All posts by Goky Brkic

A young, passionate traveler and occasional writer. He like discovering new places and sites and from time to time write about what he discovered there and the experiences he brought home. Interested in wandering through nature, especially while riding bike with his friends.
Destinations, Europe

What to Expect When Visiting Islands on The Adriatic

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Visitors to islands on the Adriatic Sea can expect to find delightful islands and top tourist destinations for those looking for holidays with an incredible mix of adventure, sun, and sea. There are many wonderful and scenic places for you to visit, from sun-soaked islands to their pristine hill towns, and the region boasts a wide array of landscapes. The good thing about these islands is that they’re easily accessible and you can have an incredible time exploring.

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There are over a thousand islands dotting the Adriatic Sea, and the most popular islands to visit include Mljet, Vis, Hvar, Brac, and Pag. The following is what you can expect when you visit these locations.

Warm and sunny weather

The weather in this region is warm and sunny and these islands enjoy a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate with a high number of dry, sunny days. Since this is a coastal region, you can expect warm and dry summers while the winters are wet and rarely chilly.

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The coast region receives a lot of sunshine, especially the remote islands of Hvar and Korcula, which also happen to be the most arid. The best time to visit the region is between June and September when temperatures hover around 30 degrees Celsius.

Gorgeous and versatile nature

In general, these islands along the coast of Croatia are characterized by a special clarity and vivid colors, which contribute to the unique landscapes, along with a picturesque shoreline.

adriatic-islands-nature

Here you can enjoy fishing, and the water is also rich in various kinds of crustaceans. There’s natural beauty and stunning scenery all around and here you can find over 500 species of green, brown and red algae. Here you can enjoy watching bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and monk seals, and for passionate divers, there’s incredible world of colorful sea creatures and forms they can explore beneath the crystal-clear water.

Kind and friendly people

When you visit these islands, you will meet warm and friendly people and you will feel very welcome everywhere you go. You can relax and explore these islands while chilling out with awesome people in some of the most stunning surroundings ever. You can also discover the rich local culture and heritage, and a trip to one of the many unspoiled villages in the area can be an unforgettable experience.

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Accommodation for every budget

When it comes to accommodation, you can book your dream holiday and stay at a luxury Croatian villa that will cater to your budget. You can choose a villa based on the number of bedrooms or the average rental price. Cheap accommodation is available as well; you can even find a single room if you like but luxurious suites and villas offer world-class amenities, including air conditioning, internet, Wi-Fi, sprawling gardens, parking, private pools and grilling space.

Great food and entertainment

Tourists can enjoy delicious cuisine and the freshest seafood in picturesque towns.

seafood-delicious-shrimps

For entertainment purposes, there are many joints where visitors can enjoy an awesome night out. Cheap beer is available and you can find cafés and nightclubs full of young people partying the night away. You can also enjoy festivals and beach parties, and you will soon discover why these islands have risen to become the hottest party destinations in Europe.

Destinations, Europe, Travel Tips

Top 5 Mediterranean Destinations You Can’t Afford to Miss

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From clear blue waters to the neon of the attractive beaches, the Mediterranean coastline pulses with irrepressible energy. Whether you’re looking to explore the plush of the overwhelmingly rugged scenery, the immeasurable potent of beach life or the boat tour scene; you are guaranteed of an all-inclusive indulgence.

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Mediterranean Sea

Splendor meets majesty in this expansive coastline of historical and cultural significance. An exploration of the coast will have you wandering through splendid beaches, five-star restaurants, elegant lounge bars, and awe-inspiring ambiances. But while the Mediterranean coast is known the world over for its charm and beauty, these five spots have taken it to a whole new height.

Sibenik, Croatia

A Croatian gem. It’s no wonder they call Sibenik the pearl of the Mediterranean coastline. Impeccably positioned in a beautiful shore, Sibenik is a sun-kissed city that appeals to legions of tourist annually. This spot coalesces most of Croatia’s stunning features including its iconic 16th-century cathedral, numerous old churches, and two ancient fortresses. Some places you can visit include the UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral of St. James, the brilliant Count’s Place, the hoary Town Hall and the Dalmatian Ethno Village.

