Compare Along Soviet Fringes by Travel The Unknown vs Vietnam Foodie's Paradise in 10 Days by Realistic Asia

Day 1: Minsk (Belarus)

On arrival at Minsk airport, you will be met by your local guide and later transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Minsk.

Overnight in Hotel Minsk, Minsk

Day 2: Minsk

Meals: Breakfast

Spend the morning sightseeing in Minsk, where you will see Independence Avenue and the Holy Spirit Cathedral. Later, visit the local Komarovka Market to sample local Soviet cuisine and make an excursion to the open-air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural life. Overnight in Minsk.

Overnight in Hotel Minsk, Minsk

As the capital city of Belarus, Minsk has steadily progressed from the image of grand-scale Soviet planning into a modern political and cultural centre of the country. With expansive boulevards, lush parks and a well-developed infrastructure, it showcases a wealth of dynamic cosmopolitan features. It is also rich in history with a number of outstanding ancient sights, though sadly many buildings were lost in the destruction of World War II.

Komarovka market is the largest marketplace in Minsk, where you will find everything from spices and flowers to crafts and artwork. This market is especially popular on the weekends and in the evenings with both locals and visitors alike, offering an authentic Minsk experience. 

The open-air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life focuses on the historical and authentic character of 19th and 20th century Belarusian settlements, from rural villages to homesteads. Folk architecture from different ethnic regions is showcased in carefully reconstructed models, including wooden churches, schools, public barns and smithies. The museum also exhibits a wide collection of various household, trade and handicraft items.

Day 3: Minsk - Poleskije Tradicii – Brest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Begin the day with a tour of Neswizh Palace. Continue on to Poleskije Tradicii. On arrival, explore the farmstead and speak with locals and have lunch. Continue to Brest and check-in to the hotel on arrival. Overnight in Brest.

Overnight in Hermitage Hotel, Brest

The traditional 'western gate' of Belarus, Brest is a calm city with a long and complex history. Owned by different countries throughout several periods, it finally became a part of modern Belarus following the disintegration of the Soviet Union. As a result, its culture has strong influences from central and eastern Europe. The famous Sovetskaya Street and its boulevards are perfect for promenading, whilst the city’s main attraction is the Brest fortress. 

The charming town of Neswizh is one of the oldest in Belarus. It is most famous for the magnificent Neswizh Palace, the former residence of the aristocratic Radzivili family. The estate showcases one of Europe's largest landscaped gardens as well as a 16th-century Farny Roman-Catholic Church. A blend of architectural styles is used within the palace, which once had around 170 rooms with a series of underground passages connecting it to the town's monasteries. After the family's expulsion in 1939 by the invading Red Army, the palace was used as a sanatorium and steadily fell into decline. After much restoration, the UNESCO-listed building is now open to the public, with more than 30 exhibition halls.

Visit and stay at the Poleskije Tradicii Farmstead (translated as Poleska Traditions), located in a small village where you can listen to tales of local life. You may also have the opportunity to experience traditional folk culture and sample local delicacies here.

Day 4: Brest - Belovezhskaya Pushcha – Brest

Meals: Breakfast

This morning you will have a city tour of Brest, including the Brest Fortress before heading to Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, visit the Museum of Nature and the Brest Museum of Railway Equipment. Overnight in Brest.

Overnight in Hermitage Hotel, Brest

Brest Museum of Railway Equipment is a technical museum that is dedicated to the equipment of railway transport through many different periods of history. This open-air museum first opened in 2002, and includes exhibitions of locomotives from various eras - dating from pre-war generations to wartime and postwar generations.

The traditional 'western gate' of Belarus, Brest is a calm city with a long and complex history. Owned by different countries throughout several periods, it finally became a part of modern Belarus following the disintegration of the Soviet Union. As a result, its culture has strong influences from central and eastern Europe. The famous Sovetskaya Street and its boulevards are perfect for promenading, whilst the city’s main attraction is the Brest fortress. 

