Cool vibes
SERBIA
Serbia offers an exciting mix of east and west. It’s a destination full of character with an edgy vibe, all at the heart of Europe, says Julie Baxter
T
his February’s International Tourism Fair in Belgrade was the biggest yet with over
1000 exhibitors attending from 46 countries. A showcase for tourism products and destinations in the Balkans and Central Europe, the event has become a vital part of Serbia’s promotional activities. The event’s growing success mirrors
the expanding popularity of Serbia as a tourism destination too. Tourist offi cials claim visitor numbers topped the one million mark last year and while historically most of these have come from neighbouring countries, interest is now increasing from further afi eld and the numbers included 33,000 UK visitors. Many go for city breaks – with the capital Belgrade the honeypot destination – but 10,000 head to EXIT, Serbia’s annual music festival, which is now the second largest in Europe,
62 April 2013
after Glastonbury. EXIT is held in Novi Sad (an hour’s
drive from Belgrade), each July, in a beautiful location overlooking the Danube, and it is no wonder it draws the crowds. It offers four days of top bands on 17 stages plus an extensive dance arena, for a ticket price of just €98. There is also low-cost camping available alongside. Serbians love to party and building sales around festivals such as these can really help clinch the deal. Many festivals are small or quirky, such as a fi sh-soup or tomato festival, while others may revolve around the thriving contemporary arts or fi lm sectors. They may not motivate a trip in themselves but they certainly help ensure an authentic experience for those who go. A full calendar of events is available at:
serbia.travel/ events/ to help you plan accordingly. Key among those worth actively
pushing is the Guca Trumpet Festival, an international Balkan music festival, held every August in Guca; the Nisville International Jazz Festival, held in the grounds of the spectacular Nis Fortress each August; and the Belgrade Beer Festival, free annual festival held each August showcasing Balkan beers, which is now among the largest in Europe. Operators such as Go Serbia offer packages combining several festivals. Being outside of the Eurozone
gives Serbia a strong value message too. It has a very low cost of living so offers amazing value. A meal for two with wine averages £15; a beer is around £1.20-£1.50; and a packet of cigarettes just £1.20! Value has helped push its popularity up the city breaks chart. Belgrade is a three-hour fl ight away and has a very vibrant nightlife with 2500 restaurants, buzzing bars and cutting-edge clubs. It has a long and illustrious past and a rich cultural heritage and it is a manageable size so visitors can get to know it quickly and explore it on foot. Its distinctive character really makes clients feel they have dipped into a very different part of the world and as Serbia’s
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attractions are not widely appreciated, it also has the cache of a relatively undiscovered destination for many. Novi Sad and Nis can also be sold as good short break destinations. Beyond the cities and festivals, holidays in Serbia tend to be built around a theme. Walking and cycling tours, for example, are increasingly popular through operators such Exodus and Ramblers Worldwide. Tours can take in unique
geographical features such as the Iron Gate Canyon and bizarre rock formations of Devil’s Town; and cycle trails include The Danube Bike Trail– Black Sea route. Alternatively, target older independent travellers with Serbia’s large range of cultural assets. National treasures include the remains of nearly 40 fortifi ed medieval cities and fortresses; 18 monasteries from the Middle Ages famous for their architecture, treasuries and frescoes; and 10 signifi cant Roman sites. Regent Holidays’ Serbia specialist, Ellie Marr, fl ags up gastronomy and wine too. She says: “Travellers to Serbia are often surprised to fi nd it a haven for food and drink lovers. We recommend the Rakia Brandy
D.BOSNIC
B.JOVANOVIC
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