Sadly, although only a 5-hour flight away, have only managed to come every other year. And having said that, my time in Belgrade passes in a blink of an eye. This time would be no exception. I came in on an evening, left the next morning for Sicily. When we came back we were actually going to leave the next day for some Serbian travels, but had a last minute change of heart as it seemed a bit frantic and a lot to pack in (and shhh... don't tell my parents, but they need more 'rest' time now and are moving a bit more sloooooooowly as they are getting older. Knock on wood, health is still fab and they are quite active considering). So this trip pretty much left one day in Belgrade, which again, I blinked, and my dad has an action packed schedule for this minimal time in Belgrade itself.
But ah ha, a change from the norm of time in Serbia. This time, unlike the other times when we are busy visiting family friends, we decided it would be nice to see Serbia outside of people's homes or cafes in Belgrade, so planned to visit Zlatibor and around! It was a nice change of scenery and really enjoyed it and hope to explore more one day.
Soo... here I go again, went on and on about the food in Sicily, but Serbia can hold it's mark as well. I was quickly welcomed (literally, at the airport) with my FAVE fresh farm raspberries! Truly organic!
Then of course the start of Atkin's diet of cevaps and other meats, ha ha
Managed to get my fave chopska salata in, the best!
So outside of eating (haha), managed to squeeze in a smidge of Belgrade while bouncing between homes:
The famous horse where my parents met 43 years ago! Awww, and they are still like two peas in a pod, so cute!
Love the street life of Belgrade. It sounds weird and odd to say this, but anyone living in Dubai will understand, but it's actually nice to see elderly people. And also culture and "life" (musicians" on the street. 80% of Dubai is in the 20's, 30's, and 40's, no joke. So again, sounds odd, but so nice to see street life... and elderly out and about.
Our fave hotel! Hotel Mosva
Max'n and relax'n in Belgrade
Zlatibor: Soo... for YEARS, I mean YEARS, I've been hearing about this beautiful mountain area. My dad went here and brought some of his medical colleagues here 7-8 years ago, and I heard NOTHING else but what a fab time they had and the amazing nature. So needless to say, I (and my mom) was expecting something almost like the Rockie Mountains in the States. So after bus'ing it from Belgrade, we got there and both my mom and I said, "umm... soooo, where are the mountains?" Needless to say, especially in the last 2-3 years and probably starting from when my dad was there, it has majorly developed. Even our hotel was built just in Nov 2015, and every hotel around there had been built in the last couple of years (according to locals). So on one hand it's nice that it is getting tourist dollars and developing, on the other hand, my dad was super sad that it had lost its charm AND the development was eating a lot of the forest. It was my first time, so can't say I have a say, BUT I did notice immediately the fresh air, and this I loved. Okay, so we couldn't really see a lot of nature (and mind you, outside of the 'city' area of Zlatibor, it is quite mountainous and beautiful) until we left the city, buuuut still a nice change from the city, both Belgrade and Dubai. Here are some pics:
Skiing! Ah ha... food for thought, maybe could pop over here for a long weekend and go skiing!
Proscuito and kaymak, Zlatibor's specialties!
Traditional houses with the steep triangle shaped roofs because of the heavy snows
My fave palachinke! Yesssssss!
Mokra Gora, also known as "wet mountain." Yay! Finally nature! Haha. This is a quaint village that houses the heritage railway (built in 1925) that was an important between Sarajevo and Belgrade. Now a tourist train, it takes you through 22 tunnels, the most of any railway in the world, and gives history and information about the area and tunnels on the train. Loved it! (again, fresh air was scenery is gorgeous)
Drvengrad, or "Kustendorf" or even "Timber Town" or "Ethno Village." This is truly a unique village that was built by the film-maker Emir Kusturica when he was directing "Life is a Miracle." Interestingly, he has streets and paraphernalia from famous people he respects and admires, everyone from Nikola Tesla, Novak Djokovic, Diego Maradona, Che Guevara, Bruce Lee, etc. Has everything, a church, a restaurant (a few restaurants), a school, a Stanley Kubrick cinema, a gym with swimming pool, you name it! So interesting he built this and it is super unique.
Visengrad: Mehmed Pasa Sokolovic Bridge in Visegrad, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. An important city during conflict in the 1990's and made popular by Nobel prize author Ivo Andric in his book, The Bridge on the Drina.
Andricgrad, an ongoing "city" being built by film maker Emir Kustrica in honor of the famous Nobel prize writer, Ivo Andric. It is set to be a cultural capital for arts. Super interesting and for sure is going to be the next big thing ... very soon. Even a Ritz Carlton hotel is being built, so you know it will be quite special, which it is already. Andricgrad is technically a part of Visegrad, but also Republika Srpska, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (?? still am confused by all that, will have to look it up one day).
Serbia's leading famous
Ivo Andric
My dad's hero - Nikola Tesla!
And there you have it! Sadly too quick of a visit, but I have to say, I really enjoy coming here. Serbia is quite humbling and a "real" city. Western Europe of course has culture and history, but is modernized and, well, through modern times has lost a bit of authenticity. However this neck of the woods has not, it's slowly but surely developing, but will take time and I think the Balkan charm is something special. I love interacting with the people, I would have to say every single taxi driver had something to say (sometimes a lot!) about anything and everything, and it's not glossed over, it's how life really is! I think I am more taken by this because Dubai is SUCH a bubble and quite superficial, so character, inner and outer beauty, and learning and seeing "real" life and living really is something appealing to me.
Bye bye Serbia! Hopefully see you again soon!
Bye bye nature, fresh air, and natural beauty!
Bye bye yummy cevaps (although defo need to go on a big o detox after this trip! haha).
