Minsk

Minsk is the capital of Belarus and has about 2 million inhabitants. It is a very safe and modern city with many museums, theatres, cultural centers and sports halls. It is situated on the Svisloch and Nyamiha Rivers and is an exceptionally green city with many parks. For more information about Minsk see https://www.belarus.by/en/about-belarus/geography/minskcity

Note: It is essential that you read the Visa Information and entry requirements into Belarus

THE VENUE

The Hotel Belarus will serve as the ICASSI headquarters and house all of the classes and activities such as registration, opening ceremonies, plenaries and evening programs. A lounge area with lobby bar offers a central location where participants can congregate in the evenings. The Hotel Belarus is the only ICASSI accommodation offered. It has the reputation of being the best hotel in the capital. It is conveniently located in the Center of Minsk. Hotel services include a pharmacy, a gift shop, a currency exchange, laundry services for a fee and a swimming pool with water park elements and fitness center. Standard rooms include 1 free hour in the pool from 7:00 – 13:00. From 13:00 – 22:00 hotel guests receive 50% discount on the pool and fitness area. More information is available on-site.

Guest Rooms: All standard guest rooms have ensuite bathrooms. They have modern Belarusian furniture, satellite tv, telephone, and free Wi-Fi. Single rooms and Twin rooms (rooms for two persons with twin beds) are in the section of the hotel that is air-conditioned. Double rooms (rooms for two persons with one marital bed) are located in the section of the hotel that does not have air- conditioning. The number of each type of room is limited so participants are encouraged to register early. Note: Because there are only 2 family rooms (for 3-4 persons) available, they are not listed in the registration, but interested participants can contact the administrator at info.icassi@gmail.com regarding price and availability.

Check-in time is 14:00. Important: If your plane arrives prior to this time and you want your room available for you upon your arrival, you will need to reserve your room for the night prior to the morning you are arriving. Otherwise, be prepared to wait until the official time to check-in which is 14:00. Check-out time is 12:00.

Note: ICASSI will be taking registration only for the following days.

Participants for Week One: Check-in Sunday July 19 and check-out Saturday July 25. Participants for Week Two: Check-in Sunday July 26 and check-out Saturday August 1. Participants for Both Weeks: Check-in Sunday July 19 and check-out Saturday August 1.

Participants who want to arrive or depart outside of these dates must contact the hotel directly to add extra nights. If the hotel has availability it will honor the ICASSI rates between July 17- August 2, 2020 when participants use the promo code (ICASSI) by using the email address info@belarus-hotel.by or by phone at +37517 209 71 06.

MEALS

Breakfast. All participants staying in the Hotel Belarus will eat breakfast in the hotel.

Lunch. Lunch is not included in either the accommodation or summer school package fee, therefore participants are on their own for lunch. The hotel offers a couple of lunch options. Within a walking distance of 10-15 minutes are several markets and numerous cafes and restaurants, including a mall with a food court

Dinner is included four nights per week in the price for the Summer School Package for all participants on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Dinner will be held at the Hotel Belarus and will be served buffet-style.

REGISTERING FOR YOUR CHOICE OF ACCOMMODATIONS

Please carefully review the room options available before you register. Please note that some types of rooms are very limited and are only available on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is no guarantee your room type will be available when you register. Note: If your choice does not appear in the online registration system it means that it is no longer available. You will need to register for another type of room or find an off-site location on your own.

Off-Site Accommodations: Participants may choose to find their own accommodations. This year there is no off-site fee since costs previously associated with off-site accommodations are included in the Summer School Package.

CURRENCY

The currency of Belarus is the Belarusian Ruble. Participants should arrive with Belarus Rubles or change their currency into Belarusian Rubles at the Minsk airport. The ICASSI bookstore will accept Belarusian Rubles.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND PARKING

By Air

The Minsk airport is 42km from the city centre and has connecting flights from many major European cities. Note: It is essential that you read the Visa information found in the booklet to be informed about entry requirements into Belarus. Here are transportation options from the Minsk airport to the City Centre where the Hotel Belarus is located.

1. The Hotel Belarus offers transfer services. Their cars have a capacity of up to 3 persons. The working hours are 9:00 – 18:00 and need to be arranged in advance by emailing info@belarus-hotel.by At the time of the booklet printing the cost was 18 euro per car one-way. If there is no availability they will offer a car from their partner services and will provide the cost at the time you arrange it.

2. This website discusses other options: taxis, buses, and rental cars https://thegate. boardingarea.com/getting-from-minsk-national-airport-into-the-city-centre/

By Train or Bus

The Minsk-Passazhyrskij Railway Station and the Central Bus Station are about 5 km from the Hotel Belarus. The Hotel Belarus offers transfer services with advance reservations by emailing info@belarus-hotel.by At the time of the booklet printing the cost was 6 euro.

Traveling in Belarus: If you are able to spend some extra days in Belarus you may want to consult https://www.belarus.by/en/travel or the tourist agency located in the Belarus Hotel at https://minexpress.by/ You can email them at minexpress@minexpress.by

Car parking: The Belarus Hotel offers free guarded parking in front of the hotel for guests (about 50 parking spaces), and unguarded parking spaces behind the hotel. Car parking is also available in the city parking lots.