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Once part of a booming tourist industry which collapsed due
to erratic war during the 1990s, tourists are slowly returning
to visit the land which is home to probably the most hospitable
and proud people in Europe. The capital, Belgrade is
situated on Europe's second longest river, the Danube,
and has an ancient beauty with its cathedral, fortress and
the Palace of Princess Ljubica. Travel south to the
Montenegrin shores, where its 50-mile stretch of coast offers
sandy, pebbly and rocky beaches, clean Adriatic air, and clear
waters. Despite the country's recent history of political
terror and atrocities, here lies a forgotten world filled
with culture and beauty longing to be remembered.
Since early 2003, the two republics of Serbia and
Montenegro joined together to form a loose federation,
which is still fragile from the previous devastating decade.
In 1992 efforts were made to unite ethnic Serbs to a "Greater
Serbia", however all military attempts to do so failed,
with other Yugoslav states rejecting the proposed regime.
This resulted in a bitter war with Croatia and Bosnia and
Herzegovina. 1999 saw further disputes with the expulsion
of Albanians living in Kosovo by Serb forces, causing NATO
peacekeeping to be stationed in Kosovo.
It is advised to travel with caution through Serbia and Montenegro.
Bomb attacks and assassinations have occurred over the last
few years, whilst March 2004 saw an increase in inter-ethnic
violence in Kosovo. Fighting between security forces
and armed groups continue in the southern areas of Presevo
and Bujanovac, and it is not recommended to travel to these
areas. Petty crime is also common, with bag snatchers and
pickpockets targeting tourists on public transport and busy
places.
When to Go
Serbia and Montenegro has a continental climate with four
beautiful seasons gradually transforming into the one another.
Summers are warm with highs of around 80F and winters can
plunge to temperatures of -10F and are very cold snowy.
A number of festivals take place within the small country.
In August the Jazz Festival takes place and September
sees the International Theatre Festival in full swing.
For a chilly alternative, head to the Film Festival
in February or the Classical Music Festival in October.
Health
Be sure to have adequate sun protection when travelling in
the summer, especially when on the beaches or spending days
in the country's numerous national parks. No vaccinations
are required for Serbia and Montenegro, however it is wise
to consider getting a flu vaccination if visiting during winter
as a precaution.
People
The population sits just below eleven million, where 62%
of people are Serbs and a mere 5% are Montenegrin
(other ethnic groups include Albanian and Hungarian).
Most people are Serbian Orthodox.
Language
Serbian, The language spoken, was once known as Serbo-Croatian.
It is very similar to Croatian, and Croats and Serbs converse
with each other with ease. One major difference between the
two languages is that Serbian is written in the Cyrillic script.
The Latin alphabet is used in Kosovo by the Albanians and
Montenegro uses a mixture of both scripts. Many people also
speak either German or French.
Travel
The train service is the best and cheapest way to get around
Serbia. There are four different classes of train to choose
from: fast, express, rapid and slow - ensure you have the
correct ticket for the train you are boarding. When travelling
along the coast in Montenegro, buses are the only option.
Taxis are cheap when travelling in the centre of town in the
bigger cities however prices inflate at airports or train
and bus terminals.
Cash
Although a very cheap country to explore, accommodation is
fairly expensive and will probably take up most of the budget.
Expect to spend between $US20 to 60 for mid-range accommodation.
Although the Euro is legal tender in Montenegro and Kosovo,
the currency in Serbia is the Yugoslav dinar (YUM).For up to date currency information, check the Currency
Converter. Travel
agencies, banks and hotels will exchange cash. Visa and Mastercard
are generally accepted, however you may have some difficulties
with other credit cards such as Diners or American Express.
Food
Like its fellow former-Yugoslav nations, the cuisine is synonymous
with devouring copious amounts of meat. Being vegetarian is
not looked highly upon in Serbia and Montenegro, and those
who are, may find it difficult when dining. Dishes such as
pljeskavica adorn menus, a traditional meaty hamburger,
made from minced meat and ham. Punjena tikvica is another
regional dish, consisting of minced meat and rice filling
stuffed into zucchini. Musaka is layers of eggplant,
sliced potatoes and minced beef and mesano meso, the
hearty mixed grill, is a treat - an array of grilled meats
such as sausages, rissoles, pork, and kebabs. Montenegrins
are lovers of all things dairy and cream and cheese is often
served with their meat dishes. Vegetarian dishes are few and
far between. One example of a meat-free dish is gibanica,
a tasty cheese pie made from ricotta cheese and layers of
pastry.
Dress
Be sure to bring heavy and waterproof clothing for the colder
months as temperatures can plummet below the 0F mark, causing
snowy and wet conditions.
Visas
For a stay of up to 90 days, tourists from the United Kindom,
the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and European
Union no longer require a visa.
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