Tourism 2013

Year VII special edition, 2013 free copy www.nacionalnarevija.com 

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TOURISM 2013 traveling

ПРИНЦИП ПРИНЦИП ПРЕС ПРЕС

“Golden Apple” TV EDITION OF “NATIONAL REVIEW”!

Half an hour long collage TV program about Serbia, its landscapes and people, towns and customs, cultural-historic heritage and economic and tourist potentials.

Travel reporting, portraits, legends, melodies.

The best from Serbia, with knowledge and love! > RTV Republika Srpska (RTRS), every Sunday at 15:30 > Soon also on Radio-Television of Serbia (RTS)

P R O L O G U E INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR IN BELGRADE, FOR THE 35TH TIME Publisher: “Princip Press” Editorial Office, Cetinjska 6 Phone: + 381 (11) 322 70 34, 322 16 92 Fax: + 381 (11) 324 56 21 www.turistinfosrbija.com On Behalf of the Publisher: Mišo Vujović, Director and Editor-in-Chief Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Publication Editor: Branislav Matić Technical Editor: Aleksandar Ćosić Photography Editor: Dragan Bosnić Cover Page: Jovan Željko Rajačić Texts by: Milovan Vitezović, Dragan Nedeljković, priest Jovan Plamenac, Dragan Lakićević, Jovan Pejčić, Dragan Mraović, Bojan Mandić, Dragan Bulatović, Petar Milatović, Ljiljana Dugalić, Jovo Bajić, Milena Z. Bogavac, Vojislav Filipović, Saša Šarković, Zoran Plavšić, Helena Duković, Vlada Arsić, Dragana Bukumirović, Dejan Đorić, Dejan Bulajić, Roza Sazdić, Lenka Šibalija, Dubravka Preradović, Željko Sinobad, Rade Bošnjak, Mihail Kulačić, Predrag Todorović Translated by: Sandra Gagić & “Globe Translations“ Marketing: Mirko Vujović, Irena Stolić Distribution: Milenko Vasilić Office Secretary: Jelena Jović, Dragana Dimitrijević

Journeys in the Heart H

ere we are again. International Tourism Fair in Belgrade, the biggest event of its kind in South-Eastern Europe, this year with the motto “Journeys in the Heart”. “One journey, numerous impressions.” Accompanying events are International Hotel and Restaurant Equipment Fair, International Wine Fair, Souvenir Fair. Over a thousand exhibitors, from almost fifty countries. All fresh and shiny, a bit too sweet, determined not to allow anyone to notice the burden on their shoulders. “Yes, it hurts, but we pretend we’re fine.” They quickly stuffed everything under the carpet and put on a smile to cover this year, into which we stepped fearfully, with encouraging forecasts nobody believes in. (In the competition of chronic pessimists and professional optimists, of gloomy catastrophists and hysterically joyful advertising hit-makers, this time too, it seems, the most convincing will be the humorists.)

Analysts and spokesmen persuade us that “the world is at the exit of crisis” and that tourism has already passed that door. Last year, tourism in the world grew by four percent, with more than a billion tourists and an income of over 1.400 billion dollars. Let’s hope it’s really so and that this is the wave that will lift all the stranded boats in this part of the world as well.

With its special edition, National Review will once again mark the Tourism Fair, for the fifth time in a row. In the Balkans, where countries are several times younger than their inhabitants, it’s already a serious tradition. And each tradition, if its worthy of the name, is an obligation.

Now, according to the motto of this year’s Fair, let’s start off.

If you don’t know what awaits you, you’ll realize very soon.

And don’t worry, you’re among friends here. 

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THE BELGRADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

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CONTENTS Panorama 04 PRO­LOGUE 06 AL­BUM: OVERCOMING DISTANCES

Road Sign 12 JUBILEE: 1700 YEARS OF THE EDICT OF MILAN 20 VISIT: VI­MI­NA­CI­UM 26 GE­NI­US LO­CI: AL­HAM­BRA 32 ISLANDS: SKI­A­TOS 38 HIGH: DUR­MI­TOR

Guide 42 INVITATION: KNJA­ŽE­VAC 48 DIRECTIONS: NE­GO­TIN 52 CARE: “YOUNG PEOPLE FOR TOURISM OF SERBIA” 56 OVERVIEW: TOURISM OF SRP­SKA 61 PRESENCE: ZA­GREB 62 ON THE OLD PLACE: OHRID 67 CELEBRATIONS: CARNIVAL IN LE­SKOV­AC 73 HEALTH: “ATOM­SKA BA­NJA”, GOR­NJA TREP­ČA 74 OINTMENT: PRO­LOM BA­NJA

Introducing 70 EXAMPLES: DR DE­JAN STA­NO­JE­VIĆ, “MER­KUR” 78 STUDIES: UNIVERSITY “SIN­GI­DU­NUM” 84 COLLEGE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT 88 ENCOUNTERS: “GU­ČA 2013.”

90 INSURANCE: “TRI­GLAV” 93 INDICATION: CEN­TRAL­ SLO­VE­NI­A 94 RECOMMENDATION: RESTAURANT “ORAO” SERBIA  special edition  2013

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A L B U M

 White boat on the Danube, in Budapest  Waiting for Argonauts

WAYS TO CONQUER DISTANCES

Your Turn W

Photo: Dragan Bosnić

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ise people of ancient Greece said that “philosophizing means being on a journey”. From that point of view, this before you is truly a philosophical booklet. The objective is to travel, not to merely end the journey by reaching the destination. Navigare est necesse, vivere non est necesse.

