In Belarus you will have:

n a visa free entry into the country within 1 month! Your ticket for the Championship – your visa to Belarus!

n democratic prices on tickets for the Ice Hockey Championship in Minsk!

n travel packages with accommodation and tickets for matches –easy decision for everyone who wants comfortably to visit the Championship!

We, team of a travel company CentreKurort:n make a unique net of accommodation types for participants

and fans of the Championship;n plan and organize free time of participants and guests

of the Championship;n guarantee qualitative and reliable recreation for participants

and fans of the Championship!

Our tour packages, as well as tickets for the Championship you can buy in March, 2013

Travel package includes:

TicketAccommodationExcursionChoice (what)TransferInsuranceSouvenirMap of Minsk or country

www.belarustourism.by www.icehockey-2014.bywww. minsktourism.by

Minsk tourist information centre

www. minsk2014.com

© ООО «РИФТУР ПРИНТ», 2012 © А. Клещевник, А. Климович, Н. Суслова, текст, 2012 © Б. Жуков, Ю. Чернякова перевод на английский язык, 2012 © С. Плыткевич, А. Климович, фото, 2012 © В. Дегтярев, дизайн-проект, 2012 В издании использованы фотографии из архива “ЦентрКурорта”. Редактор Н. Плыткевич. Препресс-подготовка, верстка Е. Ждановская.ООО «РИФТУР ПРИНТ». ЛИ №02330/1009 от 31.01.2012Типографии «Джи энд Ди». ЛП №02330/0150065 от 15.06.2008. Тираж 1000 экз. Заказ №1299

Ice Hockey World Championship

Located in the East of Europe, this ancient land shares a commonborder with Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine and Latvia. Here, onthe remote edge of the vast open space of the East European Plainthere lives a nation called Belarusians.

Belarus, White Ruthenia… Light, pure and tender… A countrylike ours could not wish a better poetic ring to its name.

Belarus can neither boast bright colours, nor stun visitors withlocal exotics. The country’s quiet charm does not reveal itself in-stantly – it shines in the gentle play of light in the morning sky,which blends with the blurred horizon, in the green of free openfields and the invigorating air of pine forests, in the watercolourpalettes of birch gloves and the sad clang of mi-grating cranes. The quite beauty of Belarus will re-veal itself to anyone, who can stand still for awhile and feel the surrounding world. Just takeyour time to look into the depth of blue lakes,hear the voice of a running creek or the hustle of the trees bent by the wind, breathe in the freshair filled with the fragrance of blooming meadows of the smell of autumn leaves…

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The total area of Belarusis 207,700 square kilometers.The country stretches 560 kilometers (360 miles) from north to south, and 650 kilometres (460 miles) from east to west.

ClimateAverage temperatures: -10 – -15 °C in winter+22 – +24 °C in summer.

Time zone – FET (UTC+3)Belarusian Time is one hour ahead of Central European Time.

MinskMogilev

Gomel

Vitebsk

Russia

BELARUS

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Lithuania

Ukraine

Poland

Grodno

Brest

Latvia

Country code top-level domain – byMajor internet resources:www.belarustourism.bywww.belarus.bywww.tut.bywww.tio.by

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State system – Belarus is a republic.The country gained independence on July 27, 1990.Head of State – President.Head of Government – Prime-Minister.Supreme legislative body – the NationalAssembly (a two-chamber parliament).Belarus is a member of the United NationsOrganization.

Public holidaysJanuary 1 – The New Year’s DayJanuary 7 – Orthodox ChristmasMarch 8 – International Women’s DayMay 1 – Labour HolidayMay 9 – Victory DayJuly 3 – Independence DayNovember 7 – October Revolution DayDecember 25 – Catholic Christmas.

PopulationBelarus: 9.466.000 (2011),Minsk: 1.836.800 (2009).

Official languages –Belarusian, Russian.

MoneyThe National currency of the Republic of Belarus – the Belarusian ruble (Br).The country currently uses paper banknotesranging in value from Br10 to Br200,000(10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 20 000, 50000, 100 000, 200 000 Belarusian rubles).Belarusian rubles can be exchanged atbanks and currency exchange offices.Banks also accept travellers checks andplastic cards. Cash currency can be drawnfrom ATMs.

It may appear that here, at the heart of Europe, timehas slowed down its pace. It looks like the 21st century,with its turbulent events and upheavals, is passing by Belarus – a small island in the middle of the stream, a country of virgin nature, authentic nature, eternal values and humane people.

Throughout its centuries-long history, Belarus survivednumerous wars, was conquered many a time, but hasnever been a conqueror itself. Belarusians were forced to change their faith, adopt foreign language and culture,get assimilated with other nations. However, Belarusianshave never lost their national identity.

Religious tolerance is a district characteristic of Belarusian people. Belarusians take pride in the fact that their land has never been home to religious persecution or ethnic discrimina-tion. Belarusian people still stand out among other nations for their tolerance, sense of humour and hospitality.

Belarus is a country of numerous religions and nationalities, where Belarusians (81.2% of the total populations)have always got along well with Russians, Poles,Lithuanians, Jews and other nationalities.

The majority of the population are Orthodox Christians, while there are significant groups of Catholics and Uniates.

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The ancient city of Vitebsk is now referred to as the capital of the annualInternational Arts Festival SlavonicBazaar, which gathers thousands of amateurs of contemporary music andtourists from all countries of the world.With its artistic traditions associated withIlya Repin, Marc Chagall, Vassily Kandin-sky, Yehuda Pen, Kazimir Malevich, thecity is a tourist magnet in its own right.

