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Balkans

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Europe : Balkans
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The Balkans is a region that includes countries on the Balkan Peninsula in the southeast of Europe, including most of the former Yugoslavia.

[edit] Countries

Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Kosovo
Macedonia
Moldova
Montenegro
Romania
Serbia

Slovenia is sometimes considered to be part of the Balkans, but it is increasingly being included in tour packages as part of Central Europe, such as Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland. Slovenians consider themselves Central European too due to their long ties to Austria. This is probably also correct as the Balkan peninsula is, according to some definitions, what lies south of the rivers Sava and Danube from the city of Belgrade. This definition however then would rule out part of northern Serbia, known as Vojvodina, a good part of Croatia, Romania and of course Slovenia. Historically all these countries/regions were usually considered to be part of the Balkan countries, as Slovenia too was once part of Yugoslavia. It is their recent independence that has allowed for the Slovenes to re-proclaim their desire to be considered Central European! Lastly, much of Greece also resides upon the Balkan Peninsula, but its major travel destinations lie upon islands.

[edit] Cities

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

The region is steeped in rich, though often turbulent history.

[edit] Talk

Languages on Balkans include; Macedonian, which is spoken mainly in Macedonia; Serbian, which is spoken mainly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro; Albanian, which is spoken in Albania, Kosovo, Serbia,Montenegro, Macedonia and Greece; Bosnian which is spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgarian, which is spoken in Bulgaria; and Croatian, which is spoken in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Many of the countries in the former Yugoslavia (Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia) and Bulgaria are members of the South Slavic language group - therefore due to much commonality between words and language structure it is possible to communicate verbally between countries if you have a basic understanding of Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian or Bulgarian.

Some other useful languages might be Turkish, which many people in Greece and Bulgaria speak, and Gypsy may be useful in all of the Balkan states. Most of the people, especially in cities and touristic areas speak English. And sometimes German, Italian, French(in Romania).

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Plane

There are numerous international airports in the Balkans. The major airports in the region are (by country):

[edit] By boat

[edit] Get around

Though two of the Balkan countries (Bulgaria and Romania) have joined the European Union with others on the way, no countries in Balkans have implemented the Schengen Treaty yet, which means, unlike most of the rest of Europe, border controls are still a reality in the region—which is rather inconvenient but a joy for the ones who want all those entry and exit stamps on their passports.

[edit] By train

A cheap way for traveling around the Balkans is the Balkan Flexipass, which is valid in Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Itineraries

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Events

  • Guca festival, Guča (Гуча) Serbia, [1] - An annual "Trubacki" music festival held in the summer. This genre of music is best known as ethnic jazz, and is best played by the Balkan Roma people.
  • EXIT Festival, Novi Sad, Serbia, [2] - An annual rock festival held from July 6 - July 9, which many musicians and bands from all over Europe attend.
  • Ohrid Summer Fesitival, Ohrid, Macedonia - An international culture festival held annualy from July through August.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Get out

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