Destinations!
Croatia
In Croatia, where the
Mediterranean, the mountains and the Pannonian plains come together
in a unique harmony of natural beauty, within just a little more
than a hundred kilometers, you can come across excitingly different
landscapes.
The Adriatic, with one of the most indented coastlines in Europe with its 1,185 islands and islets, of which only 66 are inhabited, is undoubtedly the most popular tourist destination. Continental Croatia, however, also abounds in beauty: it is a land of forests, rivers rich in fish, swift mountain streams and deep gorges of Gorski Kotar, and the magnificent Plitvice Lakes in Lika. It is a land of golden wheat fields, oak woods and wide rivers of Slavonia and Baranja, a land of quaint little villages, romantic castles and manors, and picturesque rolling hills and vineyards of the Croatian Zagorje.
The most popular possibilities for travel and tourism, of course, is summer tourism. You can also enjoy the benefits of rural tourism in many of the villages in the continental region of Croatia, as well as of health tourism in a number of spas and thermal and mineral springs, such as Varazdinske, Tuheljske, Stubicke and Krapinske spas, Lipik, Daruvar or Topusko in the continental region, and along the coast : Losinj, Umag, Opatija, Crikvenica, Hvar, Makarska, Vela Luka and Istarske Spa in Istria.
If you are a gourmet and a connoisseur of fine food, or simply like
tasty and healthy food, you will certainly more than enjoy Croatia.
Another attraction certainly worth exploring are Croatia's wine
cellars. Red wines are best along the coast - Teran, Cabernet and
Merlot in Istria and Opolo, Plavac, Dingac and Postup in Dalmatia.
In the coastal area, some quality white wines are also produced,
such as Pinot, Malvazija, Kujundzusa and White Muskat, while
continental Croatia produces Traminac, Burgundac, Gras¡evina and
Kraljevina.
The Central
European nation of Slovenia offers tourists a wide variety of
landscapes in a small space: Alpine in the northwest, Mediterranean
in the southwest, Pannonian in the northeast and Dinaric in the
southeast.
The nation's
capital, Ljubljana, proudly shows its Baroque and Art Nouveau
influence, and the work of native born architect Jože Plečnik. Other
attractions include the Julian Alps with the picturesque Lake Bled
in Bled and Soča valley, as well as the nation's highest peak, Mount
Triglav. Perhaps even more famous is Slovenia's karst named after
the Karst plateau in southwestern Slovenia. More than 28 million
visitors have visited Postojna Cave, while a 15-minute ride from it
are Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourism in Montenegro is one of
the main contributors to Montenegrin economy. The location of this
small Mediterranean country, architectural and cultural heritage,
diversity of landscapes and climates and relatively well preserved
nature makes Montenegro suitable for tourism.
Kotor – This region is of main interest to tourists. The Montenegrin Adriatic coast is 295 km long, with 72 km of beaches, and with many well-preserved ancient old towns. The main attractions are:
-
Old town of Kotor, listed with
UNESCO world heritage sites.
- Boka
Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), some say most beautiful bay in Europe,
with ancient small town of Perast and its islets.
- Old town
of Budva, very well preserved old town.
- Sveti Stefan, a small hamlet on an island turned into a luxury hotel.
Besides
these, every other coastal town, especially south of Budva, is very
popular among tourists, primarily because of sandy beaches and
vibrant nightlife.
Central
region
Although it
is most densely populated area of Montenegro, it has fewer tourist
attractions. Notable are:
- Ostrog
monastery, a famous pilgrimage site,
- Archeological remains of Duklja (Doclea) from Roman times
outside Podgorica.
- Skadar
lake, a popular wildlife reserve.
- Cetinje,
historical capital of Montenegro.
- Mount Lovćen, national park and Petar II Petrović-Njegoš's Mausoleum afford breathtaking views of the surrounding country.
Northern
region
Northern region is centre of Montenegrin mountain tourism. It has ski resorts, and is popular for its untouched nature. Destinations in the north are:
- Town of
Žabljak on mountain Durmitor, the most popular mountain tourism
destination in Montenegro.
- Town of
Kolašin, also popular destination, near national park Biogradska
Gora, mountain Bjelasica and ski-resort Bjelasica
- Tara
River Gorge, second-deepest canyon in the world. Tara river is a
popular rafting destination.
- Biogradska Gora, with Biogradsko Lake, a national park and
untouched virgin forest.
- The entire area of Durmitor mountain and Tara river canyon is protected as a national park.
In the heart of the Mediterranean, on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas,
Albania is fast becoming one of the world's most interesting
getaways. Still relatively unspoiled by globalization, tourists will
notice an inspiring mixture of civilizations and cultures - making
this European country truly unique.
Nestled in between Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro, and
across the Adriatic from Italy, Albania boasts blue and turquoise
seas, beautiful beaches, snow peaked mountains, rivers, lakes, and
forests. As well as stunning nature, Albanians themselves are famous
for their hospitality, and tourists are welcomed with heart-warming
generosity.
