56 days in Russia, Poland & Belarus Itinerary

Built on a desolate swamp as a showcase capital of Imperial Russia, this grand city has certainly lived up to the expectations of its founder, Tsar Peter the Great.

When in St. Petersburg, make a side trip to see WindTunnel FlyStation in Kuzmolovsky, approximately 32 minutes away. There's still lots to do: explore the world behind art at The State Hermitage Museum, examine the collection at A.V. Suvorov State Memorial Museum, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Savior on the Spilled Blood, and step off the mainland to explore Yelagin Island.

To see reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the St. Petersburg trip maker website .

If you are flying in from South Africa, the closest major airport is Pulkovo Airport. In April, daytime highs in St. Petersburg are 9°C, while nighttime lows are 0°C. You'll have a few hours on the 30th (Thu) to wrap things up before traveling to Moscow.

Russia's political, economic, and cultural center, Moscow remains the most populous inland city in the world, famed for its colorful history and rich architectural heritage.

Venture out of the city with trips to FREEZONE Aerodynamic Complex (in Sharapovo), The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra (in Sergiyev Posad) and Kolomna (Tram Museum, Kolomna Kremlin, & more). Pack the 10th (Sun) with family-friendly diversions at Etnomir Tourist Complex. And it doesn't end there: don't miss a visit to Red Square, explore the world behind art at Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, walk around Patriarch's Pond, and let little ones run wild at Action Games Joyment.

To find ratings, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Moscow online driving holiday planner .

You can take a train from St. Petersburg to Moscow in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In April, daily temperatures in Moscow can reach 11°C, while at night they dip to 1°C. You will have some time to spend on the 15th (Fri) before leaving for Warsaw.

Warsaw draws big crowds with its seemingly unstoppable energy, exemplified by the city's explosive nightlife and thriving music scene.

Warsaw is known for historic sites, museums, parks, shopping, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in nature's colorful creations at Lazienki Krolewskie w Warszawie, step into the grandiose world of Zamek Krolewski w Warszawie - Muzeum, get engrossed in the history at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, and have fun at 3D Archery Path.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Warsaw road trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Moscow to Warsaw takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. The time zone changes from Moscow Standard Time to Central European Time, which is usually a -2 hour difference. In May, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 11°C. On the 25th (Mon), you'll travel to Krakow.

One of Poland's oldest cities, Krakow sits at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, its historical town center nestled on the left bank of the Vistula River.

Step out of Krakow with an excursion to Panstwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau in Oswiecim--about 1h 10 min away. There's still lots to do: appreciate the extensive heritage of Krakow's Rynek Glowny Central Square, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, examine the collection at Wieliczka Salt Mine, and browse the exhibits of Muzeum Krakowa, oddzial Fabryka Emalia Oskara Schindlera.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Krakow trip planner .

You can take a train from Warsaw to Krakow in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In May in Krakow, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 9°C at night. You'll have a few hours on the 30th (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling to Minsk.

As the capital and largest city of Belarus, Minsk represents a cultural center full of churches, libraries, museums, and theatres.

To find ratings, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Minsk route planner .

Traveling by combination of train, flight, and bus from Krakow to Minsk takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. Traveling from Krakow to Minsk, you'll lose 2 hours due to the time zone difference. In May, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 9°C. You will leave for Brest on the 4th (Thu).

A sharp contrast to the capital of Minsk, Brest is a city filled with fortress ruins, old culture, and medieval history.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Brest: Ruzhany (Ruzhany Palace, Lake Papernya, & more), Kosava Castle (in Kosava) and Bielaviežskaja pušča National Park (in Kamianiuki). And it doesn't end there: brush up on your military savvy at Memorial Complex Brest Hero-Fortress, admire the natural beauty at Zimniy Sad, take in the pleasant sights at Sovetskaya Street, and make a trip to Brest Railway Station Building.

To find other places to visit, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Brest online trip planner .

Traveling by train from Minsk to Brest takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In June, daily temperatures in Brest can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) so you can travel back home.