The '''Balkans''' is a region that includes countries on the Balkan Peninsula in the southeast of Europe, including the former Yugoslavia.
Countries
Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Kosovo
Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia
Moldova
Montenegro
'''Slovenia''' is sometimes considered to be part of the Balkans, but it is increasingly being included in tour packages as part of Central Europe, such as Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland. Slovenians consider themselves Central European too due to their long ties to Austria. This is probably also correct as the Balkan peninsula is, according to some definitions, what lies south of the rivers Sava and Danube from the city of Belgrade. This definition however then would rule out part of northern Serbia, known as Vojvodina, a good part of Croatia, Romania and of course Slovenia. Historically all these countries/regions were usually considered to be part of the Balkan countries, as Slovenia too was once part of Yugoslavia. It is their recent independence that has allowed for the Slovenes to re-proclaim their desire to be considered Central European! Lastly, much of '''Greece''' also resides upon the Balkan Peninsula, but its major travel destinations lie upon islands.
Cities
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Belgrade
Bucharest
Chi?in?u
Podgorica
Sarajevo
Skopje
Sofia
Tirana
Zagreb
Other destinations
Krk, Croatia
Makarska, Croatia
Understand
It should be remembered that the Balkans and nearby Anatolia in Turkey are the cradle of European civilisation.
Talk
Languages on Balkans include; Macedonian, which is spoken mainly in Macedonia; Serbian, which is spoken mainly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro; Albanian, which is spoken in Albania,Kosovo,Serbia,Montenegro,Macedonia and Greece; Bosnian which is spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgarian, which is spoken in Bulgaria; and Croatian, which is spoken in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some other useful languages might be Turkish, which many people in Greece and Bulgaria speak, and Gypsy may be useful in all of the Balkan states. Most of the people, especially in cities and touristic areas speak English. And sometimes German, Italian, French(in Romania).
Get in
By Plane
There are several international airports in the Balkans.
Tirana-- Albania
Pri?tina-- Kosovo
Zagreb -- Croatia
Skopje -- Macedonia
Ohrid -- Macedonia
Belgrade -- Serbia
Sarajevo -- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Athens -- Greece
Chisinau -- Moldova
Bucharest -- Romania
Sofia -- Bulgaria
By boat
See Ferries in the Mediterranean
Get around
By train
A cheap way for traveling around the Balkans is the Balkan Flexipass, which is valid in Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.
See
Itineraries
Do
Events
'''Guca festival''', Gu?a (_C_____p) Serbia, [http://www.guca.co.yu/en/index.php] - An annual "Trubacki" music festival held in the summer. This genre of music is best known as ethnic jazz, and is best played by the Balkan Roma people.
'''EXIT Festival''', Novi Sad, Serbia, [http://eng.exitfest.org] - An annual rock festival held from July 6 - July 9, which many musicians and bands from all over Europe attend.
'''Ohrid Summer Fesitival''', Ohrid, Macedonia - An international culture festival held annualy from July through August.
Eat
Drink
Stay safe
Get out