There are many ways of traveling and many ways of understanding traveling. In mythical times, behind the curtains of this history, Moses walked over the Red Sea. In the XIII century, Marco Polo jounced to China in a caravan wagon car several times, down the Silk Route, and brought us Il Milione and Books of the Marvels of the World. In 1947, Thor Heyerdahl sailed the Pacific Ocean, from South America to Polynesia, in 101 day on his “Kon Tiki” raft.

Jovan Cvijić traveled on a pony and filled many books with the Balkans, which he knew as well as his small back yard. Remember how Ian Bibian reached the Moon? Crnjanski sailed to Spitsbergen by boat, looking for Hyperborea, and in his dreams to Sumatra, where even today cherries have the scent of his verses.

Agatha Christie was taking naps with her characters in the “Orient Express” on the way to Constantinople, so her own ghosts caught up with her at the Belgrade station. Delicate Hercule Poirot reached the deepest secrets of men in his carriage. Miroslav Antić cruised the entire Plain, all its streets and alleys, on “gypsy wheels”, to understand the difference between ants and eagles.

Tell me how you travel and I’ll tell you who you are.

With this edition’s “Album”, on six pages and with seven photos, we’ll remind you of some of the ways to conquer distances among us. The following step is yours.  (B. M.)

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A L B U M On the Ohrid Lake, but not Biljana

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To fly, in more ways than one: Examples from Serbia

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A L B U M

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At the airport on Skiathos

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J U B I L E E CELEBRATION OF 1700TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EDICT

The Man who The famous act officialized religious tolerance in the empire, prohibited persecution of the heterodox and Christian church was given the right to act publically. It is one of the most significant dates in the entire history of Christian church and civilization. Throughout this year, eyes of at least two billion christened people will be looking at Niš, the former Naisus, birthplace of the emperor who adopted this law and who was gaining victories under Christian insignia, because the official centre of the celebration will be located exactly there. And what have Niš and Serbia prepared for this occasion?

OF MILAN HAS BEGUN

Baptized Europe Constantine entering Rome (Illustration from the Archive of “Politikin Zabavnik”)

J U B I L E E Photographs: Archives and reporters of “National Review”

By: Daša Marjanović

 Monument to Constantine in Niš, on the Pier opposite the Fortress

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lot of time has passed. Empires were created and destroyed, wars broke and ended in peace, old wounds healed and new were made, victories and defeats were strung, construction and demolition. Naisus has gown into Niš, Mediolanum has gown into Milan, at the expense of magnificent esthetics and for the benefit of functional plainness. Everything has changed, but the essence remained the same. For more than two millennia, fine

Patriarch “This celebration tonight in Niš, as well as all others that will take place in this city, but also in Belgrade and other places during the year, will help us to ensure that the words of the Edict of Milan, today, after 1700 years, are heard and sound contemporary, because, unfortunately, persecutions and sufferings are contemporary throughout the world, in our neighborhood, and even in our country, and especially in Kosovo and Metohija. This is a stimulation for us to be even more persistent in witnessing Jesus Christ, so the others would follow, after seeing our good deeds”, said His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej on January 17 in Niš, at the ceremony that marked the celebration of the great jubilee. “Thanks to Emperor Constantine, Christians gained their freedom... This 2013 is an opportunity to see how much we belong to Christ, how much God is with us and how much we are with him. We are here to, in the year of the great jubilee, show that we are capable of overcoming every crisis. Emperor Constantine was a spiritual role model for later rulers, especially those from this region. And members of the Nemanjić dynasty often compared themselves with Constantine...”

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philosophy of Christianity – written in the trinity of Faith, Love and Hope – has been honing the sharp edges of existence, giving it a meaningful value. And 1700 years has already passed since Christianity, through approval from the top of the Roman Empire, entered Europe through the main door. We could say that exactly this was the first and complete baptizing of Europe. It was done by a ruler who had sufficient lucidity and wisdom to recognize the Heavenly Sign, and enough courage to ay “unconditional Yes to his own destiny”.

313 Gaius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus, later called the Great, was a Roman emperor, for Orthodox people holy emperor and isapostolic, dedicated (based on the accounts of historians of that time) and a skillful leader (as contemporary analysts would assess).

He led battles to strengthen the shaken empire. Before the battle against the Roman tyrant-usurper Maxentius, on October 28, 312, waiting for a favorable sign from heaven, Constantine had a mystical experience. Jevsevije, Constantine’s contemporary, says: “In the light of the day, the Emperor saw a shining cross, ornamented

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with stars, holding an inscription: Win with this! The emperor then ordered a large cross to be forged, similar to the one from his vision, and to be carried before the army.”

With the power of the cross, he won victory over the more numerous enemy, triumphantly entered Rome and became the ruler of the entire Western world.

Since the wise emperor found in cross the motivation for himself and his exhausted warriors, and made the famous victory, he soon started another battle. In order to put an end to religious persecutions and to ensure peace of mind for Christians, exactly seventeen centuries ago, Constantine in Mediolanum (today Milan) adopted the law on religious tolerance, today known as the Edict of Milan. This Edict prohibited the persecutions of the heterodox, gave Christian church the right to act publicly, increased privileges of the clergy, and divided the government into lay and spiritual. Although Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire some time later, during the reign of emperor Theodosius, Constantine released the first spark, maybe not even sensing that 1700 years later its flame would still be alive.

2013 There are more than two billion Christians in the world today. Two billion sparks that make the shine of Constantine’s halo resistant to centuries. Exactly for this reason, the centre of celebration of this great jubilee, 1700th anniversary of the adoption of one of the most important document in the history of Christianity, is located in Niš, the birthplace of the great emperor Constantine.

