Belarus is quite an unknown country stuck between Poland and Russia, often referred to as "the last dictatorship of Europe", and having one of the few centrally-planned economies left in the world. Although it became independent in 1991, its president still governs the country in a quite authoritarian way BUT thanks to several international initiatives the country is now slowly but surely opening to the world.  Although rural tourism is still in its infancy in Belarus, its beautiful natural surroundings (the highest biodiversity in Europe!), the hospitality and traditional skills of the population, offer plenty of growth possibilities for the near future. There are often festivals which celebrate the unique culinary, craft and pagan traditions of the region.  Some villages are now working on the so-called GREENWAYS: multi-functional heritage trails developed along natural corridors, rivers, historical trade routes and railways.

Those nature routes are developed under the UN flag of Local Agenda 21. A first attempt to introduce local democracy in Belarus  !

Isn’t it up to each of us to walk, pedal, canoe etc towards a better world?