Interested in road tripping Serbia? Retour. Just as we were about to leave, he told me that he would marry me for free if I found a husband in Serbia. And I’m so glad they gave us time to snap away! I’m Sarah Gallo, The Five Foot Traveler, and I choose to dream out loud. Of course, having a car with a built-in GPS helped immensely! He is Serbian, but lived in Chicago for thirty-something years. The site was once one large settlement and, in the adjacent museum, one could see the skeletons found, their pottery, and sculptures. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It was a great little mountain resort. Bryan, I was able to rent a car in Croatia at the airport and drove into Bosnia and Montenegro.I really wanted to get to Macedonia and Serbia as well but ran out of time.. I slept in a combination of hotels and AirBnBs along the way — where you’d stay exactly would be dependent upon your itinerary. He was supposed to be retiring for the night, but instead, chose to wait up and talk with us, and to educate me in the orthodox religion. There were basins pooled with water, and stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Sounds like a terrific experience, Sarah. If you feel like adding one more stop to your day, drive about 30 minutes south and you’ll hit Zlatar Lake, which is simply pristine. I learned a bit about it while studying with some folks of all parts of former Yugoslavia – there is still some animosity amongst them and also toward Americans because of our involved in the 1990s. Continue Reading…. Needless to say, our Serbia road trip … They are usually located in the mountains, where the air … The town itself was fascinating, so many little idiosyncrasies. And I had two wonderful guides explaining all the history and legends of their culture, a hundred times better than any other guide I’ve had while traveling. Golubac Fortress was a medieval fortified town built in the 14th Century by the Ottoman Empire. Check out booking for the best accommodation in Prokuplje and Zlatibor. After conquering a crippling fear of flying, I’ve developed an unquenchable passion for traveling. After the train ride we made our way to Drvengrad, perhaps the most popular, or at least well known, town in Serbia, thanks to movie magic. It was definitely a highlight of my trip. You can actually buy Prolom water all over Serbia. The rock formations almost made it onto the list of natural world wonders. Thanks for sharing. As a means of saying, "Thank you," you will also receive my free eBook delivered straight to your inbox. Lepenski Vir very well may have been the birthplace of civilization in Europe! Prise de votre voiture de location, et en route pour Kotor. Belgrade to Skopje bus journey is around 7 to 8 hours, and you’ll see most of Serbia during the trip. Eventually, he approaches us and starts talking to my friend in rapid Serbian, my friend’s mouth curls up in a smile. Spend some time wandering around and learning about Belgrade. After spending time exploring the ins and outs of Sirogojno, continue further to Gostilje Waterfall. The restaurant owner, a man, starts eyeing us. reserve de bois. And I’m, once again, shocked at the friendliness of these people. I’m Sarah Gallo, The Five Foot Traveler, and I choose to dream out loud. And although he kept a joking tone, he was not joking. But, those are Serbians for you, kind beyond measure. In the cities there are always banks with ATMs where you can get money out. Planning a road trip? by Sarah Gallo | Jun 14, 2018 | Europe, Reviews, Serbia, Transportation Reviews | 8 comments. When we arrived after a long journey, I tasted slatko, a sweet cherry mixture given to people after a trip. In fact, Belgrade has had more wars on its soil than any other European capital and has been completely destroyed 44 times over its history. Sarajevo is also so packed … The Turks, upset by the loss, gathered the skulls of the dead Serbians and built the tower, trying to instill fear in the Serbian people. Here is the perfect 7 day itinerary! Dozens of candles flickered in an altar. A refaire j’y retourne une dizaine de jours pour ne pas faire trop de grosses … Take in the views before heading back to Zlatibor. It could have been awkward, being the third wheel, and messing up their romantic vacation, but neither ended up being the case. This ethno village is completely free of charge, and you can have a traditional lunch or snack there as well. The starting point will be Sofia. Pendant notre road-trip en Serbie, nous avons fait escale dans plusieurs ethno-villages qui possèdent chacun leur