It is a flattering and demanding task for the citizens of Niš. They will have to show that they are worthy Constantine’s successors and in this use the unique opportunity to impress the world with the beauties of Serbian south. At least two billion pairs of eyes will be looking at them. Roads were repaired, bicycle lanes, pedestrian zones, tourist signboards, a monument to emperor Constantine was built, the building of the Old Officer’s House was reconstructed, Mediana is regaining its former glory, monographs of the imperial city are in print, and various spiritual and cultural manifestations are being prepared. Passers-by and pilgrims in Niš will encounter liturgies, performances, concerts, exhibitions, music and folklore events, numerous lectures and scientific

President “Freedom of religion is an important issue in the contemporary world. It is not easy to live honorably, with one’s religion, with one’s convictions, if it does not please those in power. Let me paraphrase the French academician, Serbian friend, Jean Detour: ‘Why not die in order to save the endangered honor?’” said Tomislav Nikolić, president of Serbia, on January 17 in Niš, at the ceremony that marked the beginning of celebration of 1700th anniversary of the adoption of the Edict of Milan. “Serbia today lives in accordance with principles of the Edict of Milan. Its citizens have constitutionally and legally guaranteed freedom of religion or, as Emperor Constantine wrote in the Edict of Milan, the right to follow and believe without harassment. This jubilee year is for us not a mere demonstration of the culture of remembrance, but true glory of one of the most significant documents in the history of civilization... ‘Everybody should believe by following their hearts.’

With these Constantine’s words, faith of many of us has become the faith of live and free people.”

gatherings on the Edict of Milan, handing out of prestigious annual award of the city of Niš in the area of study, protection, presentation and affirmation of cultural, historical monumental heritage...

The celebration will last throughout the year, and therefore the list of activities and events is constantly being updated, In December, the Office for the Edict of Milan was opened in Niš, where citizens, with their proposals and good ideas, can fill possible gaps in the dense jubilee calendar.

JOURNAL OF CELEBRATIONS Generally temperamental southern spirit will have to be accelerated even more, in order to successfully synchronize 1700 years of the jubilee with one year of its celebration. Pompous ceremonies and small celebrations alternate, writing the pages of the ceremonial journal. And during the breaks, there is the South, hearty and full of flavor.

There is history embedded in the remains of Mediana. And the one that is yet to unwind the tangle of time under the steps of thousands visitors of the emperor’s Niš.

Celebration of the jubilee covered with gold for 17 times began exactly on the 17th day of January. It was opened with a concert of spiritual chanting of the choir of Russian Candlemas Monastery at the National Theatre in Niš. The next major celebration is scheduled for February 27, the birthday of Constantine the Great. The emperor’s birthday will be celebrated by the premiere of production Constantine: Signs of an Angel, written by Dejan Stojiljković, an author from Niš and an associate of National Review. The SERBIA  special edition  2013

 Beginning of celebration: Concert in Niš of the famous Choir of Sretenjski Monastery from Moscow  Patriarch Irinej and president of the Republic Tomislav Nikolić in Niš, at the first in a series of celebrations of the great anniversary

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J U B I L E E  National Theatre in Niš during the concert, with a hologram of Constantine’s image

 Christ’s monogram, early Christian fresco from necropolis in Jagodin-mala in Niš

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performance will presented by the ensemble of the National Theatre in Niš, with Tanasije Uzunović in the lead role. On the same day, a public lecture dedicated to the life of the great emperor will be held in all schools.

And on May 18 in Viminatium, the site that saw the biggest number of Roman emperors, exhibition Constantine and His Time will be opened, presenting the best artworks from Constantine’s era that re held in Serbian museums. On the same place and that same day, only in the evening, the performance of Verdi’s Aida will be presented.

Evenings of classical music will ensue in the weeks to follow.

On June third, on the day of the Holy Emperor Constantine and Empress Jelena, the Saint Day of the city of Niš, Sanja Ilić and “Balkanika” will have a concert of neoclassical music Konstantinus Magnus. On June 15, on the Niš Fortress, Belgrade Phil-

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harmonic will play Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and two weeks later, on Vidovdan, the same place will be filled with the sounds of Verdi’s Troubadour. The last in the series of musical events will be the premiere of opera In hoc signo in “Arena” in Belgrade.

In addition to the cultural one, an important aspect of the celebration of the jubilee is the spiritual and liturgical aspect.

Exactly because of the liturgy, it is expected that Niš will host more than one hundred thousand people. A liturgy is announced for September 21, which will most probably be held on the runway of the Niš Civil Airport “Constantine the Great”, in order to provide sufficient space for all pilgrims that were invited by the Roman Catholic Church.

As the final part of the ceremony, the holy liturgy that would be served by heads of all Orthodox churches, is planned for October 6, as the crown of all other events. 

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V I S I T VIMINACIUM, A HUNDRED KILOMETERS DOWNSTREAM FROM BELGRADE, FACING ITS NEW GOLDEN AGE

In the Halls of the Pompeii

Balkan

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If you look closer, you’ll see temples and villas, fountains and squares, thermae and amphitheater. And “the flame of time, melting them as if they were made of wax”.

Now you can feel them; be one of the ancient passersby under the stone arches.

