Serbia and Montenegro
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Serbia and Montenegro |
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Travel information and tips on Serbia and Montenegro including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Serbia and Montenegro, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more.
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General Information
Serbia and Montenegro is bent trying
to appeal again to tourists and reform their history its
associations with despotic rulers, failed socialism and war. Hopefully, this
will be accomplished as this is a region of forgotten beauty, culture and history
will reward and surprise any traveler. Serbia and Montenegro is composed of the
remains of the former Yugoslavia.
However, there is a strong warning for anyone planning to visit here. Despite the ongoing presence of several international forces in Kosovo, the tension over the region's independence remains very high between the minority Serbs and Albanian Kosovars. In fact, the Presevo and Bujanovac areas of southern Serbia, near the administrative border of Serbia and Kosovo, should be avoided. Be sure to check current State Department warnings before you travel to this area. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html.
Click on the
following for additional information.
Passports and Visas
Best Time
to Visit
Money Matters
Passports and visas
You will need a passport to visit Serbia and Montenegro. As for Visas, visitors
from Australia, the US, Canada and most European countries do not require a visa
for a visit of up to 90 days. If you do need a visa, take note that they are not
available at the border and you must get one in advance from a Serbian
consulate.
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Click here for language
helps, dictionaries,
electronic translators,
language software and other helps for learning
a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the
country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip
more. Jim.
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Best Time to Visit
As for the weather, this area is pretty good
throughout the year. Although the happy days as the beach playground of Eastern
Europe are long gone, and tourism hasn't really returned, the beach area is
still a favorite for travelers in the area. However, unless you enjoy very cold
weather, it would be best to avoid Serbia and Montenegro in winter. Travel
instead during the summer, which is the festival season and the cities and towns
holds celebrations of jazz and classical music, theatre and poetry.
Money Matters
Although the dinar is the currency for this area, euros are widely accepted in
Serbia, along with US dollars. In fact, the dinar is not accepted in Montenegro.
It is best to travel with euros and change these into dinar when needed. You can
change hard currency into Serbian dinars at all banks, travel agencies and
hotels at the official rate. Although not found everywhere in the country, the
number of ATMs is increasing rapidly and Visa, MasterCard and EuroCard holders
will have little trouble getting cash advances from banks in Serbia. In
Montenegro, ATMs are more infrequent but, as the Podgorica Banka has branches in
major centers where cash advances are possible, this should not be much of a
problem. Diners club is not widely accepted and American Express cards can only
be used in 5-star hotels and car rental agencies, however Visa cards are widely
accepted
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Although travelers will find much of the travel expenses here to be a bargain, Montenegro (during the high season) is as expensive as Croatia or Greece. Accommodation will be your biggest expense. Although there is hostel accommodation in major centers, it is neither plentiful nor cheap and, quite frankly, I don't believe I can recommend this type of accommodations here. There are also very few budget hotels around, although as the Serbian and Montenegrin governments try to restore traveler confidence the situation is rapidly improving. Hotels along the coast and throughout Montenegro are quite a bit more expensive than those in the Serbian interior away from Belgrade.
Here is about what you might expect to pay for accommodations.
As for tipping in a restaurant, first check to see if a service charge has already been added to your bill and, if not, and If you're served well at a restaurant, round up the bill. Bar bills and taxi fares should also be rounded up. Tour guides also expect to be tipped. Here is what you might expect to pay for meals.
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Getting To Serbia and Montenegro
By Air
By Train
By Car
By Ferry
By Bus
By Air
Yugoslav Airlines (JAT) has regional services throughout Europe.
Montenegro Airlines fly from Podgorica to Budapest, Frankfurt and Zurich.
Several other airlines such as
Lufthansa and
Aeroflot fly to Belgrade and
Austrian Airlines,
Swiss International Air Lines,
Adria Airlines,
British Airways
and
Turkish Airlines fly into Prishtina.
British Airways
(ba.com) flies
between Belgrade and London.
By Train
It is easy to get to Serbia and Montenegro by
train. International trains from Belgrade arrive at Novi Sad and Subotica
for destinations in the north and west. For those heading east, you can find
trains at Niš. I believe there are still not trains that travel to Kosovo, and
Montenegro has no international services. Reservations are recommended and
students can get a reduction on some trains with a special card. Eurail and
Inter-Rail passes are accepted and sold at Belgrade train station. You will also
find trains that link Belgrade directly from Athens, Bucharest, Budapest,
Istanbul, Ljubljana, Munich, Skopje, Sofia, Thessaloniki, Vienna, and Zagreb.
By Car
If you plan to arrive by car, or rental a car while you are there, be
advised that drivers from Britain, Spain, Germany and some other countries will
need an international driving license. Visitors from most other countries can
use their national licenses. All vehicles traveling to (and in) Serbia and
Montenegro need a third-party insurance that is recognized in Yugoslavia, plus
insurance bought at the border. Traffic police are everywhere so drive carefully
and stick assiduously to speed limits as this is one place you do not want to
get into trouble with the law.
