STUDY TRIP to SERBIA 24 / 25 APRIL – 3 MAY 2015 Serbia has always straddled East and West, not only in a geographical sense, but also politically and culturally. At first, Serbia found itself between the Byzantine and Roman empires, then it became a frontier between the Ottoman Empire and the Christian West. This centuries-long position in the path of conquering armies from both sides has led to constant migrations and the mixing of populations. And during communism the inhabitants of this region were somewhere between the Warsaw Pact and NATO. The result is a multiethnic, multicultural and multiconfessional society in Serbia… YOU’RE VERY WELCOME TO JOIN THE TRIP AND SERBIA DISCOVERING! Cost: 200 EUR + 400 PLN* *The price may change depending on the number of people participating in the trip. This is the highest estimated price for a group of 15 people. Places limited. After the deadline for signing up I will let you know the exact amount. The price includes: transport accommodation + breakfast tour guides, as well as possible entrance tickets to the places and events honey & wine degustation in Sremski Karlovci local transport in the city when necessary travel insurance If you want to participate in the trip, please stop by the CES student office by Thursday, March 26, 2015, 2.00 p.m. to pay your 50 EUR non-refundable deposit, which will secure your spot. Please be advised that if you wish to withdraw from the trip this deposit will not be refunded (no matter for which reasons). If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me: [email protected] DRAFT PROGRAM Friday 24th /Saturday, 25th April . The City of Subotica is located on the north of the Republic of Serbia, along the main Kraków - Subotica and Palić lake European corridors and between two rivers: the Danube and the Tisa. Rich cultural heritage assets, lavishly decorated buildings, multicultural spirit and European charm – Friday, 24th April these are the features that make this city distinctive. Check out more: 10:00 p.m. departure to Subotica, Serbia – overnight ride http://www.visitsubotica.rs/en Saturday, 25th April ~ 10.00-10.30 a.m. arrival in Subotica Palić lake - the resort, located just at the outskirts of Subotica. The famous tourist /check in at the hostel / brunch at the local restaurant destination in Serbia has been a trendy health resort with long tradition dating back to the 1845, when the first baths were built for commercial use. The lake itself is anchored 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. walking tour around Subotica, visit to the Town by Great Park, a unique ambient, where natural values and architectural heritage make Hall, Town Square, Cathedral, city fountains, Palace of Ferenc an overall harmony. Check out more: http://www.palic.rs/en Rajhel, Synagogue and Korzo Street 4.00 p.m. Picnic-Play-Relax time at the Palić lake! self-tour of the main Art Nuoveau architecture style attractions there: Water tower, Great terrace, Woman’s lido, monuments and promenade. optional: visit to the second biggest ZOO in Serbia which is a botanic garden at the same time, placed near to the Palić (http://www.zoopalic.co.rs/index.php/publisher/articleview/frmArticleID/13/) ~ 7.00 p.m. back to the city / free time Sunday, 26th April . Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is the third largest city in South-eastern Europe after Istanbul and . Athens. Just over 1,700,000 people live in it. Belgrade is a city with a tumultuous, but also Subotica - Belgrade frequently tragic past, primarily due to its unique position at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, on the border between the East and the West. Along these rivers the many different faces of Belgrade can be seen, from 10:00 a.m. departure to Beograd Middle European in Zemun to – Novi Beograd – the socialist city built upon Le Corbusier’s 1:00 p.m. check in at the hostel / lunch break principles and to old Belgrade, springing from the old Ottoman town and retaining that spirit into 3:30 p.m. walking tour around Belgrade and its main sights: the twenty first century. This city, living through Belgrade Fortress with magnificent view on confluence of Sava to and surviving numerous wars and destruction Danube River and Zemun town, Kalemegdan park, the oldest during the centuries had a number of symbolic restaurant in Belgrade named "?", Orthodox Cathedral church, names, such as: House of Winds, Combat Hill, National Theatre, National Museum, Belgrade University, the Thinking Hill, House of Freedom…Check out more: main pedestrian zone of Knez Mihailova Street, City Hall, State http://www.tob.rs/en/index.php Parliament, and much, much more. The old, bohemian quarter of Belgrade, 7.00 p.m. Free time / dinner in