The routes, maps, stats, and cultural information you need to safely – and happily – go running in some of the most popular destinations on the Balkan States
This BTG Regional Guide features 18 different running routes in Ljubljana, Slovenia; Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Dubrovnik and Zagreb, Croatia; Belgrade, Serbia; Sofia, Bulgaria; and Bucharest, Romania. Check out our special “Add it on!” section on Kotor, Montenegro, too!
This book is brought to you by Blaze Travel Guides, an international publisher of electronic guides for active travelers. Discover more great runs and destinations at our Amazon store or on our website at http://www.blazetravelguides.org.
Blaze’s mission is to create an internationally-accessible resource for active travelers to find the travel guides, maps, and information they need to run, bike, swim, and stay physically active around the world. We encourage our readers to maintain healthy lifestyles when traveling and we use the familiar world of physical fitness as a means to cultivate global awareness. With only a passport and a pair of trainers, we make health, travel, and international understanding more engaging and exciting than it has ever been.
You are all familiar with chineese food, mexican food, vegeterian food, and all sorts of other cuisines, but you are missing one extraordinary, traditional and ancient cuisine.
How to Cook Balkan Recipes
This region of the Central Europe has some of the best tasting dishes you’ll ever eat. Balkan food, that originates from the times of kings and medevial era is maybe new to you, but the moment you try some of local specialties, it’s gonna seems to you that, for the whole life so far, you missed some great experience.
In this guide, no matter if you are beginner or have some experience in cooking, you will learn how to prepare some delicious meals, and have fun doing it.
That best part of all is that you can cook all from this guide inside your own kitchen, or somewhere outside, no matter if its your backyard, or some wilderness.
At the same time you will connect with the ancient times, and your ancestors. In the world of fast food and take out orders, this refreshing guide will bring you closer to the sole essence of food and cooking.
By using minimum of tools, you will prepare, for yourself and your family and friends, some of the greatest dishes you ever tried before.
Surprise your senses and change the way you look at cooking with these Balkan Recipes.
From some easy meals to some more complicated, but at the same time, more delicious dishes. And as a bonus, you will get the hints about some great spots in this part of the globe if you ever decide to visit.
And I can guarantee you one more thing – you will have some laughs while reading this guide, and at the same time, learn about some local habits.
I am sure you all read tons of cookbooks or some other types of cooking guides. You will find specifics about some meal and basic technique for preparation.
For example, take Chinese food. You can go across the street and buy some guide. Or you can Google it. But you are missing one key piece of information.
The key difference between this guide and all others is that it is written by local chefs and home cooks. You can relax and start trusting your senses to cook some delicious meals for yourself and your family and friends.
30×20 Framed Print, Black Satin Frame Off-White Digital Mat. , Tupolev Tu-154 Balkan Holidays. Balkan Holidays TU154 about to land at EMA;sunny day blue grey sky. Chosen by Flightglobal. 30×20 wooden frame with digital mat and RA4 print. Finished back including brown backing paper, hanging bracket and corner bumpers. This item is shipped from our American lab.
This is a 1:200 Model Airplane from Herpa Wings of the Balkan Holidays TU154M aircraft. Formerly the Bulgarian charter airline operated four Tupolevs in this eye-catching scheme, mainly to the Bulgarian vacation destinations on the Black Sea coast.
From the assassination that triggered World War I to the ethnic warfare in Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia, the Balkans have been the crucible of the twentieth century, the place where terrorism and genocide first became tools of policy.
Chosen as one of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times, and greeted with critical acclaim as “the most insightful and timely work on the Balkans to date” (The Boston Globe), Kaplan’s prescient, enthralling, and often chilling political travelogue, Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History, is already a modern classic.
This new edition includes six opinion pieces written by Robert Kaplan about the Balkans between l996 and 2000 beginning just after the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords and ending after the conclusion of the Kosovo war, with the removal of Slobodan Milosevic from power.
