Serbia, seaside holidays: combined tours. Beach holidays in Serbia Serbia sea holidays
The first half of the summer was damn hard for me. I won’t go into details, but I was so tired that I looked like a squeezed and then dried lemon. I was tired, first of all, emotionally... But then a saving vacation came, which rehabilitated me, filling me with vital juices and spiritual strength.
The vacation spot was chosen relatively long ago, several months ago. The choice fell... no, not on the Dominican Republic, Spain, Italy or Turkey. My wife and I decided to spend our vacation in Serbia, an unknown and unpopular region among Russian tourists.
Why Serbia? I'm tired of answering this question, to be honest. “Is there a sea there?” No, there is no sea there. But there is a sea in nearby Montenegro, which is easy to get to from Serbia. However, looking ahead, I will say that we never made it to Montenegro. For us as wives, the sea is more of a pleasant bonus, but not a fundamental condition for the next trip.
The fact is that in recent years I have become very interested in the history of the Balkan Peninsula. For centuries, serious passions have been seething there; Representatives of different nationalities and religious denominations border each other, and the peninsula itself is called nothing less than “the powder keg of Europe.” The Balkans have always been a bargaining chip for other states that use the difficult relationships between the inhabitants of the peninsula to achieve their own geopolitical goals. The most striking example, probably known to anyone, even the most uneducated schoolchild, is the outbreak of the First World War.
So, due to the proximity of different cultures and faiths in one territory, the architecture of the Balkans is distinguished by great diversity, and the mentality of people is distinguished by its originality and bright color. Let's add to this the mountainous terrain, the hospitality of local residents, natural beauty and the unprecedented love of Serbs for Russians, as well as the absence of obstacles with visas. That's why Serbia. To be honest, we planned to visit several countries at once: Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Macedonia. But when I started reading more about traveling to these countries, I came to the conclusion that a tour of the capitals was not a very good idea and decided that each of these countries deserves special attention and a full-fledged vacation to explore.
We decided to start with Serbia. I’ll say right away that the 16 days that were allotted for the trip were not even enough to explore the entire, seemingly tiny, Serbia. We visited only its western part, traveling around it from north to south.
This vacation was special for us also because for the first time in our lives we did not plan our trip from start to finish. The reason for this is not only the lack of time before the trip, but also the unpopularity of Serbia in terms of tourism. There is minimal information on the Internet; There are some tourist sites in Serbian, but firstly, there are very few of them, and secondly, there was neither the energy nor the time to translate into Russian.
Therefore, the only thing we had was round-trip air tickets and the expected place of the first overnight stay, which we found on the couchsurfing website (if anyone doesn’t know, then this is a special resource where people who want to communicate with travelers from different countries of the world , offer to stay at their home completely free of charge).
Naturally, we flew to Belgrade. Since this is the only major airport in Serbia where planes from Russia regularly fly. We reached the “couchsurfer” Mila, who has a Russian mother and a Serbian father, and who speaks excellent Russian. So, our hospitable friend gave us valuable advice and helped us with drawing up a tourist route, and also told us various, in the language of modern youth, “tricks” and “life hacks”.
To begin with, it was decided to go to the canyon of the Uvac River, in the southern part of Serbia. I saw photographs of this stunningly beautiful place even before purchasing air tickets and immediately decided that I definitely wanted to go to these places. But it takes about 8-9 hours to get there from Belgrade. My wife and I decided that this was clearly overkill in order to overcome this path in one “approach”. We decided to stop somewhere “in the middle” - it turned out to be a city with a sonorous name for the Russian-speaking ear: Kraljevo (Serbian Krajevo).
Kraljevo is a small provincial town located near the most famous Serbian sanatoriums “Matarushka Banja” and “Vrnjacka Banja”. The town is built on the banks of the beautiful Ibar River. We stayed in a guest house, which we found on a booking site, not far from one of the main attractions of the city - the Zicha Monastery.
The guest house, as we understand, belongs to one hospitable Serbian family, in which everyone works for the benefit of the family business. The rooms are clean, the food is delicious, the brandy is simply magical, the hosts are hospitable. What else is needed for happiness?
After the bustle of the capital Belgrade, a provincial, but by Serbian standards not so small city, seemed to us a calm place where time seemed to stop. Well, prices, of course, are also significantly “lag behind” those in Belgrade. A taxi costs less than public transport, and for lunch in a restaurant for two you pay less money than a basket of bread costs in Belgrade (and this despite the fact that prices in Belgrade compared to Moscow or St. Petersburg are generally a freebie). By the way, it was in Kraljevo that a comical incident happened to me: before leaving, we decided to have a little refreshment and went to a local restaurant. There we ordered lunch dishes at random. Why at random? Yes, because the menu was only in Serbian. And in the end they brought me a pork knuckle. A whole pork ham, Karl! And it’s good that we decided not to order a salad, so as not to get too full before the trip.
