Belgrade is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It dates back to at least 5700 BC when the Vinča culture, one of Europe’s largest and oldest prehistoric cultures, evolved there. In more recent history, the Byzantines, Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians and Yugoslavs have all put their stamp on the Serbian capital, making it
Albania may have seas as dreamy as the Maldives, beaches like Croatia and even some similarities to Greece, but there are several things that set it apart from its Balkan neighbours and everywhere else. From vast swathes of landscapes completely untouched by humans to its folklore traditions, Albania is a holiday destination like no other.
International Women’s Day is HUGE in the Balkans. It’s traditional for children to give roses to their female teachers as a token of their appreciation, while women swap messages of love and appreciation for each other. And so, we want to take this opportunity to spread the love too. You’ll know if you’ve travelled with
10 tips for travelling sustainably in the Balkans
- Inspiration, Responsible travel, Uncategorized, Wilderness
- Balkans, eco travel, responsible travel, sustainable, sustainable travel
The Balkans can be a bit behind when it comes to sustainability. For instance, you’ll see single-use plastic bags being handed out willy-nilly in Serbia or Montenegro, and a lack of understanding around how human activities can impact wildlife (ATV tours in protected areas are still not illegal here). Without coming across all preachy, it’s
Meet Vera, one of our super Montenegro guides who is most at home in the mountains – a woman after our own hearts. She hails from Žabljak, a tiny town in Durmitor National Park which also has ski slopes. Vera has been a licensed tour guide since 2017 and is a member of the Montenegrin
Emma makes up half of the duo behind Undiscovered Balkans with her husband Ben. When she’s not putting together your awesome adventures or herding children and pets, she can be found doing yoga, watercolour painting or practising her Albanian (having already mastered Serbian/Montenegrin and French). We caught up with Emma to find out more about
Ben is half of the brains behind our operation here at Undiscovered Balkans (the other half being his other half, Emma). We caught up with Ben to find out more about his life and travels before UB, why he fell in love with the Balkans… and why some locals call him Branko. Tell
Coffee is the cornerstone of Bosnian culture and has been since the Ottomans introduced it in the 15th century. But make no mistake, it is not the same as Turkish coffee. Order the latter at a cafe in Sarajevo and you’ll soon be corrected. Tasting Bosnian coffee (Bosanska kahva) is a must-do experience during your
Let’s get gritty with the real source of controversy in the Balkans… what to call a cheese pastry. The humble burek has various names across the region. Get it wrong and you risk being laughed out of the bakery (like we were in Bosnia). It’s the Balkan equivalent to the whole barm/bap/cob debate in the
9 Books to inspire your next trip to the Balkans
- Destinations, Uncategorized
- Albania, Books, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia
If you’re in search of some armchair travel or inspiration for your next trip, we’ve rounded up nine of our favourite books set in the western Balkans. Whether you’re looking to escape to the idyllic mountainscapes or understand the region’s complex past, these books will have you gripped – and perhaps even inspire you to