Dobrush, Belarus

Capital City

With a population of just 17,901, Dobrush is a sleepy provincial town where the pace of life moves at a glacial crawl. The centerpiece is the 150-year-old "Hero of Labor" paper factory, which once supplied a sizable chunk of the Soviet Union's stationery needs. But the glory days are long gone, and the bureaucracy that governs this place can be a persistent headache. Locals take pride in their industrial heritage, though visitors seeking an authentic Belarusian experience may find Dobrush a rather dull and joyless destination.