Then our path lay in a very small town - Senica (Sjenitsa), which is located in a district with a ringing name for Russians - Raska. Before this, we stopped in the city of Novi Pazar, where the bulk of the population, in fact, as in almost the entire Raskin district, are Muslims (mostly Bosnians). And here, of course, everything was completely different: different architecture, different culture, different mentality of the local residents. It would seem that we traveled by bus for only a few hours, but we ended up not only in another country, but one might even say - in another world. But this is less than 300 km from Belgrade. There is no distance at all by Russian standards.
Then we finally reached Senica. There, with the help of a local man who saw two confused tourists and wanted to help, we got through to the person who rents out apartments near the canyon, for whom we actually came here. The owner, named Slavko, met us, took us home, gave us tea, showed us and told us everything. As it turned out, his wife’s brother was at his house, who had been living in Tosno for many years, and that’s where my uncle lives. We breathed a sigh of relief, because this meant that we could forget about the language barrier. Although... Judging by the several days spent in Serbia, a little brandy is also quite a normal translator.
In the morning we asked about the road to the canyon and set off. At one of the forks we turned the wrong way and did not take the shortest road. We came across a village. A local grandfather showed us where to go, and we managed to get on the right path. By the way, it was precisely because we turned the wrong way at one point that we were lucky enough to walk along the river, and this is such beauty that it is impossible to describe in words. And it doesn’t matter that we had to walk an extra 3-4 km. It was worth it.
And so we reached the Vidokovac observation deck. Fascinating! Amazing! Amazing! Magically! It is so beautiful that it took my breath away for several minutes. I couldn't talk or think about anything. No photograph can convey the true beauty of this place. You need to see this with your own eyes. And nothing else.
And if before the vacation I thought that the lack of promotion and unpopularity of the Serbian tourist destination was a significant disadvantage, then here I realized that this is undoubtedly a huge plus. We were on the observation deck, which offers a fabulous view, completely alone for an hour and a half. I have always associated the phrase “observation deck” with bustle, noise, crowds of people wanting to take selfies and the inability to fully enjoy the view. And here - not a soul. Just us and the huge eagles soaring above the river.
Then, however, a crowd of noisy, restless Chinese came, who for about 20 minutes disrupted our unity with nature. But after taking a couple of dozen photographs, our Chinese friends considered the goal accomplished and hurried away, managing to scare away all the eagles, who flew to this place only 40 minutes later.
How I didn’t want to leave there! If I had such an opportunity, I would have pitched a tent there and stayed there to live, but I had to move on. We were already on the right path back, relying solely on our own intuition at several forks, which did not let us down this time.
In total, we walked about 10 km during the day, but for this we were rewarded with beautiful photographs, incredible emotions and “empty” heads, from which, at least for some time, all unnecessary thoughts, anxieties and stresses disappeared.
To be continued....
Fraternal Serbia offers effective treatment at mineral resorts at very competitive prices, good skiing at an equally attractive price and interesting sights. Ancient Belgrade and the blue Danube - all about Serbia: tours, hotels, maps.
- Last minute tours to Serbia
- Tours for the New Year Worldwide
Serbia can hardly be called a “promoted” destination, but in one type of tourism it can already easily give a head start to many countries. We are talking about health tours: local resorts are rightfully considered one of the best in Europe in terms of the number and combination of healing factors. At the same time, they have quite modern equipment and set extremely reasonable prices for their services by “average European” standards. Other advantages of Serbia for tourism: good nature, mild climate, ample opportunities for hunting and fishing and a good historical “excursion”.
Modestly peeking over the shoulders of its more popular skiing neighbors in Europe, winter Serbia attracts today's discerning tourists with low prices, short flights and a Slavic soul. The condition of the slopes cannot be determined unambiguously - rather, the optimistic phrase “he will try” comes to mind. And the country is really trying its best: new tracks appear every year, as well as “adult features” like night skiing. Another plus is the extremely affordable ski schools with Russian-speaking instructors.
Regions and resorts of Serbia
Time difference from Moscow
− 1 hour in winter −2 hours
- with Kaliningrad
- with Samara
- with Yekaterinburg
- with Omsk
- with Krasnoyarsk
- with Irkutsk
- with Yakutsk
- with Vladivostok
- from Severo-Kurilsk
- with Kamchatka
Climate
The northern regions of Serbia are dominated by a continental climate: summers here are hot (average temperatures are +23...+25 °C, sometimes the air warms up to a barely bearable +35...+40 °C), winters are long and cold (usually In total, the thermometer drops to −1...−2 °C, but frosts down to −25 °C also occur). The climate in the southern regions is moderate continental, in the mountainous regions it is correspondingly mountainous.
The best time to travel to Serbia is late spring, early autumn and summer months. The season at ski resorts officially lasts from December 8 (in fact, you can conquer the slopes in November) until mid-March.
The warmest month is July, the coldest month is January, the most precipitation falls in May-June. The main weather feature of Serbia is constant winds: in the off-season, bone-chilling Košava and dry Severac blow in the north, cold Moravac and warm southern winds blow in the Morava River valley, and humid southwestern currents from the Adriatic in the western regions.
