the way, have practically covered all the ones and twos – those are the highest marks.”
Rasony, 2025
At the start, Vova planned all routes — using maps, Google suggestions, and that same website. They didn't have a navigator at the time, so maps were printed out, and sometimes needed places were marked manually.
“I was more of the inspirer: I suggested different options of where to go, what to add, and asked Vova to combine everything into a single route. I wanted to make sure we could see as much as possible in one trip,” Alena says.
Naliboki Forest, 2023
Mosquitoes, Ruins, and Disappointments: What Beginners Should Prepare For
At the start, the heroes honestly admit, they were lazy to drive long distances. So, initially, they managed to cover all districts of the Minsk region. But once the goal was set, the routes gradually became more remote.
Vialikiya Tupaly village, 2024
“For a very long time, the south remained unexplored for us; we covered it in the last two years. While at the start, trips happened a couple of times a season, towards the end we could travel every weekend — we learned to adapt to the weather,” Alena says.
“What’s interesting: there were no days when the weather was bad across the entire country. There was always a 'dark spot' on our map where it wasn't raining that day — that's where we went.”
Pinsk, 2023
As for the locations themselves, Vova and Alena particularly like abandoned places, ruins, and decrepit sites. Therefore, they never experienced the "expectation vs. reality" effect due to what they saw during all 10 years of their trips.
Rasna, 2024
“But there were a couple of places where you arrive and there’s absolutely nothing! Or it could be like this: to find the remains you saw in the photograph, you have to crawl into some bushes. You look, you consider, and you realize: well, never mind. Given that our route could consist of 10-15-20 points, we didn't have to be disappointed if one of them fell through. We just moved on,” Vova explains their logic.
Still, they couldn't reach some places. For example, it happened when the route ran along a very bad road. Sometimes they even had to choose: abandon the car and walk or turn back. The decision depended on two factors: the distance they had to walk on their own two feet, and the desire to see that specific place.
Narutovichy, 2025
“For example, near Khoiniki — in Rudakovo — there is an estate we really wanted to see. But mosquitoes spoiled the vibe of that place so much! It was even impossible to stop, so we took a couple of photos and fled.”
It's time to discuss life hacks. We start with packing — here everything turns out to be as simple as possible. Vova explains with a smile: you can get to almost any place in our country even in flip-flops.
Dzisna, 2025
“Of course, it's worth bringing umbrellas. But the most important thing is a snack. We are not spoiled travelers who expect parking, toilets, and cafes, so food with you is a must. It would also be good to have a change of clothes.”
“Once, on the Islach river, we decided to cross the entire river on a wonderful thin log. First, I fell, but only got one leg wet, and then Alena — she plunged in up to her ears! We made the bad decision to dry everything over a campfire, but for some reason, it wouldn't dry. So we walked around a bit and went home.”
A shot from that same trip to Islach, 2021
By the way, about returning. Alena and Vova say that most routes were planned as one-day trips. Another question is that at first, they managed to visit a maximum of one location, but later, clever planning made each trip more efficient. For example, you plan to arrive at point A, on the way you stop at point B, and you can have a snack and drink tea from a thermos at point C — and just like that, you manage to see three locations in one day.
“From personal experience: I advise to break up routes longer than 500 kilometers. This is especially relevant for those who are just starting to travel. Otherwise, it can turn into a race,” Vova warns.
Sluch River, 2025
Seasonality, Must-Visit Places, and Locations Seldom Reached by Tourists
When is the best time to plan trips? From their experience, the couple advises choosing the warm season — approximately from March-April to October. Another point to consider is insects. Alena and Vova experienced this during their trip to Naliboki Forest — the vibe of a 40-kilometer walk was ruined by an invasion of deer keds. Without going into detail, it's hardly pleasant to pull flying "small stuff" out of your hair and even pockets.
Naliboki Forest, 2022
“But in winter, we rest and process photos. Because there's a lot of content — you need to figure out what to do with it.”
Alena is still responsible for content. The girl says they don't aim to develop a thematic blog. The couple primarily maintains their Instagram account as a family album. Depending on their mood, there might be slightly more detailed descriptions of specific locations, but more often, only the date and coordinates are provided.
At some point, Alena and Vova tried to run a YouTube blog. But spending time first on filming, then on editing, and ultimately getting only a few views – to say the least, that’s not much of a motivational story.
“Yes, we tried to get into all this blogging. But we decided that we are more about enjoyment. We like to travel and be in places more than talking about them.”
Repikhava Park, Lyakhovichy District, 2023
By the way, even after 10 years, Vova and Alena couldn't visit absolutely all the locations they wanted to. For example, sometimes they arrived, and the attractions were closed for restoration. But, the couple assures, there's a reason to return.
“For example, that was the case with the palace in Zhylichy. The first time we visited and saw it – well, yes, interesting. But when we returned and saw the estate already with an exhibition – it was much better.”
