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Serbia

The first Serbian state was created during the middle of the 9th century, and eventually the Serbian empire was formed in the middle of the 14th century. In 1459, Serbia was overwhelmed by the Turks, who remained in control for just under 400 years. A revolution in the early 1800s led to the restoration of Serbian independence in 1815. In 1914, Austro-Hungary invaded Serbia following the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand leading to World War I. Serbia was on the winning side of the war, and as a result gathered all southern Slav lands (including Croatia and Slovenia) and became Yugoslavia. In the early 1990s however, Yugoslavia began to unravel, and bloody civil wars broke out in both Bosnia and Croatia as they revolted. Serbia would eventually join with Montenegro in 2002, before both declared their independence from each other in 2006.

de_0009_serbia - Serbia and Montenegro

Attractions

The best national park in the country is Fruska Gora. It is full of wineries and ancient monasteries, and has everything from vineyards and orchards to vast plains and forests. The most popular and largest spa resort is Vrnjacka Banja. It is a very popular tourist resort and it has the only mineral spa with a water temperature that matches the temperature of the human body. For those who like ancient history, visit Viminacium near the village of Stari Kostolac. It was once the provincial capital of Moesia, a Roman province in the 1st century. At the site you will find ruins of temples, Roman baths, a large amphitheatre, palaces and streets. Depending on when you are in Serbia, you may want to try going to Foam Fest. It is a spectacular musical festival that originated in 2009. Other popular tourist sites include Skull Tower, Bubanj, Tinkers Alley, and Nis Fortress.

de_0011_serbia - Church in Serbia by the mountains

Local Food & Drink

Burek is the “Balkan McDonalds” because of its popularity, and is very delicious. It is made with many different fillings including cheese, apple, spinach, cherry and meat. It is not a healthy option, however, as it is very oily. The best time to eat Burek is in the morning, as it may be sold out by the afternoon. Other popular dishes: Pecenje (roast pork), Paprikas (stew with paprika and chicken), Punjene Paprike (stuffed peppers), Pasulj (beans cooked with paprika and onion, a national speciality), riblja cobra (fish soup using freshwater catch), ajvar (red pepper freshly roasted as a cream). For drink options, Rakija is a terrific brandy that comes in many different flavours, such as pear, plum and apricot. Some prestigious brands of rakija can be very expensive. Slivovitza is the most common type of Rakija and is the national brandy of Serbia. The tap water is safe to drink and most of the time is good quality. The water may appear cloudy due to air bubbles, but it is still safe to drink. There are also many fountains and springs with excellent drinking water.

de_0010_serbia - Sea coast,Jaz Golf

Safety

Serbia is a safe place to tour and the locals are incredibly helpful and polite. Murders, robberies, or any other kind of attack are rare. Petty crime is an issue, however, as pickpockets are dangerous in crowded tourist places or on public transportation. You may want to keep your money and passport in separate pockets. If you are traveling in a large group, watch out for one another, and stay clear of people who look suspicious. Drivers can be rude to cyclists and pedestrians, so watch where you are riding and walking. A small concern is the reports of UXOs (unexploded ordinances), which can be found outside of major cities. If you are traveling outside major cities, keep an eye out for markings for a UXO zone and stick to the designated roads and walkways. If you happen to see a suspicious object, report it immediately to the police and do not touch it. While you are unlikely to come into contact with a UXO, it is important to know of their presence.