GoBalkans - cultural tours in the Balkans
​Since 2004
Destination Management Company
​for the Balkans
LOCAL EXPERT for real !
  • Home
  • About us
    • Events
  • Destinations
    • Bulgaria
    • Macedonia
    • Albania
    • Kosovo
    • Montenegro
    • Serbia
    • Romania
    • North Greece
    • Bosnia Herzegovina
    • Croatia
    • Slovenia
    • UNESCO sites >
      • Bulgaria
      • Macedonia
      • Albania
      • Kosovo
      • Montenegro
      • Serbia
      • Romania
      • Northern Greece
      • Bosnia Herzegovina
      • Croatia
      • Slovenia
  • Tours
    • Tour in italiano 2018 - 19
    • Tour in italiano 2018 - 19
    • Tour in MOTO
    • B2B Products >
      • English
  • Publications
  • Gallery
  • Blog
  • Contact us

The Blue Eye, Albania

18/1/2021

0 Comments

 
In addition to its magnificent sights reminiscent of the Mediterranean, Albania also hides its own small tropical paradise, aptly called the Blue Eye. Perhaps the most breathtaking sight in Albania, the Blue Eye is located about a 30-minute drive away from the coastal city of Saranda on the road to Gjirokastra.

The landscape leading to the Blue Eye uncovers an anomaly of nature, as you will find yourself surrounded by palm trees, wild ferns and tropical plants, as well as dense, mountainous forest vegetation of oaks and sycamores, all at once!

This vegetation is kept lush and glorious by the spring flowing down the mountain into the Bistrica River. The fresh water spring from the Gjerë Mountain flows into the Blue Eye and creates a natural pool. Its actual depth has not yet been determined. Many divers have tried to get to the bottom of it, to no avail.

As you look into the center of this pool, you will begin to understand why it is called Blue Eye. The deep blue sapphire waters of the center form the pupil of the eye and are surrounded by the vibrant emerald green and turquoise of the iris. The surrounding vegetation forms the eyelashes. The waters, though deep and blue, are so crystal clear that they reveal the rocks and vegetation at the bottom. The water maintains an “only for the brave” temperature of no more than 10 Degrees Celsius (50 Degrees Fahrenheit).

The Blue Eye is an oasis of fresh air and cool climate, a tropical paradise that can rival any view of Venezuela or the Maldives. Those who have had the fortune of seeing the Blue Eye have felt god-like and omnipotent. And you can too!

​Sources:
https://www.intoalbania.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/
0 Comments

Monastery of Cetinje, Montenegro

11/1/2021

0 Comments

 

Cetinje monastery was built in 1701 in the period of governance of Danilo Petrovic. The spiritual and secular ruler of Montenegro built into the monastery the architectonic elements from the ruined monastery of Crnojevic. The Monastery of Cetinje became the center of the spiritual, cultural and political life of Montenegro. 
It was devastated several times by the Turks, and it was renewed several times. The last thorough renewal of the monastery lasted 2 years, and it happened in the period from 1925 to 1927.
Cetinje monastery is situated in the foot of the Eagle Rock, in the place on which, as it is thought, the castle of Ivan Crnojevic was situated. It is believed that he is the founder of Cetinje. 
There are several relics in the monastery: remains of St. Peter of Cetinje, right hand of John the Baptist, particles of the True Cross, icon of the Philermos Mother of God, remains of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš (relocated), royal crown of Serbian king Stephen Uroš III Dečanski, and more.
The place is both spiritual and mystical, but also obligatory site for the visitors of Cetinje area.
​
Sources:
https://www.visit-montenegro.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/

0 Comments

The Village of Shiroka laka, Bulgaria

4/1/2021

0 Comments

 
Shiroka laka Village is located in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria. The name of the village derives from the old Bulgarian word “laka” – curve, bend, meander.

Shiroka laka was founded in the 17th century and has now become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bulgaria. The village has preserved its architecture from the Bulgarian Revival Period, its musical culture, beautiful landscapes, and rich history.
 
Shiroka laka is famous for its beautiful, authentic Rhodope houses that lie amphitheatrically on both sides of the river. The local master builders were well-known throughout the country.
 
The village is also renowned for the folklore traditions it has preserved. Some of the most eminent singers and bagpipe-performers of Rhodope folklore songs were born in this village. The National School of Folk Arts was established in Shiroka laka in 1972.
 
Some of the most emblematic places of interest in the village is the Ethnographic Museum. It is arranged as a house of a wealthy Rhodope family from the end of the 19th century. Another site worth visiting is the Church of the Assumption which was built in 1834 in just 38 days by all the people of Shiroka laka.

The scenery, the architecture, the fresh air, and the venerable pine trees of this place make Shiroka laka one of the most interesting villages in Bulgaria.
 
Source: https://bulgariatravel.org/
0 Comments

The city of Ioannina, Greece

21/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Ioannina is the capital of Epirus, an administrative region in north-western Greece.
 
The city's foundation has traditionally been ascribed to the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD. And the city's emblem consists of the portrait of the Emperor Justinian crowned by a stylized depiction of the nearby ancient theatre of Dodona.
 
