The Balkans beckon
The word “Balkan” comes from the Ottoman Turkish balkan, which reportedly means “a chain of wooded mountains.”
These are traditionally included in the Balkans: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
I’ve been to Dubrovnik in Croatia, an old Medieval city surrounded by walls, not unlike those of the legendary Troy. These walls are so thick you can actually walk atop them. This was 10 years ago, and it remains etched in my mind.
Of late, more and more Filipinos have been ticking the Balkans on their punch list, finding places there where time stood still in terms of architecture, where the charm of preWorld War II Europe has been preserved.
It is said that the Balkans produce more history than it can consume, thus attracting more people to take part in it.
According to recent Manila visitor Enes Esen, DB Tourism managing director, “Besides authentic experiences and the amazing human potential that the Balkans have, there is a blend of natural and cultural beauty in the region.”
In a recent presentation at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Esen said, “Why do we choose to navigate our tourism services across the Balkans? So far we are the most famous for doing Balkan Tours, including the cities, which are outside of the Balkans, but connected by some points with the Balkans: such as Budapest and Vienna, which are connected with Belgrade. The next one is Venice as it’s on the Adriatic side.” Don’t you just agree that these places just leap out of brochures and travel magazines with their mystery and beauty?
Esen added, “Considering the fact that Greece, cradle of world’s civilization, is also in the Balkans, we want to highlight its important reputation.”
“As for the natural, the Balkans’ lush greenery and diverse ecosystems, inlands, canyons, rugged mountain ranges, important rivers, waterfalls, Alps as an important mountain chain, all these create a perfect National
Geographic Magazine edition.” “As for human creations, the Balkans depict an important civilization left to the world. The holy places and religious travel sites from all three biggest religion like Judaism, Christianity and Islam can be found here. Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, many tombstones in Bosnia and Herzegovina and mosques in Sarajevo, the walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia, the Saint Sava Cathedral in Serbia, and many other sites,” Esen pointed out.
He said that speaking of Balkan diversity, communist architecture is also another interesting feature in this part of Europe. The wide range of sites in the Balkans inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage is boggling.
DB conducted its roadshow in Manila to let top travel agents and the media know that it has “a solution for every possible destination in Balkans.” Indeed, the Balkans beckon! (DB Tourism is based in Sarajevo but with its roots everywhere! Call its appointed representative in the Philippines Mai Ibay Hasan at+387-33941284 and 0915-8443867 or e-mail mai@dbtourism.com.)