The legendary city of Brest is awestern gateway to Belarus. Brest wasfirst mentioned in the chronicles underthe name of Berestie in 1019. A fragmentof the old wooden town has been givenpreservation treatment and is now ondisplay in a museum chamber. The natural landscape adds to the charm of the city: big and tiny islands in theembrace of two merging rivers – theWestern Bug and the Mukhavets. Themost heroic pages of the history of thecity are related to the defence of theBrest Fortress, which is now home to a war memorial.

It was originally assumed thatMogilev was founded in 1267. The latestarcheological findings, however, provideevidence that the city could emerge twocenturies earlier. The city boasts anevent- packed history. Mogilev was thereto witness Russian Empress Catherine II,Russia’s great poet Alexander Pushkinand the Decembrists; and accommodatethe general headquarters of Russia’s lasttsar; in his literary works Konstantin Simonov described the battle againstfascist troops in Buinichi Field (now a Mogilev suburb).

Administratively, Belarus is divided into six regions, with regional centres in Gomel,Grodno, Vitebsk, Brest, Mogilev and Minsk,which are large industrial cities and culturalcentres with their own history, traditions and numerous monuments.

One of the most ancient cities of Belarus is Gomel, which was first mentioned in the Hypatian Chronicle in 1142 under the titleof “Gomii” in the context of the competition for the throne of the Princeof Kyiv.

The city’s most prominentlandmark, which always attractstourists, is the Rumyantsev-PaskevichResidence with an old park and a palace,which is now converted into a museum.The shadowy trees of the old park lean on one other to whisper about the formergrandeur of past epochs. Today Gomel is the country’s second largest city, a centre for industry, science, politics and culture and an important transport hub.

Situated 280 kilometres to the west of Minsk, the ancient city of Grodnois justly regarded one of the most picturesqueplaces in Belarus. The city’s major tourist attractions are St Franciscus Xaverius’ Cathedral, St Bernardine’s Church, St Borisand St Gleb’s Church, the New Castle, numerous museums. Sovietskaya PedestrianStreet with its cosy cafes and shops is the favourite walking place of the local people and visitors of Grodno.

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The unique nature of Belarus is a perfecttourist attraction in its own right.

Belarus is often referred to as a blue-eyed country: over 10,000 lakes and 20,000rivers generously wash the thick green carpet of Belarus’ wonderful land. The largest lake is Lake Naroch with a total area of 80 square kilometres.

Vast spaces covered withtemperate coniferous forestsform virgin woods.Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the country’s largest virginforest. Berezinski BiosphereReserve, Belovezhskaya PushchaNational Park, the Braslav Lakes,Lake Naroch and Pripyatsky NationalPark are truly unique areas of virgin nature.

The country’s flora counts around 12,000plant species. Over 200 plant species areprotected by the state and put on the endangered species list – The Red Book of Belarus.

Belarus’ fauna is fairly varied and counts457 vertebrate species, including 73 mammalspecies, 290 bird species and around 60 birdspecies. The register of commercial speciesincludes fox, marten, hare, otter, ferret, ermine, elk, wild boar, etc. 97 vertebratespecies and 85 invertebrate species are currently on the endangered species list –The Red Book of Belarus.

Belarus is a virtual Mecca for thosewho successfully fights against hypo-dynamia, pursues a healthy lifestyleand aims for longevity.

There are inexhaustible resourcesfor organizing active recreation andoutdoor activities in Belarus, andeveryone will find a pastime to theirtaste.

Belarus has recently become a centre for Alpine skiing. AlpineSnowsports Centres Logoisk and Silichi provide visitors with every opportunity to get a good dose ofadrenaline pumping through theirveins, feel the joy of downhill ski rides and steep ascents, enjoy comfortable accommodation coupled with sauna therapy and delicious food.

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A good way to get to know Belarus issightseeing tours of the country’s old townsand boroughs. A lot of Belarusian towns –Minsk, Borisov, Orsha, Turov, Polotsk, Za-slavl – are ancient military forts seated onstrategic medieval routes from the PolishKingdom to the Principality of Moscow, on the way “from the Varangians to theGreeks” – from Scandinavia to Greece. Enthusiasts will enjoy views of medieval architecture in the context of virgin rurallandscapes and park ensembles, which dateback to the Renaissance Period. Located in medieval towns of Mir, Nesvizh andSlonim, surviving ancient castles and palacesof the brilliant szlachta – the Sapiehas, theRadziwills, the Oginskis, are sights worthseeing. The castles host traditional festivalsof local knight clubs, of which are around60 in Belarus.

Here are some of the landmark sites ofBelarus, which stand on UNESCO’s WorldHeritage List: the castles of Mir and Nesvizh,Belovezhskaya Pushcha virgin forest, theStruve Geodetic Arc. Moreover, the ChristmasRite of the Kalyady Tsars was put on UNESCO’s List of Immaterial Cultural Heritage in 2009.

Belarus is a land that raised great poets,musicians, enlighteners and humanitariansand generously gifted them to the history of world culture. Here are some of the goodsons of the land of Belarus: fearless free-thinker Kazimir Leschinski and Renaissancepoet Mikola Husouski, outrageous fightersfor freedom Tadeusz Kosciuszko and KastusKalinouski, great Slavonian bookprinter Francysk Skaryna, the best poet ever Adam Mickiewicz, artists Marc Chagalland Chaim Soutine. Belarusian culturaltraditions were taken over by worldfamous poets and men of letters Mak-sim Bahdanovich, Yanka Kupala, YakubKolas, Uladzimir Karatkievich. This is just a short list of brilliant minds and hearts,whose life and heritage are bright stars of world culture.

