The Balkans have always intrigued me. I was surfing the internet to learn more about this part of southeastern Europe a few months ago when, coincidentally, I received news of a confirmed group tour planned during the Hari Raya holiday.
The itinerary included visits to eight Balkan countries: Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia. Serbia and Kosovo were not part of the tour as they would need a visa to enter (for Malaysians).
Since the timing was perfect and didn’t conflict with urgent work issues, I signed up for the tour. In anticipation, I had hoped that the tour would bring several “wow factors”, because I really needed a break from my busy work schedule.
Nowadays, the Jesuit Stairs in Dubrovnik are known as the “Stairs of Shame”, in reference to a scene from the series Games Of Thrones.When it was time to travel, I packed my bags and brought just one warm jacket because it was spring and the temperatures wouldn’t be too low. We landed at night in Bucharest, Romania, and immediately headed to our hotel to get some sleep.
Feeling refreshed the next morning, I realized that our tour group consisted of mostly middle-aged people and a handful of retirees who were well into their 70s. In comparison, I felt “young” among them, so I should be able to endure the somewhat hectic itinerary for the duration of the trip, which lasted two weeks.
Now, participating in a tour with a fixed itinerary means sticking to a tight schedule. Usually, we have to pick up our pace when walking, quickly take photos, endure long bus rides, and sometimes eat unsavory foods. I said to myself, “Whatever happens, I’m just going to sit down and try to have fun.” »
Fortunately, the bus rides throughout the trip were comfortable and there were no bumpy roads. The scenery was magnificent in each destination. For several days, we crisscrossed the coast whose azure color was reflected on the Adriatic Sea. There was also a lot of greenery and the contrast of colors was fascinating.
The walks passed through villages and small towns. Many of these places seemed taken from a fairy tale. The houses and buildings were almost similar – rectangular with a triangular roof, surrounded by fruit trees and flowers, mainly tulips. In the background, snow-capped mountains highlighted the landscape.
The capital of each country had its own story to share with visitors. Among the modern buildings stood old buildings with medieval architecture. However, no skyscraper could eclipse these historic homes.
The charming town of Bled in Slovenia.In each town, we met an affable and knowledgeable local guide who had interesting stories to share. Being a history buff, I enjoyed listening to these tales.
The capitals we visited were Bucharest, Sofia (Bulgaria), Skopje (North Macedonia), Tirana (Albania), Podgorica (Montenegro), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Zagreb (Croatia) and Ljubljana (Slovenia).
Old cities included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which had influences and remnants of the Roman and Ottoman empires, were still visible in the Balkans. The Roman Empire lasted about 1,000 years while the Ottoman Empire lasted about 600 years; both left an indelible mark on this region.
Dubrovnik, on the Adriatic Sea, is one of the best preserved medieval cities. Fans of the television series Game Of Thrones would be able to identify some of the spots featured in the series. One example is the “Stairs of Shame” or, in real life, the Jesuit Stairs, built in 1738.
Split in Croatia is best known for the ruins of Diocletion’s Palace, while Kotor in Montenegro boasts its winding alleys full of shops and restaurants and, of course, Kotor Cathedral.
In Ohrid, North Macedonia, we visited the Church of St. John of Kaneo, located on a cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid. It was breathtaking. The Old Bridge in Mostar, a 16th century city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is an Islamic architectural masterpiece. Completely destroyed during the Croatian-Bosnian war, the bridge was later rebuilt and opened to the public in 2004.
The writer (squatting, second from left) with her group of tourists on the Old Bridge in Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It is also interesting to note that during a walkabout in the city of Sofia in Bulgaria, new portions of remains of the Roman Empire were discovered between 2010 and 2012, during the construction of the Serdika metro station . There was signage and a detailed explanation for each item found.
Finally, the wonders of nature were highlighted during a very enjoyable hike on massive wooden planks in Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park, with waterfalls and abundant greenery encapsulating the area. Not to be outdone by nature, an artificial “sea organ” in Zadar, Croatia plays music using sea waves and tubes located beneath a set of large marble steps. It was so magical!
The interactive artworks created by renowned artists and architects in the various cities we visited also appealed to the senses.
I was in love with the Balkans. There were countless wow factors in the places we went, and from the looks of other travelers, they were also struck by the place.
The opinions expressed are entirely those of the reader.
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