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View at sea and nearby islands from Sibenik

Today, this city houses all the most important religious edifices as well as historical buildings in the country. For all its magnificence, it is one place that is worth visiting.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Beside Sibenik, no trip to Croatia is complete without a trip to the city of Dubrovnik. Dazzling with immense beauty, Dubrovnik makes for a paradise destination on this remarkable stretch of the Adriatic coastline. The city is saturated with noteworthy historical sites, stunning architecture, stone streets, quaint alleys and beautiful seaside dens – everything you would want in a coastal city. There is a lot to do and see – from exploring the well-preserved buildings, sailing in the ocean to exploring the numerous fountains and museums.

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Dubrovnik city walls and old town core

Dubrovnik is among the most applauded resorts in the Mediterranean Coastline and is also a UNESCO world heritage. An enchanting Dubrovnik city walls tour is a great pleasure for many visitors who want to realize their dream through a personal quest.

Rimini, Italy

As the largest beach resort on the Adriatic coast, Rimini is a preferred destination for any savvy tourist. The city offers an incredible nine miles of beaches with numerous interesting sights. Its old town, roughly a 10-minute walk inland, has amazing features including Roman temples and the Tiberius Bridge. It also boasts an unequaled nightlife and a huge selection of high-class restaurants.

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One of many beautiful beaches in Rimini

Rimini is a thriving tourist hub for anyone looking to experience great nature, momentous architecture, and superb cuisine.

Nice, France

Overshadowed by the applauded Riviera neighbors like Monaco, France’s fifth biggest city is often taken as a last resort for exhausted retirees. Far from the belief, Nice packs most of its competitor’s beautiful features including the Mediterranean Sea, year-round sun, and Art Deco architecture. Its deep blue waters are its dramatic backdrop. And thanks to its ever-evolving restaurant, museum, and club scene, it is a city of all budgets. Now more than ever, Nice buzzes with a diversity that surpasses its coastal rivals.

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Aerial view of Nice

Very much of the Riviera’s hub, Nice has lots of high-quality restaurants serving excellent foods at pocket-friendly prices.

Alexandria, Egypt

Valued as the paradise destination for all things inclusive, Alexandria is a city that can hold on its own. It is undoubtedly the dazzling jewel of the Mediterranean, having been home to the Great Library of Alexandria and the seven wonders of the ancient world. Downtown Alexandria’s extensive waterfront lies a beautiful symbol of the city as any other monument. It is here at Corniche that you get to soak up the cosmopolitan elegance that dominated the city in the 18th century. For a first time visit, Corniche makes for a great base for exploring the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Fort Qaitbey, Montazah Palace, Kom el-Dikka and Alexandria National Museum.

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Fort Qaitbey, built on site of the ancient lighthouse

Alexandria is a renowned Mediterranean destination that has crucially established itself as a winning holiday destination for enjoying nature, culture and a multitude of other activities for both families and couples.

Asia, Destinations, Indonesia

Relaxing Holiday: 3 Amazing Destinations of the Far East

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Relaxing Holiday: 3 Amazing Destinations of the Far East

Exotic cities, people, and lifestyles – the Far East is a unique mixture of radically different cultures, all put together into a lively, crowded but charming melting pot. Whether you visit its large cities or rural areas untouched by the ongoing urbanization, it is one of the most astonishing areas of the globe.

Bali

Known by nicknames such as the “Island of Peace” or the “Island of the Gods”, Bali is the most popular Indonesian tourist attractions, featuring great beaches, cultural heritage, tourist resorts and scenic beauties. The best-known destinations include the town of Ubud or the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a water temple in the island’s interior.

Amazing Destinations of the Far East

A fabulous combination of beaches and resorts in Bali

Ubud is a great place for exploring the traditional Balinese lifestyle and customs, as well as cultural and religious traditions. A calm, tranquil town, it’s a place of many galleries and museums showcasing Balinese history, and a number of colorful local festivals takes place every year.

