Discover the pearls of Balkans
THE Land of Dracula, Romania is still one of the off-the-beaten track destinations in Europe. It is home to numerous natural beauties, friendly people, a great number of jaw-dropping castles and impressive folk museums.
Romania is a land of mighty castles and enchanting medieval hamlets. The most famous is Bran Castle, which gained popularity mainly because of Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula.
Its capital, Bucharest, is a dynamic, energetic cosmopolitan city, where traces of communism meet unbridled capitalism. The city has the largest parliament building in the world, with 3,100 rooms.
Not to be missed is the old town centre with narrow cobbled streets and some splendid 17th and 18th century Orthodox churches.
Bulgaria
Located on the Balkans Peninsula and surrounded by five countries, Bulgaria is one of the most beautiful cultural crossroads in Europe today.
Here, one can admire natural wonders, such as the wild, forested Balkan mountain range, which hides remote hamlets and mysterious monasteries, sun-drenched beaches on the Black Sea coast, architectural sites revealing a long and turbulent history and trendy urban centres like the capital, Sofia – the only place in Europe where a Christian Orthodox Church, Catholic cathedral, synagogue, and mosque are located within an area of less than 100sq m called “Small Jerusalem Square”.
Another famous landmark is the captivating Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest and most renowned monastery listed as a Unesco heritage site.
Macedonia
Located in the southern part of the Balkans, Macedonia boasts a fascinating history and rich cultural background. Part Balkan, part Mediterranean and rich in Greek, Roman and Ottoman history, it offers impressive ancient sites and natural beauties.
Skopje, its capital city, contains numerous historic sites, ethnically diverse restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. A must-visit, Ohrid city, listed in Unesco, has narrow cobbled streets, red terracotta roots, open-air cafes and a crystal clear lake with a backdrop of mountains.
Albania
Located across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, north of Greece, west of Kosoro and Macedonia and south of Montenegro, Albania is definitely an experience like no other.
This tiny country offers a remarkable array of unique attractions, including the thriving capital of Tirana, sun-drenched beaches to rival any other in the Mediterranean, a stunning mountain landscape, forgotten archaeological sites and villages where time seems to have stood still.
Tirana is the heart of Albania, a fusion of Italian communist and post-modern architectural styles, with trendy bars and cafes, chic boutiques, grand boulevards and fascinating relics of the past. Tirana is one of the best shopping destinations in the region.
Montenegro
Montenegro is a small country with a landscape of cobalt-blue fjords, fisherman’s huts, palaces and an island built on the wreck of enemy boats. The country boasts outstanding countryside, including Unescorecognised fjordscape, culture and history. The medieval old town of Kotor is considered one of the top places to visit.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is dotted with breathtaking landscapes, winding rivers, waterfalls and traditional village and is one of Europe’s most visually stunning corners. A delightful fusion of East and West in the heart of Balkans, it features the antique centres of Sarajevo and Monstar, while many other Bosnian towns are quaint and small, wrapped around medieval castles and surrounded by mountain ridges or cascading river canyons.
Perhaps, the most popular image from Bosnia and Herzegovina is the famous Monstar Bridge at 21m high with a dramatic arch connecting the two sides of the town.
Croatia
Croatia is set along the Adriatic coast, featuring stunning hinterland scenery and breathtaking landscapes such as the waterfalls and lakes in Plitvice Natural Park.
Croatia takes pride in having seven Unesco world heritage sites. Discover Diocletian’s Palace in Split or take a walk through the old town of Dubrovnik, often referred to as “The Pearl of the Adriatic”.
Slovenia
Slovenia is a small yet cosmopolitan country surrounded by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. The country has a beautiful and diverse countryside, comprising all the major regions found in Europe, so it is often referred as Europe in a nutshell.
Slovenia boasts numerous must-see places, like the charming pocket-sized capital of Ljubljana, with its hilltop castle and the biggest European cave, Postojna Cave. In the foothills of the Julian Alps lies Bled, a fairytale place with a cobalt-blue lake boasting an enchanting island and Bled Castle dominating the north shore from the top of a sheer cliff face.
■ For a choice of 10-, 11- and 15-day Balkans tour packages, visit Booths No.2145-2164, Hall 2, this MATTA Fair. Or log on to www. satours.com.my or call 03-2142 9155 for details.