Balkans | Winterland From Belgrade to Sarajevo

|Winterland From Belgrade to Sarajevo. 1⃣️ First arrival in Belgrade As soon as I got off the plane, the cold breath hit my face, and the fine snowflakes in the sky were flying. The city seems to be lightly shrouded in a tulle, and every corner exudes a sense of history and art unique to Eastern Europe. Strolling through Grand Duke Street in Mikhailo, the stone pavement beneath your feet is covered in snow and makes a “crunching” sound. Along the streets, the roofs of ancient buildings are covered with snow, like small wooden houses in fairy tales. Street artists were not afraid of the severe cold and played to their heart's content in the snow. The melodious music echoed in the streets and alleys, adding a bit of warmth and romance to this cold winter day. When you come to Kalemegdan Castle, it stands at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, decorated with white snow. Standing on the walls of the castle and looking into the distance, the river was not completely frozen, but there was a slight chill. Occasionally boats slowly passed by on the river, leaving ripples, which were soon covered by snowflakes again. Inside the castle, the ruins of history are looming in the snow, making people think of the wars and glorious years of the past. 2⃣️ Montenegro: A fantastic covenant in the silver and white world Head all the way south and arrive at Montenegro. This country, known as "Europe's back garden", is like a fantastic fairy tale world under the cover of heavy snow. The ancient city of Kotor is surrounded by mountains and clings to the Adriatic Sea. The stone streets of the ancient city were covered with thick snow, leaving deep footprints with every step. The architectural style of the ancient city is unique, blending the Mediterranean style with the rhythm of Eastern Europe. It is more primitive and elegant against the white snow. Colored lanterns hang from the door of small shops along the street, giving off a warm glow in the snowy night. Walk into a small shop, order a cup of steaming coffee, look at the snow scene outside the window, and feel the slow flow of time. Perast is a seaside town in Montenegro where its beauty is quiet and charming. There are many ships moored in the harbor of the town, which are covered in snow like sleeping elves. Across the bay, St. George Island and Notre Dame Rock Island are looming in the snow, as if they are two mysterious wonderlands. 3⃣️ Sarajevo: The intertwining of history and reality This city is full of unique charm. It has experienced the baptism of war, but still tenaciously blooms with its own brilliance, with a unique scene of "half city fireworks, half city grave". Strolling through the old town of Sarajevo, the streets are lined with a variety of architectural styles, ranging from Ottoman mosques to Austro-Hungarian European-style buildings, which bear witness to the city’s vicissitudes of history. In Coppersmiths Street, coppersmiths are busy by the fire, and the tinkling sound of beating echoes in the streets. There is a wide variety of handicrafts here, each one contains the hard work and wisdom of the craftsmen. Come to the Yellow Fort, which is a great location overlooking the whole city of Sarajevo. Standing on the Yellow Fort, the sight in front of you is shocking. On one side is a city full of life, with smoke and smoke, people busy in the snow, and everywhere is filled with fireworks; on the other side is a large white cemetery with many tombstones, which is particularly quiet and solemn under the cover of white snow. This stark contrast gives a deep sense of the fragility and tenacity of life and a deeper understanding of the city's history. This snowfall trip to the Balkans not only allowed me to appreciate the magnificence and magic of nature, but also made me feel the weight and depth of history. ✨Preparation before the trip: Learn about the local weather and prepare warm clothing such as thick cotton clothes, scarves, gloves, and snow boots, as well as waterproof cameras and chargers. 📌Itinerary: - D1: Arrival in Belgrade: Arrive in Belgrade at noon and proceed to your hotel to check in, store your luggage and have lunch nearby after a short break. In the afternoon, head to Kalemegdan Castle to enjoy the snowy view of the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers and visit the military museum in the castle. In the evening, visit Grand Duke Street in Mikhailo and enjoy dinner at a street restaurant to feel the lively nightlife. - D2: Belgrade City Tour: Visit St. Sava Temple in the morning to admire its magnificent architecture and fine interior decoration. Then head to Republic Square and browse the surrounding shops and cafes. In the afternoon, head to the Nikola Tesla Museum to learn about the life and achievements of this great inventor. In the evening, enjoy local specialties in the city. - D3: Belgrade-Sarajevo: Take the morning bus to Sarajevo and check into your hotel upon arrival. After a short break, head to the Old Town of Chalcia, Brazil, where you can stroll through the ancient streets and visit attractions such as the Great Mosque of Sarajevo and Coppersmith Street for the Ottoman period. - D4: Sarajevo City Tour: Visit the Latin Bridge in the morning to learn about the triggers of World War I. Then proceed to the Yellow Fortress, overlooking the entire city of Sarajevo and enjoy the unique sight of “half city fireworks, half city grave”. In the afternoon, visit the Ghazi-Husse Rebbe Mosque to experience its outstanding architectural art. Enjoy dinner in the Old Town in the evening and experience the local food culture. - D5: Sarajevo-Kotol: Depart in the morning for Kotor, enjoying the snowy views of the Balkan Peninsula on the way. Upon arrival in Kotor, check into your hotel and stroll through the ancient city of Kotor, admiring its ancient architecture and narrow streets for a medieval vibe. Climb the ancient city wall in the evening and enjoy the stunning sunset over Kotor Bay. - D6: Kotor-Perast-Budva: In the morning, head to Perast for a tour of the seaside town and admire the islands of St. George and Notre Dame Rocks across the bay. You can take a small boat to Notre Dame Rock Island to visit the island’s church. Head to Budva in the afternoon to stroll around the old town of Budva and feel the Mediterranean-style architecture. Evening dinner at the seaside restaurant in Budva with sea views. - D7: Budva - Montenegro Town - Tara Bridge - Zlatibor: Head to Montenegro town in the morning to experience the local atmosphere. Then proceed to Tara Bridge to visit the famous bridge and feel its magnificence. Head to Zlatibor in the afternoon, check into your hotel and stroll around the town, admiring the snowy scenery and characteristic architecture of the area. - D8: Zlatibor-Belgrade: Return to Belgrade by bus in the morning and upon arrival proceed to the airport to end your pleasant journey.