Wear their robes, listen to their music, taste their dishes and wine. And understand Borges’ sentence: “If I stop dreaming this city, it will cease to exist.” The “Viminacium” Archeological Park awaits you Text and photo: Svetlana Dingarac

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V I S I T

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am standing at the entrance to the underworld. For a moment I turn around to have a final glance at daylight and my escort in togas seeing me off silently. This is a road I have to take alone. A strange melody is heard from the depths of the earth, luring me to step into the darkness and reveal the secret of the Roman imperial mausoleum. I walk insecurely, hardly able to see the contours of stone sarcophaguses and tombstones ornamented with reliefs. I enter a long, narrow hallway… What a surprise! An entire tangible long gone world opens up before me! Presentations of faces from late antiquity, hunting scenes, garden of Eden with peacocks and heavenly riders, Christ’s monogram, early-Christian symbol in the form of a cross, all take my breath away.

No, this is not a scene from the latest movie on Indiana Jones; it’s an authentic experience during my visit to the “Viminacium” Archeological Park, one of the most significant and richest archeological sites in Serbia. Located on the Danube bank, only a hundred-odd kilometers downstream from Belgrade (Singidunum), this Roman city and military fort remained hidden under the layers of plowlands in Braničevo for centuries – as Pompeii under the ashes of Vesuvius. Due

Writing “It used to be a glorious city. Luxurious temples, wide streets, lavishing villas, large thermae, amphitheater… Plundered by the barbarians a few years ago, and only a little was left of its previous glory.”

(Excerpt from the writing about Viminacium from V century A. D.)

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to this analogy, as well as the fact that it is one of the world antiquity jewels, it was called the Balkan Pompeii.

ANCIENT KEYHOLE OF ROME Viminacium was one of the most significant legion camps on the Danube, and for a while the capital of the Roman province Moesia Superior. It was founded in early first century A.D., and plundered and destroyed in 441, during the Hun invasion. It was reconstructed during Justinian I, while it was again completely desolate at the time Slavs arrived.

It was a city of spacious squares, luxurious temples and wide streets. It covered an area of over 450 hectares. The facts that numerous Roman emperors visited it, and that, during the six centuries of its existence, it had a crucial role in the Empire’s rule, testify about its significance.

Due to its strategic position on the crossroad of water and land roads, Viminacium was a place where different cultures met. The discovered artifacts show an extraordinarily high development level of certain branches of arts and crafts, while merchants from all over the Roman Empire liked to trade their products here.

It is assumed that the developed economy initiated the start-up of various arts and crafts workshops. During the IV century, some of the most significant late antiquity fresco paintings in tombs, Viminacium is famous for today, were created here. One of them, a beautiful fresco of a young woman, which archeologists entitled Div-

ina, earned the name “Mona Lisa of late antiquity”, and is considered the most beautiful fresco from that period.

I had a great honor to meet a group of experts, working on researching the site, during my visit and be their guest. It is a multidisciplinary team mostly made of young, creative people, whose enthusiasm, energy and remarkable hospitality completely amazed me. Besides archeologists, engaged at the project are also mathematicians, electronic engineers, geophysicists, geologists, petrologists, as well as scientists dealing with remote detection, 3D modeling, shape recognition and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, since they cooperate with foreign archeology centers, foreign experts and students are also frequent guests.

CITY UNDER THE PLOWLANDS – Viminacium is the only unexplored ancient city in Europe which wasn’t covered by foundations of a contemporary city – tells the project manager Miomir Korać, PhD, archeologist. – It was a big city with all imperial features of other famous ancient sites. Large thermae, aqueduct, amphitheater, hippodrome and numerous tombs… All this is under plowlands, therefore accessible to researchers. In the previous years, we used the most up-to-date technology to determine the exact location of all these objects under the soil.

I found out that Viminacium was protected by the state already in 1949, as a

monument of culture and archeological site, and in 1979 the Serbian Parliament proclaimed it an extraordinary cultural good. The exploring of the “city of the dead” began in 1977. Until today, about 14.000 tombs were excavated and tens thousands of artifacts found, among them as much as 700 made of gold and silver.

However, Viminacium is not important only in terms of culture and history.

It has recently become an exquisite tourist attraction as well. Since October 2006, when it was opened to the public, more than 50.000 people have visited it. For now, visitors can see three wholes: Roman bath (the so-called thermae), Porta Pretoria and the mausoleum where Emperor Hostilian was buried in 251. Still, the biggest attraction are tombs from late antiquity, with extraordinary examples of fresco painting, viewed from the point of the deceased, since visitors pass through the underground passageway below the mausoleum level. Unfortunately, the very rich fund of artifacts, mainly consisting of marble sculptures, tombstones, sarcophaguses, coins, jewelry and cutlery, cannot be seen at the site, because there are no adequate conditions for displaying them.

Visitors from the Water Every year, 600 tourist boats with about 200,000 passengers pass through Serbia via the Danube. Since Viminacium is only three kilometers from the Danube, a small port was built in order to use the enormous potential. Already the first year, 12 American, 35 Danish and 40 Dutch tourist boats docked there.

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V I S I T

The fund is kept in the depots of the Belgrade and Požarevac national museums.

Visitors of Viminacium can choose between three options. The Basic visit lasts one hour and includes visiting the three mentioned wholes. The Expanded visit lasts two hours, and additionally includes a visit to the Požarevac museum. The Full visit lasts three hours and includes a supreme lecture about each location, as well as a concert of antique music in the thermae or mausoleum.