The 19th-century UNESCO-listed Brest Fortress defended the country against the Nazis in WWII. Only a handful of men survived the attacks, but the heroism of the defenders inspired citizens all over the USSR. In 1965, the fortress gained the title of 'Hero-Fortress'. Today it is a war memorial complex and a great place of national grief and pride.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park is one of the largest remaining parts of an immense primeval forest which once stretched across the European Plain. After suffering the effects of the Napoleonic and world wars, the land was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It is famous for ancient oak trees, some of which are more than 500 years old. In fact, the park recently celebrated its 600th anniversary! The park's flora and fauna is incredibly diverse, with almost 900 species of trees and flowers and around 200 bird species, including the eagle owl and white stork. There are also around 60 mammal species of mammals, including lynx, roaming elk and the European bison, a symbol of Belarus.

The Museum of Nature in Bialowieza Forest was created to teach visitors more about the historical and natural life of the National Reserve. The collection within the museum includes Russian iconography that dates back to the 16th century. Showrooms are dedicated to recreating the four seasons, which each depict the distinctive features of the local environment at various times of year. Whilst visitors can also learn about the life that was once led by forest dwellers. 

Day 5: Brest - Mir - Minsk – Kiev

Meals: Breakfast

This morning you will be transferred to Mir, a small town to the south-west of Minsk. You will visit the Mir Castle, an impressive architectural monument included on the list of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO,  before carrying on to Minsk. You will be transferred to the airport for your evening flight to Kiev. Overnight in Kiev.

Overnight in Khreshatyk Hotel , Kiev

Founded in the late 9th century, Kiev is one of the oldest cities in Europe that has played a pivotal role in Slavic civilisation and Orthadox Christianity. It is home to a myriad of architecturally important and historically significant monuments, some of which include the ornate St. Sophia Cathedral, St. Andrew's Church and the Golden Gates of Kiev.

Mir is a small town located southwest of Minsk that is most famous for its fairy-tale Mir Castle, often referred to as the 'medieval flower'. It displays impressive architecture using a unique combination of styles, first built at the end of the 15th century in the Gothic style, before being extended and reconstructed in the Renaissance and then Baroque styles. This UNESCO-listed monument has an impressive residential history of aristocratic families, many of whom have left their mark in the history of Mir and Belarus as a whole.

Day 6: Kiev

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast you will have a full day city tour on Kiev. During your tour you will visit St. Sophia Cathedral and Monastery Complex, St. Andrew's Church, The Golden Gates of Kiev and the famous Museum of the Great Patriotic War. Overnight in Kiev.

Overnight in Khreshatyk Hotel , Kiev

Founded in the late 9th century, Kiev is one of the oldest cities in Europe that has played a pivotal role in Slavic civilisation and Orthadox Christianity. It is home to a myriad of architecturally important and historically significant monuments, some of which include the ornate St. Sophia Cathedral, St. Andrew's Church and the Golden Gates of Kiev.

The iconic St. Sophia Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Kiev and the first site in Ukraine to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was  built  during the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise to glorify Christianity and was named after the famous St. Sophia's Cathedral in Constantinople. The Cathedral is renowned for its ornate architecture and grand bell tower. Inside, visitors can also find remarkably well-preserved murals and artwork. 

Day 7: - Chernobyl - Pripyat – Kiev

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Take a day trip to Chernobyl and visit the Nuclear Power Station. Later, make a stop off at the town of ghost town of Pripyat. Transfer back to your hotel in Kiev. Overnight in Kiev.

Overnight in Khreshatyk Hotel , Kiev

Chernobyl lies within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and became famous after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 1986. Today it is a ghost town, although a few residents still live in Chernobyl, marking their doors with signs saying 'owner of this house lives here'. Regulations have since been put in place to limit the dangers of exposure and to mitigate any long-term consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe. 

The town of Pripyat was initially built to house workers of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The residents of the town were evacuated following the infamous nuclear disaster of 1986 - where many were relocated to the city of Slavutych, that was built to replace Pripyat. Images of an eerie and long-abandoned Ferris wheel have become iconic of the abandoned city, which now stands as a ghost town within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

Day 8: Kiev – Mezhygirya

Meals: Breakfast

Begin the day with a tour of Mezhygirya Palace. Later, travel on to the Ukrainian Village Ethnographical Museum Complex. Overnight stay here.