Communications and Wi-Fi
The top 3 Serbian mobile operators are Telekom Serbia, VIP Mobile and Telenor. A SIM card can be purchased at company offices, press stands, post offices and some stores, but it should be borne in mind that it may take an hour or even more to activate it. They also sell express payment cards, which are the most convenient way to top up your balance.
The operator Telecom Serbia has a tariff for tourists Super Tourist SIM for 1800 RSD with 30 prepaid minutes of international calls.
From payphones installed on the streets of large cities, you can make calls both within Serbia and to other countries of the world. Payphones accept Halo Kartitsa cards worth 300 RSD; calls with local subscribers cost 1.20 RSD, with Russia - 24.50 RSD per minute.
Free Wi-Fi is available in many hotels, restaurants, libraries and other public places. Internet cafes are open in big cities, and in Belgrade parks you can find benches marked with blue flowers that provide free access to the Internet.
Hotels in Serbia
Information desk: 998, tourist information: 987, police: 92, fire brigade: 93, ambulance: 94
City codes: Belgrade - 11, Novi Sad - 21, Subotica - 24, Nis - 18.
Travel to Serbia
Beaches of Serbia
The swimming season in Serbia starts in mid-June, when the water in the rivers warms up to +20 °C. You can sunbathe and swim until the beginning of October, until the harsh “koshava” and “severac” blow. The most popular beaches are located right in the capital. The Ada Ciganlija Peninsula attracts both adherents of a relaxing family holiday and fans of water activities. The water here, by the way, is the cleanest: dams with filters connected to the right bank of the Sava form an artificial lake surrounded by beaches with sand and pebbles. Admission is free, all amenities are on site. There are special areas with shallow water for children, and for adults there are sports grounds, cafes and bars, and equipment rental points.
The Blue Flag guarantees the cleanliness and safety of the coast of Ada Ciganliya.
The Lido beach in the Zemun area is not so crowded: swimming here is not recommended, but sunbathing, playing volleyball and relaxing in coastal bars is welcome.
Another great place for a summer holiday is Novi Sad on the banks of the Danube. This is a resort with a rich history, which became fashionable among European bohemians at the beginning of the last century. Today, the Strand beach has a luxurious shady garden and developed infrastructure (from showers and toilets to restaurants serving Balkan cuisine). You can diversify the cultural program with fun at the numerous festivals that are regularly held in the city.
Diving
Serbia is landlocked, but if you wish, you can dive in the waters of the Danube or large lakes. Almost all European fish species are found here: bream, minnows, carp, catfish, all kinds of sturgeon. At the bottom of the Danube there are wrecks from the Second World War, but diving to them can only be done under the guidance of certified instructors who know the area. Underwater caves are even more dangerous: they have been practically unexplored, and even experienced divers still do not risk swimming there. There are several diving schools open in Belgrade and other Serbian cities, where you can rent equipment, book a guided underwater excursion and get all the necessary recommendations.
Treatment in Serbia
Not only doctors, but also nature itself take care of the health of guests of Serbian resorts. About a thousand mineral springs, healing mud, clean air and mild climate - everything you need for harmony of body and spirit. Of course, doctors also work “excellently”: numerous hotels and sanatoriums offer effective physiotherapy and spa techniques developed for patients with any diagnosis. And, what’s especially nice, prices for treatment in Serbia are more than moderate compared to average European prices.
What to bring
It is better to bring handicrafts from Serbia: if you try hard, you can find truly unique items in local shops. Ceramic vases, pots and whistles, loom-woven scarves and shawls, dolls in national costumes, patterned brandy flasks, knitted sweaters and socks - Balkan craftsmen know how to surprise tourists. Just for fun, you can buy elements of a traditional costume: “opantsy” bast shoes with curved toes or “shaikachi” caps. Much more practical purchases are handmade leather shoes and accessories: the quality and design are beyond praise.
You can’t leave hospitable Serbia without some goodies: rakia fruit vodka, Pelinkovac wormwood liqueur, herbal tea, ajvar vegetable caviar and plum jam.
Cuisine and restaurants of Serbia
Accustomed to being at the center of European events, Serbs boldly mix the gastronomic traditions of different cultures: Slavic and German, Turkish and Mediterranean. All the treats are simple and incredibly tasty, with the addition of aromatic spices and kaymak milk - specially fermented and lightly salted.
Traditional first courses are liquid “soup” broth and rich “chorba”. For the main course, you should try pork sausages “čevapčiči”, chopped cutlets “pljeskavici”, chops “veshalitsy” and skewered pork “cookies” (not to be confused with flour products!). Ideal combinations of meat and vegetables are “Dzhuvech” stew with tomatoes and an analogue of cabbage rolls “Sarma” with minced meat and rice. The most original dishes are dried prosciutto legs, stewed kapama lamb with salad and yoghurt, and the finest steak Karadjordjeva schnitzel. The fish is used to prepare fish soup “riblya chorba”, trout with prunes and carp in cream. Instead of fast food, there are all kinds of pastries: puff “bureks” with fillings, thin “pita” pies and “priganice” donuts.