The Pura Ulun Danu Bratan or the Temple by the Lake, (as it is located on Lake Bratan) is an ancient Shivaite temple, surrounded by beautiful nature. Visitors can enjoy exploring the temple, learning more about Balinese history, or simply enjoy the landscape and the nearby Mount Batur, a popular climbing and hiking site.

Amazing Destinations of the Far East

Pura Bratan, one of Bali’s most iconic temples

Thailand

A jewel of Southeast Asia, Thailand’s tourism is developed enough to provide cozy tourist resorts, yet still wild enough for an off-the-beaten path wild adventure. Whether you explore its fine beaches in the south, or the mountain areas in the north, Thailand has plenty to offer. It’s cheap and delicious food, often sold on streets, will satisfy your craving for spicy food. Street vendors are everywhere, selling goods such as natural soaps, hand-dyed textiles, essential oils and even musical instruments.

Amazing Destinations of the Far East

A breath-taking view of Phi Phi islands

Thailand’s cities, such as Chiang Mai or Bangkok, are vibrant hives known for commerce, but the essence of Thai culture lies in its rural areas, where you can witness its rich wildlife from close range. For example, the Phi Phi islands, one of the country’s most popular resort areas, are a place where you can meet face to face with animals such as elephants or monkeys; especially on fun spots such as Monkey Beach or Maya Bay, offering a plethora of tourist entertainment facilities.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a multicultural metropolis, a city so vast that it’s a clashing point of different cultures, lifestyles and religions. A business center of Asia, airlines – who use it as a connection point – made it a popular stopover duty-free destination. It’s also a major health resort, offering a variety of treatments such as acupressure, aromatherapy, reflexology and various massages. Although it features some of the most impressive buildings in the world – such as the 118-storey International Commerce Center or the Central Plaza – there are plenty of parks, green spaces, and quiet areas to escape the crowded streets.

Amazing Destinations of the Far East

Hong Kong sunset cityscape

The best way to witness its amazing skyline is to head to Victoria Peak, a mountain in the western half of Hong Kong Island. One of the city’s most famous attractions, visitors can enjoy the cityscape looking through telescopes. Large shopping centers such as the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria are also located there.

Destinations, Europe, Travel Tips

How to spend great moments in Belgrade

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The capital of Serbia is becoming a major hit among European tourists. It’s a city with hundreds of years of history, impressive architecture, and, as a focal point of life in Serbia, has an impressive art and nightlife scene. It’s interesting to see how the cultural spheres of the West and the East clash in Belgrade, making the city a unique amalgam of both. In Belgrade, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Belgrade fortress and Victor monument at night

Belgrade fortress and Victor monument at sunset

Find a festival you like and visit it

There are over a hundred festivals held in Belgrade in an average year! The theme? Whatever you like – music, fashion, food & drink, art, theater, film. The most popular festivals are the Belgrade Summer Festival and the Beer Festival: the latter is one of the largest festivals in the region, with half a million visitors each year. It lasts five days, there is no entry fee, and visitors can enjoy various kinds of beer, concerts of many domestic and foreign stars.

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Beautiful hostesses at Belgrade Beer Festival

Explore the Temple of St. Sava

One of the symbols of the city is located near its center; it’s actually hard to miss, seeing its more than 70 meters tall. Built out of white marble, the Temple can fit in more than ten thousand people. It’s one of the largest orthodox churches in the world, looming over the city with its massive, 12 meters tall white granite dome. Considered by many to be the most impressive building in Serbia, it’s a monument to Serbian culture, history, and religion which has shaped the local way of life for centuries.

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Temple of St. Sava at Vracar plateau

Shop at Dorcol

Care for some shopping? Dorcol is the part of the city where all the brand and trendy stores of Belgrade are located, and some of the finest restaurants as well. Take a walk through its streets, enjoy your shopping, and perhaps grab some lunch afterward.

