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03 July 2019 08:23
Minsk is hosting this year's European Games
Europe's best athletes descend on Minsk this summer. If you're looking to catch the action here's everything you need to know about the Games.
The European Games is a multi-sport event for European athletes. In 2019, there are 200 medal events taking place over 15 sports and 23 disciplines.
This year's Games are hosted by Minsk, the capital of Belarus. It happens every four years, with 2015's inaugural event taking place in Baku. Polish city Kraków will be the host city in 2023.
The Games kick off on 21st June and run until 30th June. Events will be taking place across the city, with both opening and closing ceremonies held in the 22,000-seater Dinamo Stadium.
Direct flights from the UK to Minsk aren't all that frequent (there are a few from London each week), although when you do find one the flight time is only three hours. There are plenty of indirect flights, though, so shop around for the best deals.
As in any European capital, there are plenty of options whatever your price range, from 5-star hotels to cosy backpacker hostels. Prices are higher in the city centre near Dinamo Stadium, but the ease of being based centrally may outweigh the extra cost.
After 80% of Minsk was destroyed during the Second World War, the city was rebuilt to the liking of then-Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin. However, despite this reconstruction, Minsk has a certain charm and there are plenty of must-see attractions in and around the city – check out our guide for more details.
Providing you have a ticket for the Games, you'll be able to take advantage of a special dispensation arrangement when entering Belarus. English is barely spoken in the city, so learn a few key Belarussian phrases and learn to recognise the Cyrillic alphabet to help you with signs and menus.
Are you cheering on Europe's top athletes this summer? Well, don't forget your travel insurance. At World First, we provide cost-effective European travel insurance that'll give you complete peace of mind while you take in the sporting action.
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