By Ferry
A ferry service operates between Bar and Italy. Ferries also run
between Bari and Ancona in Italy and Bar in Montenegro.
By Bus
Eurolines (Lasta) buses travel from Austria, Benelux, Bosnia,
Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, FYR
Macedonia, the Republic of Srpska, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland
into Serbia and Montenegro. The normal route is through Hungary, but there
are also some buses that go via Croatia. Check
eurolines for more information.
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If you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Getting Around In Serbia and Montenegro
By Air
By Train and Bus
By Car
By Air
Although it is not necessary to fly within Serbia and Montenegro, if you are in
a hurry, JAT flies from Belgrade to Tivat and Podgorica (Montenegro) several
times daily. There are plans to add three flights a week to Prishtina. JAT
runs inexpensive buses between airports and city centers. Montenegro Airlines
also flies daily between Podgorica and Belgrade.
Flights go between Belgrade and Montenegro (Tivat and Podgorica) twice a day, and more than 10 daily flights during the summer. If you plan on flying during the summer high season, make sure to book the flight well in advance, as they sell out quickly.
By Train and Bus
Buses and trains are the best ways to get around as they go just
about everywhere. While you will find that trains are cheaper than buses, you
will also find them to be slower and sometimes the cars can be in pretty bad
condition. The best services run between Subotica, Novi Sad, Belgrade, and Nis.
There is also a very scenic trip between Belgrade and Bar. If you want to travel
along the Montenegrin coast, or visit Kosovo or Durmitor, you'll have to catch a
bus. Traveling overnight on the train or bus is one way to overcome a shortage
of decent affordable accommodation. However, be sure to keep an eye on any
valuables.
Buses are necessary for travel in Kosovo and to RoĹaje (Montenegro) and Novi Pazar (Serbia), both gateways to Kosovo. You’ll also need buses for the Montenegrin coast and getting to Ćabljak.
Jugoslovenske Ćeleznice (JĆ) provides adequate railway services from Belgrade serving Novi Sad, Subotica, Niš, and the highly scenic line down to Bar. There are four classes of train - the ekspresni (express), the poslovni (rapid), the brzi (fast) and the putnicki (slow), so make sure you have the right ticket.
By Car
All the usual car rental chains are represented in Belgrade and Novi Sad.
Driving is on the right side, and there are 24-hour gas (petrol) stations along
the Bulgaria-Belgrade-Hungary highway. VIP, Hertz, Europcar and Net Rent a Car
all have offices at Belgrade airport and in the major cities.
Taxis around the city (apart from bus and train stations) are
honest, and cheap. City journeys will usually not cost more than
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If you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Cities and Towns In Serbia and Montenegro
Belgrade
With as many times as this city has been destroyed (about 40 times in
its 2300-year history), it is no wonder that Belgrade has never been about pick
up all the pieces of the city and take its place as most other European cities.
Despite all of this, the dishevelment of this city, the indefatigable vibrancy
of the people of Belgrade have still managed to turn it into a place of some
beauty and charm. Anyone would enjoy the bustling center of the city, the Kneza
Mihaila, where you will find a nice cafe-lined pedestrian boulevard that runs
through the old town. Belgrade's fort since Celtic times, Kalemegdan Citadel,
still seems to stand guard over the old town that was mostly built in the 17th
century. To the south of the city you will find the train and bus stations.
| Aleksandar Palas Hotel - Nine very exclusive suites available at the
Aleksandar Palas Hotel were designed to provide an exceptional degree of
comfort and pleasure to our guests. Attention to detail and personal
service take the form of a fine art at our hotel, so that Guests may
always be rewarded with magical and memorable experiences. The
hotel is situated at a premium location in the very heart of Belgrade
being in an immediate vicinity of numerous landmarks, architectural
marvels, places of culture, tradition, business, shopping and
entertainment. On-site Services: Reception desk - 24 hours - Currency exchange - 24 hours - National Restaurant “Kraljevina” (Royal) - Café-bar-restaurant “żQue Pasa?” - Room service from 07:00 AM until 01:00 AM - Direct phone lines in all Suites - Summer garden - Fitness centre - Safe-deposit boxes - Multilingual hotel staff - Laundry with same-day service - Car and valet parking - Sightseeing tours - Babysitting - Credit cards accepted: American Express, Diners International, Euro Master Card (MC) and VISA |
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Aleksandar Palas Hotel was named after a great Serbian King Aleksandar
Obrenovic. The inspiration to name it after the king was born from the
very location of the hotel as it is situated between Kralja Petra I
(King Peter the 1st – Karadjordjevic dynasty), and Cara Lazara (Tsar
Lazar – Nemanjic dynasty) streets, thus naming the hotel after a great
Serbian King of the third Serbian dynasty Obrenovic seemed only the most
appropriate. Hotel is situated in a building that was built in 1887, in the style of architectural classicism. As many surrounding buildings were also built in the 19th century, it creates a beautiful and harmonious architectural complex. |
British Airways
(ba.com) flies
between Belgrade and London.