the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija, arose during the late 19th and Belgrade, Skadarlija / evening in the city early 20th century when its inns were the gathering place of the best known names in Belgrade. It is frequently compared to the Montmartre of Paris, both in appearance as well as the exuberant and dynamic artistic atmosphere. Monday, 27th April . Belgrade The Cathedral of Saint Sava (Hram Svetog Save) is the largest Serbian Orthodox church, the largest Orthodox place of worship in the Balkans and one 10.00 a.m. visit to Cathedral of Saint Sava, Belgrade of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. It is located on the eastern part of the Svetosavski Trg 11:00 a.m. free time in the city square on the Vračarski Plato in Belgrade. It was raised on the spot where it is thought that in 1595 3:30 p.m. study meeting TBA* Sinan-Pasha burned the relics of Saint Sava, founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. This 5.00 p.m. departure to Zemun district, self-tour around and memorial cathedral is an organic component of dinner at local restaurant Belgrade’s contemporary skyline, and one of its key features. *Study meetings During our stay in Beograd there will be two study Once a separate town, Zemun has been a municipality meetings, I’m still working on that, possibly it will be: an European within the city of Belgrade since 1945. People have Integration Office . settled the area of Zemun as far back as the Neolithic, using the favourable position of the river banks and founded a settlement known in Celtic and Roman times as Taurunum. The highest spot, providing a view of the entire Zemun, Danube and Belgrade, is recounted in popular tales as a settlement of fishermen, artisans and grocers, while today it is known for its cultural-historic monuments and traditional hospitality receiving numerous visitors enjoying the national cuisine and cosy atmosphere of its restaurants. Tuesday, 28th April . The Museum of Yugoslav History (Muzej istorije Jugoslavije - MIJ) was founded in 1996 as a Belgrade - Niš successor to the Memorial Centre “Josip Broz Tito” and the Museum of the Revolution of Yugoslav Nations and Ethnic Minorities. It has a collection of more than 200 000 items that illustrate Yugoslav history throughout 20th century, with the special accent on life and work of 10.00 a.m. visit to The Museum of Yugoslav History (The Josip Broz Tito. http://mij.rs/en.html Museum of Yugoslav History comprises 3 buildings: the Museum “May 25th”, the “House of Flowers” and the “Old Museum”). 11:30 a.m. free time/lunch break 2:00 p.m. study meeting TBA 3:30 p.m. departure to Niš 7.00 p.m. arrival, check in / free time Wednesday, 29st May . Niš is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and 10.00 a.m. sightseeing of the most important cultural and with around 250,000 residents is the third historical attractions in Niš: Mediana – a large 4th-century Roman largest in Serbia. It is located in southern estate; Niš Fortress – the best-preserved Turkish fortress in the Serbia, at the crossroads of the most important Balkan and European routes connecting Europe central Balkans, built in 1723 and containing the remains of with the Middle East. In Roman times, Niš was Roman Naissus in its foundations; the Skull Tower (Ćele Kula); a powerful military stronghold in which one of Čegar, where a monument stands on the site of the battle the greatest rulers of the Roman Empire, between Stevan Sinđelić and the Turks; the Monument to the Flavius Valerius Constantinus, better known as Liberators of Niš – erected in 1937 in memory of the fight for the Constantine the Great, was born in 274. The liberation of Niš city became an important economic, military and administrative centre under his rule. 2 p.m. lunch break/free time 4 p.m. study meeting / Event TBA 5:30 p.m. free time Thursday, 30th April . Novi Sad, the capital of Vojvodina, is city of nearly half a . million inhabitants and is the second largest city in Serbia. Niš - Novi Sad Novi Sad’s history dates back to the Bronze Age. The first settlements developed on the Danube’s right bank, the 1 p.m. departure to Novi Sad site of present day Petrovaradin Fortress. The city enjoyed the free royal city status bestowed upon it by Empress 4 p.m. check in Marija Terezia in the 17th century. As a result, cultural, educational, artistic life flourished in Novi Sad. Though 4.30 p.m. Guided tour of Novi Sad: Petrovaradin Fortress, the Novi Sad is a vital economic and administrative center, life monument to Svetozar Miletić, City Hall, the Serbian National is specifically relaxed here. Theatre, the Catholic church, the Vojvodina Hotel (the oldest city hotel), a walk down Zmaj Jovina (the central pedestrian street ) 7.30 p.m.