spécialité. Serbia is pretty awesome, great people, affordable, beautiful, not a lot of tourists. Serbians speak Serbian. Then, for a bit of local culture, continue onwards to Terzica Avila. Distance covered: 200km (approx. And it worked; although he killed about 100 surviving Serbs (all 3,000 Serbians ended up dying in battle), he also managed to kill 10,000 Turks. I solemnly swear to only send you emails related to traveling, being a digital nomad, and monetizing your blog and social media following. From Golubac Fortress, drive 30 minutes down the road to Lepenski Vir. Or, listening to my friend and his family talk in Serbian for hours and trying to figure out what they’re talking about just by hand gestures and their facial expressions. Massively outnumbered, and with the knowledge of being captured, Steven Sindjelic, a Serbian militant, shot a gun powder magazine, killing thousands of Turks, and the few remaining Serbs, to cause the enemy as many losses as possible. My other favorite part of the road trip (besides Devil’s Town) was the train ride we took around Mokra Gora. I highly recommend doing all of the free walking tours offered each and every day, as they will give you great insight into the city. You’ll finish up in Sremski Karlovci by noon, then hop in your car and drive to Novi Sad! We stopped and ate at a restaurant located in Prolom banja. The people whom Americans think are dangerous. Since we weren’t part of a tour for Uvac, nor knew enough Serbian to book ourselves tickets on the Sargan 8, we went for option one. In Serbia roads are not very good (except in some parts) and there a lots of accidents on the roads (new traffic law just been passed in Serbian … I think I impress them when I pronounce Živeli, the traditional Serbian cheers, and down my shot, wishing them all good health. Trips to Niš, Devil’s Town, Prolom Banjas, Kopaonik, Trips to Aleksandrovacka Zupa, Mokra Gora, Drvengrad, Stopica, Sirogojno. It’s incredibly charming, bright, and colorful. Prokuplje and all of the Good Serbian Food, Serbia Road Trip Prolom Banjas and the First Proposal, 4 of My Unsafe Travel Stories from Abroad, The Best 1 Day in Paris Itinerary For Travelers, 7 Magical Photos of Christmas Markets in Munich, Holiday Time: Cute Travel Gifts for Under $40, 5 of the most Magical Stories from New Orleans, 10 Most Asked Questions About Solo Travel, A Love Letter to Solo Female Travel and Women, 10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Vacation Days, My 7 Day Serbia Road Trip plus 3 Marriage Proposals, 1 Day in Lima: The Best Things to do in Lima Peru. towers ruins abandoned Then, if you plan to do the Sargan 8 train ride, we discovered that you have to book your tickets in advance, so I’d recommend having your hotel in Belgrade call and make your reservation a few days prior to arriving. I couldn’t describe how they lived. Spend at least one day in Belgrade seeing the main attractions. The busiest day of the road trip began with a trip to see a magnificent cave called Stopica pecina. If you have your heart set on seeing Slovenia, Moldova, and Kosovo, however, and are able to add a few days to your trip… It is very rare for a town and church to bear the same name, and, even rarer that the bones of St. Prokopija are located inside the church’s walls. The views from the car are amazing, I tried taking pictures through the window-some of them turned out surprisingly well. Ironically, this is how my friend and I met, lifeguarding in the US. During the Middle Ages, this was the site of many battles between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary. As we’re wandering around the resort, we encountered men selling a few trinkets and some food. Locals say that it’s the best viewpoint in the Tara Mountains. le long du danube. He presented me with parting gifts of a keychain, a small picture of Mary, and fruit from his garden. I am not a huge wine lover, but that wine was delicious, especially the red. They perform a traditional Serbian song and dance. But, at this point, I’m used to it. Since my newfound freedom, I have set foot on all seven continents, explored 114 countries, and continue to strive to live life to the fullest. The Trippy road trip planner automatically calculates the optimal itinerary including stops recommended by … They are usually located in the mountains, where the air is fresh and crisp. Gosh, there was so much good food! We took a short walk around the Banja, me still reeling from our conversation, my friend less surprised. Coming up to Belgrade from Kosovo via Montenegro, we saw much of the country