Near Dudutki, 40km (25mi) south of Minsk, is an open-air museum where 19th-century Belarusian country life comes to life. Traditional crafts, such as carpentry, pottery, handicraft-making and baking are on display in wood-and-hay houses. Best of all is the traditional meal you can order, washed down with a shot of local samagon (moonshine).

If you only make one day trip from Minsk, let this be the one. You can wander around the grounds spying on a working farm as it was a century ago. Nearby is a working windmill which you can climb. You can also go horse riding or just rest on bales of hay. Public transport to Dudutki is iffy. About three daily buses go to Ptich from Minsk's Yugo-Zapadnaja bus station, letting you off at the village of Dudutki, a 2km (1.2mi) walk from the museum complex. While all travel agencies organise trips there, Dudutki Tur in Minsk is your best bet.