Belarusian cuisine is a brand that appeals to foreign guests.

Peculiar features of Belarusian cuisineare determined by the geographic positionof the country, which seats at the cross-roads of large geopolitical regions and

faced a strong influence of various cultures: the Orthodox East and

the Catholic West, the northernBaltic culture, Muslim nations

of the South, Jewish tavern cuisine and other cultures.

Belarus’ major vegetable crop is potatoes,which is a major ingredient of various sortsof slapjacks, dumplings and cakes. Thebest way to get to know Belarusian cuisineis to visit restaurants and cafes of Minskand other cities of the country.

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AirportThe capital of Belarus – Minsk – greetsforeign guests at Minsk National Airportlocated 40 km away from the city. BelaviaNational Air Company performs flights to numerous cities around the globe.

International passenger trainsAll trains arrive and depart from the CentralRailway Station. Tickets can be purchased in advance at CentrKurort.(www.otpusk.by)

Menesk – by that name Minsk had been going in historicalrecords since 1067 – settled down on the banks of the River Svislachand Niamiha River in the late 11th century after moving there from a more ancient site (16 km away from contemporary Minsk) onMenka River, which gave its name to the city. Originally, it was awooden fort with the prince’s court and houses of the townspeoplesurrounded by a rampart. When they started raising the city’s firststone temple in the 12th century, Minsk had already been the centreof a principality, which became separated from the Land of Polacak– the cradle of Belarus’ statehood.

After joining the Great Duchy of Lithuania, Minsk had developedinto one of the kingdom’s 15 largest cities by the middle of the 15thcentury to obtain Magdeburg rights in 1499. Since 1566 Minsk hadbeen a district centre and the capital city of Minsk Province. Next toHigh Market there emerged Trinity Suburb – an area on the outskirtsof the city, which was home to craftsmen and traders and a popularvenue for busy fairs. The surviving architecture of the place is repre-sented mostly by residential buildings, which were renovated andnow accommodate shops, cafes, taverns, museums and other insti-tutions. Annexed to the Russian Empire, since the late 18th centuryMinsk had been the centre of Belarus’ largest and permanently developing province. On January 1, 1919 the city acquired the statusof a capital. WWII left the city lying in ruins, but it was built anew by the late 1950s. Today Minsk is a large contemporary city with a population of more than 1.7 million people.

During the Great Patriotic War over 80% of buildings in Minskwere destroyed, so architects and town planners seriously thoughtabout moving the capital to a new site and leaving ruins as a reminderof fascist crimes. Having lost a great number of historical buildings,the city would survive and get a new familiar look.

Country Capital –

MINSK city

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Today Minsk is one of the country’s mostbeautiful cities. At first sight, the city charms visitors with an abundance of green areas and a largenumber of parks and gardens. Minsk is one of Europe’sgreenest cities.

Built in the spirit of Stalin’s empire style, the central part ofthe city’s main street – Independence Avenue is an architecturalensemble, whose elements are perfectly integrated into the naturalenvironment.

Researchers would go as far to compare the area from Independence Square to Victory Square with Champs Elysees in Paris and Nevsky Avenue in Russia’s St Petersburg. This segmentof the city’s main street has the highest concentration of open-aircafes and shops, including GUM – the largest department store in the downtown area. In the early 1990s that segment of the central avenue was on the list of historical and cultural monuments of Belarus.

On a winding bend of Svislach River, on the river’s leftbank, there seats Trinity Suburb – a small corner of OldMinsk. Revived and brought back to life again, the area tantalizes tourists and townspeople with a placid atmosphere of the early 19th century. According to archeological findings, thedevelopment of the area now occupied by Trinity Suburb started in the 12th century. In the early 16th century Holy Trinity Church wasbuilt there and gave its name to the suburb. The area is full of museums, galleries, cafes and souvenir shops. Trinity Suburb is one of the landmarks of the city.

Other landmarks are an artistic series of sculptures, which crownthe downtown area: A Boy With A Swan, A Girl With An Umbrella,Unknown Lady, The Postman and some other sculptures.

14

City transport Minsk has a developed network of publictransport (buses, trolleybuses, trams andunderground trains). The transport systemstarts operating at 5:30 in the morninguntil 1:00 at night. To pay the fare, ticketsare available at kiosks on street corners,shops or can be purchased directly fromthe bus driver or the fare inspector. Onland transport, tickets must be punchedimmediately upon entry.

UndergroundThere are two subway lines operating inMinsk, with 25 stations, which connect all districts with the city centre. To use thesubway system, one should purchase aplastic chip or a plastic card. Minsk Metrois one of Europe’s most beautiful subwaysystems.

TaxiTaxis are available near hotels, at the airport, railway stations or simply in themiddle of the street. Credit cards are notaccepted.

TelephoneOne can make a telephone call from Belarus to almost every place on the globe.For international calls, one should dial “8”,wait for the dial tone, dial “10” plus thecountry code followed by the area codeand the telephone number.There four cell operators in Belarus, whichprovide services in the NMT andCDMA2000 standards (1 operator), the GSM standard (3 operators). Cell networks cover cities, towns and majormotorways, but are not always available in remote rural areas.

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Museums

There are around 20 museums in Minsk, including the National History and Culture Museum of Belarus, the National Art Museum, the Museum of Ancient Belarusian Culture, the Museum of Natural History andEcology of Belarus, Belarus’ State Museum of the GreatPatriotic War, Belarus’ State Museum of Theatre andMusic History, the Contemporary Graphic Art Museumand others.

