Planning a trip to the Balkans and wondering what kinds of wildlife you might encounter? With vast swathes of undisturbed forests and wetlands, the peninsula is teeming with animals which are rare, if not extinct, in the UK. Despite being popular for the beaches, Albania is actually two-thirds forests and mountains. Across the border in Montenegro, Europe's most mountainous country, lots of nature hotspots are under environmental protection. They include Lake Skadar National Park which is on its way to becoming a UNESCO biosphere and joining the Amazon of Europe. Serbia, Kosovo and Croatia equally boast their fair share of natural habitats. So, in short, the Balkans is the place to visit for wildlife sightings in Europe. Sadly though, there’s a way to go before proper protection is in place for many of the species listed below, meaning they’re at threat of dying out due to human activity (read: damming, deforestation and pollution). That’s why we’re on a mission as a travel company to support vital conservation efforts in the region by donating to our chosen local NGOs through our Book to Give Back scheme and touring responsibly. So, without further adieu, here are just some of the fantastic wild animals you could see (or hear) in the Balkans. 1. Dalmatian Pelican It’s the world’s largest member of the pelican family with a wingspan of three metres and weighing around 9.5 kg respectfully, the Dalmatian Pelican is also the world’s largest flying freshwater bird. A lot of work is being done to protect these remarkable creatures in Montenegro and Albania, particularly in Lake Skadar National Park (where we run Villa Miela), which has a sizeable population of roughly 300 pelicans. You’ll also find them in large numbers on Lake Prespa, shared by Albania and Greece, which you can visit on
Planning a trip to the Balkans and wondering what kinds of wildlife you might encounter? With vast swathes of undisturbed forests and wetlands, the peninsula is teeming with animals which are rare, if not extinct, in the UK. Despite being popular for the beaches, Albania is actually two-thirds forests and mountains. Across the border in
Here at Undiscovered Balkans, we consider ourselves connoisseurs when it comes to Balkan food (see previous blog post), but Macedonian-British author and recipe developer Irina Janakievska's knowledge is unmatched. Since 2011, she's been on a culinary journey to discover the history, intricacies and origins of traditional foods found in the region for her debut cookbook, The Balkan Kitchen. Born in what's now North Macedonia (former Yugoslavia), Irina moved to Kuwait with her mother in the late 1980s to escape the violent breakup of Yugoslavia. In 2001, Irina moved to Britain to study at the London School of Economics, graduating with a Masters and securing a job as a solicitor. She left the corporate world in 2020 to pursue her passion for Balkan cuisine and train at the Leiths School of Food and Wine. Irina has since contributed her knowledge of Balkan food and culture to the likes of The Guardian, Foodnetwork US and Whetstone Magazine, among others and in 2023, The Balkan Kitchen was shortlisted for the Jane Grigson Trust Award. It landed on shelves in October 2024, so we caught up with Irina to find out more about the history behind the recipes and what dishes you should try when visiting the region. How would you sum up Balkan food in three words? Rich, vibrant, diverse. What inspired you to write The Balkan Kitchen? We can tell it was a labour of love with so many personal stories, anecdotes and photographs to accompany the recipes. After my grandmother tragically passed away in 2011, I was in her apartment in front of the bookshelf that held our family’s most treasured books and happened to pick up a copy of her 1956 edition of Veliki Narodni Kuvar (Great National Cookbook) by Spasenija Pata Markovic, with its fading olive-green cover, torn but lovingly
Here at Undiscovered Balkans, we consider ourselves connoisseurs when it comes to Balkan food (see previous blog post), but Macedonian-British author and recipe developer Irina Janakievska’s knowledge is unmatched. Since 2011, she’s been on a culinary journey to discover the history, intricacies and origins of traditional foods found in the region for her debut cookbook,
Travelling to the Balkans for the first time and wondering what foods you should try? We’ve got you covered. From burek to rakija, you’ll find these traditional Balkan foods, accompaniments and beverages widespread across the region. Tick all of these off and you're only just getting started, so be sure to go with a good appetite. Is Balkan food Turkish? This is a question we've seen floating around a fair bit. With much of the region formerly part of the Ottoman empire, Balkan countries have inherited lots of Turkish dishes such as baklava and sarma. And Bosnian coffee shares similarities with Turkish coffee (although don’t say that to a Bosnian if you don’t wish to offend). But it’s not just Ottoman dishes that have made their way onto the Balkan menu over time. You can also find typically Austro-Hungarian dishes like schnitzel and goulash. And some things, like rakija, are Balkan through and through. 1. Burek Burek has been a staple across the Balkans since its introduction by the Ottomans in the 14th century and it’s the ultimate comfort food. It’s made of thin layers of filo pastry filled with savoury ingredients, rolled into a spiral, and baked until golden. Popular fillings include spiced meat, a cheese similar to feta, a mix of cheese and spinach, or spiced potatoes. 2. Kajmak Kajmak ("kai-mak") also known as sarshir or qashta/ashta, is a rich, creamy dairy product similar to clotted cream. It’s traditionally made from the milk of water buffalo, cows, sheep or goats and is popular not only in the Balkans, but Western and Central Asia and Turkey. Kajmak is traditionally eaten with meat dishes like 'cevapi' mince kebabs, or as a filling in savoury pancakes. 3. Sarma / Dolma Dolma (more commonly referred to as Sarma in the Balkans) refers
Travelling to the Balkans for the first time and wondering what foods you should try? We’ve got you covered. From burek to rakija, you’ll find these traditional Balkan foods, accompaniments and beverages widespread across the region. Tick all of these off and you’re only just getting started, so be sure to go with a good
