Montenegro - there is no place like mountains

While you may think that Montenegro is still an inseparable part of Serbia, it is not correct. Certainly, it was once, but now all they share is a similar geographical position and conditions. Montenegro is an independent and sovereign country these days, and it has to offer a lot of magnificent attractions both for local and international travellers. The name of it is translated as ‘Black Mountain’, since its territory is overwhelmed with mountains. This country is successfully on its way to become a member of the European Union, though the economy is still in developing state. Tourism is one of the greatest components of the current and future economic growth, and a lot of expenditures and investments are aimed to maximize its potential. There is a certain amount of Montenegro apartments available to make your stay absolutely comfortable and enjoyable.

You may be an experienced traveller or just looking for the best destination for your first journey, but it is well worth to read our brief advices on travelling Montenegro before approving a final plan.

Generally there are two main periods in Montenegro tourism determined by the amount of sun and snow – summer means coastal tourism, and winter defines recreational and ski holidays. But with such an abundance of nature and cultural heritage left by numerous epochs of the history of the country there is simply no way to spend all of your time lying on the beach or climbing the crests. Nearly anything you may wish for can be found in Montenegro. Inland lakes and rivers, 73 kilometers of beach and pleasant Adriatic Sea, breathtaking mountains and deep canyons – make the most of it in one day or stretch your excitement for the whole vacation. And the historic monuments scattered throughout the country will inevitably draw your attention. The best sights to see are the Ostrog Monastery above the Bjelopavlic valley, the Bay of Kotor, the Mountain of Lovcen, Skadarsko jezero – the Skadar Lake, Durmitor National park, the Tara River and many others.

The place of indescribable beauty and exquisite nature is mountain Durmitor, which was proclaimed a National Park in 1952. It stretches from the mountain massive of Durmitor along with the canyons of the rivers Tara, Susica and Draga to the canyon valley of the river Komarnica. There you can come across evergreen forests, as well as glacier lakes and daunting peaks. Tara River canyon is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. A town of Zabjak is in the center of this mountain range, and it is the highest town in the Balkans, located at the altitude of 1456 meters. It is the best place to visit in winter.

The city of Budva is one of the most important centers of tourism. This is partly due to the availability of marvelous beaches and on the other hand because of its rich national heritage and cultural memorials. The narrow streets and squares of the Old City are a home to many great churches and monasteries, such as the Churches of Sv. Ivan and Sv. Bogorodica and Stanjevici, Podostrog, Rezevici and Gradiste monasteries. You can enjoy approximately 182 days of warm sun on Budva beaches, leading of which are Mogren, Ricardova glava (Richard’s head), Pizana and some others. The high cultural level of Budva is a result of the influence and mixture of diverse cultures from neighboring nations. To enrich yourself with the experience of the authentic legacy of the city you should stay in Budva vacation rentals, where hospitality and ease combine with natural Montenegrin mentality.

There are nearly not enough words to describe all the attractions of this wonderful land. Montenegro is delightful in any time of the year, no matter what your tastes and budget are.

Serbia - a sway of charm and hospitality

The purity and naturalness of Serbia is what makes this corner of Europe so outstanding and unique. This is where you can meet hospitable and kind people, taste wonderful cuisine, marvel at the majesty of the mountains and explore vast forests. The country which witnessed a democratic revolution second after France is now a developing European state, which steadily makes its path towards the full-scale participation in the community of Europe. It has been a part of several countries and unions during its long history, and the most recent change was the separation of Montenegro in 2006. Nevertheless it is a charming country and an attractive place to visit since it has preserved its originality and genuineness. As for tourism opportunities, first of all you can check our section for houses in Serbia.

Right after that we suggest you to read some travel information about wonderful Serbia. Though it is a welcoming country, some customs and interesting places may still remain a surprise.

Being very warm towards foreigners, Serbian people show their friendliness and generosity in a number of ways. Usual greeting is a handshake, no matter which gender is the person you meet. But if you wish to show a bigger affection, then it would be normal to kiss three times on the cheeks when seeing. Certainly, it is not mandatory to deliver all the three kisses each time, one or two and a good hug is also enough. A typical Serbian host would never allow a guest to pay a bill for food and drinks, because it is a common practice to handle the expenses while a person stays. And finally you can have a night out on any day you wish, if you don’t have any urgent matters the other day, of course. You are limited neither by your taste, nor by your budget. Moreover, it all doesn’t end when early morning comes, as you can join any company in search of some freshly grilled meat or burek – baked or fried filled pastries.

