by Loes Reynaert Are you ready to discover Europe but not fond of standard and cliché trips? Do you want to go back home without having seen a single famous European monument, without having seen one tourist bus with people hopping on and off every hour? Then this road trip is what you are looking for. Enough with France, Spain, Germany, and Italy. Hello Montenegro, Albania, and Macedonia. This itinerary will not only bring you to undiscovered and magical places in four different countries, it’s also a guide to help you prevent confusing or shocking situations. Book a flight to Belgrade and let the adventure of your life begin! Before taking off for Serbia, it is important to take a few things into consideration. If you are not a fan of bread, if you have weak lungs, or you can’t stand coffee, Serbia may not be the best country to visit. Bread is the basis of nearly all Serbian meals, smoking is almost as common as sleeping and eating, and coffee is as sacred as diet coke for women in their midlife crisis. There is a Serbian saying, “only drink tea when you are when ill.” In order to make the transition to hardcore Eastern European life a little bit easier, our road trip starts in Belgrade, the effervescent capital of Serbia. There is nothing better than discovering the city with a local Serbian person. So spread your eyes wide open and practice the lines you prepared during the flight. If you’re not the best at initiating contacts that’s no problem, especially if you are a girl. Serbian guys are the Casanovas of Europe. They love foreigners and will take you through the city devotedly. You will get special insight in the city thanks to all the stories behind the historical squares and buildings, as told by a member of this fascinating culture. Belgrade is also the city where new stories are written, as its nightlife makes it one of the top ten most popular party cities. Very typical of this pearl of the Balkans is slavovi or party boats. For people who don’t want to be a zombie the next day, theatre is also one of many options. Don’t forget to take a good look at the tourists here, because you won’t see a lot of them in the next weeks. When you are tired of city life, it’s time to take off to the south of the country. Take your car, put your favourite music on, and prepare to be blown away by some splendid nature. The next destination is usually included among the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Devil’s Town is an impressive rock formation, created by intense volcanic activity millions of years ago. If you want to do something typically Serbian (read: for wealthy Serbians) after a long day of taking selfies with rocks, but you prefer not to pray in a church, you can do yourself a favour and spend some hours in a spa. Travelling with kids may not be the most convenient, but in this country it’s worth taking them along as you will discover that Serbians love children and are glad to offer them free gifts. The last stop is Mokra Gora, an idyllic village where you can experience a unique train ride in the green mountains. Despite the hikes and other exercise, there is a high probability that you will gain some weight. Serbian people are very hospitable and don’t hesitate to invite you for food. And no, not for a salad. The Serbians like real food: punjena paprika, musaka (three layers of potatoes, mashed meat, and more potatoes), Ćevapi and pljeskavica, the Balkan versions of kebab and a hamburger. One little detail: they usually have lunch around 3 p.m. and dinner around 9 p.m., so be aware of the time when you “accidentally” want to run into someone. Being on the border with Montenegro, it’s time to leave Serbia and explore the country that gained its independence in 2006. Montenegro is sometimes called Serbia’s little brother, but considering the beauty of its nature, it is the kind of little brother that is taller than his big brother. In Durmitor National Park, nature is breathtaking. It is an oasis of rest and a magical place to go hiking, biking, or even kayaking and rafting. People with a backpacker’s heart can also camp in the park and unify with the stunning nature. While driving to the southwest of the country, make a stop at a local restaurant to taste the fresh fish. If you are a smoker, grab this unique opportunity to smoke in the middle of a restaurant without breaking the law or being hated by the people around you. If you are not a smoker, good luck enjoying your meal. The next stop on our road trip is destined for romantic lovers. Don’t worry if you don’t have anyone to love, this idyllic setting makes you fall in love with the place itself. The Bay of Kotor consists of two picturesque islands, both of which have their own idiosyncrasies. If you want to lift the adventure to the next level, go for a night bike ride and finish with a dive in the fresh water.
Albania is the third country on our Balkan road trip. On the border with Montenegro, the scenic landscape is dominated by the extensive Skadar Lake. The landscape of this place is hard to compare with anywhere else in the world. It is the place to observe an enormous diversity of flora and fauna hard to find elsewhere in Europe. Albania is probably one of the purest and most unknown countries of Europe, something which is incomprehensible once you have been there. It is more than the country of Mother Teresa. Albania has beaches that can compete with those of its neighbour Greece. Let’s call them the Copacabana of Europe, but without people. Natural beauty, that’s what Albania stands for. However, guts is something you will also need in this untouched and at first sight peaceful country. Bunkers are scattered everywhere, the remains of communism that dominated the past. Berat, an ancient city with thousands of houses ands endless windows looking down over the rest of the city, and Gjirokastra are a must to visit. The latter is an historic UNESCO listed town surrounded on all sides by stunning mountain ranges. There is also a castle with a captured US spy plane. True daredevils can take a trip to the mafia controlled village of Lazarat. Not only the beauty of nature and the soul of these simple villages will surprise you; the customs and habits of the inhabitants are special as well. Albanian people will shake their head from side to side to mean yes or to acknowledge that they are listening to you. It’s easy to think they are saying no instead. And after you get a haircut, you will be slapped on the neck. So if you don’t want to risk having a pain in the neck for the rest of your trip, don’t go to an Albanian hairdresser. Albanian people are not used to foreigners, so don’t feel offended when people stare at you. They are extremely hospitable and feel honoured when you accept their invitation to go to their house. If you do this, it is very important to take off your shoes first. Albanians even have different slippers meant to wear in different parts of the house. Another thing Albanians consider as offensive is wearing a seat belt in their car. They will think you don’t feel safe. It’s also possible that you will start to think that everyone is gay since public affection between those of the same sex is common. Men and women, on the contrary, seldom show public affection with each other. Sensitive people should also be warned that as Albanian people like fresh meat, it is not uncommon that a vendor asks a buyer which animal he wants and then kills it in the middle of the street and wishes the buyer a nice day. Another street habit, less cruel, is the constant washing of pavements and sidewalks. If you drop your ice cream, don’t hesitate. Just pick it up and continue. Driving from Vlora through Llogara Pass puts you in a kind of movie scene in which the road has fallen away in certain spots. So make sure you are not enjoying the views too much and pay attention to the road as well. Also, try to keep an eye open for a random dog, donkey, or lost pedestrian in the middle of the road. If you are still not satisfied, continue on to Macedonia, another raw diamond in the Balkans. Just be led by your feelings and enjoy some rest and freedom. And remember: “Not all who wander are lost.” a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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