Albanian history and culture is fascinating. Butrint, one of the
world's archeological wonders - and a UNESCO World Heritage site -
in the south of Albania provides a glimpse of Mediterranean
civilization from the Bronze Age through the Greek, Roman,
Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman periods - all atop a cliff
overlooking Corfu. It's not to be missed!
Home of both Mother Theresa and the great 15th Century hero
Skanderbeg, Albania today offers not only beach and mountain
holidays, but also a vibrant city life, a relaxing outdoor cafe
culture and you will see that it's quickly evolving in a myriad of
directions.
Macedonia - that unforgettable name evoking images of ancient, great
civilizations and exotic adventure - is also a warm and welcoming
modern-day republic in the very heart of southeastern Europe.
While easily accessible from all points abroad, and boasting
all the amenities of the Western world, Macedonia remains one of
Europe’s last great undiscovered countries: a natural paradise of
mountains, lakes and rivers, where life moves to a different rhythm,
amidst the sprawling grandeur of rich historical ruins and idyllic
villages that have remained practically unchanged for centuries.
Macedonia’s geographical and cultural position as bridge
between East and West, as the crossroads between Christian Europe
and the mystical Orient, is attested to today in its inhabitants.
The Macedonian people – a mixture of ancient Macedonians and Slavic
tribes that settled here starting in the 5th century C.E. – make up
the greatest part of a country where that mixed population is a
vibrant reminder of Macedonia’s rich and lengthy history. Minority
populations include: Albanians, arriving first from mountains of
Albania and Kosovo; a Turkish population established during Ottoman
times; The Roma, hailing ultimately from far-off India; Serbs,
Bosniaks and Croats; and Vlachs, famous tradesmen and likely
descendants of ancient Romans.
In essence, today’s Macedonia is a unique patchwork of
cultures, where Balkan bloodlines have mixed with others more exotic
still. Macedonia resonates with the names of the many peoples who
have set foot on its eternal soil: from Armenians, Avars and
Ashkenazi to Hellenes, Peonians and Gorani; from Kumans,
Montenegrins and Jews to Dardanians, Ukrainians and Bulgars.
Such a diverse range of peoples has co-existed for thousands
of years in Macedonia, a place where hospitality always welcomes
visitors and it comes from the heart. And indeed, the country’s
charms have not been lost on an increasing number of Westerners
today who are now choosing it as their second home!
In addition to its diversity,, Macedonia’s cultural richness
is expressed in its archaeological legacy. Although just a little
country, it holds many antique theaters, Byzantine churches and
Ottoman mosques, in addition to relics from the Stone Age and even
earlier periods of human civilization.
The oldest traces of human habitation in Macedonia are the
cryptic, 30,000 year-old stone engravings or “rock art” unearthed in
the Kratovo area, as well as the astronomical observatory/ religious
ritual site of Taticev Kamen, dating back almost 4,000 years.
The word Macedonia instantly conjures up memories of Philip
II and his son Alexander the Great, legendary emperor of the 4th
century B.C.E. who brought great expanses of the known world under
Macedonian rule. In this period, and the Hellenistic and Roman ones
that followed it, Macedonia reached the apogee of its influence and
power. Today, many ruins remain to attest to this ancient heritage,
in the sites of cities such as Heraclea, Stobi and Skupi, strewn
with amphitheaters and temples, and decorated with intricate mosaics
and frescoes.
The missionary Apostle Paul brought Christianity to Macedonia
for the first time. Nine centuries later, his Byzantine successors
Cyril and Methodius created a brand new alphabet, the precursor to
Cyrillic, to expedite their missionary work with the Slavic-speaking
Orthodox Christians of the Balkans. Macedonia’s experience of
Christianity has thus always been linked with literacy and
education. In fact, the first Slavic university was established in
the 10th century, in placid Ohrid - famous during Byzantine times
for its 365 churches, one for each day of the year.
Today, Macedonia’s Christian heritage is visible everywhere,
from the myriad churches that fill up the landscape throughout the
country to the enormous “Millennium Cross” that lights up the Skopje
night sky from high atop nearby Mt. Vodno.
Following the decline of the Byzantium Empire, Macedonia and
the entire Balkans came under control of the Ottoman Turks.
Macedonia owes its Oriental influences to five centuries of Ottoman
rule, a phenomenon that affected everything from cuisine and
language to architecture and religion. The mosques of Tetovo and
Skopje and the latter city’s grand castle (Kale), and Stone Bridge
exemplify vividly Ottoman aestheticism.
While firmly rooted in its traditions and nostalgia for the
past, today’s Macedonia is also a forward-looking country that has
embraced its diversity and is becoming integrated within European
political and economic institutions, continually expanding its links
to the greater global community and economy. It thus provides the
curious traveler with the best of both worlds: age-old traditions,
historical treasures, and a pristine natural environment, as well as
all of the modern amenities, services and consumer goods that
today’s sophisticated travelers need. Macedonia today is an
undiscovered jewel in the heart of Europe, offering something for
tourists of all ages, nations, interests and desires.