DISTANT PAST, ELECTRONIC CONVENIENCE Crazy emperors, cruel parties and lascivious way of life. These are some of the shallow stereotypes a modern man has about ancient Rome. But, what was life really like in the greatest empire of the old world? Visitors of Viminacium have a chance to find the answer to this question themselves, since Viminacium is the first archeological site in Serbia offering interactive presentations of life in this Roman city. Tourists have guides in costumes, they can take a ride in a chariot and taste food typical for those times, such as libum (bread made of wheat flour without yeast),

Viminacuim, lumen meum The Viminacium info center offers copies of gold and silver jewelry, ceramic dishes, and many household items from the antiquity.

There is a printed monograph and advertising material in English and German, and a detective game for children “The Secret of the Emperor’s Death”. A documentary entitled Viminacuim lumen meum! (Viminaciume, My Light!) was shown at several archeological film festivals.

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goat cheese… There are also “Hostilian” and “Divina”, red and white wines poured from amphorae.

Plans for the future are even more unusual: building accommodation capacities along the Danube in the style of Roman villas, where tourists can stay and take over roles of Roman senators, consuls or soldiers. There will also be gladiator fights, chariot races, rich Roman feasts. Even though they will “return to the past”, tourists will have electronic convenience.

– Foreign visitors were thrilled by what they’ve seen at the site – says Mr. Korać. – Our objective is to have all 600 tourist boats that pass the Danube every year dock here. We are planning to build a science and research and business and tourist center at the site. Among other things, visitors will also be able to participate in archeological excavations with experts. A special part, as a playground, will be intended for children. They will be able to get to know more about the long gone empire in an interesting and practical way. The program will be complemented with numerous events, exhibitions and concerts. Up to now, there were a few performances in the unique space of the mausoleum, held by top names of the world and local music scene, including French neoclassic diva Emma Shapplin and Belgrade chamber orchestra “Strings of St. George”.

It is clear that the second golden age and international glory of Viminacium are about to come.

Perhaps, as Flavius Gracianus said, staying in this city is a good omen. For the cultural and tourism image of Serbia, it certainly is. 

G E­N I­U S

L O­C I

ALHAMBRA, A DREAMLIKE RED FORTRESS WATCHING OVER ANDALUSIA

Watchtower

both in Heavens and on Earth Mohammed Ibn Yusuf first dreamed the throne and palaces, luxurious halls and fountains, gardens and towers, and their reflections in the water. Then he made them all. Alhambra is not only a structure of magical architecture. It is also a collection of poetry. Beneath the lace decoration, its walls hide interlaced inscriptions about royal skills. Retreating towards Africa, the last Moorish ruler stopped on the Sierra Nevada mountain and turned to Alhambra one more time. That belvedere is today called El suspiro de moro. Last sigh of the Moor

Text and photo: Dragana Barjaktarević

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Christian addition to Alhambra: Unfinished palace of Carl V in Renaissance style

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G E­N I­U S  Lace decoration on Našrid’s palace.

Generalife. View of Alhambra from Generalife. Lion yard. View of Granada from Alcazaba. Sierra Nevada, the mountain that is under snow for two thirds of a year.

Garden, for Arabs the reflection of heaven on earth

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T

he most beautiful part of Spain is located in the kiss of two continents – (V)andalusia, dressed in terracotta and endless olive orchards. It was named after the Vandals, conquerors who briefly took it away from the Romans.

After the fall of the powerful Roman Empire, Arabs founded their caliphate, on the territory of the former Vandal state, with its capital in Granada, a place in which, as they say, blindness is the worst punishment. Many nations left their trace there, in the merge of differences, making a collage of wondrous architecture. There is Andalusian saying “One who hasn’t seen Granada hasn’t seen anything”. And if one wishes to embrace the entire beauty with only one glance, one should climb to Alhambra, a grandiose and proud red palace watching over the city for centuries.

WAKING OF ALHAMBRA

 Alhambra on a palm of ones’ hand

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The location was chosen by Mohammed Ibn Yusuf, founder of the Nasrid dynasty.

After arriving to the Iberian soil, the wise strategist and bohemian chose the remains of an earlier Umayyad fortress on the hilly terrace of Granada for the foundations of his palace. The fortification was mainly intended for defense, but the view was none the less important: the endless landscape of Andalusia. The sultan first dreamed his new throne, palaces, royal halls, mosques,

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Water and Music Water in Alhambra was the symbol of Mohammed Ibn Yusuf’s power. It was running everywhere, from small canals within the palace to the ones made on the handrails.

He built a water tower, aqueduct, fountains and pools. The gurgle of water flowing from one pool into the next was his favorite music.

baths, gardens… for months. He raised towers and cities in the unlimited realm of dreams. Then he gave orders, without considering the limits set by nature, and his dreams began getting their contours in reality. Alhambra began waking up from the hot red sand, mud and dust. However, the Arab couldn’t find peace until his red beauty got its reflection in the water.

The raising of the fortress was not an easy task at all, while washing its face was real magic. There was no source of water in the vicinity, so they had to dig tunnels, canals, make artificial lakes… The Moors considered water the symbol of life and wealth, probably because they originated from dry lands.

It was a peaceful and powerful royal palace until the XV century, when the Spaniards took over the Iberian Peninsula.

They were conquering part by part of the Moorish territory, until they reached the hardly accessible red caliphate. The siege

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L O­C I didn’t take long, only four months, until one January morning in 1492, when the young Moorish sultan Boabdil left his beloved palace without resistance and without a drop of blood shed. He retreated consciously, so he wouldn’t see its devastation. The legend goes that, on his way to Africa, the sultan turned towards Alhambra for the last time and sighed deeply. The contours of the magnificent fortress were behind him. Thus a belvedere on the slopes of the snowy Sierra Nevada mountain is today called “El suspiro de moro” (Last sigh of the Moor).

