Serbia

Serbia has got a lot of bad press in the last few decades. Following the news you would think it is a nation of die-hard nationalists and intolerant bigots. An unfair stereotype. In fact the Serbians are warm, welcoming, and yes, also proud and stubborn. Intolerant? Judge for yourself, minarets and orthodox churches go hand in hand, Hungarian and Roma minorities are well represented, and tourists are greeted with three kisses and a glass of brandy. Traditional? If the EXIT festival in Novi Sad doesn’t convince you of the opposite, the, ehhmm, rather boisterous party scene in Belgrade might.

In short, Serbia and the Serbians don’t at all live up to their portrayal in the media. And that is a good thing. Once you have recovered from the shock, you can start discovering what there is to see and do. And there is plenty. Apart from the night club scene in Belgrade, there is also a fortress you can visit in-between hangovers. The EXIT festival in Novi Sad is held at the Petrovaradin Citadel, so you can kill two birds with one stone. Cycle along the Danube River, or go south and visit some of the monasteries that are located there. Hike in the numerous national parks or go skiing in winter. Taste wine and brandy as you get invited by all and sundry.

Once you are finished you will wonder how you could ever have been so wrong about a country. Best to shake of the ignorance right away and get a ticket to Belgrade. You know you want to!