Serbia “A Land of Contrasts with Cities That Rock”
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S ERBIA Experience it with all your senses Welcome to Serbia “A land of contrasts with cities that rock” Serbia is a land full of surprising con- trasts that offers tourists a truly warm and hospitable welcome catering for everyody. One of the last undiscovered tourist destinations in Europe, Serbia is now on the up, charming visitors with its bustling cities, beautiful countryside and friendly, passionate people. Still unspoiled by mass-tourism, Serbia is now an exceptional destination at incredibly good value. This brochure presents highligts of Serbia’s tourist offer. It is a guide to the best destinations and most interesting attractions in Serbia, including food, wines, culture and activities. National Tourism Organization of Serbia Belgrade For centuries, Serbia’s capital city, Belgrade, has shaped itself on the banks of the Danube and Sava rivers, meandering around its jewel, the Kalemegdan Fortress. It is a city where living with charm and hedonism is a way of life. You will be hooked by the capital’s unique atmosphere. Belgrade’s culture is a mix of oriental passion combined with European finesse, which produces a unique experience for the visitor. Belgrade combines arts and culture with great architecture – both classic and modern. The city has a range of museums and galleries for those seeking to enjoy a more cultural experience: the Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Museum and the Ethnographic Museum, the Gal- lery of Frescoes and the Palace of Princess Ljubica. www.tob.co.yu Belgrade by Night Belgrade boasts some of Whether it be a night out having dinner with live music in the Bohemian Skadarlija district or relaxing the greatest nightlife to be found at one of the city’s antique cafes or in a houseboat anywhere in Europe, which includes a singing and dancing to traditional folk music or variety of performance arts enjoying the city’s burgeoning club scene of international repute, two things are guaranteed including world-class operas, – style and relaxation with friends. concerts and theatre performances – in essence there’s something What is more, Belgrade like the rest of Serbia, offers a range of restaurants and hotels that compared to for everyone’s tastes. most European cities offer great value and will not make a dent in the wallet! www.tob.co.yu Novi Sad Stretching along the banks of the Danube, Novi Sad is the elegant capital of Vojvodina. Also known as the “Serbian Athens” Novi Sad flour- ishes in education, culture, museums, galleries, libraries and theatres. Known for being a heaven of tranquillity and toler- ance, as such, the city has attracted a myriad of communities through its turbulent history. Its architectural jewel is the Petrovaradin fortress perched above the Danube. It hosts museums and art galleries, and in the summer, “Exit”, the largest music festival in southeast Europe. In Novi Sad, hedonists will enjoy immensely the Vojvodinian gourmet specialities served to the accompaniment of tamburitza orchestras playing in the background. www.novisadtourism.com Fruska Gora National Park This forested mountain in the vicinity of Novi Sad boasts exceptional wildlife and flora diversity. In the shadow of its oak and hornbeam trees, there are 17 Orthodox monasteries dating from the 15th to the 18th century. Each is a masterpiece in its own right. Hence, Fruska Gora is also known as the “Serbian Holy Mountain”. On the slopes of the Fruska Gora, orchards and vineyards delightfully stretch out providing deli- cious organically grown apples, cherries, pears, apricots, honey and some of the best tasting Ries- ling wine to be found in the country. www.serbia-tourism.org ; www.fruskagora.co.yu Sremski Karlovci Nestled between the majestic Danube and the National Park of Fruska Gora, the charming baroque town of Sremski Karlovci is a must. It has remained a spiritual and cultural centre for Serbs as it used to be under the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s rule. Here the social nobility remains and cordiality and hospitality reign in a restful environment. www.serbia-tourism.org Subotica Located at the extreme north of Ser- bia, Subotica is the Serbian gate to Middle Europe. The town is known for its multi-ethnic mix which influences its diverse cultural life today. This panonian ‘Saint Moritz’once used to attract the rich and famous from Vienna, Budapest and other European capitals. Visitors will be delighted by its numerous historical buildings in the Secession style and its charming atmosphere, in the shade of its many trees. Palic Lake Only a few minutes drive away from Subotica, it is the largest and most beautiful lake in the Vojvodina region. You will be charmed by its Belle Epoque architecture, dating from the times when it was a chic spa visited by Europe’s rich and wealthy. Horseback