Zhylichy, 2024
“But we still haven't made it to the quarry in Mikashevichy! The thing is, you have to sign up for a specific day and time, and specifically for tour groups of at least five people. We got together with friends last year, but in the end, we didn't go — the weather forecast predicted heavy rain. In short, we've been planning it for years — and still haven't gone. Because it's something like the Grand Canyon — all the top travel bloggers in Belarus have been there.”
Another such place is Lake Dooh, also the largest in Belarus. It is located in the Vitebsk region, and you can only get there by boat.
By the way, from their experience, Vova and Alena noticed: it is precisely the extreme regions — the north and south of the country — that often remain underestimated by tourists. For example, the Vitebsk region is worth visiting for nature enthusiasts and kayak rafting fans. True, the issue of transport arises — public transport does not always lead to the desired location.
Braslav Lakes, 2022 (photo from observation deck)
“Of course, if you look at the map of architectural monuments, you can see: there are more of them in the west. And that is really true. For example, last year we visited the extreme points in the east — it's a long drive, but there are practically no epic ruins or castles there, and the locations that do exist are scattered far from each other.
At the same time, in the south there are small towns like Turov, where there aren't many entertainments, but the town itself and the archaeological museum are simply great!”
Archaeological Museum in Turov, 2023
“Also in 2023, we visited Pinsk, but spent very little time there — only 4 hours. So it’s definitely worth returning there and staying longer.”
Pinsk, 2023
Now – the must-visit topic for every Belarusian. Alena and Vova's list is roughly as follows: all regional centers, Mir and Nesvizh castles, Pinsk, Mozyr, Polotsk, Mstislavl, and Yelnya. Both emphasize: for the last point, there's an important condition.
Yelnya, 2017
Yelnya, 2017
Yelnya, 2017
“We first visited there after a thunderstorm — and Yelnya was never as beautiful as it was that day. Imagine: sunset colors, a rainbow, a very dark sky, vibrant grass, the air particularly clean, the water level just right. It's incredible!”
The Perfect City for a Proposal, Signature Kiss Photos, and Safari
Given their extensive travel background, Alena and Vova admit that they feel more comfortable stopping in small towns. After all, their travels once became an opportunity to escape the work routine and noisy rhythm of a big city.
Paris, 2022
But there is an exception — Mogilev. This is where the travelers return most often, and there are two reasons: a practical one and a romantic one.
“First, it’s the closest regional center to Minsk, so it’s convenient to visit while traveling through the region. Second — this is where I proposed to Alena. Originally, I thought about the chalk quarries, but we couldn't reach them at that time. And I didn’t want to wait,” Vova smiles.
Mogilev, 2016
“Mogilev is a very beautiful city. By the way, perhaps also a little underestimated. It has a great zoo and safari — many bisons, you can feed fish, and take an express train ride. An incredible place!”
By the way, that's where the couple's symbolic tradition was born — taking a signature kiss photo at landmarks.
Lida, 2025
Loyew, 2025
Vialiki Dvor, 2022
Mir, 2024
Staryya Pyaski, 2025
Skoki, 2025
Krasnaselsk Chalk Quarries, 2017
What's next? Vova and Alena definitely don't plan to stop traveling, so now they are looking for a new format. Especially since they recently got a dog, a poodle named Shtrudel — they are thinking of coming up with something in that direction.
“We also have a big dream — to publish a photo book about our travels in Belarus. Imagine, there are about 12,000 published photos on social networks alone! But what agony of choice it will be, because we will want to show too much.”
Sarja, 2024
— If someone asks: why did you need all this? You could have just traveled calmly, without setting specific goals and deadlines.
— We like to spend time interestingly. You go to school or university, you think you know everything about our places. And then you travel and realize: it’s great! We want Belarusians to travel more often around the country and learn about it — it's definitely worth it.
Traveling around Belarus: 6 Unusual Routes from the Article's Heroes
Before the interview, journalists asked Vova and Alena to create several routes for those ready to embark on a journey. The request was roughly this: unfrequented places that would definitely be interesting.
Alena and Vova's surname is Radziuk. Notice the allusion?
“How we built our routes: based on one place we wanted to go to, we looked for interesting things around it — that way the path can be looped. We also considered variability, so you could go to any region and in all directions. By the way, each route can be divided into segments.”
Route №1. Lepel — Polymia — Smalyany — Orsha — Shklov — Knyazhytsy — Bahushevichy
Lepel. This place simply captivated our hearts — a lake with turbulent waves, a beautiful dragon, and a church, as if from a movie!
Polymia. This location is fire! Especially for those who love atmospheric ruins; nearby there are other buildings that once belonged to the estate.
Smalyany. The number of interesting sights per square kilometer is simply off the charts! Atmospheric ruins of churches and chapels, as well as a fragment of the tower of the former "White Kovel" castle, which is incredibly impressive! We have been to Smalyany twice, and it is one of our favorite places in Belarus.
Orsha. A lively city with a rich history. If you have time, it’s best to linger and walk through the park, see the triumphal arch, and drink kvass from a barrel-stand.
Shklov. Here, perhaps, is the most beautiful town hall in Belarus. And also a monument to the cucumber — these are at least two reasons to visit this city.
Bahushevichy. A fairytale church that sparks the imagination.