Budva
There is a series of nice beaches along the Montenegrin coastline. Add to
this the backdrop of the high coastal mountains, and the scenery is quite
beautiful. Budva is the region's top beach resort and it is here you will find
the heaviest crowds during summer. When you first visit the town of Budva, it is
hard to think that it is real and not something dreamed up by the dream makers
of Disney World. The old town area, which was struck by an earthquake in 1979,
has been entirely rebuilt as a tourist attraction. There's a museum, three
churches and a fortress from which you can really get a great photo opportunity
of the city, and an almost "too cutesy" town square that are all faithful copies
of their originals.
Cetinje
This was once the capital of Montenegro. The city is atop a high plateau
between the Bay of Kotor and Skadar Lake. When most of this region was absorbed
by the Ottoman Empire, the Montenegro desperately hung on to its independence.
This was primarily because the area was so easy to defend. Probably the most
imposing building in the city is the former palace that is now the State Museum.
Just opposite the museum is the former house of Cetinje's prince-bishop. You
will want to be sure to visit the Cetinje Monastery. It was founded in 1484 and
rebuilt in 1785 and is filled with artifacts, including a collection of
liturgical songs that date from 1494.
Novi Sad
North of Belgrade, in Vojvodina, Novi Sad is a friendly university town with
a touch of Hungary. This town is much more multi-ethnic than Belgrade. It
is located on a beautiful curve of the Danube and has, perhaps due to all of the
students in the area, has a lively atmosphere - especially in the evening hours.
If you have something you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Things To See And Do
In Serbia and Montenegro
When you combine plenty of mountains and a long, cold
winter, you know you have the perfect recipe for snow activities. Serbia's
largest centre for skiing is Kopaonik, which has 26 runs covering a total of
54km, and a 150-bed hostel. Brezovica, on the north side of the Sar Planina
which separates Kosovo from Macedonia, is Kosovo's major resort. There is also
some good skiing In Montenegro at Zabljak. The ski season lasts from December to
March.
You can also find some great white water rafting in Serbia and Montenegro. Try the Tara River in Durmitor National Park. And, in the summer time, many of these ski areas become popular for hiking and trekking.
For a small region of Europe, Serbia and Montenegro sets aside a lot of time for fun. In Belgrade you can enjoy a film festival (FEST) in February, an international theatre festival in mid-September, a the summer jazz festival and a festival of classical music in October. Novi Sad also holds a great festival that includes one of Eastern Europe's finest music festivals ( www.exitfest.org ), where you can see bands from all over Europe that perform in the Petrovaradin Citadel.
There is also an interesting Agricultural Fair in mid-May, and the Sterijino Pozorje Drama Festival and the Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj Children's Poetry Festival. In Guča, there is the popular Dragacevo Trumpet Festival in late August, while in Budva you can enjoy a summer festival in July and August. Herceg Novi hosts the Suncale Skale music festival in July.
If you have something you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Suggestions For Accommodations In
Serbia and Montenegro
| Great
hotel deals in Serbia and Montenegro |
|
| Aleksandar Palas Hotel - Nine very exclusive suites available at the
Aleksandar Palas Hotel were designed to provide an exceptional degree of
comfort and pleasure to our guests. Attention to detail and personal
service take the form of a fine art at our hotel, so that Guests may
always be rewarded with magical and memorable experiences. The
hotel is situated at a premium location in the very heart of Belgrade
being in an immediate vicinity of numerous landmarks, architectural
marvels, places of culture, tradition, business, shopping and
entertainment. On-site Services: Reception desk - 24 hours - Currency exchange - 24 hours - National Restaurant “Kraljevina” (Royal) - Café-bar-restaurant “żQue Pasa?” - Room service from 07:00 AM until 01:00 AM - Direct phone lines in all Suites - Summer garden - Fitness centre - Safe-deposit boxes - Multilingual hotel staff - Laundry with same-day service - Car and valet parking - Sightseeing tours - Babysitting - Credit cards accepted: American Express, Diners International, Euro Master Card (MC) and VISA |
|
|
Aleksandar Palas Hotel was named after a great Serbian King Aleksandar
Obrenovic. The inspiration to name it after the king was born from the
very location of the hotel as it is situated between Kralja Petra I
(King Peter the 1st – Karadjordjevic dynasty), and Cara Lazara (Tsar
Lazar – Nemanjic dynasty) streets, thus naming the hotel after a great
Serbian King of the third Serbian dynasty Obrenovic seemed only the most
appropriate. Hotel is situated in a building that was built in 1887, in the style of architectural classicism. As many surrounding buildings were also built in the 19th century, it creates a beautiful and harmonious architectural complex. |
If you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Suggestions For
Dining In Serbia and Montenegro
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Favorites In Serbia and Montenegro
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some Interesting Links
For Serbia and Montenegro
Click here for language
helps, dictionaries,
electronic translators,
language software and other helps for learning
a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the
country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip
more. Jim.
| Commission free foreign currency delivered to your door. Transfer money to over 150 countries with Direct FX. Simple, secure and cost-effective money transfer service provided to you from Getting Away and Direct FX. Click here to order commission free foreign currency and travelers' checks. |
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If you have something you believe I should add to this section,
please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
