Balkans vibe (2nd part)
In less than a month we will start our trip in 9 beautiful countries. I have talked about a part of our planned trip some time ago and you can read it by clicking here.
As I was saying there, in this two blog posts are described parts of our itinerary as we see it before actually going. There will be another article with what we really saw and experienced there, because you know that what you want is not always the same with what will happen. In other words, out itinerary is opened to any suggestions and recommendation we will grasp during the trip,
Our itinerary is split in 3 parts : MUST SEE, MAYBE and IF WE HAVE TIME.
“MUST SEE” as you already figured it out is about the places that, well... we really, really wanna go and see.
“MAYBE” is about the places that are nice, but it’s not really necessary to visit them now, and “IF WE HAVE TIME” are places which are indeed wonderful, but we can let them for the next trip.
I did this category because I want us to enjoy the trip and have spare time for things I didn’t know about but we might encounter along the way and want to visit. We’ll hike the mountains, listen to waterfalls and do island hopping, eat local food and sleep in in small villages, where I am certainly sure that we will get recommendations of non-so-touristic places (To replace some of the locations in the “IF WE HAVE TIME” category).
If in the first post I talked about Bulgaria, Greece, Albania and Montenegro, today I will share with you our itinerary for Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia.
REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
MUST SEE
1. Ohrid
Ohrid is a wonderful Macedonian city, a seductive destination with beautiful churches and an old, brilliand castle. I am looking forward to enjoy the traditional restaurants and cafes. It’s not too big nor to small, just perfect to enjoy the macedonian traditions and the beautiful view of the lake.
2. Skopje
MAYBE
Sein Naun
On the N-E of Ohrid Lake, at the border with Albania on the list so visit is this beautiful monastery.
IF WE HAVE TIME
1. Galičica
One of the places that would love to see and enjoy is Galicica, a seductive mountrain localized at the border with Albania, near the Orhid lake and Sain Naun monastery
2. Mavrovo National Park
The largest National Park in Republic of Macedonia
3. Solviska Glava
The highest peak of Jakupica mountain. (2,540 m)
On clear days, from the peak Solunska Glava, one could even see the city of Thessaloniki, in Greece.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a really special country for me and Iuli. From the beginning of our relationship we talked and tried to find time to go and visit it, mostly because of Iuli’s passion for the Visoko pyramids. NOW is the time to really enjoying it and visit it, that’s why from all the Balkans country, here we will spend more days then in any other.
MUST SEE
1. Sarajevo
Or Jerusalem of Europe- It is the only major European city to have a mosque, Catholic church, Orthodox church and synagogue within the same neighborhood. It has a lot of history behind, this being one of the reason why it’s a must for our trip. Being the capital of Bosnia, it is also the largest city.
2. Mostar
It’s the 5th largest city in Bosnia, but one of the most know, all because of it’s beauty, nature and of course the history that is staying behind the Old Bridge, the most iconic landscape of the city. The Old Bridge, built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's most recognizable landmarks, and is considered one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans.
3. Kravice Falls
The image is saying everything
4. Jajce with Pliva waterfalls
A small town with beautiful waterfall and nature.
5. Visoko
Visoko is a small village where some time ago a pyramid was discovered. Iulian is all into this and really looking forward to go and explore what really is there, what is the real history of it and enjoy the energy from it. One of the most impressive things there is the Ravne Labirinth. We will spend here 4 or 5 days exploring the surroundings.
5. Blidinje National Park
MAYBE
1. Blagaj
Vrelo Bune and the Blagaj Tekke near Blagaj village
CROATIA
MUST SEE
1. Dubrovnik
One of the most turistic place in Dubrovnik is a beautiful city on the Adriatic Sea.
For sure it will be a pleasure for Iulian to visit, being also one of the city where Game of Thrones was filmed.
2. Pltivice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia Starting 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage register.
3. Hvar, Korčula, Mlijet, Elephiti Islands, Brac, Kornati Islands National Park
One of the things that we are going to to do in Croatia is Island hoopping. We will start in Dubrovink to Zadar.
For information about the islands, how to get from one to another, you can use this site: http://www.croatiaferries.com/
KOSOVO
In Kosovo we are going to visit one historic and beautiful city:
Prizren
SERBIA
Belgrade
So here there are, the places that are on the list of seeing, waiting for us in order to explore their nature and culture.
Time is passing and all I can think about are the beautiful culture we will encounter and the feeling of freedom that will be with me during the whole trip.
If you wanna do your own Balkan trip, here you are some websites that will make your work easy:
Via Dinarica is an awesome trail that crosses all Balkan mountains. You can find accommodation here, trips and tips about mountains and National Parks and also guidelines for your expedition. It really helped me organize the trip.
https://www.airbnb.com/ - for good priced accommodation.
If you want to search for places, but you are not satisfied with what Mr Google is offering you, try Pinterest. There I found most of the non-touristic places that we will visit.
For more info and question, please write me. I'll be happy to help you.
https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/- a trustful website for travel insurance. No matter for how long you go, you should always keep yourself safe, so travel insurance is one of the things you should do before leaving. You can also check with the companies in your country, being posible yo find in this way cheerer prices for it.
This trip will be about exploring the beautiful cultures, finding myself and strengthening our relationship even more.
Stay safe and travel more!
With love,
Bia