Serbs have a special passion for spicy dishes, which is why “feferoni” peppers are a side dish for almost every meal.
It is better to get acquainted with authentic Serbian cuisine in traditional kafanas - establishments with live music, simple interiors and a relaxed atmosphere. In small towns there are many family restaurants offering regional dishes based on old recipes. In Belgrade, eateries with experimental cuisine are opening more and more often: this is where the chef’s imagination can run wild. Lunch for two in a standard cafe will cost from 1200-1300 RSD, a snack in fast food - from 450-550 RSD, dinner with alcohol in a good restaurant - from 2000-3000 RSD.
Guides in Serbia
Entertainment and attractions: Art Nouveau, Romanticism, Renaissance and Academicism are mixed here, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops are located in beautiful mansions. The most spectacular royal residences - snow-white Median
Kopaonik National Park in the southwestern part of Central Serbia is home to wolves, wild boars, roe deer, foxes, hares, stoats and wolverines, and there are as many as 148 species of birds. The Tara Western Nature Reserve is home to brown bear, chamois, roe deer, lynx, otter and more than 100 species of birds, including golden eagle, griffon vulture, peregrine falcon, Eurasian eagle owl and black grouse. In the Fruska Gora National Park, under the shade of deciduous forests, deer and roe deer frolic and many birds nest, including white and black storks, imperial eagle, balaban and black kite.
Holidays and Events
January 1 - New Godina, also known as New Year: Serbian Father Frost Bozic Bata puts gifts for the children in a special stocking hidden under the tree. January 5th is the Tutsindan folk holiday, when lambs and piglets are slaughtered for the Christmas table. The next day, on Christmas Eve Badnidan, men go to the forest for badnyak - an oak log, a mandatory attribute of the main family celebration, and women prepare “pechenitsa”, pies and other delicacies. On January 7, Christmas, all this is eaten with pleasure.
January 9 - Republic Day, February 15 - Statehood Day in honor of the country's first uprising in 1804. March 22 - Babies: time for cleaning, burning garbage, jumping over fires and exchanging honey pies. The main festivities of spring are the Annunciation and Easter: church services take place from the very morning, eggs and wine are displayed on the tables, and in the evening mass festivities begin with “kolo” round dances. May 1, like ours, is Labor Day, May 9 is Victory Day. May 6 - Djurdjevdan, honoring St. George and symbolizing the boundary between winter and summer. June 28 - Vidovdan in memory of the Great Martyr Lazar.
August 2 - Elijah's Day: by eating corn, melon, fresh honey and boiled nettle, you can ensure your health for the year ahead.
Autumn is the time for public holidays: October 20 - Belgrade Liberation Day, October 29 - Constitution Day, November 11 - Armistice Day in the First World War.
The truism that Serbia is a non-tourist country is known to everyone. Nevertheless, on the one hand, it is very original and original, and on the other hand, it is very close and understandable to us.
Belgrade
Most tourists begin their acquaintance with the capital of the country - Belgrade. Having visited many European capitals, including the capitals of the republics of the former Yugoslavia, Belgrade seemed to me the most unimpressive. No, of course, it’s worth visiting here for a day, climbing the Belgrade Fortress, admiring from there the confluence of the Danube and the Sava, wandering through Kalemegdan Park, visiting the ancient Skadarlija district and observing the life of bohemia there. And yet, the outback in Serbia is much more picturesque, the food is tastier, the air is cleaner, the scenery is impressive, prices are lower (although in Belgrade they are not high compared to neighboring Montenegro).
Autonomous Region of Vojvodina
Vojvodina is one of my favorite parts of Serbia. Its nature and cities are very reminiscent of Hungary, which is not surprising - after all, this region was previously Hungarian, the architecture here is appropriate, a little atypical for Serbia, and a large number of Magyars live here. The most interesting places to visit are the main city of the region, Novi Sad, and Subotica, the northernmost city in Serbia, located 10 kilometers from the border with Hungary. Novi Sad is a recognized tourist center of Serbia; the international music festival Exit alone attracts 150 thousand spectators every year. The greatest interest among tourists is the Petrovaradin fortress, as well as numerous museums and galleries. In Subotica, there are few tourists here, but in vain: the architecture here in the Hungarian Art Nouveau style is very good - the local town hall, the Franciscan church, old mansions.
Medical resorts
In Serbia, there are more than 50 health resorts with mineral healing springs, where people were treated back in the days of the ancient Romans. In general, if you see the word Banya in the name of a Serbian town, for example, Niška Banja, Vrnjačka Banja or Banja Koviljača, then you can be sure: they are definitely treating some diseases here. Serbian resorts are considered the most useful for those suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, metabolic disorders, diseases of the nervous system and respiratory tract, diseases of the liver and biliary tract and much more. One of the most famous healing resorts in Serbia is the climatic mountain resort of Zlatibor. Diseases of the thyroid gland and respiratory tract, including thyroid cancer, are treated here. Vrnjacka Banja, located near Kopaonik, is famous for its carbon dioxide and alkaline springs. Diabetes mellitus, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, stomach and duodenal ulcers and much more are treated here. In fact, one can write long and hard about Serbian health resorts and their benefits: each of them is unique. I don’t have such a goal, I just wanted to tell you that in Serbia there are a large number of health resorts that are not as popular and fashionable as the generally recognized ones, for example, Czech ones, but treatment in which will bring no less health benefits.