riding, cycling, sailing, a carriage ride through the centennial forest, a visit to the zoo or a farm in the vicinity, are some of the activities available when visiting the area. Local food is influenced by traditional Hungarian cuisine that is often served with a locally produced wine, grown in the sandy terrain near the lake. www.serbia-tourism.org ; www.subotica.co.yu Danube The second longest European waterway brings together East and West as it majestically flows through Serbia. Cruising down the Danube’s 588km, you will be enchanted by the variety of landscapes: fields of sunflowers and wheat, orchards, vineyards, bays, islands, sandbanks with lush vegetation, dense forests and fishing spots. Some of the most impressive sights are the cities of Novi Sad and Belgrade, the medieval fortresses of Smederevo and Golubac and the Trayan’s tabula marking the spot where the Roman Emperor crossed the Danube. The scenery becomes truly breathtaking as you cruise through the Iron Gate, a narrow gorge between the Carpathian and the Balkan Mountains. www.serbia-tourism.org visit www.kopaonik.net Mount Kopaonik In winter The mountain of Kopaonik, nicknamed the “roof of Serbia” is not only the highest peak in Serbia but also the country’s top ski resort of European repute. Skiing and snowboarding in Kopaonik will suit skiers of every skill level, from the beginner to the most experienced. With 21 ski runs and good dumps of snow skiing season on Kopaonik often starts as early as December and finishes as late as April. Most of the hotels have direct access to the slopes and chair lifts, which means skiers don’t have to venture too far to get started. In summer Listed as a National park in 1981, Kopaonik is famous for its natural beauty – flourishing meadows, fir tree forests, rich flora and fauna, river valleys and water-springs. It makes an ideal environment for mountaineering, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, paragliding and all kinds of open air activities. Located about four hours drive or 280 km from Belgrade and 120 km from the nearest airport in Nis, the resort hosts a series of hotels and apartments that can cater for up to 3,000 people. It is more than a tourist resort. It is a small town with a lively atmosphere, many restaurants, bars, nightclubs, casinos, shops and a convention centre. www.kopaonik.net Mount Zlatibor Zlatibor – “mountain of golden pine trees” and its resort Kraljeve Vode were once favourite destinations for the Serbian aristocracy enjoying ideal climate, romantic atmosphere, and endless fragrant meadows with medicinal herbs and pastures. Today, it is a highly developed resort with all the necessary facilities while the surrounding villages of Sirogojno and Gostilje are more involved in ethno tourism. An excursion to the Sirogojno open-air ethno museum is a visit you don’t want to miss! www.zlatibor.co.yu; www.serbia-tourism.org Sargan “An iron road with a flaring iron car carrying passengers will run across Sargan”... It is exactly the way the prophet Mitar Tarabic had breathtaking views. After the journey, don`t miss a perceived the future in the early 19th century and stop at the magic springs and the waterfalls or a visit that events have since revealed. to the surrounding village households. Sargan, 8-shaped railway road and the old no. 82 The fairy tale atmosphere charmed the world steam-locomotive are now renovated and ready to famous film director Emir Kusturica. This is where welcome you for a 13.5km long and incredible he shot his last movie and built an ethno village merry-go-round through 20 tunnels and above – a must for all visitors! www.zlatibor.co.yu; www.serbia-tourism.org Mount Tara National Park Tara was awarded National Park status in 1981 and is widely regarded as one of Serbia’s best preserved wooded mountains. The mountain is home to over 153 bird species and some of the rarest trees, including the Panciceva Omorika, the “Queen of all endemic species in Europe”. The mountain offers many leisure opportunities for visitors, including hiking and mountain biking across its four canyons whilst the Perucac and Zaovine lakes provide great sailing, fishing and swimming. Visitors to the park also have the chance to experience the famous ‘Gorusica Rainforest’ – lush rare vegetation – the only one of its kind to be found anywhere in Europe. www.serbia-tourism.org Monasteries Medieval Serbian rulers built many fine monasteries throughout Serbia, often located in the most majestic terrain – some even hidden in the mountains. In the past, Serbian monasteries were often the only refuge of Serbian spirituality. Popular among many visitors, the monasteries are a testament to the orthodox religion through the centuries. The monastery of Studenica was listed in 1986 by UNESCO as World Heritage. Zica, Sopocani, Mileseva, Ravanica, Ljubostinja, Rudenci, Kalenic, Manasija are architectural beauties.