It’s one of the most frequently asked questions about countries from the former Yugoslavia, and it’s not an easy one to answer. In fact, you can accidentally get into trouble if you’re not careful. The question is of course: ’What language do they speak there?’ What language do they speak in the Balkans? If we’re
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
I’m a travel journalist – Here’s why I’m looking at the Balkans in 2024
- Destinations, Inspiration, Uncategorized
- adventure travel, Balkans, Balkans, Balkans, Balkans, holiday
This week, we invited award-winning journalist and travel writer Laura Sanders to be a guest blogger and tell us why the Balkans are on her radar in 2024. Laura explored Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro last year. After being wowed by Mostar’s Ottoman architecture on holiday, she returned and dug deeper for assignments from Conde Nast Traveller,
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
Considering a holiday in Albania in 2024 and wondering if it’s suitable for children? Look no further. As parents of three youngsters ourselves, Ben and I can confirm it’s a fantastic destination for families. Albania offers great value for money and endless adventures on its mountains, rivers and beaches. As it’s still fairly unexplored, it’s
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
The Undiscovered guide to Sarajevo
- Bosnia & Herzegovina, Destinations, travel, Uncategorized
- Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bosnia holidays, Sarajevo
Bosnia’s historic capital is where east and west quite literally meet at a compass inscribed on the pavement in the old town. You’ll find this fusion everywhere – in its architecture, food and language. Adorned by the pine forested Dinaric Alps encircling it, there’s more to this bustling Balkan city than first meets the eye.
Nothing says adventure like a Land Rover Defender
- Uncategorized
- 4x4 adventure tours, Adventure, Kosovo, Land Rover, Land Rover Defender, Montenegro, Undiscovered Balkans
Nothing says 4×4 adventure tour quite like a Land Rover! There’s something about the classic shape that has a timeless appeal, the promise of going boldly where no VW minibus has gone before. If you want to head off into the undiscovered wilds of the Balkan back-roads, there’s only one vehicle that’s going to do