The sigh was followed by tears, when his strict mother said: “Now you cry like a woman over what you should’ve defended like a man.”

WHISPERS OF WALLS After that, Alhambra was desolated for centuries. Some walls were repainted, some demolished, some damaged in the earthquake, gilt was taken from some.

The concept of the palace was ruined in the early XVI century. Catholic kings, amidst the Muslim Alhambra, built a Renaissance style palace, today known as the Palace of Carlos V. The Moorish fortress has never managed to regain the glamour and charm from the times when rulers of the Nasrid dynasty enjoyed the luxurious gardens.

In the XIX century, however, it became one of the most popular destinations of neoromantic souls from Europe and America. American writer and diplomat Washington Irving spent some time in Alhambra. “This is the most picturesque and most beautiful city, located in the

Court of the Lions One of the most famous places of Alhambra is the Court of the Lions. It is considered the most private part of the entire palace, a place where the kings and their closest ones rested, where they revealed their secrets and planned their future steps… An amber fountain is in the center of the court, with 12 lions made of red granite, symbolizing the power of the ruler. Each hour one lion produces water from its mouth. The court is surrounded by an impressive colonnade of 124 Moorish marble pillars, reminding with their beautiful and rich decoration of palms from the oases of the sultan’s African pre-homeland. Verses of Ibn Zamrak are noted on the outer wall. The most famous poet of Alhambra glorifies the beauty of the fountain, the strength of the lions, and describes the hydraulic system and its operation.

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most charming landscape I have ever seen.” He decided to stay there until he makes a connection with the place. Alhambra is not only a collection of miraculous architecture on Andalusian soil.

It is also a collection of poetry. Its walls, seemingly ornamented with lace decorations, hide aphorisms, verses, odes to rulers, quotes from the Koran in its rich ornaments, written in calligraphic letters, interlaced everywhere on the facades and arches and painted in golden color. While reading the history and sighs from the palace walls, Irving wrote the famous collection Stories from Alhambra. The stories were so popular among then intellectuals that the Spanish authorities decided to reconstruct Alhambra in 1828. In 1829, Irving gave an album to the guardians of Alhambra, for tourists to leave their impressions in it. The pages of that book include drawings, verses and thoughts of artists such as Henry Matisse, Federico Garcia Lorca, Salvador Dali, Santiago Rusinol, Maurits Cornelis Escher…

“MY SOUL IS NOT PUBLIC” About two and a half million people visit Alhambra every year. The fortress is full of visitors with open maps and ready cameras. They click and express their amazements in all languages of the world. Far from the image of paradise on earth and a place of relaxation the Nasrid dynasty rulers dreamed of. Those, however, who succeed in finding inner peace, will understand that the walls are still whispering. One of them states: “My soul is not public, I’ll open it only to the one I wish to open it to.” And when it opens, between the main parts of the fortress – Generalife, Alkasaba, Partal, Nasrid palaces and his favorite Court of the Lions – a whole new unspeakable richness of details will show. Some will be attracted by luxurious gardens, some by private places in the female palaces, some by pools and fountains and their water holding the reflection of the entire Alhambra, some by arches with rich oriental decoration and lace arabesques, some by the view from Alkasaba, which encompasses the remaining part of Alhambra, entire Granada and Sierra Nevada and the landscape shaded in different colors. 

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A R C H I P E L A G O ON GREEK SKIATHOS, IN THE SPORADES, CURIOUS AND EXPERIENCED

In the Shadow of the

On this wonderful island, whose name literally means “in the shadow of Athos”, you will get exactly as much as you need. You are the measure of it and it is of you. The island’s history is adventurous in the Mediterranean way, wine is its bloodstream and its ink, the beaches are beautiful and various, and the scents of towns preserve the memory of ancient Greece. You can come by plane, boat or thoughts Text and photo: Dragan Bosnić

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Holy Mountain

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A R C H I P E L A G O  Old port on Skiathos. Little Church of Holy Trinity. Street bazaar

 View over Athos

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he Greeks named the beautiful island in the Sporades Archipelago Skiathos, which means the shadow of Athos. Unlike the holy mountain with numerous religious temples, ambrosia – wine worthy of gods was made from vine grown on Skiathos. Wine was both the treasure of the island and its doom. Pirates and robbers of all kinds began frequently visiting the rich islanders. The townspeople then left their settlements and inhabited a remote rock – Kastro. They raised solid walls, houses and churches. When returning to the village, each inhabitant had the duty to bring at least a little bit of water for the tank from a stream flowing under the waterless rock even today. It’s interesting that robbers inhabited the surrounding Sporades islands and raised numerous churches – each for his own God. There was a gentlemen agreement not to touch sanctities during plunders, so in time the Sporades got more religious temples than houses. The Greeks celebrate their patron saint as well, but they relate it to the house, not the family, so one can often see small chapels next to houses, raised to honor their patron saint. When philoxera desolated European vineyards, the famous vine disappeared, and with it the reasons for piracy. So the islanders slowly began re-

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In a Hidden Place Beaches, beautiful hotels, apartments and hidden places reserved for the jet set can be seen along the southern shore. Some of the best beaches are Trulos and Megali Ammos. The latter is very near the city, yet a blue flag flaunts on its Big Sand.

turning to their old settlements. People tell that ambrosia survived and that monks of the evangelistic monastery in the heights of Skiathos grow it. It remains unknown, however, whether anybody has lately really tried the wine of the gods.