Overnight in Ukrainian Village Ethnographical Museum Complex, Kiev

Mezhihiriya Palace (also known as the "Museum of Corruption") was once home to the former President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, who was forced to resign in 2014 during the Revolution of Dignity. Following this event, the Mezhihiriya residence opened to visitors as a modern-day palace, showcasing the luxurious presidential lifestyle. Set in 140 hectares, the palace required 2,000 staff and daily maintenance costs of $75,000 to upkeep the facilities, which include a yacht pier, tennis courts and a helicopter pad.

The Ethnographical Museum Complex 'Ukrainian Village' introduces visitors to the culture and life of Ukrainians in the 18th and 19th centuries. Exhibitions include ancient houses from different regions of Ukraine, along with the wooden Church of St. Demetrios. Visitors can choose to take traditional classes and learn skills such as pysanka writing, wood chopping or moonshine home brewing.

Day 9: Kiev – Odessa

Meals: Breakfast

Make your way to Odessa, stopping en route to spend the day at the Museum of Strategic Missile Forces. Continue your journey and check into your hotel upon arrival. Overnight in Odessa.

Overnight in Alexandrovsky Hotel, Odessa

The Museum of Strategic Rocket Forces is located near the Ukrainian town of Pervomaysk. Beginning in 1959, it posed as the divisional headquarters for the 46th Rocket Division during the Cold War, being home to many nuclear weapons and missiles. The Pervomaysk site remained in operation until 1997. Today, it remains almost exactly as it was, allowing visitors to tour the former secret USSR base. You can even sit in the seat of the missile launch control panel and simulate part of the missile launch procedure!

Day 10: Odessa

Meals: Breakfast

Spend the day touring the city of Odessa, highlights will include the Potemkin Stairs, Odessa Opera House and the Fine Art Museum. Later, visit the Odessa Catacombs. Overnight in Odessa.

Overnight in Alexandrovsky Hotel, Odessa

Odessa, also known as the 'pearl of the Black Sea', is one of Ukraine's major port cities and transportation hubs. A key sight is the Fine Art Museum located in the former palace of Count Potosky, where you can find an extensive collection of Russian and Ukrainian art. 

Odessa's iconic Potemkin Stairs were constructed between 1837 and 1841, leading form the harbour up towards the city that stands on a high plateau. Before the Potemkin Stairs were in place, this had meant winding pathways and wooden stairs. The design of the stairs hides an optical illusion - when looking down the stairs, one only sees the landings and the steps seem to be invisible; those looking up only see the steps. 

Odessa Fine Arts Museum is situated in the ancient Pototsky Palace, itself being a monument of 19th century architecture. It houses some 10 thousand pieces of artwork that includes some of the most well known Russian and Ukrainian artists of the 19th and 20th century. Leading it to have one of the richest and most interesting collections of artwork in the country.

The Opera House in Odessa is the oldest theatre in the city and remains one of its most iconic landmarks. It was first opened in 1810, although later destroyed in a fire. It was reconstructed with a neo-baroque and French rococo influence, evident in its ornate architectural design and grand audience hall.

The Odessa Catacombs are a network of tunnels that lie beneath Odessa and the surrounding region. These were formed are as a result of stone mining and later widened by smugglers, reaching almost 60 metres below sea level. Although the labyrinth of tunnels is yet to be fully mapped, it is thought that there are around 1000 known entrances. A small portion of the catacombs are open to the public, and can be found in the Museum of Partisan Glory.

Day 11: Odessa - Puracari - Chisinau (Moldova)

Meals: Breakfast

Travel to the Purarci estate, where you will take a tour and have the opportunity to sample the wine. Later, depart for a tour of Chisinau. Overnight in Chisinau.