The diverse geography of Serbia is one of its main attractions. Numerous nature sites, caves, rivers, lakes and national parks are the pearls of Serbia. Seven caves are proper to visit by tourists, but no entry is allowed without an expert guide and speleological equipment. Among them are Resavska, Zlotske Pećine, Bogovinska and several others. The lakes present a perfect place for relaxation and fishing. Mainly attractive are such of them as Srebrno Jezero, Belocrkvanska Jezera and a couple more. As in any country, national parks of Serbia are valuable preserves of its natural treasures. There are five of them: Đerdap, Fruška Gora, Kopaonik, Šar-planina and Tara. They are all administered and maintained by different public companies.

Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is a fantastic city, which is full of visitors in any time of the year. Great variety of tourist attractions forms an unrepeatable image of the city that combines old Slavic traditions and modern European tendencies. A lot of monuments, cafes, restaurants, museums, shops are situated on the both banks of the Danube River. You can see the whole city from the hilltop of the Avala Monument. The main of the sights are Skadarlija, the National Museum and adjacent National Theatre, Zemun, the Kalemegdan Fortress, Knez Mihailova Street, the Parliament and many others. Surely, a lot of time is required to enjoy Belgrade at its best, so it is worth to take advantage of some of Belgrade vacation rentals.

Serbia is one of the most authentic and self-contained European countries. Its rich history and easygoing mentality of the people are the things that make it openhearted towards all the guests.

Macedonia - land of churches and mountains

Macedonia, one of the youngest independent countries in the world, is enriching the European continent with its unrepeatable mentality and picturesque landscapes. Parted from Yugoslavia back in 1991, it has since demonstrated significant economical growth. The country is a candidate for the European Union, which indicates that a level of life is due to grow inevitably. Apart from the economy issues, Macedonia is a very beautiful and hospitable country. A lot of places to see and to be awe-inspired! The lack of any sea coast is easily filled with marvelous mountain ranges, which form the natural boundaries of the country. And there are also three large lakes that are shared with Albania and Greece by the borders. Macedonia vacation rentals can be very useful when you decide to experience the magnificence of this state.

Every little piece of the country’s territory is filled with attractions, and no wonder you can feel lost after some time. Read some tips we have carefully picked for you in order to plan your journey effectively.

The mountains are nearly the main natural places of interest in Macedonia. They can be ousted only by the lakes. Stretching along the borders of the country, the Šar Mountains, the Osogovo–Belasica mountain chain, or the Rhodope range, and the Vardar River outline a great valley in the centre, which represents Macedonia in geographical way. The first thing to enjoy in the mountains is alpinism, since there are 14 peaks higher than 2000 meters in the country. And if climbing is not your way of exploring the mountains, you can still discover deep caves, ski, paraglide or just relax in the small and friendly mountain villages.

Macedonia is a very cultural and traditional country, and the outstanding heritage is the best assurance. Religious sites have the major position in the country. Some of the old churches and monasteries have preserved Byzantine fresco paintings, which were created between 11th and 16th century. Most of them are the masterworks of the Macedonian School of ecclesiastical painting. You may have heard about the churches of St. Sophia and the Holy Virgin of Perivleptos in Ohrid, the church of the Holy Saviour in Skopje and others. As a certain percent of the population is Muslim, there are pieces of great oriental architecture too.

One of the most prominent sites in Macedonia is Lake Ohrid. It is the largest one in the country and one of the deepest in Europe. It is claimed to have emerged about two or three million years ago. There are a lot of historical and cultural attractions, such as a restored Roman amphitheatre, that provides great acoustic for music festivals. According to the legend, there were 365 churches from the 4th century and onwards. And after all it is also a great waterside resort. Just see our Ohrid vacation rentals section and start planning your trip!

Such a small piece of land as Macedonia can keep you busy the whole vacation, and still you will see only a part of what it has to offer.

