Friday, 24 May 2013

Featured Destination


Balkans
The Balkans' Street-Renaming Obsession

The battle over renaming streets in Eastern Europe since the fall of communism reflects their importance as symbols of identity, history and power. Full Story


Epicure


Balkans
Five Delicious Aubergine Recipes

The coming of fall in the Balkans brings with it more than a drop in temperatures and a change of scenery. This time of the year also means good news in the culinary department. Full Story


News


Balkans
Romania, Albania and Turkey Sell “Racist Cookies”

14 September 2011 | Black Man chocolate flavoured cookies, which were spotted on sale in Romania, Albania and Turkey this week, triggered heated discussions on Internet. Their shape of “a man with braids, a wide nose and big lips” was seen as an attempt at profiting from racial stereotypes. Full Story

Romania
Romanian Winemakers Unite to Tackle US Market
Romania
WWII Jewish Mass Grave Found in Romania


Routes Less Travelled


Romania
Romania’s Haţeg Land: Shades of Blue

On a quest to find Romania’s oldest church, Sorin-Alexandru Cristescu of www.incogniterra.org browses the region around Haţeg Town in Transylvania, central Romania. He discovers old, older and even older churches, and realises that he is traveling against time. Eventually he finds the most ancient temple
Full Story

Romania
Bukovina: Romania's Centre of Spirituality
Romania
Perishing or Jovially Surviving in Transylvania


Curiosity Chest


Romania
Electric Candle Is Fine, Online Blessing - Not

Sound blasters and electric candles, that are switched on by dropping a coin, have long infested Christian churches around the world. Yet virtual prayers and blessings remain controversial practice to religious communities. Lately the dispute surfaced in the Balkans.
Full Story




Hidden Sofia


Bulgaria
From Soviet Saviours to American Superheroes and Back: Sofia Keeps Pace with the Times

21 June 2011 | Just four days after an anonymous graffiti artist transformed the Soviet Red Army monument in the centre of Sofia, turning it into a congregation of various comic-book characters Full Story

Bulgaria
Sklada: The Space that Stores and Showcases Contemporary Design
Bulgaria
Before and After: A Tango Milonga in the Midst of Sofia

Hidden Bulgaria


Bulgaria
Go Green in Bulgaria: 23 Eco-Hotels and Guest Houses to Choose From

Bulgaria's countryside is a pristine treasure. Poor and underdeveloped, many regions, with hills and valleys, mountains and gorges, have remained untouched for decades.
Full Story

Bulgaria
Julian Perry's Walks in Bulgaria's National Parks
Bulgaria
From Sofia to the Village of Lakatnik in an Old Locomotive






Balkan Coasts & Mountains


Rafting along the Nera River in Romania's Banat Region

Romania

The Nera River valley, in Romania’s Banat Region, is a superb destination for adventurers: it is isolated, authentic and it features dramatic landscapes. Sorin-Alexandru Cristescu of the Romanian www.incogniterra.org writes about his journey there, involving some grief over derelict architectural heritage, but also intoxicating rafting down wild waters and fine enough dining on the Cerna River bank Full Story

Northern Dobrogea: On the Danube and Via Pontica Crossing



Balkan Towns


Five Not-To-Be-Missed Cities around the Balkans for 2009

Balkans

To many the Balkans region may be more popular for its nature than for its sprawling metropolises. And while the majestic mountain ranges of Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania or the crystal sea waters of Croatia and Greece are impressive, the region also boasts an amazing collection of cities. Full Story