Ski resorts
The main ski resort of the country is Kopaonik, located on the mountain range of the same name. In addition to the tracks where international competitions are held, Kopaonik is attractive for its infrastructure. For young people there are bars, discos, and night clubs. It’s also good for families with children to come here: there are special children’s ski schools and children’s ski lifts for little ones. Another, lesser-known resort is Stara Planina in the east of the country. There is snow here for about five months of the year, and there are snow cannons. The trails in Stara Planina vary in difficulty, and there is the possibility of night skiing. One of the advantages of Serbian ski resorts: it seemed to me that the prices here are lower than in neighboring Montenegro, and certainly than at similar Slovenian resorts. There will be no language barriers here either, and I think only the lazy did not mention the good attitude of the Serbs towards our compatriots.
Orthodox shrines
Serbia is very rich in Christian, or rather Orthodox, shrines. They are mostly located in the south of the country and the unrecognized Republic of Kosovo, on the border with which the demarcation line now runs. Therefore, unfortunately, some of the most important shrines for Orthodox pilgrims are not accessible to visitors. Pilgrims and simply lovers of church culture heading to Serbia should first of all pay attention to the town of Kragujevac. In the vicinity of this city there are the monasteries of Zica, Vujan, Studenica, Sopocany, Milesheva, Djurdzhevo Stupovi and Lyubostynya. Near the village of Ovčar Banja, on the Western Morava River near the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge, Serbian Mount Athos begins - about 10 monasteries that have survived to this day. Here are the Annunciation, Holy Trinity, Sretensky and several other monasteries. Everything here is very sincere, all the monks and nuns are hospitable and sociable. I was especially pleased with their reaction to the message that we were from Russia - I haven’t seen such sincere joy for a long time.
Drvengrad – for fans of the work of Emir Kusturica
True, I don’t consider myself an ardent fan of the famous Yugoslav, but it seems to me that if we talk about the most famous tourist places in Serbia, then it is impossible to pass by Drevengrad. In a word, I liked it, but I probably wouldn’t go a second time. Drvengrad is a unique village with wooden buildings, located on the slopes of Mokra Gora in the vicinity of Zlatibor. They say this is what a real Serbian village looks like. What I liked most here was the railway station with a narrow gauge railway and a steam locomotive. Drvengrad is a fairly popular place, well-promoted, and, as it seemed to me, the most tourist place in all of Serbia, not counting Belgrade. Prices in the surrounding area are higher than the Serbian average.
Mostly tourists come to Serbia for treatment, and other types of recreation pleasantly complement their stay in sanatoriums. There is very beautiful nature here, which heals in itself. All conditions for fishing and hunting have been created in the forests. And in the mountains - for skiing.
The rich past has left behind ancient fortresses and temples as a legacy. The narrow cobbled streets have a special atmosphere, as if you have stepped back in time. You can walk here endlessly.
Serbia excursion
Serbia is considered a young resort, but in itself it is far from young. The golden domes of churches and monasteries, imposing fortresses and noble mansions serve as reminders of various milestones in history. And if you are planning a holiday in Serbia in 2019 with mandatory sightseeing, pay attention to the following cities:
- Belgrade is a hospitable, welcoming capital.
Its main attraction is, of course, the Belgrade Fortress, from which the city itself began. This is a huge, monumental structure made of stone, on the territory of which monuments from the previous owners have been preserved: the ruins of a Roman fortress and a Byzantine castle, outbuildings, platforms for artillerymen. In general, you can go here for the whole day.
“House of Flowers” is an analogue of the Moscow Mausoleum, only the leader of the peoples, Tito, rests in a closed sarcophagus. But there are really a lot of flowers around him. You can visit this place for the sake of the museum, where gifts received by the ruler during his lifetime are displayed.
Anyone who is even slightly interested in science should definitely visit the Nikola Tesla Museum - a very entertaining interactive exhibition where both personal belongings and inventions of the brilliant scientist are presented.
- Novi Sad is the second largest Serbian city.
The Fruška Gora National Park is 16 kilometers away. It is located on an area of 25 thousand hectares. On its territory, in addition to equipped picnic areas, there are 3 mountain peaks 500 meters above sea level and 16 monasteries, built in the Middle Ages.
There are also interesting museums in Novi Sad: the City Museum, which tells about the development of the city in different historical periods; Vojvodina Museum, where archaeological and entomological finds are collected; Modern Art Museum; and the oldest cultural institution in Serbia, the Matica Srpska Gallery.
- Nis is a small, inconspicuous town, at first glance...
