Category Archives: Eastern Europe

Black Sea, Blue Sky – Balkan Rain

Posted on June 12, 2019 by

This rain that has been falling almost incessantly here for the past 48 72 hours seems to have followed me back home from the Balkans. Travelling coast to coast, from Adriatic to Black Sea, over a three week period I … Continue reading →

Posted in Balkans, Eastern Europe, Travel, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Memory fields in the city of sock-wearers

Posted on November 22, 2016 by

The small city of Kruševac in south-central Serbia is probably best known for its fortress and 14th-century church, a fine example of the highly decorative Morava school. This was Prince Lazar’s capital in the late 14th century and it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Balkans, Eastern Europe, History, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Tara

Posted on November 3, 2016 by

A few days ago I visited the monastery of Rača close to the border town of Bajina Bašta in western Serbia. The monastery lies at the edge of the Tara National Park that stretches south west from just beyond the … Continue reading →

Posted in Balkans, Eastern Europe, Walking, wildlife | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

In Bear Country

Posted on June 21, 2016 by

This was bear country. No doubt about it. Over breakfast Alfred from the guesthouse had said, “You should make sure that you talk when you go walking there – or maybe sing – that way you won’t take them by … Continue reading →

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Easter Eggs

Posted on April 3, 2015 by

Easter, as well as its obvious Christian association, has strong connections with the giving and receiving of eggs in one form or another. In Britain, and in no doubt much of Western Europe and North America, we give chocolate eggs … Continue reading →

Posted in Eastern Europe, Folklore, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Yugostalgic Belgrade

Posted on November 20, 2013 by

Although Tito was half Croat and half Slovene he spent most of his time as Yugoslav helmsman in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. It is here, in the leafy Topčider suburb that lies south of the city centre, where you can find … Continue reading →

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Serbia 4

Posted on August 9, 2013 by

The new edition of my Serbia guide is published today. It’s fully updated, of course, with revised text and lots of new listings, especially for Belgrade, a city that despite considerable setbacks seems to drive itself forever onwards and upwards. … Continue reading →

Posted in Balkans, Eastern Europe, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Yugoslav Hotels

Posted on February 11, 2013 by

They are a dying breed, Yugoslav hotels. And I use the word ‘Yugoslav’ advisedly as, although the buildings shown here are in what is now Serbia, all were erected during the period when that country was still part of Yugoslavia. … Continue reading →

Posted in Balkans, Eastern Europe, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments