Tag: authentic travel

While people travel thousands of miles paying top dollar for indigenous tourism experiences, the Balkans is home to some of the richest and oldest traditions, making it the best place for authentic travel in Europe. When we say ‘indigenous’, the word often conjures an idea of traditions practiced far away in Asia, South America, or Africa – but remember that mountain communities in the Balkans have preserved age-old traditions.  Ancient culture really is alive and well here, from the elaborate 'Gelina' bridal makeup in Bulgaria and Kosovo, to the delicate crafting traditions of Sarajevo's Baščaršija. These traditions often mesh old pagan practices with Christian or Islamic rituals and local necessity. Some are recognised by UNESCO as protected intangible heritage.  In this blog, we want to answer the question: as travellers, how can we encounter these local traditions in an authentic way?  We've been looking to solve that question on our small group holidays in the Balkans, and tailor-made trips, designed around exactly these kinds of experiences. Authentic Balkan travel is possible! Here are 10 authentic cultural experiences in the Balkans that you don’t want to miss, from Serbia's kafanas to Macedonia's honey farms — all of them things we do with our guests on the ground.  And remember, the Balkans reward return visits, slow travel, and the willingness to follow an invitation wherever it leads — into a family home, a vineyard, or a festival that has been happening in the same village for five hundred years. 1. Kafana music in Serbia and other Balkan folk traditions Accordions, trumpets, double bass and violins, soulful singing— this is the folk music you find in 'Kafanas', Serbia's pub-restaurant-music taverns. The experience of going to a kafana combines eating (usually large meat platters), drinking (rakia) and singing (with as much soul as possible). It's