Welcome to the Balkans
Cramming in more history, culture and spectacular scenery than seems entirely reasonable for its size, the Balkans is one of Europe’s most intriguing regions. Starting up in the north from Slovenia down to the south of Greece, the Balkans presents itself in full diversity in culture, landscape, tasteful food and most welcoming people! One will find rich colors of the nature throughout the greens & blues of the Adriatic Coast in Croatia, Montenegro, Albania following the shoreline down to Greece at the Ionian and Aegean coast to the vast landscapes of Serbia and Bosnia and Hercegovina and the most impressive mountains in Macedonia and Slovenia! Going to the east you will be chanted by the Dracula stories of Romania and the Trojan history in Bulgaria.
The Balkans offers it all! Culture and Adventure from Sea to the Mountains and vibrant cities with extraordinary mix of history, tasteful food and warm hospitality!
Great Outdoors is the synonym of the Balkans
Rocky mountains and terracotta-roofed towns plunge spectacularly into crystal-clear waters all along the Adriatic coast. Among all the crowded beach resorts, Croatia’s myriad islands provide some nooks of quiet seclusion, while Albania’s less-visited Riviera still has donkeys wandering through olive groves abutting secluded bays. Craggy mountain ranges stretch along the entire region from Slovenia down to Greece, offering endless opportunities for hiking, biking, rock climbing and paragliding. In their shadows are the crystal blue lakes, rivers and canyons of Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Bosnia and Hercegovina providing fast waters for exciting rafting and diving. Come back in winter and you’ll have access to some of Europe’s most reasonably priced yet super modern ski resorts in Bulgaria, Serbia and Slovenia!
Home to History
Though change is coming quickly to the Balkans, timeless traditions retain in some parts offering cultural hidden gems for a curious traveler! It’s a region where you can barely keep up with the nightlife, but still get stuck behind a horse and cart. Balkan cities are a pop-up book of European architectural history on a grand scale. Winding Ottoman streets are punctuated with Byzantine churches, Austro-Hungarian villas and angular communist-era blocks. Throw in some Roman ruins and Venetian palazzos, then wrap it all in a medieval wall and plonk it by the sea, and you will have it – a postcard from the Balkan!
Culinary Adventures
Foreign invaders have plundered the Balkans for millennia and the region’s cooks have plundered right back, incorporating Venetian, Austrian, Hungarian and Ottoman flavors into the mixing pot. You might tuck into crumbed schnitzel in Ljubljana, seafood risotto in Split, octopus carpaccio in Budva, spicy goulash in Novi Sad, flaky burek (savory pastry) in Sarajevo, a meaty kebab in Kosovo, blissful baklava in Tirana and stuffed peppers in Skopje. Locally produced olive oil, truffles and wine hold their own against the best in the world, as does the seafood, herb-grazed lamb and abundant bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Cultural Pursuits
Aside from the ever-present architectural legacy, the Balkans are liberally scattered with artistic treasures, from church frescoes to socialist modernist sculptures and an edgy contemporary art scene. You’re likely to stumble on street-side klapa (unaccompanied vocal harmony) performances in Dalmatia, Croatia; plaintive sevdah singers in Bosnia, bards wielding gusle (single-stringed instruments) in Montenegro and upbeat Roma trubaci (trumpet bands) in Serbia. Religious festivities are celebrated with gusto, as are film festivals, outdoor performances of theatre and classical music, and the large alternative and electronic dance music festivals that attract thousands of visitors every summer.