Tourists enjoy visiting the National Art Museum (20,Lenin Street), which is home to over 27,000 works of art.

Entertainment

Minsk boasts a contemporary amusement parkDREAMLAND, which offers electromechanical rides and attractions for children and adults; Dinosaur Planetentertainment centre in the building of the central rail-way station. There is planetarium in the city’s oldest park– Gorky Park, which also offers numerous amusementrides, including a 56-metre observation wheel, andopen-air theatre stage, a contemporary indoor ice stakingrink. Sports amateurs will have a chance to appreciatethe facilities of the Minsk Arena and indoor tenniscourts.

Tourists enjoy visiting the city’s circus – one of thebest such institutions in Europe, and performances at the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

In the evening numerous casinos, restaurants andbars open their doors to visitors.

Traditional Belarusian souvenirs are available both in specialty souvenir shops, and in large trade centres,for instance in Stolitsa underground trade centre. Visitors may choose to go on thematic sightseeing tours of the city.

1918

Exclusive five-star Hotel Europe is situated in the historical and cultural heart of Minsk.

The elegance and luxury of rooms' interiorsuccessfully harmonize with modern technologyand are able to satisfy the most demandingtaste.

Hotel Europe offers 67 rooms of differentclasses. Every room is equipped with an individualclimate control and autonomous heating systems,which allows adjustments of air and water temperature, a minibar, a safe deposit, a phone, interactive, satellite and Pay-TV, Internet accessWi-Fi, a hairdryer and an iron, a bed with ortho-pedic mattress, anti-allergic pillows and linen,trouser press, safe deposit, minibar. Some roomshave balconies. In the bathroom you can find a hairdryer, a makeup mirror, a cosmetic set, a bathrobe and slippers.

Hotels in MINSK Hotels in MINSK

EUROPE *****

Address: Internatsionalnaya St., 28Category: 5*Rooms: 67Capacity: 116 beds

The Crowne Plaza Minsk Hotel, with itsunique architecture, is located in the Minsk citycentre opposite the Minsk Dynamo Stadium andwithin walking distance from the IndependenceSquare. Shopping, cultural institutions, attrac-tions of the city and business spots are all withineasy reach from the hotel via underground oreven walking.

The Crowne Plaza Minsk Hotel offers 115 elegantly designed rooms including 2 PresidentialSuites and Crowne Plaza Club Rooms.

All rooms are equipped to the very high standards including wireless internet connection,air-conditioning, a dedicated work area withdata-port, satellite large screen LCD television,mini-bar, safe, iron/ironing board, hairdryer andteapot.

Indoor swimming pool, SPA, Fitness Centre,parking.

CROWNE PLAZA *****

Address: Kirov St., 13Category: 5*Rooms: 115Capacity: 223 beds

The hotel is located in the historic part of the city at the intersection of Engels and Kirovstreets, in the very centre of political, businessand cultural life of Belarusian capital .

The hotel President will be a multifunctionalcomplex containig a hotel, a business-centre,restaurants, amphitheatre for 600 seats, conference halls and meeting rooms (whichallow to provide different high-level services simultaneously to all the guests including confrences and meetings at the highest level),SPA-center, beauty salon, sports and recreationalzone with a swimming pool, two undergroundparkings.

PRESIDENT *****

Address: Engels St., 13Category: 5*Rooms: 154Capacity: 184 beds

Hotel Minsk is located in the downtown, closeto all significant administrative establishments,cultural and historical monuments, such as theRed roman catholic church, Independencesquare, shopping center «Stolitsa». Besides, railwayand underground stations, and also the Russiandramatic theatre are nearby.

The hotel has 252 rooms, including 38 luxuryrooms and the VIP-room.

There are the res tau rants "Minsk", "The 7thSky" with na tio nal and European cuisine, 3 bars,a banquet hall per 60 persons at the hotel.

Hotel Minsk can offer for its clients conferencehall per 50 places; the sports center, a sauna and a Turkish bath, Jacuzzi bath. There are a laundryand drycleaner's, hair dresser's, casino, medicalservice; souv enir, tobacco, a parking.

MINSK ****

Address: Nezavisimosti Av., 11Category: 4*Rooms: 252Capacity: 413 beds

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Hotels in MINSK Hotels in MINSK

The Victoria Hotel is situated on bank of theriver Svisloch in the central part of Minsk nearthe historical, cultural and administrative centerof the city.

The Victoria Hotel offers its guests 169 com-fortable rooms: 115 singles (4 handicap rooms),45 doubles, 8 suites and apartment. All the roomshas air-conditioning, phone (local, internationalcalls), high-speed Internet, interactive TV, mini-bar with a great choice of drinks and an in-roomsafe.

Hotel has a wide choice of services and canmeet the needs of the most demanding guest.Careful personnel of the hotel will help the gueststo find themselves in a warm friendly atmosphere.There is an on-site parking, a 24-hour room-service, a restaurant, a beauty center with a SPA-room, solarium, a massage parlour, a sauna witha swimming-pool and Vitamin-bar at guests'service.

There's also a business center, equipped withmodern technique, a conference room, negotia-tion rooms, a secretarial and interpreter's service.

VICTORIA ****

Address: Pobediteley Av., 59Category: 4*Rooms: 169/286Capacity: 234/448 beds

The hotel is located in Minsk city center. 365 guests can be accommodated at the

hotel in 239 rooms. There are 2 suites, 16 juniorsuites, 48 business class twin and single rooms,154 standard TWN and SGL rooms. Junior suitesand suites are supplied with bathrooms, all singlerooms and twin rooms have shower. All roomshave TV, telephone.

