Belarus looks as an isolated small blue planet on the map of Europe. This is one of few places on the Earth where the time seems to slow down its run. Belarus attracts with its manifold natural landscapes: one will not see high mountains and sees, but there are numerous picturesque hills, thick forests, blue rivers and lakes, unique marches.

Not only mild climate and practically total absence of threat of any natural cataclysms, but also the national mentality (owing to which the Belarusians are deemed easy-tempered and hospitable) create favourable conditions for eco-tourism. More than one third of the country’s territory is covered with the green blanket of forests. The European largest woodlands – the resources called “the green gold” in this country have preserved there. The national parks such as the Belovezhskaya Pustcha (virgin forest), Braslav Lakes, the Pripyat, and the Naroch are of the world significance in preservation of animals and plants diversity in their natural habitation.

The Belovezhskaya Pustcha is one of the European oldest woodlands, its main plantations achieved the age of 120-200; its individual trees, that are the natural memorials, are 350-500 years old; and more than one thousand oak-trees are from 300 to 700 years old. Such remainder of the vast forests of Europe, preserved by a miracle, have been recorded by UNESCO into the World Heritage List. A mighty aurochs, magical spirit of the age, ancient czar route, Viskuly hotel complex, and the estate of the Belarusian Grandfather Frost are waiting for you.

Continuous change of landscapes, the lakes, hills, rivers followed by forests and then again by lakes, imparts special fascination to this area. It is not without reason, that Belarus is called a blue-eyed country: a thick network of lakes and rivers, which exact number cannot be not even counted, run across the entire territory. The lakes are especially numerous in the north and northwest of this country.

The north of Belarus is named the Lake-Side, the land of blue lakes. The lakes here are of glacial origin, with crystal-clear water. They differ in size, depth and shapes - oblong like rivers or round like bowls. Sometimes the lakeside line looks like a lace, and such lakes are mostly picturesque. Wooded slopes and clean water create unique landscapes.

The group of lakes connected with each other through the labyrinth strait, forms the national park named Braslav Lakes. Quiet rush rustle flowing with water splashes, and crystal pure water wait for you there. The Naroch, the largest Belarusian lake of a remarkable beauty (with the area of 80 square kilometers) is included into the Naroch national park with its picturesque Blue Lakes and pine forests (that exceed in number the pine forests elsewhere in the Republic), nice sandy beaches and the opportunity to get access to sanatoria and health resorts.

Marshes form an integral part of the Belarusian landscape. Several large marshes with their unique eco-systems have been preserved in the West Polesye, they are the Europe largest natural marshes. The largest marsh is called Zvanets, its area is 150 square kilometers. The Pripyat national park is located at the center of the Polessye lowland. It is remarkable for its water-meadows, oak woods, heady odour of herbs, and the chance to observe numerous species of birds. This is a real paradise for the ornithologists.

The Republican oldest Berezina biosphere preserve is worth mention. Vast marshes and black alder tracts have been preserved there in their natural state. Diverse landscapes, nesting places of rare birds, eco-paths, the most ancient path “from the Varangians to the Greeks”. There are very few similar places in Europe.

The Belarusian national parks have accumulated experience in arranging eco-tours. Most of them have got favourable references from foreign tour-operators involved in eco-tourism. Having spent fascinating moments with primeval nature, you will be amazed to see comfort accommodation. There are places to anyone’s liking: from ordinary rooms at the tourists centers to the country-styled rooms in the hunters’ houses, and cozy apartments in the comfortable hotels and cottages.

Wherever you prefer to stay, you have the opportunity to taste the national cookery: machanka with pancakes, crisp potato pancakes with cracklings, spicy meat in pots, brown sucking-pig with horse-radish, and striking folks dishes made of the game and gifts of forest. At your leisure time you can choose any entertainment to your liking: an enthralling journey by the motor ship, afoot, or going on horseback, or by bicycle, or in a boat, during which journey a diverse luxuriant kingdoms of plants and animal will open up before your eyes in their native habitation.

The representatives of the relic fauna, the aurochs, live in the Belovezhskaya Pustcha and the Berezina biosphere preserve. This animal has become a peculiar symbol of this country. The population of the red deer was restored in the territory of Belarus in the middle of the past century. Excellent conditions have been created for those who wish to try his luck at hunting or fishing.

Should you be interested in originality of the Belarusian village, accept an offer to have an eco-tour. Local peasants a cordial welcome to give their guests who wish to join to the natural folk household: haymaking, apiary, cow milking, herbs gathering.

Well-groomed gardens, comfortable pergolas, shashlik braziers, genuine bath-houses with a bath-besom, and haylofts against the picturesque surrounding landscapes such as meadows, flower clearings, the rivers, lakes and forests, will recover peace of your mind. Fishing will be arranged for you, or a walk to the forest to pick mushrooms and berries, or boating, rafting, or ridding. You will take away with you some berry jam and other canned berries and vegetables cooked under the direction of an experienced hostess.

Children from the cities will gain unforgettable impressions from fresh milk, newly-baked bread, greens and vegetables just picked up from the vegetable bed, a chance to go for a drive a tractor, or go boating. Local craftsmen can both demonstrate their skills in wicked-work when making straw souvenirs, knitting napkins and laces, and can train you in such crafts, as well as in pottery.

In our super-technological time, contact with live nature is one of the uncommon and refined pleasures. The nature of Belarus a serenity isle in the vortex of events. Here, everyone will always receive a welcome and feel at home, i.e. at ease and cosy.