Many tourists are attracted by the creepiest attraction in Serbia - the tower of human skulls Čele Kula. This monument still reminds the whole world of one of the most brutal battles of the past.
It is also worth paying attention to the Niš Fortress of the 18th century, which, after reconstruction, can still serve as an excellent fortification structure to this day.
And of course, one cannot ignore the Median, the most important archaeological site of the late Roman period. This was once the residence of Constantine the Great, and it has been well preserved to this day.
Near Niš there is another, very sad, landmark - the former Red Cross concentration camp, where more than 12 thousand people were killed during the war.
Treatment in Serbia
Whatever attracts you to Serbia, a holiday here will benefit your health. The unique combination of mountain and sea air works wonders. In addition, there are about a thousand healing springs, both water and mud, throughout the country. At the same time, prices remain at a level much lower than in Europe. For those who are suspicious of new resorts, we present a brief overview of tourist reviews:
Zlatibor is one of the largest health resorts with a special microclimate. Sea and mountain air currents help in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system, metabolism and circulatory system. It is also popular among women who want to lose weight, regain beauty and youth.
Vrnjacka Banja has 7 mineral springs, the water from which helps treat diabetes, gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys.
Banya Koviljace offers patients different types of treatment: thermal and mud baths, massage, magnetic and laser therapy - these procedures are good for treating hernias, osteochondrosis and muscle diseases.
Nishka Banya is a modern scientific center that offers a whole range of procedures: thermal and radioactive baths, mud therapy, drinking mineral water, inhalation. These treatments help fight cardiovascular disease.
Ski holidays in Serbia
There is only one ski resort in Serbia, it is called Kopaonik. However, in terms of infrastructure development, it differs little from European ones. Tourists are offered 60 kilometers of slopes for amateurs and professionals and 20 lifts, both for adults and for children. A separate area for night skiing and paragliding has also been created.
The city has everything you need on vacation: numerous hotels, restaurants, fitness rooms, discos and convenient transport links between Kopaonik and other cities. A nice feature of the resort is the instructors who speak Russian very well.
Finally, you can capture a ton of stunning scenery here. Part of the forest and mountain range has been turned into a natural park. It’s a pleasure to ride in such a stunning place.
Holiday seasons in 2019
High season
The high season in Serbia begins at and ends at , during these months the air temperature fluctuates at +20-26 ˚С. At this time, you can see the sights and improve your health.
Low season
The low season lasts from November to , at the same time the season for skiers begins. The cost of housing in the plains falls, and in the mountains, on the contrary, it increases. But in order to save money, you can come in winter, since on the plain the temperature does not drop below +10 ˚С.
Even if Serbia does not have direct access to the sea, it doesn’t matter! This country, located in the center of the Balkan Peninsula, nevertheless reaps a rich tourist harvest all year round. In winter, mountain resorts attract lovers of challenging ski slopes. At any time of the year, ancient Orthodox monasteries attract pilgrims. Balneological clinics with mineral thermal springs and healing mud provide an opportunity for the sick to improve their health. Beautiful nature and a host of historical and cultural attractions provide the basis for a rich excursion program. Wine and food tours to Serbia are very popular. After all, this country has a unique cuisine. And besides, Russians do not need a visa to enter Serbia (if the duration of stay does not exceed thirty days). Well, what about the sea? Serbia is located in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. Therefore, there is plenty to choose from. During the division of Yugoslavia, the Adriatic coast went to Croatia and Montenegro. Eastern neighbors - Romania and Bulgaria - have access to the Black Sea. Albania and Greece are also located nearby. Therefore, many travel agencies offer combined tours “Serbia + seaside holidays”. When is the best time to go, what other country to visit, what to see and what were the prices in 2016 - read about all this in our article.
Climate of Serbia and its closest neighbors
First, let's decide when is the best time to go to the Balkan Peninsula. Southeastern Europe lies in the zone of temperate continental climate. Winters here are not particularly harsh, but long. Snow falls already at the end of autumn and lasts until March. However, temperatures are far from Siberian frosts. In January, the coldest month of the year, the thermometer ranges from -1 to -9 degrees Celsius. There is a lot of snow in the mountains, which attracts skiers from all over the world to Serbia. Seaside holidays in the resorts of the former Yugoslavia are possible from the first days of May. Summers in this region are hot and dry. The length of the beach season is not the same everywhere. The earliest resorts in Romania become empty is in early September. And at the end of the month, the Black Sea cities of Bulgaria say goodbye to the beaches. At the Adriatic resorts in Croatia and Montenegro (western neighbors of the Republic of Serbia), seaside holidays in September are most comfortable. The curtain of the beach season comes down only in October. But for those who went on vacation only in mid-autumn, there is an opportunity to sunbathe and swim in the sea. Resorts in Albania and Greece await them. In the latter state there are two seas to choose from - the Ionian and the Aegean. And this is only if we consider the Greek mainland.
In Thessaloniki, Patras, Athens it is possible until the end of October.