Overnight in Regency Hotel, Chisinau

Chisinau (pronounced 'kish-i-niow') is the capital of Moldova and the country's largest city. It is located in the centre of the country on the river Bic and was founded in 1436 as a monastery village. Compared to the rest of the country, Chisinau is quite wealthy and modern - although not nearly so by Western standards. As it was badly damaged during WWII and by a tremendous earthquake in 1940, it was rebuilt in the 1950s in the utilitarian Soviet style. Buildings are not especially pretty and most people live in large concrete blocks of flats. 

Purcari Winery is the first specialised winery in Bessarabia. The soil in Purcari village is able to produce full-bodied grapes, much like the soil in the Bordeaux region of France, located on the same latitude. This soil is rich in rubidium and is able to give wines an intense complexity of taste and a distinctive deep purple colour. When the French learned of Purcari, they formed a partnership with the village's Agon Zograf Monastery and began cultivating grapes there in the 18th century. By 1878, the winery won its first gold medal at the Paris World Expo and is now a world-renown brand.

Day 12: Chisinau - Cricova - Orhei – Chisinau

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Begin the day with an excursion to Cricova Winery and enjoy a wine tasting. Continue on to Old Orhei Open Air Museum. End the day with a folk show and dinner in Trebujeni village. Overnight in Chisinau.

Overnight in Regency Hotel, Chisinau

Cricova Winery is one of the world's largest underground cellars, located 15km north of Chisinau in a 120km-long labyrinthe of 15th-century underground tunnels. These tunnels, up to 100 metres deep at certain points, were created during the excavation of limestone used for construction in Chisinau. In 1952, the tunnels were converted into an underground wine emporium. About half of the roadways are used for wine storage and each 'street name' corresponds to the type of wine it houses. The streets are even wide enough for trucks! The most popular wine is Cricova Sparkling Wine, which is still produced using the classic Champenoise method. Some notable visitors to the winery include Brejnev, Gorbachiov, Gagarin, Merkel and Putin, who celebrated his 50th birthday here. In 2004, Cricova was declared an item of the country's national cultural heritage. 

Trebujeni and Butuceni are twin villages located on either site of the Ruta River within walking distance of each other. Trebujeni is slightly more 'tourist-y', as that is where Orheiul Vechi is located. Buteceni is a slightly smaller village that offers visitors a more real feel for Moldovan life. 

Old Orhei Open Air Museum is situated in a rocky gorge of the river Raut. Old Orhei was once a medieval city, dating back to the Gold Horde period of 1330. Today, visitors can learn of the many different civilisations that once lived here. There are many archeological sites of interest, including he ruins of the fortress of Sehr al Djedid, St. Maria Church and an ancient Turkish bath - each one providing a window to a different period of time.

Day 13: Chisinau - Transnistria – Chisinau

Meals: Breakfast

Depart to Transnistria. Spend the day touring Tiraspol and visiting Tighina Fortress. Overnight in Chisinau.

Overnight in Regency Hotel, Chisinau

The 16th-century Tighina Fortress used to be one of Moldova's most powerful fortresses. Led by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, it was occupied by the Ottomans in 1538 and became the centre of an Ottoman raya (or region). In the 1370s and 80s, Tighina became an important stop on the Tatar trade route that connected western Europe with the Near East.

Tiraspol is Moldova's second largest city and the capital of Transinistria. Although the city was previously inhabited, it was officially founded in October 1792 by Alexander Suvorov, the famous Russian military hero. Time seems to have stood still here since the USSR period. Notable places to visit include the Vladimir Lenin monument and the tanks left over from WWII. Most of the sites can be seen by walking down the main street, called October 25th Street in honour of the 1917 Great October Socialist Revolution.

The unrecognised self-proclaimed republic of Transinistria is located on Moldova's eastern border with Ukraine. It came to be after the dissolution of the USSR, when tensions between Transinistria and Moldova grew into a military conflict in 1992. Since then, Transinistria has been independent in practice, with its own government, military, police, postal service, currency, constitution and more. Transinistria's central bank sets the exchange rate for their ruble, which is freely floating and greatly fluctuates week-to-week. 

Day 14: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or onward destination.