THE ENTIRE CITY A FLAG During the Ottoman dominion, any form of expressing Greek nationality was forbidden. The rebellious Greeks, however, created labyrinths of white houses with blue doors and windows and made the entire town a large, proud flag of Greece. Little white houses and endless narrow streets are today the place of pilgrimage of contemporary Robinsons. Some seek interesting shops, some one of the numerous small inns, and some just images and scents of ancient Greece. Sometimes the streets are so narrow that plump guests from the

North can hardly pass through. Especially when returning from an abundant dinner.

Modern Greeks, however, buzz through the narrow passageways on their bikes with incredible speed and skill.

The most romantic part of Skiathos is certainly the inns on the Plaques, the part the Greeks call Plakes. Beautiful terraces decorated with flowers overview the Old Port, small cape and a peninsula with an open-air theater. The scent of flowers, especially jasmine, mixes with the scents of local specialties. The scene was complemented with the full moon and its reflection in the bay. Then someone played good old Din Martin – When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie – that’s amore.

That’s amore.

The wine of gods disappeared from Skiathos, but beaches worthy of gods remained. It’s not even necessary to visit them all; they are all equally beautiful. The beaches in the southern part of the island are accessible via a 15 kilometers long asphalt road. Buses and taxies operate very often.

The beaches in the northern part of the island are accessible mainly from sea, which gives them a special charm. VisitSERBIA  special edition  2013

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Koukounaries One of the best beaches in the far west is Banana, recommended for younger people, since something’s always happening there.

Perhaps the most beautiful beach is in its vicinity – Koukounaries or Pinecone. It is located in a beautiful pine wood, protected due to rare plants and the beauty of the beach itself. The beach, decorated with a blue flag, has everything to make the stay pleasant and unforgettable.

 Kastro Beach on Skiathos

ing Skiathos without seeing the pebbles of Lalaria would be a big mistake. The beach is located in an unreachable cove and when swimmers are not around, it is the empire of seagulls. The magically white pebbles perfectly fit into the turquoise sea and the stone triumphal arch of gods at the end of the beach. The legend goes that, if you sail through the stone arch, you’ll have a long and happy life, and if you do it three times in the same direction, your life will be filled with love. In order to reach the nearby Kastro from Lalaria, the boat must pass a narrow passageway resembling Scylla and Charybdis.

ROUND, LIKE GIROS Three excursions are recommended during your stay in Skiathos.

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The first is a day trip, circling the island by boat, which visits Lalaria, Kastro, the fishermen’s settlement Kati Yorgi on Pillion and the island of Zungria, which the Beatles wanted to buy at the time, but the Greeks were reluctant to sell. The beaches of this island are accessible only for small boats and are a true paradise.

The second boat trip enables you to see the islands of Alonissos and Skopelos.

The latter became especially interesting after the “Mama mia” movie, and weddings became more often in the small church in which the screen Mama mia got married.

The third is a relaxing tour by boat with lunch. Let’s say: giros with giros. The Greeks call a round trip giros, as well as the famous dish for which the meat is cut in circles.

Besides these boat trips, it is also recommended to visit the evangelistic monastery in the hills.

The easiest way to reach Skiathos is by plane. The landing and take-off from the short runway, bordered by the sea from both sides, is an adventure for smaller planes and more experienced pilots. There is also a ferry from Thessaloniki to the island, but it’s more common to take a ferry from Volos. The trip lasts two and a half hours and many spend time feeding the flock of seagulls which follow the ferry and take the food from your hands. The crossing of the track of the boat with the track of the dolphins is a special experience. 

„Миленијум Палас“ је хотел са четири звездице који се налази на југозападу Македоније, на обали прелепог Охридског Језера. „

Millenium Palace“ is a four star hotel located in the southwest part of Macedonia, on the shores of the famous Lake Ohrid.

 Смештај  41 стандарднa собa,  10 дуплекса,  6 делукс соба,  6 Јуниор aпартмана.

 Accommodation  41 standard rooms,  10 Duplexes,  Deluxe rooms,  6 Junior Suits.

 Храна Ресторан је капацитета 160, а тераса 100 особа.

 Dining With the capacity up to 160 and terrace for 100 persons.

 Вински бар

 Wine Bar

 Конференције и семинари  две конференцијске сале капацитета од 120 учесника

 Conferences & Seminars  two conference halls, each with capacity up to 120 participants

 Спа и Велнес  Финска сауна,  Турска сауна (Амам),  Теретана,  Масажа.

 Spa And Wellness  Finish sauna,  Turkish sauna (Hamam),  Gym,  Massage.

w w w. m i l l en i u m p a l a c e. co m . m k

•

millenium_palace@t-home.mk

Кеј Маршал Тито бб, 6000 Охрид, Македонија, Тел./Факс: +389 46 263 361

H E I G H T S Bridge in Đurđevića Tara

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Žabljak

ON DURMITOR, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN OF MONTENEGRO, WITH ADVENTURERS AND MOUNTAINEERS

Dobri Do, in the

Sky

Highlanders say that this is a powerful mountain indeed, but a good hiker can pass it in a day.

If one, however, wants to see it entirely and really get to know it, a whole human life is not enough.

And life in Durmitor is long. If a choice has to be made, one should certainly see the Ice Cave, at least five of eighteen lakes and at least one of five canyons. And don’t miss swimming in the Škrčko Lake, on the verge of a storm By: Luka Vesković

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here are four national parks on the territory of Montenegro. For such a small space – a lot, for such nature – too little. The Skadar Lake is the biggest bird reserve in Europe. The Lovćen mountain is the Montenegrin Olympus, and the Biograd forest is the last jungle in Europe. Durmitor is a davit, holding the sky over all that beauty.