Albania - the heart of the Mediterranean

Though Albania is one of the smallest countries in Europe, nevertheless it is an active participant of many of the European organizations. Its economy is quickly growing, and the country has all chances to become a member of the European Union in the near future. But that is not the main fact which makes it an especially attractive place to visit. Situated in the centre of Mediterranean region, washed by Ionian and Adriatic seas, still partly untouched by globalization, Albania is a result of the exciting fusion of the ancient European civilizations and cultures. Very few countries can boast such uniqueness, and it can be understood why it is considered one of the world’s most interesting getaways.

You will get much more enjoyment from your Albanian trip if you spend just about ten minutes reading the information we selected about the country.

The unbelievable hospitality of the people descends from the traditions of courtesy dating as far as 15th century, and in some ways even earlier. A guest is shown the highest respect; he is seated at the head of the table. If you are lucky enough to be invited to the Albanian house, you will be treated with warmth and generosity. And there is a high chance of it with rental property in Albania provided by our website. Being truly friendly and helpful towards the foreigners who visit their country, the Albanians do have a custom, unusual for the rest of the world – they shake their head if they mean “yes”, and nod it to say “no”. That is nearly the main thing to be remembered while staying in this country.

The sea coasts of Albania are also one of the reasons of the country’s great popularity. Ionian and Adriatic shorelines both have their distinctive features. Since there are few river deltas at the former, the coastline is rocky there, and the waves can be up to 4 meters. The latter starts from the delta of Buna River, and the combination of the deltas of the largest rivers makes its waters shallow. The Adriatic coast provides a great opportunity for nature lovers and eco-tourists, while the Ionian shore will surprise you with small beaches and secluded bays, often being hard to reach.

Gjirokaster, the Town of a Thousand Steps, is a well-preserved medieval town, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. It is situated in the valley between the Gjere Mountains and the Drino River. Since it lies close to the border, it was also an important outpost, which witnessed many historical events. Once it even was a capital of the short lived Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus. The town itself is a museum, and the landmarks can be seen on every street. You may even stay in one of those, if you look at our Gjirokaster vacation rentals section.

Nobody can stay insensitive to Albania after visiting it. The people, the history, the small towns – all of it catches your eye and your heart right from the beginning of your journey!

Castles and dreams - it is all Poland

Despite being in the socialistic camp for a long time, Poland is now a wealthy member of the European Union and a beautiful country by itself. All those little villages residing alongside the freeway have a unique look and atmosphere. The level of life in Poland has been steadily increasing since obtaining independence, and nowadays it is not only a great state to live in but also a popular tourist destination. The rich history of Poland left behind plenty of sights, cultural heritage of which is of great value to the nation and an excellent attraction for visitors. If you are intrigued by a Polish vacation then our Poland accommodation section is for you.

But before you start off exploring centuries-aged castles and medieval cities, here is some information to help you feel more confident in your journey.

As it was already said, there is a large multiplicity of castles in Poland. Actually the number of castles is about 500, and almost each of them offers a good portion of attraction and entertainment. The most significant one is Malbork castle. Built by the Teutonic Order, it is the largest brick castle in the world and one of the most imposing in Europe. Nowadays its rooms display Teutonic life in the times of Order existence. Every year “Siege of the Malbork Castle” occurs, which is a great festival with a lot of activities and performances.

Though ‘Poland’ means ‘land of fields’, and there are many plains as well, the southern region of the country is a home to the gorgeous Tatras Mountains. Travelers who seek action and adventure are welcome. The others shouldn’t miss it too, as it is a striking sight, and you will be astonished without even having to climb it. The perfect place to start exploring the mountains is the town of Zakopane, situated in a lovely valley. There are Zakopane vacation rentals on our website too, make sure you will check them after reading. The Tatras are the part of the Carpathian Mountains, which are a 1500 km range throughout Eastern and Central Europe.

The capital and the largest city of Poland is Warsaw. It stands on the banks of Vistula River. The city suffered great damage during World War II, but was completely rebuilt. The Old Town forms an outstanding contrast with a modern part of Warsaw, and over 80 parks of the city are a wonderful place to take a stroll in summer. A hefty multitude of sights and attractions pervade the Polish capital, and it is up to you to see most of them, if not all. With our Warsaw vacation rentals it has become more than possible.

A complicated way of the state of Poland throughout medieval and modern history led to a formation of a prospering republic. Being the fourteenth most visited country by the foreigners, it is sure to make you awe with admiration and delight.