Visit the Savamala

One of the oldest parts of Belgrade is located on the right bank of the Sava. What’s so special about it? It’s the heart of Belgrade contemporary and alternative art scene, and there are a few cool night clubs as well. Lots of Belgrade-based artists and designers frequent the Savamala, its cultural centers, galleries, and ateliers. Start your visit by exploring the KC Grad, an old warehouse now turned into an exciting art gallery/coffee shop/library.

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Jazz concert in KC Grad

Enjoy the street art

There are graffiti or various installations on every corner. The local contemporary art scene has a great reputation throughout Europe, the main reason for it being the awesome Savamala.

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Street art in Savamala

Experience the Belgrade nightlife

Belgrade has become one of Europe’s most prestigious clubbing destinations, as its nightlife scene is pretty unique: most of the clubs are actually located on large boats or rafts on the Danube and Sava rivers. Playing a wide variety of music – from obscure techno subgenres to the popular local pop folk music, these rafts attract thousands every night, especially in the summer when the weather is nice. A usual night out in Belgrade means you’ll hop through a couple of clubs and feel the vibe of the Belgrade youth. And trust us, you’ll be back for more.

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One of raft clubs on Sava river

A city like Belgrade has dozens of hotels, so finding a suitable accommodation should not be a problem. Although the tourist influx is high during the entire year, you should have no problem with booking your room. Of course, there are plenty of low-cost hostels as well, and you can even check out a few couch-surfing websites and try your luck that way: the people of Belgrade are very friendly and lots of them, especially the younger population, will gladly accept you.

With such a diverse and rich offer, plenty of landmarks and entertainment options, and great locals, Belgrade is truly the hottest European destination in 2016.

Cultural and Historical Heritage, Destinations, Europe, Travel Tips

Zadar: Whispers of History and Sea Organs

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Zadar

Old town of Zadar

The City of Zadar is located in the south of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean with a world famous harbor. Zadar is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, because of its beautiful sights and the influences of the Roman culture, which are very much visible in the city itself. Its total population is about 75,000 inhabitants. With its Romanic forum, historical buildings and long, beautiful beaches, Zadar is the ideal tourist destination.

The old town of Zadar is perfect for trips and sightseeing tours. It is located on an half isle and surrounded by Venetian walls. Especially the “fountain square” with its Corinthian statue is a must see destination. Zadar has also a lot of museums to offer, like the Museum of Science, or the Archaeological Museum of Zadar and many others. The churches in this city are also as beautiful as numerous. There is, for example, the Church of the Holy Anastasia, which was built by the Romans in the 13th century, that is famous for its paintings and well-handcrafted marble altars.

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Ruins of Roman Forum and Church of St. Mary in background

From unique paintings and churches, to the most unique and interesting thing in Zadar to see, the sea organs. First installed in June 2005, the organs make a unique noise, when sea waves pressure air into the “organ holes” in the ground. As different the speed of the waves is, the different these organs sound, making a sound natural and unique, as the nature itself. Not far from the sea organs, the same architect installed a circle of 22 meters with 300 accessible glazed flagstones, which absorb the sunlight and provide an incredible light after the sunset.

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Famous sea organs

Especially for sailors, Zadar is a must visit destination. The many islands which surround Zadar are ideal for people who like to discover new places and sail by their own. The untouched nature, as well as the beautiful landscape, is unique in the Zadar area. The shapes and outlines are impressive. The island Galesnjak, for example, has the shape of a heart and has an untouched nature, which just alone is worth a visit. Nin is just 17 kilometers away. This old lagoon town is connected with the mainland just by bridges. These are just two of many more islands that surround Zadar.

When you decide to visit Zadar, you will be delighted to see, that the Zemunik Airport is about 10 kilometers away from the main bus station and 12 kilometers away from the city center. It’s also possible to rent a car, if you come from a country which is allowed to drive in the European Union. There is a direct bus line between the airport and the main bus station. This line costs 25 Kuna, which is about 3 Euros or 4 Dollars. Another common transfer possibility is the taxi. The taxis are the fastest way to go around in Zadar, but will cost you about 20 Euros or 22 Dollars. If you wish to visit the districts of Borik or Diklo, it is highly recommended to use taxis to get to these districts, because if you would take the bus, you would be forced to change the bus at the bus station.