One of the most notable attractions of Ioannina today is the inhabited island of Lake Pamvotis. There are six monasteries on the island, some of which were also colleges during the years. The island' s winding streets are home to many gift-shops, tavernas, churches and bakeries.
 
Another attraction is the Ioannina Castle. Byzantine baths, Ottoman baths, Ottoman library, and Soufari Sarai are located within the castle' s walls. Also, the old Jewish Synagogue is located within the walls of the castle and is one of the oldest and largest buildings of its type surviving in Greece.
 
Ioannina has one of the most beautiful caves in Europe. It is called Perama and was formed about one and a half million years ago. The beauty of the chambers defies description. It seems impossible that the hall of the Cross, with its limestone worshippers, was formed without human intervention, and yet, it is a natural sculpture of truly stunning proportions. The Hall of Legendary Palaces looks like a fairy house. The stalactites projecting from the ceiling look like surprisingly complex yet harmoniously constructed chandeliers.
 
The natural environment, the climate and the strong cultural traditions make Ioannina unique. The city is full of secret places and legends still living.
 
Sources:
http://www.visitgreece.gr/
https://en.wikipedia.org
0 Comments

Christmas Traditions in Bulgaria

14/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Christmas is among the biggest holidays in Bulgaria. It is celebrated on December 25th and the customs related to this feast are some of the most loved ones. We summarized some of the most important traditions which are still followed today.
 
Fasting
For many Bulgarians, the preparations for Christmas start with Advent fast which lasts 40 days and starts on November 15th. Orthodox Christians often don't eat meat and dairy during the Fast, and depending on the day, also olive oil, wine and fish.

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is very important in the Orthodox Church and many Bulgarians are going to a Midnight Mass Church Service.

​The dinner on this day is also special. The meal should traditionally have an odd number of dishes in it (normally 7, 9 or 11) and an odd number of people sitting around the table.

There's a special decorated loaf of bread called “pita” which has a coin baked in it. If you find the good, you're meant to have good luck for the next year! The bread is normally cut by the oldest person in the family and they hand it around the table.

It's traditional that the table is left with all the food on it until the morning of Christmas Day. It is believed that the ancestors might like something to eat during the night.

Carol Singers (“Koledari”)
The “Koledari” are normally young men who go carol singing dressed in traditional clothing. The singing can only start after midnight on Christmas Eve. When they reach a house, they sing “the house song” praising and wishing the house well. Having the “Koledari” visit your home is meant to be good luck. After the singing, the head of the house will give the carol singers food to thank them for singing.

Christmas tree
Decorated Christmas trees are found in every house, on the city squares and in public buildings. The evergreen trees are a sign of everlasting life with God. The decorations include Christmas lights, garlands and balls.

Christmas Day
Once the fasting has ended, everyone enjoys an enormous dinner on Christmas Day, with a main dish of some type of meat which is often pork. The dinner is supposed to be rich marking the end of the Fast.
Among the traditional dishes are kebab, steaks, kavarma, Bulgarian sausages, sarmi, pumpkin pie. Although baklava is part of Turkish cuisine, it is a common dessert on the Bulgarian Christmas table.
The families exchange Christmas gifts and the little children are told that Santa Claus (“Dyado Koleda”) would bring their desired present if they have been good throughout the year.

Sources:
https://www.whychristmas.com/
https://visitmybulgaria.com/
Photos:
https://tvn.bg/
http://www.bgnow.eu/
https://www.vesti.bg/
https://bulgarianhistory.org/
https://lakomnik.bg/
https://www.supichka.com/
0 Comments

Bathroom of Suleiman the Magnificent

10/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
The restored bathroom of Suleiman the Magnificent in the complex Aquae Calidae near #Burgas, #Bulgaria. Its original vision was precisely restored - marble walls and typical Oriental ceramics.

Süleyman the Magnificent, byname Süleyman I or the Lawgiver, Turkish Süleyman Muhteşem or Kanuni, (born November 1494–April 1495—died September 5/6, 1566, near Szigetvár, Hungary), sultan of the #Ottoman #Empire from 1520 to 1566 who not only undertook bold military campaigns that enlarged his realm but also oversaw the development of what came to be regarded as the most characteristic achievements of Ottoman civilization in the fields of law, literature, art, and architecture.

Suleiman II shrewdly appointed Köprülü Fazıl Mustafa Pasha as his Grand Vizier on 25 October 1689, leading to the reconquest of #Belgrade in 1690. Even so, when Russian Empire joined an alliance of European powers, the Ottomans lost the support of their Crimean vassals, who were forced to defend themselves from Russian invasion. Under Köprülü's leadership, the Ottomans halted an Austrian advance into Serbia and crushed an uprising in Macedonia and Bulgaria until Köprülü Fazıl Mustafa #Pasha was killed in the Battle of Slankamen by Austrian forces. 

Source: 
http://www.aquae-calidae.com/
https://www.britannica.com/ 
https://en.wikipedia.org/​
0 Comments

The treasure at the Adriatic coast - Dubrovnik, Croatia

7/12/2020

0 Comments

 
There are many beautiful places in the world, however the people of Dubrovnik claim their city to be the most beautiful. Warm southern climate, spacious blue skies, dark blue sea touching the rocky shores, sandy beaches and steep reefs – all of that is Dubrovnik.