Route №2. Budslau — Mosar — Paris — Luchai — Pastavy — Vileyka — Krasnoye
Budslau. We visited the famous church in Budslau in 2022. And while it is undoubtedly wonderful and majestic, unfortunately, there isn't a beautiful area with plants and sculptures nearby. However, inside we were able to be so moved that it took our breath away! Especially by a song in the style of Harry Potter's black lake mermaids (millennials, hello!). Traces of the fire are preserved here and there, but overall the Bernardine church looks excellent.
Mosar. This location is our idea of Italy. Beautiful, atmospheric. Besides the church, there's a very beautiful area: huge aloes, neatly trimmed bushes, flowers, ponds and sculptures, a spring on a hill, from the top of which we had a wonderful view. In general, an ideal place for walks and beautiful Instagram photos.
Luchai. A very beautiful temple, which is included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values. Unfortunately, we could not see the luxurious interior decoration, but we had a good walk through the beautiful territory, where there were many plants and sculptures.
Pastavy. A small town that can be walked around in a couple of hours if desired, but there's a lot of interesting stuff here! From the church on the riverbank to the rows of charming gingerbread houses and an extraordinary fountain.
Vileyka. A city that reminded us of a trip to Poland. A beautiful square with a church and a cathedral, a skate park and an arboretum with a view of the Viliya River.
Krasnoye. We decided to add it as a bonus point. You can also stop in Molodechno on the way if you haven't been. You definitely won't miss the church in Krasnoye — it will be visible from the road.
Route №3. Yuravichy — Mozyr — Naroulya — Turov
Yuravichy. We long avoided this place due to its remoteness, but in vain — the beautiful temple and the primeval man's site are worth visiting.
Mozyr. Fell in love with this city back in 2020. Returned 4 years later to explore it even more. Here you will find hiking Belarusian style: hilly terrain and stairs of various calibers. And also the extraordinary, mighty Pripyat River, old trams (ideal for fans of this type of transport), ancient ravines, and much more.
Naroulya. The city was memorable for its kind people in the museum, delicious marshmallows, as well as majestic ruins (we were told there would be a large-scale reconstruction), and a beautiful embankment.
Turov. A bonus point that can be saved for next time, but if you decide — you won't regret it. The historical and archaeological complex "Ancient Turov" is forever in our hearts. You can also see the floating hotel "Palesse" on the banks of the Pripyat, eat at Bonfesto cafe, and buy many different delicious cheeses at the nearby store.
Route №4. Skidzel — Sviatsk — Augustow Canal
Bali. A cool bonus, why not start the journey with such a prank? Especially since it's on the way :)
Skidzel. The smallest and cutest church we've seen.
Sviatsk. We didn't manage to see the Volovichy Palace and Park Ensemble in 2021 because restoration work was underway. But we did get to walk along the canal and take a couple of shots — the telephoto lens came in handy again and worked perfectly.
Dambrouka. We think everyone should come here. This is where the Augustow Canal is located — a grandiose and massive project of the 19th century — there are only three such canals in the world! We highly recommend catching a vessel going through the lock. It's very interesting to watch!
Route №5. Miory — Verkhnyadzvinsk — Sarja — Asveya
Miory. A small town with a beautiful embankment and a red-brick church.
Uzmyony. A bonus point that you'll be passing through anyway. You can stop to park at the helipad and see the highest bridge in Belarus.
Verkhnyadzvinsk. We really love embankments — this one is one of the most beautiful. It's also interesting to walk around the city itself and see the local sights.
Sarja. The church in Sarja is one of the brightest examples of Neo-Gothic style (Alena's favorite style), and there's a bridge, not just any bridge, but a suspension bridge. Also, the Sarjanka River deserves special attention; we fell in love with it at first sight, so much so that we returned a few months later for a kayaking trip.
Asveya. Here — atmospheric ruins and Dooh Island. And also a cool shop for Verkhnyadzvinsk cheeses.
Route №6. Fleryanova — Hrushauka — Saveyki — Myadzvedzichy — Yastrambel — Paulinava
Fleryanova. Once you see it, you'll remember it forever. From the front, a facade with red brick towers, and behind it hides an ordinary wooden house, albeit quite large and two-story. If the sign on the door is to be believed, there's a museum in the building.
Hrushauka. A place in the spirit of fantasy! We visited the Reutans' tomb and estate in 2021, and then we saw that the estate was actively being restored. Now it is much more beautiful, and we are already planning to revisit this place ourselves.
Saveyki. An atmospheric estate being swallowed by nature! An unforgettable place, and besides the estate, you can find other buildings here.
Myadzvedzichy. A beautiful church with cups of fire.
Yastrambel. Another magical estate that is in our personal top list.
Paulinava. This estate is hidden in a park of ancient trees, some of which have dried up, while others hide the sky with their foliage. During our visit in 2021, it was painted on one side and even had new windows.
P.S. If you have any questions about the routes, Vova and Alena are ready to tell you more on Instagram. You can also find hundreds of photos from other interesting places, exact locations, and lots of inspiration there.
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