Looking for a sunshine escape in Europe in October? Croatia, Albania and Montenegro all get a decent amount of sunshine and there are other advantages to visiting the Balkans at this time – fewer crowds, it’s cheaper, ideal temperatures for walking holidays, plus it’s rakija season, meaning ample opportunities for tastings. It’s also time for religious festivals such as All Saints Day on 1st November, when Catholics place flowers and lanterns on the graves of their relatives to celebrate their lives (in a similar way to Mexico’s Day of the Dead) before heading home for a big family get together and feast. You will see people in Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia preparing for this in the last week of October and there will be flower stalls everywhere. Photographers will be familiar with the term ‘golden hour,’ the periods just after dawn and before dusk when the sun is low and gives off a soft, golden hue. Well, October in the Balkans is like a month-long golden hour. In fact, our Kosovan guide Edo says it’s his favourite time of year to hike in the Accursed Mountains because of the sunlight and gentle heat, the reddening forests and the fresh autumnal smells of nature. There’s just a couple of reasons to visit the Balkans in October and if this sounds like a bit of you, read on for trip inspiration and a country-by-country breakdown of the weather conditions. £100pp off ALL autumn holidays From hiking in Albania to painting and wild swimming in Montenegro, get your October holiday for less with £100pp off all holidays in September and October. Browse holidays Croatia in October It doesn’t get much better than watching the autumn sunshine rise and set over the Adriatic – and that’s exactly what you can expect from our seven-day
Looking for a sunshine escape in Europe in October? Croatia, Albania and Montenegro all get a decent amount of sunshine and there are other advantages to visiting the Balkans at this time – fewer crowds, it’s cheaper, ideal temperatures for walking holidays, plus it’s rakija season, meaning ample opportunities for tastings. It’s also time for
Believe it or not, the city walls of Ston are actually bigger and more impressive than Dubrovnik’s, yet hardly anybody knows about this Croatian town. Just a stone’s throw from the tourist trap lies the two-part town of Ston, a fortified settlement promising glorious Adriatic views, crumbling medieval architecture, delectable seafood and fine wine. Ston is located on the Pelješac Peninsula, around an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik and two hours from Split. It’s known for its 14th century city walls which are considered Europe’s answer to China's Great Wall, and world class oysters. Ston is also located in Croatia’s wine country, meaning you’re in the right place for a tipple. Ston has two parts: Ston, sometimes referred to as Veliki Ston (“Great Ston”) and Mali Ston (“Little Ston”). The best things to see and do in Ston Ston old town Much like Dubrovnik, Ston teeters on the edge of the Adriatic, making for a picturesque spot for a coffee while you plan your next move. Take a wander through its medieval streets and see what you find or book an excursion such as an oyster tour. Don't miss a visit to Ston Fortress (pictured above). Ston City Walls The mighty Walls of Ston (Stonske zidine) is Europe’s largest remaining fortification system and the world’s second largest after the Great Wall of China. Built between the 14th and 18th centuries to protect the city from threats in Dubrovnik, the walls spanned 7km originally (it’s now 5km), connecting the two sides of the city by a 3km wall clinging to the hillside. You can pay to walk the walls (which includes the crossing between the two towns) and enjoy aerial views of the settlements and ocean. Along the way, look out for its three forts (Veliki Kaštio, Koruna, and Podzvizd), seven bastions
Believe it or not, the city walls of Ston are actually bigger and more impressive than Dubrovnik’s, yet hardly anybody knows about this Croatian town. Just a stone’s throw from the tourist trap lies the two-part town of Ston, a fortified settlement promising glorious Adriatic views, crumbling medieval architecture, delectable seafood and fine wine. Ston
Wait what? Balkan countries produce wine? Yes they do, as it happens, and some are not just good. They're VERY good. Wine season is fast approaching and we just so happen to have holiday bases in two of the finest wine countries in the Balkan region: Croatia and Montenegro. In late August and September, it’s busy on the vineyards as vintners begin harvesting, but they’ll always welcome visitors. On both our week-long adventure near Dubrovnik in Croatia and our original crowd pleaser holiday at Villa Miela in Montenegro, we’re surrounded by family-owned vineyards which offer tours and tastings. If you’re joining us on a trip at this time of year, know that you’ll certainly get a chance to sample something grape. Read on for a taste of Balkan wines. Dingač Croatian wine Croatia is best known for full bodied red varieties which grow mostly along the coast in Dalmatia, the most famous being Dingač. It’s found in the steep hilly subregion of the same name on the Pelješac peninsula in Southern Dalmatia. Dingač is not a grape variety itself, it’s made from the Plavac Mali (‘little blue’) grape of Dalmatia. It was officially protected under Croatian law as a premium wine in 1965, but the tradition of winemaking in the Dingač region goes back centuries. Likened to a Mediterranean wine, Dingač is big, fruity and tannic, so it’s a perfect pairing to those hearty meat dishes and strong cheeses. On our week-long Croatia activity holiday, we have a sip and cycle day around the vineyards of Dingač. It’s a wonderful cultural experience with epic views of the vines against the backdrop of the Adriatic. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for travel inspiration and offers on holidays in the Balkans Vranac & Krstač of Montenegro Lake Skadar is Montenegro’s wine country
Wait what? Balkan countries produce wine? Yes they do, as it happens, and some are not just good. They’re VERY good. Wine season is fast approaching and we just so happen to have holiday bases in two of the finest wine countries in the Balkan region: Croatia and Montenegro. In late August and September, it’s
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