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Kolovare beach

Zadar is a city which has been influenced by the Roman culture. It has a lot of beautiful churches, the Romanic forum, the old town with its Venetian walls, as well as the very individual and interesting sea organs. Zadar is a city with many specters and facets, but still modest and beautiful, and that makes it the perfect destination for your next holiday.

Editor's Picks, Europe

Top 5 Croatian Islands You Should Visit

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Croatia is a country of a thousand islands; known for their beautiful landscapes, unspoiled nature, pebble beaches and olive groves, these gems of nature are visited every year by tens of thousands of tourists. But, since there are so many of them, which one to visit, you might ask yourself. To help you with that dilemma, we offer you a list of the five Croatian islands we consider the most interesting.

And here are the top 5 Croatian islands you should visit:

1. Vis

Once a Yugoslav military naval base, Vis is now a perfect oasis of peace and quiet for those seeking to escape the urban frenzy and crowds often present in larger Croatian tourist towns. Besides being a place of exquisite natural beauty and clean rocky beaches, Vis will enchant you with its warm locals (who’ll be happy to teach you catch and prepare fish), taverns (the island is known for its winemaking tradition and seafood delicacies) and fauna, as the island is covered with vineyards, palm, pine, olive and oleander trees. It’s also a perfect destination for couples who want to enjoy the intimacy of long romantic walks and hidden bays.

Viz
Viz

2. Pag

The island of Pag is the center of Croatian tourist nightlife as it is dotted with beach bars and nightclubs with 24-hour licenses, meaning that the party – literally – never ends. The beach parties at Papaya, Aquarius, Kalypso and other Pag clubs often host well-known international DJs and the island became the place-to-be for teenage and generally younger, party-eager visitors. But even if you don’t consider yourself a party animal, Pag will amaze you with its barren interior (often compared to the surface of the Moon!), famous sheep cheese and lamb delicacies as well as the traditional folklore songs and costumes.

Pag
Pag

3. Losinj

Located in Kvarner, the northern region of the Adriatic, Losinj belongs to an archipelago that consists of more than 30 islands and islets and is considered to be one of the most visually attractive archipelagos in the Mediterranean. It’s almost a classic-Caribbean type of scenery; the sky is sunny and cloudless, the sea is deep and green and the island is heavily forested, an attribute in which the people of Losinj take great pride. In fact, there are even tours such as the Aromatic Island Garden designed to show visitors the richness of the island’s flora and fauna. As all the settlements are small towns with a blend of Venetian and Greek influences, Losinj is an ideal place for a rejuvenating, heart-soothing holiday.

Losinj
Losinj

4. Hvar

The island of Hvar is located between Korcula, Brac, and Vis; it is unique because of its large fertile coastal plain, fresh water springs and many pine forests, vineyards, and olive groves. The island has been inhabited for thousands of years and has always been in the center of sailing routes of the Adriatic Sea, which turned it into an important focal point of naval trade in the past. The ancient Greeks founded a colony at the island, somewhere around 4th century BC. The site is today known as Stari Grad and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Today, it’s a famous tourist island attracting a large number of people every summer, but historically it was a place of culture and arts, and, curiously, the place of one the first public theaters in Europe.

Hvar
Hvar

5. Korcula

Korcula lies near the Dalmatian coast in the south Adriatic and, with over sixteen thousand inhabitants, is the second most populous island in the Adriatic. The main settlements are the tourist towns of Korcula, Blato and Vela Luka, with several smaller villages. The island owes its tourist popularity to the warm and clean Adriatic and the mild Mediterranean climate and is mostly covered with pine forests. It’s the alleged birthplace of the famous adventurer Marco Polo and, according to legend, the first settlement on the island was founded by the Trojan hero, Atenor in the 12th century BC. Ferries connect the island with the cities on the Croatian coast, but there are direct ferries to Italian ports as well.

Korcula
Korcula