Why choose Serbia
The question arises: if we want to relax at sea, why go to a country located inland and without access to the coast? Let's explain. Serbia is a very colorful country. Many villages seem to have stepped out of Kusturica films. Nature of enchanting beauty, hospitable people, excellent cuisine, excellent wines, ancient monasteries, thermal springs, mountains and plains - all this is Serbia. Holidays at sea are illustrated in photos as “seals”. Wherever there is a coastal resort, everything is the same: sand, sun loungers, umbrellas, water. And tours that combine active recreation and passive sunbathing on the beach provide food for the mind and health for the body. In addition, prices in Serbia are much lower than in popular Croatia and Montenegro. A combined tour such as “Three Balkan Countries” allows a budget traveler to see Europe. There is also a more expanded program, for example, five states. And for those who are looking for a very economical tour “Serbia + holiday at sea”, travel tips reveal the secrets of inexpensive bus trips from Brest (Belarus) and Uzhgorod or Lvov (Ukraine). This way you can see several countries of Eastern and Central Europe at one time. A more expensive trip is by plane, with accommodation in Greece. In order to enter this EU state, you need a Schengen visa.
“Three Balkan countries”: description
Many operators offer such a trip as part of the “Serbia + seaside holiday” tour. It lasts ten days (nine nights) and costs from nine hundred thirty-five euros. The tour includes a flight Moscow - Belgrade - Moscow, overnight stays in three-star hotels with breakfast, bus trips, guide support, tickets to some museums. It is best to make such a trip in April or late spring, when the heat has not yet set in in the Balkans. After exploring the sights of Belgrade, tourists are taken to the “Serbian Athos” - Fruska Gora, where they visit two medieval monasteries. After a pilgrimage to holy places, it’s not a sin to have a drink. In Sremski Karlovici, tourists are offered a tasting of authentic Serbian wines. Then the group moves to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The tour program includes a visit to the bridge over the Drina (on the UNESCO list), a gastronomic lunch in Andrichgrad, excursions to Mostar, Trebinje. And since the package includes not only Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, the sea holiday is organized in a three-star hotel in Budva (Montenegro). To enrich your time on the beach, excursions around this Balkan country are also offered. Then the group returns by bus to Belgrade and flies by plane to Moscow.
"Five Balkan countries"
The tour, which includes visits to such republics as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, + seaside holidays in Montenegro, lasts fifteen days. If you live in a double room in three-star hotels with breakfast, then the cost of the tour starts from one thousand three hundred and seventy-five euros per person. The package includes flights, bus trips, and a Russian-speaking guide. During the study tour, tourists will see not only the Bay of Kotor, where the beach part of the program is supposed to be. They will see Skopje, a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Monastery of St. John of Bigor in Macedonia. And in Albania, tourists will visit the sights of Tirana and Duress. The last town is a coastal resort. In terms of latitude, it is located just north of Brindisi (Southern Italy). Tourists will also see the ancient Albanian city of Shkoderr. During this six-month trip “Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia + seaside holiday”, reviews note that the visit to Lake Skadar was most etched in their memory. This is the pearl of Montenegro, the beauty of which will take your breath away. No less significant was a visit to one of the shrines of Montenegro - the Cetinje Monastery.
Serbia + seaside holidays with children
Of course, bus tours across Europe are not for little travelers. It is best to choose a package of services where excursions will be kept to a minimum, and most of the time will be spent relaxing in one place. The balneological resorts of Serbia are in greatest demand. Moreover, you can come to them from April until November. Prolom Banja, Vrnjacka Banja, Vranjska Banja, Zlatibor - everywhere you will be provided with high quality spa services and wellness treatments. The healing properties of Serbian mineral springs and carbon dioxide-enriched mud have long been known. A mild climate, clean air and beautiful nature will complete the child’s recovery process. Winter is the time to visit places like Stara Planina, Kapaonik, Zlatibor. The slopes here are very gentle. Well-equipped slopes are suitable for those young athletes who have recently started skiing. Such resorts have a completely Western European level of service. There are ski schools and Russian-speaking ski instructors. Little travelers will certainly enjoy the country's nature reserves and national parks, where rare bird species are found. What about a seaside holiday in Serbia? Reviews from tourists praise the resorts of Bulgaria. In summer the weather there is very comfortable. Sandy beaches and a gentle slope into the sea make Bulgaria a “country of children's holidays”.
Getting to know Hellas
If you have a Schengen visa, you can expand your exposure to Southern Europe. There are several tours that can be roughly called “Sea holidays in Greece + Serbia”. Their cost largely depends on the type of transport (expensive flight or long journey by bus to Belgrade, Athens or Thessaloniki), accommodation, duration, length of stay in a seaside resort hotel. Consider, as an example, a tour from Brest (Belarus) through Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. Tourists only see the first two countries from a bus window. But in Budapest there is a sightseeing tour of the city. By the way, transfers are made exclusively during the day. Tourists spend all nights in hotels. Only on the fourth day after leaving Moscow the group reaches Belgrade (Serbia). Seaside holidays, reviews of which are mostly very good, begin on the sixth day of the tour. Before this, tourists explore Meteora. A full four days are allocated for a beach holiday in the Greek seaside resort of Loutraki. On one of these days a trip to Athens is planned. Then the group moves to Delphi and Thessaloniki. After spending the night in this city, tourists return to Serbia through Macedonia. From Belgrade the group moves to Novi Sad. This city, which bears the unofficial title of “Serbian Athens,” offers a sightseeing tour. And then tourists go through Hungary, Slovakia and Poland back to Brest.