and it is a beautiful place.This was my second trip to Belgrade after a 2007 visit that had me at odds with a Serbian cop who was bored and felt like busting balls. The above framework takes you through seven countries and can be done comfortably in 10-12 days. And I loved drinking in an assortment of coffee shops and spending hours just pleasantly chatting. My friend’s girlfriend and I take a walk while the men chat. While it’s not a traditionally “pretty” European city, it has its own unique vibe and style. Des grands-pères coiffés de bérets sont assis aux perrons des maisons, comme pour parfaire le décor. Thanks! It is a mountain ski resort in Serbia, which I learned is quite popular and well known throughout Europe. It was quite an experience to light a candle and pray for my family back in the US, and my uncle who died several months before, in the quietness of the church, the ritual was very moving. It was spectacular. On Day 5, travelling from Novi Sad you say: “From Novi Sad, prepare for a bit of a drive as you head to Eastern Serbia. The US is the stuff of dreams.” I shook my head. I also tried punjena paprika (stuffed paprika), musaka (3 layers of potatoes, mashed meat, and more potatoes), Ćevapi (a kind of minced meat that is served in finger-like pieces), and pljeskavica (which looks like a hamburger). I got the chance to see a skull tower in Niš. It is not an easy country to explore via public transportation, so we decided to rent a car with Auto Europe and set off on a Serbia road trip! I enjoyed my time in Belgrade. The train stopped every 15 minutes or so for people to get off and take pictures. Prolom Banja is very famous in Serbia because the water that they have is so pure. From there we visited Sirogojno, a town made up of buildings that are around 200 years old. It’s not a touristy spot by any means, but we decided to drive up the highest peak in the region to this monument in remembrance of the 5,000 soldiers who lost their lives in the battle. Depuis que nous sommes ici, nous croisons très peu de touristes (en dehors des serbes eux-même, voire de leurs voisins monténégrins ou bosniaques). A day later, we took a stroll to see the best overlook of the town of Prokuplje, and to stop by a small 10th-century orthodox church, the church of St. Prokopije, on our way. A road trip in Serbia is definitely a good idea, since public transport is not very good and the best sights are difficult if not impossible to reach without a car. I have friends from Novi Sad, whom I follow on IG but met in Macedonia; they are always showing off the delights of their cultural capital. We visited my friend’s family several times throughout our trip. We are interested in … Il nest pas toujours simple de trouver des informations en français (ou même en anglais) … While it’s not a traditionally “pretty” European city, it has its own unique vibe and style. For the next leg of our journey, we decided to splurge and spend a few nights hanging around a mountain resort called Zlatibor. Spend some time wandering around and learning about. The man’s wife snaps a picture of me (to be fair she got a picture of my friend and his girlfriend as well) and puts me on the phone with her son (who can barely speak any English). Naturally, we’re speaking in English, since I can’t speak Serbia. After an amazing European Road Trip through Switzerland with Auto Europe last year, I knew that the process would be seamless. Serbia is one of those countries where you just simply need a rental car in order to experience all that it has to offer! J’ai particulièrement aimé celui de Sirogojno dédié au travail de la laine et des … But, this road trip was something special, very few people can say they’ve taken a road trip around Serbia, but it was more than that. We sat down to coffee, and wine, and chatted a bit. Archeological findings showed that humans have been at this site since 8,000 BC! Belgrade Fortress must be included on your Belgrade itinerary! We were sitting in a little cafe in Zlatibor having breakfast. The trip made me fall in love with Serbia even more. We actually visited Manasija Monastery that same day, since it was our first stop on our road trip through Eastern Serbia, and got astonished by over 600 years old church and tall, stone … But, the Serbia road trip was spectacular. We began our day by visiting Sirogojno, an open-air ethno museum. This was our home base for the next several days. We began and ended our journey in my friends’ hometown, and the capital city of Serbia, Belgrade. All of the food was to die for; I’m sure I gained a few