I want to tell you now a little bit about the best trip I ever went on, and about some of the most fun I ever had in one of my favourite cities I've been to... Minsk, Belarus!
I planned my trip quite quickly, I went to go visit a good friend of mine. I booked where I stayed, and bought my plane tickets, all within less than two months. I also had to obtain a visa from the Belarusian Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario, which was itself a process, but once I got it I was ready to go!
I was in Minsk from November 1st to 30th, 2016. I rented my own little apartment right near the city center. The were many restaurants and cafes within close walking distance, and I was right across the street from the beautiful Gorky Park.
The food in Minsk was the best I've ever had anywhere! All the restaurants I went to were delicious, I don't think I had one bad meal. My favourite dish I had there was draniki, a type of Belarusian potato pancake, usually served with meat and gravy. 
The architecture of Minsk is absolutely breathtaking, it perfectly combines the beauty of classic looking European buildings with Soviet era ones, as well as modern 21st century malls and office buildings. There are many monuments and statues, the most iconic being Victory Square, a massive arch commemorating the dead of World War Two. Other buildings I admired were the hulking National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, the picturesque Minsk Gates and the angelic red brick Roman Catholic church of Saints Simon and Helena.
The Svishlach River winds through the center of the city, and there are walkways on either side, for a scenic walk. There are plenty of parks throughout the city. 
Another thing I must say is the local people are incredibly friendly, most all of the waitstaff I spoke with in restaurants and cafes spoke good English, and were courteous and helpful, and happy to converse with an "exotic" Canadian. (Minsk gets far fewer Western tourists when compared to other major European cities)
All in all, I would recommend Minsk to anyone who plans on travelling to Europe, the city, food and people are all great, as well as it being very affordable for someone for North America or Western Europe. I plan on going back again this May!
I planned my trip quite quickly, I went to go visit a good friend of mine. I booked where I stayed, and bought my plane tickets, all within less than two months. I also had to obtain a visa from the Belarusian Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario, which was itself a process, but once I got it I was ready to go!
I was in Minsk from November 1st to 30th, 2016. I rented my own little apartment right near the city center. The were many restaurants and cafes within close walking distance, and I was right across the street from the beautiful Gorky Park.
The food in Minsk was the best I've ever had anywhere! All the restaurants I went to were delicious, I don't think I had one bad meal. My favourite dish I had there was draniki, a type of Belarusian potato pancake, usually served with meat and gravy. 
The architecture of Minsk is absolutely breathtaking, it perfectly combines the beauty of classic looking European buildings with Soviet era ones, as well as modern 21st century malls and office buildings. There are many monuments and statues, the most iconic being Victory Square, a massive arch commemorating the dead of World War Two. Other buildings I admired were the hulking National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, the picturesque Minsk Gates and the angelic red brick Roman Catholic church of Saints Simon and Helena. 
The Svishlach River winds through the center of the city, and there are walkways on either side, for a scenic walk. There are plenty of parks throughout the city. 
Another thing I must say is the local people are incredibly friendly, most all of the waitstaff I spoke with in restaurants and cafes spoke good English, and were courteous and helpful, and happy to converse with an "exotic" Canadian. (Minsk gets far fewer Western tourists when compared to other major European cities)All in all, I would recommend Minsk to anyone who plans on travelling to Europe, the city, food and people are all great, as well as it being very affordable for someone for North America or Western Europe. I plan on going back again this May!