Accommodation and meals
“For your money - any whim,” - this is what tour operators think. Therefore, you can choose accommodation conditions when purchasing the “Serbia + seaside holiday” tour. Hotels, of course, will be three-star when moving. After all, you will need to gather the whole group early in the morning and move on. But if the client wishes, the hotel room may not be a double standard. You can pay for a deluxe or suite. If you're traveling alone, you don't necessarily have to share a room with a stranger. But then you need to pay extra to occupy a double room yourself. All hotels only offer breakfast during transfers. Other meals are not included in the tour price. The bus makes a stop at roadside cafes. Accommodation and dining arrangements change when you arrive at a seaside resort. As a rule, tourists are given three to five days for a beach holiday (maybe more, depending on the tour). During this period, travelers are accommodated in a hotel of the category they paid for. The type of food also changes. Usually this is half board (breakfast and dinner). What are the prices? Let's take an average tour to Serbia with a holiday at a seaside resort in Greece. Bus travel and overnight stays in double “Standard” three-star hotels will cost one person six hundred and fifty-five euros for fifteen days. The same thing, but with a beach holiday in the resorts of Montenegro or Croatia it will cost less.
Solo travel
Those who like to plan their vacation themselves do not have to buy tours to Serbia. A seaside holiday will be better if you choose a resort to suit your taste and book a hotel. You will not have to pay extra for the services of a tour operator. But no one will “lead you by the hand” and tell you about all the sights. It’s difficult to say which is better: independent travel or an organized tour with a group. Everywhere has its pros and cons. Independent travelers can only be advised on how to get to Belgrade. The leader of Russian aviation, Aeroflot, and the air carrier JAT Airways operate regular flights from Moscow to Belgrade. You will have to spend about two and a half hours on board. If you want to first spend a couple of days at sea, then you should choose S7 airline, which regularly sends its planes to the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. In summer, it is possible to take a charter to the resort of Tivat (Montenegro). From there there is a train to Belgrade. There is also an air connection; the flight will take about half an hour. But tourists do not recommend traveling by train in the direct Moscow-Belgrade carriage. Firstly, it takes a long time - more than two days. And secondly, a visa is required for transit in Hungary.
Wellness holidays in Serbia
More than a thousand healing springs bubble up from the ground in this unique country. There are also deposits of equally valuable mud, which have a beneficial effect on joints damaged by rheumatism, arthritis and arthrosis. Auxiliary healing factors include clean air, warm climate and beautiful nature. There are several dozen balneological resorts in Serbia. It is difficult to list them. But if you see a settlement on a map of the country whose name contains the word “bathhouse,” you should know: there is a hydropathic clinic there. The only exception is Zlatibor. This world-famous resort in Serbia treats diseases of the thyroid gland and respiratory tract, metabolic disorders, all types of anemia, and depression. Spa centers offer programs for weight loss and restoration of youth and beauty. At the Prolom Banya resort, stones and sand are washed out of the kidneys, rheumatism and various skin diseases are treated. The main healing factor of Buyanovacka Bani is volcanic mud - one of the best in the world. There are also thermal springs at this resort. Even hypertensive patients can swim in them - the healing water will only lower blood pressure. Those who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract should go to Vrnjacka Banja. Acquired diabetes and female infertility are also cured here. That's why you should first visit the balneological resorts of Serbia. Holidays at sea will only strengthen the healing effect.
Food and wine tours
You can taste prosciutto, pleskovica, various bureks with a good glass of lozovaci or kajsievaci as part of the “Serbia + seaside holiday” tour. Photos of travelers often show colorful feasts in authentic restaurants. However, to create a real feast for the stomach, you need to go on a special gastronomic tour around the country. These are organized from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The tour lasts only five days. The trip costs twenty-nine thousand rubles. The package includes flights to Belgrade, accommodation in a double hotel room with breakfast, four bus excursions around Belgrade plus Novi Sad, Topola, Oplenac, wine tasting and various types of raki. The highlight of the program are lunches and dinners in the best restaurants in Serbia with an authentic atmosphere and live music. At the end of the tour, each participant is given a bottle of wine. It should be said that Serbian cuisine is mainly meat-based. It's hard to be a vegan in this country. The most common appetizer is "mixed meso". She imagines a dish with at least half a kilogram of different types of meat. There is lamb, cevapchichi (homemade sausages), chicken, pork and beef. This portion, which will cost five to twelve euros, can be overcome by drinking about a liter of young Serbian wine.