The town of Hisar in Bulgaria is making a new claim to fame by healing hundreds of kidney stones, bladder stones and gallstones with water from the 22 mineral springs in the region. There is a rehabilitation hospital in the town and spa and wellness hotels have mushroomed in recent years.
Part of the old Roman wall at Hisar (Hisarya)
Hisar, founded by the Romans and once surrounded by high walls to protect the healing springs, is among dozens of resort towns in the Balkan country trying to revive their traditions in balneotherapy (the therapeutic use of thermal spas) and create a new market for tourists.
The Black Sea resorts of Albena and Pomorie in the east, and to Velingrad and Sandanski in the southwest, have new luxurious hotels which have already gained a reputation among Bulgarians and foreigners alike for the high quality of their services.
Before the fall of communism in 1989, visitors from Scandinavia, the former Soviet bloc and the Middle East were regular guests in Bulgaria’s spas which specialized in treating medical conditions varying from gout to sterility.
But in the past decade, Bulgaria marketed itself almost entirely as a cheap destination for summer and winter holidays, turning its back on its varied natural resources. The consequences of which have been to sideline the spa resorts and Bulgaria’s historical heritage.
Spa tourism has started to attract investment during the past five years, according to the Bulgarian Union for Balneology and Spa Tourism. Companies from Israel, Russia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman have already invested or shown interest.
Velingrad, a charming mountain town that boasts 80 mineral springs, has 5 star hotels with affordable prices and a warm climate. There is an ageing population in Europe that will find the availability of all-year-round spa services an attractive proposition.
Grand Hotel Velingrad
Bulgaria offers the unique mineral waters, ecologically clean locations, and a good price-quality balance. The country wants to spend more on its infrastructure so that it will be able to compete with other European tourist destinations. Bulgaria is now advertising the unique spas at fairs in Germany, the Balkans, Israel and Russia.
Sigrun Lang, president of the European Spas Association, says Bulgaria’s has rich natural resources, a long-term tradition in balneotherapy, and well-qualified specialists. It will not remain a well kept secret for too much longer.
BalkanTravellers.com 6 April 2010 | A list of the 10 most affordable holiday destinations, including Croatia, Bulgaria and Turkey, was recently published by the German-language version of the Yahoo! Travel Magazine.
The three Balkan countries were listed in the company of Malaysia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Egypt and Hungary, as places that afford good quality travel at reasonable prices.
Croatia – mentioned by the publication as an alternative to a holiday in Italy, attracts with its diverse landscape and the friendliness of its hosts, which it offers for very little money. According to the magazine, however, high season – around July and August, should be avoided in return for the months of April and May.
Bulgaria is profiled as a diverse destination, offering a range of possibilities – from the beach vacation opportunities presented by the Black Sea coast to the skiing holidays available at the Bansko mountain resort. Named as the cheapest destination in Europe, but not forever, as – the publication notes, the country is in the running to enter the euro zone.
The third affordable Balkan destination on the Yahoo! Travel Magazine’s list is Turkey, which combines beautiful beaches, fancy hotels and fine food – all at a good value for money. According to the publication, Turkey offers especially good deals for families and great shopping bargains as well.
Yorkshire Evening Post – Published Date: 22 March 2010
BALKAN Holidays has announced a new route from Leeds Bradford Airport to Sofia in Bulgaria for the winter 2010/2011 season, targeting the expanding Yorkshire ski market.
Winter 2011 ski packages to Bulgaria from Leeds Bradford are now on sale, with prices starting from £222 for seven nights departing on March 19, 2011, staying at the Castle Apartments in Pamporovo – based on six people sharing a two-bedroom apartment.
The tour operator currently operates summer charter flights serving the resorts of Bourgas and Varna in Bulgaria from Leeds Bradford.
With the addition of this new winter route Balkan Holidays will be able to offer services throughout the year.
Rupert Diggins, Balkan Holidays sales and marketing manager, commented: “We are delighted to introduce this new winter service to Sofia which opens up the popular Bulgarian ski resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo.”