pounds during the trip. We may spend 1-2 days in/around Bulgaria upon return (time permitting). It was the little things on this road trip that I really appreciated. The site was once one large settlement and, in the adjacent museum, one could see the skeletons found, their pottery, and sculptures. danube bleu. My friend’s family gave us food constantly, and we were never hungry. Fiat. Including money-saving tips, research ideas, and a whole lot more to make your next trip amazing! Montenegro was a blast and truly beautiful in all aspects but with the season ending, it’s time to venture to a new destination. They gifted several bottles to us as we left. At this point, I just want to run away, but trying to be polite, we wait out the conversation until we can quietly leave. The people were poisoned, and soon a marriage was arranged between a brother and sister, an incestuous relationship. Aim to leave between 8-9am and make your way to Golubac Fortress. route du vin. You can easily spend two weeks in Serbia! Pourtant, la Serbie ne manque pas de paysages magnifiques et nous apprécions énormément ces premiers jours de voyage ! L’étendue de son territoire et la diversité de ses paysages font de ce petit pays balkanique la destination de rêve pour un road-trip … People pay a certain amount of money to stay at the Banja, and their fee includes (in addition to housing) food, and an arrangement of spa services like massages, facials, different therapies, several different pools, and steam rooms, and exercise rooms. and will reach the border of Macedonia after 5 hours. It’s not a touristy spot by any means, but we decided to drive up the highest peak in the region to this monument in remembrance of the 5,000 soldiers who lost their lives in the battle. From Belgrade, drive about an hour north to Sremski Karlovci, a sleepy little wine town. Serbia’s capital city, Belgrade, is the only European capital located at the confluence of two rivers – the Sava and Danube rivers. Novi Sad, la deuxième grande ville du pays, vous réserve également de belles … attention. Love your route! Archeological findings showed that humans have been at this site since 8,000 BC! at the border, Serbia … I had a question, where did you sleep along the way? So, there we are, in a restaurant, speaking English (which is not a common occurrence in Serbia) when this older man approaches us. Having a home base was absolutely wonderful. Finally in 1867, it was officially handed over to Serbia and remains a site to see today! Lepenski Vir very well may have been the birthplace of civilization in Europe! I got to visit Serbian wine country, or Aleksandrovacka Zupa. Meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn compensation if you click through and make a purchase. Do you think is safe for a female solo traveler to rent a car and explore Serbia? La bâtisse, autrefois habitée par des moines, da… “Light one candle at the top and pray for someone’s health, light one candle at the bottom and pray for someone who has died, in remembrance of that person.” My friend told me. End your 3 weeks Balkan road trip itinerary in the bustling capital of Serbia. Sign up to receive the most exciting updates in the travel world and to discover new destinations each month! This is commonly referred to as “the first city in Europe,” so it was definitely a necessity on our European Road Trip. the bus stops at many places. Installation pour 3 nuits dans votre hôtel, située au cœur du centre historique de la ville. It’s a beautiful property and the perfect look into what life used to be like. Upon disembarking our plane, we made our way to the car rental counter and were taken to our brand new Citroen C3 – it still had that new car smell! We made a pit stop at my friend’s aunt’s house on our way to Zlatibor. Faire un road-trip au Monténégro ? Serbia is an absolutely beautiful country that is just waiting to be explored. After exploring Belgrade for two days, take a day trip to explore Eastern Serbia. My friend is a regular historian and spent hours explaining the different tools used to make food, and describing sleeping arrangements, marriage rituals, and other contraptions and various ways of life from 200 years ago. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Sofia to Belgrade. Par contre je conseille de prendre vraiment le temps de faire un road trip. Meeting and interacting with so many Serbians, and not feeling like I was abiding in a sea of tourists. Banjas in Serbia are like spas in the US. Disclosure: I only recommend products and services that I would recommend to a friend.