There are business-center, conference hall(250 seats), restaurants, bars, exchange office,newspapers & souvenir kiosks, sauna, hair-dressing salon, pharmacy, ATM, casino, roomservice, car parking are at your disposal in thehotel.

YUBILEINAYA ***

Address: Pobediteley Av., 19Category: 3*Rooms: 239Capacity: 365 beds

The hotel is situated in the western part ofthe city.

Guests of the capital can be accommodatedat 45 DBL rooms equipped with shower, WC, TV,telephone and mini bar. Three of the rooms willaccommodate guests in wheelchairs.

There are three well equipped seminar roomsfor business discussions, workshops and seminarsat your disposal. The large function room, seating350, can host conferences and meetings. Simultaneous translation facilities are availableon request. Splendid sauna, restaurant, bar are at your disposal.

IBB ***

Address: Gazety Pravda Av., 11Category: 3*Rooms: 35Capacity: 48 beds

The hotel is located in Minsk city center. It is 12-storeyed building and it was partially renovated.

456 guests can be accommodated in 310rooms at the hotel. Here you will find 6 apart-ments, 40 suites, 205 rooms of business class,58 rooms of economy class. Business classrooms, suites and apartments are supplied withbathrooms. Every economy class single room and twin room has shower. There are TVsets,telephones in all rooms. The hotel provides roomservice.

At guests disposal: business-center, restaurant,2 bars, casino, night club, currency exchange office, newspapers and magazines, pharmacy,souvenir and flower shops, post office, sauna,hairdressing salon, car parking, laundry.

PLANETA ***

Address: Pobediteley Av., 31Category: 3*Rooms: 310Capacity: 456 beds

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4

6

7

8

9

10

5

11

12

22

Minsk–Arena

Arena–Chizhovka

Hotel Minsk

Hotel Crowne Plaza

Hotel Victoria

Hotel Europe

Hotel President

Hotel Orbita

Hotel Yubileynaya

Hotel Planeta

Hotel IBB

1

2

34

6

7

8

9

10

5

11

12

1

2

Objects

Distances Chart

Overall Transportation Plan

EuropeCrownePlaza

Victoria MinskMINSK�

ARENA

ARENA�

CHIZHOVKA

Europe2 min

1,2 km

5 min

4,4 km

3 min

1,7 km

8 min

6,3 km

15 min

10,6 km

Crowne Plaza2 min

1,2 km

6 min

5,1 km

4 min

2,7 km

9 min

7,4 km

15 min

10 km

Victoria5 min

4,4 km

6 min

5,1 km

6 min

5,1 km

4 min

3,5 km

20 min

14,5 km

Minsk3 min

1,7 km

4 min

2,7 km

6 min

5,1 km

9 min

7,2 km

15 min

10,3 km

MINSK�ARENA8 min

6,3 km

9 min

7,4 km

4 min

3,5 km

9 min

7,2 km

23 min

17,7 km

ARENA�

CHIZHOVKA

15 min

10,6 km

15 min

10 km

20 min

14,5 km

15 min

10,3 km

23 min

17,7 km

Hotel Tourist

Hotel Sputnik

Hotel Akademicheskaya

Hotel 40th Anniversary

of Victory

Hotel Express

Hotel Zvezda

Hotel U Fontana

Hotel Almaz

Aparthotel Comfort

13

14

16

15

17

18

19

20

13

14

16

15

17

18

19

20

2524

Hotels in MINSK Hotels in MINSK

Hotel Orbita is located in the western part of Minsk, on one of Minsk major avenues.

There are 208 rooms including rooms ofeconomy and business class, 28 suites, 180 singleand double/twin rooms with all modern conveni -ences: bathroom, WC, satellite TV, phone.Rooms of business class also have mini-bars.

24-hours room service, (night) shops, roomservice, currency exchange office, guarded parking lot, car rentals, call a taxi, cloak-room,dry cleaner's and laundry, beauty salon, souvenirand flower shops, casino, restaurant, 4 bars,business center, conference hall, meeting rooms,fax, copier are at your disposal in the hotel.

ORBITA ***

Address: Pushkin Av., 39Category: 3*Rooms: 215Capacity: 332 beds

Comfort Aparthotel is situated not far fromcity center. It is for the people who care forcomfort, hospitality, independence and valuereal home atmosphere.

Comfort Aparthotel offers: 64 (one-room)studios including 8 of VIP category, 64 (two-room) including 8 of VIP category, 6 (three-room) including 3 of VIP category.

Each room has its own super kitchen! And it means that you can prepare your breakfast,lunch or dinner yourself!

Comfort Aparthotel was created for businesspeople caring for convenience and mobility aswell as for families with children for whom comfort and safety are the most vital things.

Nearby territory, parking lot, entrances andstair landings are guarded day and night.

The cafe in the complex, will be a real pleasurefor gourmets, and sport complex just oppositeComfort Aparthotel will always keep you in good shape.

COMFORT Aparthotel ***

Address: Shchorsa St., 1Category: 3*Rooms: 134

Situated just a short walk from the city centerand close to the Independence square, one ofthe biggest squares in Europe, this hotel awaitsyou with modern facilities and excellent transportlinks. The Independent Square is famous for itsRed Church and Government house.

SPUTNIK ***

Address: Brilevskaya St., 2Category: 3*Rooms: 140Capacity: 234 beds

Tourist Hotel Complex is a comfortable fifteen-storied building situated at one of the main trafficarteries of Minsk – Partizanskiy prospect (Partizan -skaya metro station). The hotel is comfortably located near municipal transport stops andmetro, thus ensuring fast travel to any part of the city.