Tony Hallwood, LBIA commercial director, added: “This is great news for skiers who now have a wider choice of ski destinations from their local airport. As a non-Euro destination Bulgaria is particularly attractive, offering excellent value for money.”
A city break is an ideal way to learn something of a different culture in a few days. A city break gives you a chance to absorb a new experience. The Balkan region has a diverse mix of geography, history and culture.
City breaks in the Balkans offer something for everyone no matter what your age, taste, or whether you are part of a group or travelling alone.
Here are 10 cities that could whet your appetite:-
1. Belgrade – Serbia
St Mark's Church Belgrade
Belgrade is known for being a vibrant and trendy city and has a reputation for offering a vibrant nightlife the best features of which are the barges spread along the banks of the Sava and Danube Rivers.
Belgrade boasts two opera houses, a number of museums, including the National Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also some stunning architecture
A former river island, Ada Ciganlija, on the Sava river, is Belgrade’s biggest sports and recreational complex. It is the most popular destination for Belgraders and visitors alike during the city’s hot summers.
2. Bucharest – Romania
Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Époque buildings and a reputation for the high life, which at one time, earned it the nickname of “Little Paris”.
Bucharest Old City
Bucharest has much historical charm – from the streets of the Old City Centre, which are slowly being restored, to the grand architecture of the Royal Palace and the lush green of Cismigiu Park. The city also claims a large number of museums, art galleries, exquisite Orthodox churches and unique architectural sites.
3. Dubrovnik – Croatia
Dubrovnik is one of the world’s finest and best preserved fortified cities and features two kilometres of walls, some 6 metres thick in places lined with turrets and towers, that run around the city. George Bernard Shaw said in 1929: “If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik”.
4. Ljubljana – Slovenia
Ljubljana is a charming city, the numerous parks and a vibrant cultural scene. There are numerous art galleries and museums and a mediaeval castle located at the summit of the hill that dominates the city centre.
Ljubljana Zoo covers has 152 animal species. An antique flea market takes place every Sunday in the old city. Tivoli Park is the largest park in in the city, has 3 main avenues, planted with chestnut-trees.
5. Sarajevo – Bosnia
Sarajevo is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated around the Miljacka river, commonly known as the Sarajevo River. This river is one of the main features of the city. In December 2009, Lonely Planet listed Sarajevo as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2010
A great way to get around this city is on the electric tram system. Sarajevo was the first city in Europe to have a full-time operational electric tram network running through the city.
6. Skopje – Macedonia
Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, and the Memorial House of Mother Teresa commemorates this. There are many old churches and mosques to visit for those who love history and architecture.
Many famous worldwide artists have attended the music festivals over the years. The Skopje Jazz Festival is part of the European Jazz Network. The Blues and Soul Festival in early July is part of the Skopje Cultural Summer Festival and the May Opera Evenings have been one of the most visited events in Skopje.
The City Park is home to the main museum, several monuments, small lakes, cafes and restaurants. The city Zoo and stadium are also here along with several nightclubs.
7. Sofia – Bulgaria
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Sofia
Sofia is nestled in the foothills of Vitosha Mountain, which makes it an ideal location for hiking and skiing. The city of Sofia is a lively, bustling and cosmopolitan city with many nightclubs, live venues and traditional Bulgarian taverns and restaurants. Many famous musicians have played in Sofia.
Sofia houses numerous museums and art galleries, including the National Historical Museum, the Bulgarian Natural History Museum, the Museum of Earth and Men.
The city has many places of special interest, museums and churches, and has a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Boyana Church
8. Split – Croatia
The city is located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and offers great links to surrounding seaside towns and to the numerous Adriatic Islands.
The city centre is taken up by the Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian, which is UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. Athens – Greece
Athens is home to the world famous Acropolis? The Parthenon and the other main buildings on the Acropolis were built by Pericles in the fifth century BC as a monument to the cultural and political achievements of the inhabitants of Athens. You could spend some days exploring this and it is best to start early on the hot summer days.
The Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. It is now a pedestrian area of restaurants, tourist shops, and cafes and is an enjoyable place to relax.
The National Archaeological Museum ranks among the top ten museums in the world.
10. Istanbul – Turkey
Istanbul, the historic city that stands in Europe and Asia and has the status of 2010 European Capital of Culture
Views of Istanbul
In Istanbul’s steep and bustling streets, and visitors can spend hours buying or viewing the wonderful products on offer in the markets, where bargaining is essential. The Grand Bazaar, has over 4,000 craft shops, selling carpets, pottery, jewels, and antiques in its labyrinths.
There are many monuments and historical sites including the Hagia Sophie and one of the greatest examples of Islamic architecture, the “Blue Mosque”
Be sure to take a ferry along the Bosphorus strait, and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city especially at sunset.
There are many more places in the Balkans that make it ideal for a short city break.
Balkan Holidays: The Countries of the Balkans
The Balkans is a diverse cultural and geographical region. In this are of Europe you will find, spectacular lakes and mountains, skiing and great beaches, beautiful rivers and medieval castles. In most of the English-speaking world, the countries commonly included in the Balkan region are, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Mecedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Romania. Sometimes, countries like Moldova, Slovenia and Turkey are included.
The Balkans, also referred to as the Balkan Peninsula, is a region of southeastern Europe. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains, which run through the centre of Bulgaria into eastern Serbia. “Balkan” comes from a Turkish word meaning “a chain of wooded mountains”.
The Balkan Peninsula may be defined as an area of south eastern Europe surrounded by water on three sides: the Adriatic Sea to the west, the Mediterranean Sea (including the Ionian and Aegean seas) to the south and the Black Sea to the east. Its northern boundary is often given as the Danube, Sava and Kupa rivers.
Here are some of the interesting countries you can visit in this region
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a beautiful country, bordered by the River Danube in the north and the Black Sea in the east. There are mountain ranges and sparkling lakes.
Sofia is the capital city. And on the Black Sea coast there are long hot summers with the beaches to match at Varna and Burgas.beaches Varna. If a winter holiday in the snow is more to your taste, then Bansko is the resort for you. The village of Bozhentsi in rural Bulgaria was proclaimed an architectural and historical reserve in 1964 and is part of UNESCO’s cultural monuments.
Other popular attractions include the 10th century Rila Monastery and the 19th century Euxinograd château.
Croatia
Croatia is famed for the sapphire waters of the Adriatic that gently lap onto its stunning beaches and into the secluded coves. There are medieval castles to take your breath away and eight areas in the country have been designated national parks.
Among the World Heritage Sites are the Old town of Dubrovnik, the Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian and the historic city of Trogir.
Montenegro
Montenegro’s mild Mediterranean climate boasts an average of 240 sunny days each year with some of the finest beaches imaginable. While the mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe.
The Tourism Masterplan of Montenegro (a 3 year plan started in 2007) is also paving the way for a national development program for nature based tourism, especially hiking and biking, with new infrastructure and services.
Slovenia
The beautiful country of Slovenia correctly holds the crown of the “Green Heart of Europe” it touches the Alps and borders the Mediterranean Sea.
The nation’s capital, Ljubljana, proudly shows its Baroque and Art Nouveau influence
Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A national symbol of Slovenia is Mount Triglav and the Triglav National Park named after it. It is part of the Julian Alps that supplies water to two large river systems, the Soča and the Sava, flowing to the Adriatic and Black Sea, respectively.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia has also become an increasingly popular skiing and Ecotourism destination. Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the last undiscovered regions of the Southern Alps, with vast tracks of wild and untouched nature attracting adventurers and nature lovers.
The central Dinaric Alps are loved by hikers & walkers, containing both Mediterreanean & Alpine climates. Whitewater rafting is something akin to a national pastime, with 3 rivers including the deepest river canyon in Europe, the Tara River.
Next time you consider a holiday in Europe, consider the Balkans. You will not be disappointed and it could be the start of a long-standing love for the region.
