Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Enchanting Serbia - experience it now….

There simply is no way to tour Europe and not be awestruck by its scenic beauty, epic history and dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. Once you have ticked off the great museums, panoramic vistas & energetic nightlife, what is left?  And cramming in more history, culture & spectacular scenery than seems entirely reasonable for its size, the Western Balkans is one of Europe's most intriguing regions. Diverse, welcoming and a hell of a lot of fun – everything you never heard about Serbia is true.  Come……experience the beauty of Balkans with us…….

 

Europe’s almost unmanageable wealth of attractions is its biggest single draw: the birthplace of democracy in Athens, the Renaissance art of Florence, the graceful canals of Venice, the Napoleonic splendour of Paris, and the multilayered historical & cultural canvas of London. Less obvious but no less impressive attractions include Moorish palaces in Andalucía, the fascinating East meets West brew of İstanbul in Turkey, the majesty of meticulously restored imperial palaces in Russia's former capital St Petersburg & the ongoing project of Gaudí's La Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

 

There is a huge diversity of natural scenery: rugged Scottish Highlands with glens & lochs; Norway's fabulous fjords, seemingly chipped to jagged perfection by giants; the vine-raked valleys of the Loire; & the steppe-like plains of central Spain. If you are looking for beaches, a circuit of the Mediterranean's northern coast reveals one gem after another. Or strike out to lesser known, yet beautiful coastal regions such as the Baltic & Black Seas. Mountain lovers should head to the Alps: they march across central Europe taking in France, Switzerland, Austria, northern Italy & tiny Liechtenstein.

 

Cultural Pursuits|Great Outdoors|Culinary Adventures| Home to History

 

Talking of Balkans - the stuff of Legends.

 

Cramming in more history, culture & spectacular scenery than seems entirely reasonable for its size, the Western Balkans is one of Europe's most intriguing regions & ‘Balkan Peninsula’ was a synonym for European Turkey in the 19^th century, the former provinces of the Ottoman Empire in Southeast Europe. Rocky mountains & terracotta-roofed towns plunge spectacularly into crystal-clear waters all along the Adriatic coast. Amongst 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.

 

Though change is coming quickly to the Western Balkans, timeless traditions retain their currency - in some parts, even blood feuds are not as ancient as they ought to be. It is a region where you can barely keep up with the nightlife, but still get stuck behind a horse & cart. Urban landscapes are a pop-up book of European architectural history on a grand scale. Winding Ottoman streets are punctuated with Byzantine churches, Austro-Hungarian villas & angular communist-era blocks. Throw in some Roman ruins & Venetian palazzos, then wrap it all in a medieval wall & plonk it by the sea.

 

Foreign invaders have plundered the Balkans for millennia & the region's cooks have plundered right back, incorporating Venetian, Austrian, Hungarian & Ottoman flavours 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 (savoury pastry) in Sarajevo, a meaty kebab in Kosovo, blissful baklava in Tirana & stuffed peppers in Skopje. Locally produced olive oil, truffles & wine hold their own against the best in the world, as does the seafood, herb-grazed lamb & abundant bounty of fresh fruit & vegetables.

 

Aside from the ever-present architectural legacy, the Balkans are liberally scattered with artistic treasures, from church frescoes to Socialist Modernist sculptures & an edgy contemporary art scene. You are likely to stumble on street-side klapa (unaccompanied vocal harmony) performances in Dalmatia, plaintive sevdah singers in Bosnia, bards wielding gusle (single-stringed instruments) in Montenegro & upbeat Roma trubaci (trumpet bands) in Serbia. Religious festivities are celebrated with gusto, as are film festivals, outdoor performances of theatre & classical music, and the large alternative & electronic dance music festivals that attract thousands of visitors every summer.

 

Now, let us talk about the Serbia - diverse, welcoming & a hell of a lot of fun - everything you never heard about Serbia is true.

 

Serbia, one of the oldest European countries dating back to the 7^th century, is a country on southeast Europe's Balkan peninsula with northern plateaus & mountains with ski resorts to the south. During its rich history, Serbian territory was a land of Neolithic settlements, Roman emperors & medieval rulers.  

 

An authentic destination, this landlocked magnificent country in the heart of the Balkans does, however, conceal precious treasures; its mysterious monasteries in particular, but also its splendid landscapes, (like at the Iron Gate). It is also a home to traditional villages & old crafts where one can witness the Serbian way of life passed in to generations through the centuries.

 

While the feisty Serbian spirit is embodied in Belgrade’s world-class nightlife and Novi Sad’s epic EXIT festival, look beyond these historic metropolises and you will discover a crucible of cultures & unsullied outdoors ripe for exploration.

 

Established wine regions & thermal spas cradled in rolling hills date back to Roman times. The art nouveau town of Subotica revels in its Austro-Hungarian heritage, bohemian Nis echoes to the clip-clop of Roma horse carts & minaret-studded Novi Pazar nudges the most sacred of Serbian Orthodox monasteries.

 

Far removed from mass tourism, Serbia has remained neglected by travellers, who still remember the images of the Yugoslavian conflict.

 

But we must also not overlook the bohemian & cross-cultural atmosphere of its towns, with the exuberant capital of Belgrade which is home to Communist-era architecture & Kalemegdan Park, site of Belgrade Fortress, held successively by the Roman, Byzantine & Ottoman empires. Stari Grad, the old city, is home to 19^th century mansions, plus opera & ballet at Narodno Pozoriste (national theater). On the slopes of Kopaonik, Zlatibor & Stara Planina, ancient traditions coexist with après-ski bling, while super-scenic Tara & Derdap National Parks brim with hiking, biking, rafting & kayaking opportunities.

 

Serbia has always had a reputation for its legendary gastronomy, blending Mediterranean and Central European influences. Traditional meals are copious, festive and accompanied by music!

 

Local custom has it that slatko (fruits preserved in sugar) should be offered to visitors as a welcome gift. Before meals, you will be offered Kajmac spread (sheep's milk cheese), on proja (a cornflour bread roll), served with a glass of Sljivovica (plum brandy, a speciality from Central Serbia), or dunjevaca (quince brandy, a speciality from Vojvodina). Almost everywhere, you will be able to taste spit-roasted specialities, from suckling pig (prasetina), to lamb (janjetina) or mutton (ovcetina). Cevapcici is a preparation based on small grilled beef rolls, served with onions. Zito is a dessert made with wheat, walnut, sugar, vanilla & nutmeg, with a drizzle of rum.

 

Tzigane music & folk dancing fanatics will be delighted in Serbia, as it is a country which offers an impressive number of traditional music festivals & folk events.

 

Local handicraft consists of intricately woven rugs from the region of Pirot, whose design, originality & harmonious colours make them true works of art. Skilled artisans work with wood & ceramics. This is also where you will find beautiful rustic, colourfully decorated pottery, as well as clay-based toys for children. The art of decorating flasks is a local speciality here, particularly in the region of Vojvodina.

 

Concerned that you don't speak the language or have a degree in regional history? Not to worry!  Our local offices are always there 24/7 to offer any assistance you might need.

 

A unique experience amidst an idyllic scenery & tryst with a very rich historical & architectural heritage is just a beginning....... Yep, a welcoming population in Serbia  is waiting & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Serbia. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences………

 

Come……be inspired & discover the World....