In addition to its beautiful nature, Dubrovnik has rich history. According to records, the area around Dubrovnik was first inhabited somewhere between 6000 and 2000 BC. The existence of the city was lost in the cloudy course of history, with legends and historical facts merging together.

During the 7th century, the Slavic tribes, with Croats being one of the superior ones, had already set up permanent residences along the majority of the eastern Adriatic coast, with the exception of a few fortified Roman cities, which were becoming cut off from the rest of the empire in the wake of this rapid Slavic population. In comparison to the development of cities with a Roman population, a settlement was developing near Ragusium, which received the Croatian name Dubrovnik.

The name of the city came from the oak forests which even today are called “dubrave”. The Old town of Dubrovnik – an urban centre preserved to the present day, is under UNESCO protection.
​
Sources: https://visitdubrovnik.hr/
https://en.wikipedia.org/
0 Comments

Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

1/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Lake Ohrid is situated at the mountainous border between the southwestern part of North Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe's oldest lakes, and the deepest one in the Balkans, with a maximum depth of 288 m.

It has a unique aquatic ecosystem of worldwide importance, with more than 200 endemic species. For the world-unique freshwater species and its rich bird life, the North Macedonia's side of Lake Ohrid was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, with the site being extended to also include the cultural and historic area of Ohrid in 1980. Albania’s side of Lake Ohrid was also designated UNESCO world heritage status in 2019.

The towns situated at the lakeside are Ohrid and Struga in North Macedonia along with Pogradec in Albania. The lake is otherwise densely surrounded by settlements in the form of villages and resorts in both countries.

Lake Ohrid is one of the symbols of North Macedonia and it is one of the most visited sites in the country.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/

0 Comments

The Castle of Gjirokaster, Albania

23/11/2020

0 Comments

 
The Castle of Gjirokaster resides in a dramatic location, on a hilltop overlooking the city. Nearly two thousand years old, it witnessed the changing seasons of the Albanian history across the centuries.

The name “Argjiro” is dedicated to the legend of the princess who fell from the Castle to her death in order to escape the Ottoman enemies.

At the entrance of the Gjirokaster Castle, you find a large array of cannonballs, and weapons, collected from antiquity up to the First and Second World Wars, all used as resistance to occupation.

One of the most interesting modern curiosities exhibited is the American two-seater aircraft. It was forced to land near Tirana in 1957, as it was considered to be a spy plane. At the time of the Cold War, this event marked a triumph over the West and thus, the aircraft merited a place in the castle exhibitions.

Nowadays, every four years, the National Folklore Festival of traditional Albanian song and dance takes place on top of the Castle’s roof.

Source: https://www.intoalbania.com/
Photos: https://whc.unesco.org/
0 Comments

Melnik - the smallest town in Bulgaria

16/11/2020

0 Comments

 
The smallest town in Bulgaria, Melnik, is in Southwestern Bulgaria, nested in the slopes of the beautiful Pirin mountain. Its name comes from the Slavonic word “mel”, which means white clay and reflects the specific soils around the city.

During the 18th century, in the age of the Bulgarian Revival, the Melnik turned into a blooming town, with a large market and thriving population. The local tradesmen were selling their goods in Budapest, Wien, Genoa, Venice. Melnik became famous in Europe for its unique wine, which is symbolic for the town even nowadays.

Melnik is home to some of the most vivid architectural monuments preserved to this day in Bulgaria. One of the oldest houses on the Balkan Peninsula is the Boyar’s House, which was a residence of Despot Alexius Slav. Two other houses which are architectural monuments of the Revival period are the Kordopulova House and the Pashova House. The Pashova House was built in 1815 and currently it is being restored.

The Kordopulova House is the largest building from that period in the country. It was built in 1754 and it was owned by the rich family Kordopulovi, who were involved in wine production. The cellars excavated under the house, with their constant temperature and ventilation, were used for preparing and growing the renowned Melnik wine.

Melnik is declared a Natural and Architectural Reserve, and it attracts thousands of tourists every year. The high-quality wine produced in Melnik has scents of ripe cherry, herbs, and in the presence of an oak it develops nuances of tobacco and leather. It is one of the attractions of the town, and it attracts many admirers from the whole world.

​Source: www.bulgariatravel.org

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    May 2015
    April 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Archaeology
    Balcani
    Balchik
    Balkans
    Belgrade
    Black Sea
    Bulgaria
    Burials
    Chiese
    Church
    Cibo
    Culturale
    Exhibition
    Food
    Kazanlak
    Kosovo
    Ljubljana
    Macedonia
    Memorial House
    Monasteri
    Mosque
    Ohrid
    Paleondology
    Roman
    Romania
    Rose
    Rose Valley
    Serbia
    Slovenia
    Sustainability
    Thracian
    Tour
    Tourism
    Varna
    Viaggio
    Wine

    RSS Feed

Immagine
Picture
Picture