Day 1 Welcome to Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh Arrival

Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Ho Chi Minh. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing and Food Tasting (B/L)

This morning your tour guide will meet you with a motorbike for a half-day tour of the city. Hop on the back and head through the city's lively streets, passing the many Vietnamese guitar makers’ stores, interesting eateries, and residential apartment buildings. The walking portion of your explorations starts from Nguyen Thien Thuat Street and ends at Ban Co Market, where you'll be invited to try chè (a Vietnamese dessert made of beans, sticky rice, and coconut milk). Continue to Districts 10 and 5 to witness the colors, smells, and sounds of typical Ho Chi Minh life as you pass shops and street food stands and dodge passing rickshaws. Stroll along the traditional medicine streets of China Town, then visit the Chinese Thien Hau Temple (dedicated to the worship of the Heavenly Queen). End your adventure at a local restaurant for a lunch of local favorites like com tam (broken rice) or bun bo (beef noodle soup). Afterward, your guide will take you back to your hotel by motorbike.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 3 Cruising on Mekong Delta (B/L)

Kickstart your day with a hearty breakfast, and a trip to Mekong Delta follows. The guide will meet you at the hotel lobby around 7:15-7:30 am, and you will head to My Tho, which lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, board the sampan and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands, known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands. Stop at Unicorn Island, walk around the country lanes and see the orchards. Visit fruit plantations and enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music performed by the local people. Then take a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and immerse yourself in the beauty of the countryside. Visit family workshops and honey-bee farm, and taste some honey tea and coconut candies. Refuel yourself with a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and later cycle around the Tan Thach village, and meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. If you are not keen on a cycling trip, enjoy a cool breeze and a relaxing time in a hammock. Afterwards, you will get back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 4 Travel From Ho Chi Minh City To Hoi An (B)

Relish the remaining moment in Ho Chi Minh before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Da Nang. When you arrive at Da Nang Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in Hoi An. The rest of the time is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 5 Immerse Yourself In Hoi An Cuisine (B/D)

This evening you will explore Hoi An's off-the-beaten-path highlights and taste the most remarkable dishes of this charming town. Your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to a local farming village about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the town center. Here you can learn more about the daily life of the local farmers before getting back to Hoi An and immersing yourself in a foodie's paradise with the flavorful local cuisine. Start your culinary exploration with a selection of well-known local dishes such as white rose dumplings, banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh nam (rice dumplings) my quang (flavorful rice noodles), Hoi An pancakes, barbeque pork rolls, and the famous bahn mi sandwich. Wrap up your food tour with the best Vietnamese coffee before exploring more of Hoi An by night or heading back to your hotel.

Overnight In Hoi An.

Day 6 Greeting From The Capital (B)

Relish the remaining moment in Hoi An before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Hanoi. When you arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in the Old Quarter. The rest of the time is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7 A Taste Of Street Food In Hanoi (B/D)

The guide will meet you around 18:00 and take you outside of the Old Quarter to show you areas that most visitors haven’t got a chance to see on motorbikes like Hoan Kiem Lake, French Quarter & Opera House, and Long Bien Bridge. From this place, Long Bien – the first steel bridge crossing the Red River is awaiting you. It is the only bridge in Hanoi where all the riders have to go on the left–hand side. Crossing over the bridge, you will see the Local Food Market in Gia Lam. Before going back to Hanoi Old Quarter you can try some food and drink there too. And then, we will take you around the old quarter, to taste the most typical and famous street food in the Old Quarter like Pho, Grilled Fish, Egg Coffee, etc. At 21:30, we will drop you off at your accommodation. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8 Discover The Natural Wonder Of The World (B/L) - Shared cruise

Check out of the hotel in the morning, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay. The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax. Overnight on cruise. Note: In case of bad weather (the boat is not allowed to push off or not allowed to overnight in the sea), the Ha Long bay tour could be canceled without notice. We will consider other replacement tours or a refund based on the specific circumstances.

Day 9 Ha Long Bay - Back To Hanoi (B/L)

Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awake your mind and muscles. Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 10 Biggest Farewell And Warmest Thank You - Hanoi Departure (B)

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home.
Trip Ends.