TOURIST ***

Address: Partizanskiy Av., 81Category: 3*Rooms: 200Capacity: 276 beds

Address:Amuratorskaya St., 4Category: 3*Rooms: 18Capacity: 34 beds

Address: Gazety Zvyazda Av., 47Category: 2*Rooms: 99Capacity: 136 beds

Address:Privokzalnaya Sq., 3Rooms: 56Capacity: 125 beds

Address: Azgura St., 3Rooms: 117Capacity: 217 beds

Address: Gerasimenko St., 8Rooms: 91Capacity: 138 beds

U FONTANA *** ZVEZDA ** EXPRESS 40 LET POBEDY ALMAZ

27

Belarus started promoting ice hockey as an amateur sport in thelate 1940s. The country’s leading club, which kept changing its nametime after time (Torpedo, Spartak, Burevestnik (Petrel), KrasnoyeZnamya, Vympel, Torpedo once again, Dynamo, Tivali) used to represent Minsk at championship tournaments of the USSR and theYouth Hockey League (YHL). Teams of other Belarusian cities wouldalso take part in USSR ice hockey tournaments: Gomel (ETZ), Bobruisk(Start), Grodno (Progress-SVSM, Neman) and Novopolotsk (Khimik).

Belarus has been holding its national ice hockey championshipsince the season of 1992/1993. Belarusian clubs had been the majorforce of the Eastern European Hockey League (EEHL), which alsofeatured representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the Baltic States.Since 2004 after the EEHL was disbanded, Belarus has been holdingits Open Championship, with 11 teams participating, including a Latvian squad.

Belarus’ Ice Hockey Federation (BIHF) was established on March6, 1992 to become an IIHF member in two months’ time. The firstBIHF president was Yevgeni Ankuda, succeeded by Lev Kontarovichand Yuri Borodich.

Vladimir Naumov was at the helm of the federation from 2001 till2009 and made an enormous contribution to ice hockey developmentin Belarus. It was at the time of Naumov’s presidency when the IIHFAnnual Congress in May 2009 chose Belarus as the host country of the 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship. Vladimir Naumov waselected as honorary president of Belarus’ Ice Hockey Federation.

Since March 2010 BIHF has been headed by Yevgeni Vorsin.

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Ice Hockey

in BELARUS

Official TalismanIce Hockey World Championship Belarus Minsk

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Belarus’ national hockey squad played its first match on November 7, 1992 at the Sports Palace in Minsk and lost 4:1 toUkraine.

Belarus’ national team has been playing in the world’s strongestdivision (1998–2001, 2003, 2005–present time).

The best achievement – 6th position in 2006. Belarus’ squad took part on three Olympics (1998, 2002, 2010), fourth place in Salt Lake City in 2002 being the best achievement.

Today Belarus ranks 11th on the IIHF world rating list.

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Belarus’ youth hockey squad emergedin 1992. It took the youth team three yearsto fight its way through qualification tour-naments to Group C in 1994. It took anotherthree years to get into Group B. Having wona tournament in 1997, Belarus’ youth squadmade history by making it to the world’s topten youth teams, however, they could notcement their position in the top division.Since then the Belarusian youth squad ispermanently drifting from the first divisioninto the premier division and back to thefirst.

The head coach of Belarus’ present-dayyouth team is Pavel Perepikhin.

Belarus’ junior hockey team emergedin 1992.

Since 1993 the team had been receivinginvitations to take part in Group C in theworld junior championship and made it to the premier division in 1995.

Over these years the team has known the bitterness of defeat and the exultationof triumph.

Belarus junior squad has been perma-nently changing its registration, drifting between the first division (1997–1999, 2001,2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012) and thepremier divisions (1996, 2000, 2002–2004and 2006, 2008 and 2010).

The best achievement of Belarus’ juniorhockey team to date is the 5th place at the2002 world championship in Slovakia.

The head coach of Belarus’ present-dayjunior team is Andrei Kovalev.

There are 21 training institutions to takecare of Belarus hockey reserve: around4,500 young players supervised by 163 experienced coaches.

Ice hockey receives substantial state support in Belarus. The government has developed a special programme to build icepalaces in a bid to promote winter sports in the country. Belarus saw the number of ice arenas grow from 3 in 1999 to 28 at present, with some 20 more arenas to be built in the next fewyears.

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Minsk Arena

Declared as the principal site of the tour-nament, the 15,000-seat Minsk Arena is partof a unique sports facility, which includes a velodrome, a speed skating rink and a hockey arena.

Launched in 2010, Minsk Arena is com-plete with two training ice rinks for compe-ting teams, which saves the trouble ofarranging transfers and changing lockerrooms. The velodrome will be used as one of the facilities of the sports village intended for fans duringIHWC 2014.

Ice Arenas Designated for IHWC 2014

Holding all matches in one city will eliminate all inconveniences related to transfers and will bring together hockeyfans from all over the world. Two contempo -rary ice arenas designated for the IIHF World Championship ‘2014 meet the highest contemporary world standards for multifunctional arenas.

Ice Hockey WorldChampionship ‘2014

Chizhovka Arena

Located on the opposite side of Minsk,the 9,600-seat Chizhovka Arena will be a secondary site of the tournament. Thelaunch of the arena, which is currently underconstruction, is scheduled for July 2013. Thelocal authorities, who pledged to supportthe construction project, have assured theIIHF that the deadline will be met, and sent a letter of guarantee to IIHF President ReneFasel. Chizhovka Arena will lay the foundationof a promising project, which includes ahotel complex and entertainment facilities.The new arena, which boasts a unique architectural design, will become anotherlandmark of Minsk and a symbol of thecity’s progressive future.

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Our company has been working on the travel market more than10 years, and all this time we take care of a comfortable holiday of our clients.

After the opening of the representative office in Moscow ournext step is participation in the events of international level.

In August, 2012 SI CentreKurort as the official tour operator tookpart in the ХХХ World Woodcutter Championship, that was held inthe Republic of Belarus in a sport-complex Raubichy. 28 countries-participants took part in the Championship. We accepted guestsfrom Latin America, Equador, countries of Eastern Europe.

We are a many-time winner of the contest «Discover Belarus»arranged by the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus.

CentreKurort – the official tour operator of Ice Hockey WorldChampionship 2014 in the Republic of Belarus. We collect the necessary data, organize professional staff, who will provide the participants and guests of the Championship European comfort and Belarusian hospitality.

About the Travel Agency

СentreKurort

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The Travel Agency CentreKurortis one of the largest tour operators in the Republic of Belarus

Our slogan: “Holiday with a reliable company!”

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HistoryThe State Institution «Center for Sanatoria and Resort Services

CentreKurort» was founded in October, 30, 2001. The founder of SI CentreKurort is the Administrative Department of the Presidentof the Republic of Belarus.

The present name the travel agency CentreKurort gained in 2003:that was connected with a necessity to make a short and easy to remember name of the company, which finally became one of themost known brands in tourism industry not only in the Republic ofBelarus, but also abroad.

Nowadays SI CentreKurort is one of the major state travel agenciesin the Republic of Belarus under the Administrative Department ofthe President of the Republic of Belarus.

The Presidential Administrative Department also includes top-classtourist resorts, situated in most picturesque locations in Belarus,Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and the Ukraine. Among them are sanato-riums and hotels, as well as other tourist resorts, situated in the national parks and reserve.

Nowadays SI CentreKurort is a modern travel company withmore than ten years’ experience in its branch, professional staff,which made it possible to create a reliable and secure base for thedevelopment of the company and tourist potential of the countryon the whole.

We are glad to offer our clients the whole range of services from visa support, hotel reservation, excursions around Belarus, insurance, sale of air tickets and other services.

In the field of business cooperation SI CentreKurort is a reliablepartner.

In 2012 SI CentreKurort won the status of the official tour operatorof Ice Hockey World Championship 2014 in Belarus that granted us a chance to introduce the Republic of Belarus on the internationalmarket.

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Chronology

2001 – foundation of the State Institu-tion «Center for Sanatoria and ResortServices CentreKurort» under the Admini-strative Department of the President ofthe Republic of Belarus;

2003 – acquisition of the official nameof the company, reasons for creation a brand-name;

2006 – opening of new offices in administrative regions around Belarus;

2007 – development of the company,appearance of new tourist offers, due to creation of own tourist products;

2011 – opening of the official represen-tative office of SI CentreKurort in Moscow,Russian Federation; joining to SI CetreKurorta tourist company Belintourist as an af-filiate of the company;

2012 – gaining the status of the officialtour operator of ХХХ World WoodcutterChampionship, the Republic of Belarus;professional organization and successfulrealization of the event on the interna-tional level;

2014 – gaining the status of the officialtour operator of Ice Hockey World Cham-pionship 2014 in Minsk, the Republic of Belarus; preparation for the event of international level.

We have made incoming tourism our chief objective.Our specialists are glad to offer foreign guests a fullpackage of services from visa support, hotel reserva -tion to a detailed scheduling of their stay in the Republic of Belarus

InsuranceWe offer qualitative insurance protection of different types:n insurance against accidents and illnesses while traveling abroad;n obligatory medical insurance for foreigners and non-residents,

who stay in Belarus only for some time;n voluntary insurance against accidents;n other types of insurance.

Transport services. Passenger trafficWe offer buses for different quantity of people for rent, as well

as passenger traffic services for tourist and excursion tours in theRepublic of Belarus and abroad.

The buses include all the necessary facilities and meet all the necessary requirements. Our drivers have a many years’ experienceof driving in Belarus and abroad and have valid Schengen visas.

Welcome to Belarus

We will make your recreation in our countrycomfortable and interesting!

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Treatment and recreation in famous sanatoriums, belonging tothe Presidential property Management Department of the Presidentof the Republic of Belarus – Sosny, Yunost, Prioziorny, Borovoye –perfect possibility to combine recreation with health treatment inBelarus! We offer you to enjoy clean air and hospitable atmosphere,take medical treatment to maintain health and get rid of stress. We also offer sanatoriums and other resorts that belong to otherdepartments.

We are glad to invite for treatment in sanatoriums, belonging tothe Presidential property Management Department of the Presidentof the Republic of Belarus, situated in famous resorts in Russia –Sochy and Tuapse, the Ukraine – in resort Mishor, in Latvia andLithuania – in resorts Druskininkai and Yurmala.

In all our sanatoriums you will find attentive and friendly personnel,European service, comfortable accommodation and good meals,modern treatment and diagnostics facilities, reasonable prices for the whole package of medical services.

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Direction: Health & Spa in Belarus and abroad

Treatment and rehabilitation with CentreKurort– it is recreation in best sanatoriums of Belarus,belonging to the Presidential property Management Department of the President of the Republic of Belarus!

Sanatoriums of the Presidential propertyManagement Department of the President of the Republic of Belarus:in Belarus – Sosny, Prioziorny,

Borovoye, Yunost;in Russia – Belarus in Sochy,

Belaya Rus in Tuapse;in Ukraine: Belorussia in Mishor;in Latvia – Belorussia in Yurmala;in Lithuania – Belarus in Druskininkai.

Sochy

Yurmala

Druskininkai

Tuapse

Mishor

We are glad to offer you modern treat-ment and diagnostictreatment, as well as unique treatment methods!

Web-site: www.otpusk.byType of recreation: treatment, rehabilitation.Sanatoriums: more than 50 facilities.Quantity of days of recreation: up 12 days.

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We offer recreation in ecologically clean nature locations of the Republic of Belarus, the most famous of which are: the National Park Belovezhskaya Pushcha (accommodation at the hotel Kame nuki 3*), the National Park Pripyatsky (accommo-dation at the hotels Over Pripyat, Liaskovichi), The National ParkBraslav Lakes (accommodation in the tourist centers Driviaty,Zolovo, Leoshki), Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve (accommodation in the tourist centers Serguch, Plavno, Nivki), the National ParkNarochansky.

The National parks provide all the facilities for active tourism,family recreation, hunt and fishing.

We invite amateurs of active recreation to visit the RepublicanAlpine Snowsport Centre Silichy, situated not far away from Minsk.This is a popular recreation complex, where the whole family canenjoy free time: ski, snowboard, carting, rent a mountain bike or have a Russian bath.

Direction: Recreation in the National Parks in Belarus

Recreation in the National parks – is a journey to untouched nature, ecologically clean locations in Belarus.

National parks and reserve of thePresidential property ManagementDepartment of the President of the Republic of Belarus:

National Park Belovezhskaya Pushcha,National Park Pripyatsky,National Park Braslav Lakes,National Park Narochansky,Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve;

Republican Alpine SnowsportCentre Silichy.

Web-site: www.otpusk.by Types of recreation: recreation on nature,active recreation, hunt and fishing.Travel facilities: more than 10.Quantity of days: any.

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If you like traveling, if you want to know more aboutBelarus and its history, our travel company offers you a wide range of informative excursions lasting from one to three days. During the excursions around Belarus you will have an opportunity to open for yourself the countryof rich culture, ancient traditions and untouched flora and fauna.

Our tours include a very rich excursion program, duringwhich you will visit popular sights of our country: castles in Mir and Niesvizh, Brest fortress, open-air folk art museum Dudutki, take beautiful pictures, buy souvenirs,and get lots of good emotions.

The excursion programs include: travelling by a com-fortable bus, professional guide’s service, hotel reservation, acquaintance with national Belarusian cuisine.

Direction: Excursions in Belarus

Excursion tours around Belarus and the capital of the country –Minsk:

n excursions from series “Explore Belarus”;

n excursions from series“Orthodox Belarus”;

n excursions and tours aroundregions of Belarus and Minsk;

n excursion tours visitingthe National parks of Belarus;

n weekend tours.

Web-site: www.otpusk.bySights: castles, churches, historical and architectural monuments.Types of tours: excursion tours, group and individual excursions.Excursions: more than 30.Duration : 1, 2, 3 days.

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We – official tour operator of the international event!

n We offer accommodation for more than 20 000 fans of IceHockey.

n All categories of accommodation during the Championship –from dormitory and hostels to 4* and 5* hotels.

n We have priorities on sale of tickets for the Championship forgroup and final games!

n Own unique travel packages for the Championship. When buying a travel package, you get a package of services – tickets for thematches and accommodation, and also pleasant surprises withbonuses!

n We offer individual and group excursions around Belarus andMinsk with unique programms, that are specially offered duringthe Championship!

n We will be glad to meet our guests at the airport or railway stationand book a transfer on own transport to a hotel.

n Organization of business meetings, seminars and banquets duringthe Championship.

For the Ice Hockey World Championship 2014 with SI CentreKurort!

www.icehockey-2014.by

In Belarus you will have:

n a visa free entry into the country within 1 month! Your ticket for the Championship – your visa to Belarus!

n democratic prices on tickets for the Ice Hockey Championship in Minsk!

n travel packages with accommodation and tickets for matches –easy decision for everyone who wants comfortably to visit the Championship!

We, team of a travel company CentreKurort:n make a unique net of accommodation types for participants

and fans of the Championship;n plan and organize free time of participants and guests

of the Championship;n guarantee qualitative and reliable recreation for participants

and fans of the Championship!

Our tour packages, as well as tickets for the Championship you can buy in March, 2013

Travel package includes:

TicketAccommodationExcursionChoice (what)TransferInsuranceSouvenirMap of Minsk or country

www.belarustourism.by www.icehockey-2014.bywww. minsktourism.by

Minsk tourist information centre

www. minsk2014.com

© ООО «РИФТУР ПРИНТ», 2012 © А. Клещевник, А. Климович, Н. Суслова, текст, 2012 © Б. Жуков, Ю. Чернякова перевод на английский язык, 2012 © С. Плыткевич, А. Климович, фото, 2012 © В. Дегтярев, дизайн-проект, 2012 В издании использованы фотографии из архива “ЦентрКурорта”. Редактор Н. Плыткевич. Препресс-подготовка, верстка Е. Ждановская.ООО «РИФТУР ПРИНТ». ЛИ №02330/1009 от 31.01.2012Типографии «Джи энд Ди». ЛП №02330/0150065 от 15.06.2008. Тираж 1000 экз. Заказ №1299