Almost 40.000 hectares of the most beautiful part of Durmitor and the Tara Canyon was proclaimed national part half a century ago. The area is also protected by UNESCO. Much earlier, King Nikola Petrović proclaimed the area around the Crno Jezero Lake as “King’s Reserve”. He is also the first official mountaineer in Durmitor, except that SERBIA  special edition  2013

Photo: Dragan Bosnić

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 Images from Durmitor

he passed the steep climb to Savin Kuk on a horse. A great hero, duke Momčilo, used to fly above Durmitor on his flying horse named Jabučilo. His unfaithful wife Vukosava seems to be the only person known to us that wasn’t enchanted by Durmitor.

The creator was more than generous when creating Durmitor. However he hid the beauty on high peaks, deep valleys, narrow canyons, ice caves and remote lakes.

He placed the beautiful Crno Jezero Lakes on an accessible plateau near Žabljak.

Then above them he sculpted Savin Kuk and Međed. The lakes look incomparably more beautiful from these hardly reachable peaks. There is a cable car to Savin Kuk, enabling the less persistent ones to enjoy the mountain eyes surrounded with pine forests. A whole new view of the Durmitor massive is revealed from Savin Kuk. In the sea of rocks and peaks stands Bobotov Kuk, the highest peak of Durmitor. That is the objective of many visitors of Durmitor.

A VIEW OF 47 PEAKS The road to Bobotov Kuk starts from Dobri Do, a pleasant valley on the way from Žabljak to Plužine. Dobri Do is at an altitude of about 1.500 meters. High rocks, Samar being the most attractive among them, protect the valley from wind. Well marked paths from Dobri Do lead through Urdeni Do and Mlječni Do to Zeleni Vir,

On the Top Bobotov Kuk is a large rock passed spirally. The last ten-odd meters are a bit unpleasant because of the abyss on the right side of the path. Luckily, such heights on a mountain don’t seem as scary as standing on a windowsill of an incomparably lower building would.

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at an altitude of 2.300 meters. One can also reach Zeleni Vir from Samar, but only one path for Bobotov Kuk leads uphill.

The path climbs gently to Velika Previja, at 2.360 meters, and from there to the peak there is another 30 minutes walk.

If the temperamental Durmitor is in a good mood and shifts the clouds that gather around its peaks following fathomless rules, after two and a half hours of walking and an 800 meters climb, a visitor is greeted by an unrepeatable sight. Deep down are the blue Škrčko Lakes, the Big and the Small. Peaks, among which 47 are more than 2.000 meters high, are dotted far into the horizon.

There is also a path from Dobri Do to Škrčko Lakes. Although the point of the highest ascent is 2.120 meters, by Škrčko Ždrelo, hiking to the lake is not easier than the climb to Bobotov Kuk. From Škrčko Ždrelo, one goes down into an almost four hundred meters deep “crater” in which the lakes are located. When we reached the edge of Ždrelo, the “crater” was filled with thick clouds. Luckily, by the time we went down to the lakes, the clouds had parted, and already around noon the water in the Small Lake was warm enough for swimming. There is a glade between the Big and the Small Lake with a chalet, where one can spend the night for five Euros. There is a guard in the chalet, who, because of the complicated way to the house, stays there for a week. One can get tea or juice in the chalet, but for a longer stay, one should bring food.

The mountain showed its moodiness very soon. After two hours of swimming in the mountain lake, the sky grew dark and thick clouds began coming over the toothed edges of the “crater”. Soon the

An A for the Eight Crna Jezera Lakes, the Big and the Small, are usually joined. When viewed from Savin Kuk or Međed, they resemble number eight. The dry years have lowered the level of the lakes, however, so sometimes the only connection between them is a small stream.

mountain started shaking from strong thun­der strikes. The sight was almost apocalyptic. Before the upcoming storm, the group climbed to the bend in less than an hour. Then came a surprise. From the edge of the Škrčko Ždrelo to Dobri Do, the sun was shining and there was no wind at all.

One step back to the lakes and we could again feel the fierce wind and the clouds were again as thick as dough. We could feel the line between nice and ugly weather with all our senses.

IN THE DEEPEST EUROPEAN CANYON Dobri Do is one of the pleasant places in Durmitor. Unfortunately, there is no water so it’s not suitable for camping.

Visitors of Bobotov Kuk and Škrčko Lakes usually camp on Todorov Do, which is a few kilometers from Dobri Do on the way to Plužine. There are several cottages for shepherds there and a good source of water. A special ornament of Todorov Do is the powerful Prutaš rock, decorated by time and geological changes in an especially interesting way. The shortcoming of Todorov Do is its exposure to the wind and first strikes of rain, so it’s no wonder it used to be called – Pasji Do (Dog’s Valley).

People from the mountain say that Durmitor is powerful, however a good hiker

can walk it in a day. But even a lifetime is not enough to see it entirely. And the lifetime in Durmitor is long. Worth seeing in Durmitor is certainly the Ice Cave, at least 18 of its lakes and at least one of the five canyons. It all depends on the weather and the time you have.

The Tara Canyon is the longest and deepest canyon in Europe. The only deeper and longer one in the world is the Great Canyon of Colorado. But certainly not more beautiful. Due to its crystal clear water, the Tara is called “the tear of Europe”. It is one of the rare rivers down which you can go rafting and drink water from it. Earlier, when people went rafting on real rafts made of joined tree trunks, it was a challenge only for the bravest. Today it’s done with much safer and more comfortable rubber boats operated by experienced skippers, but the challenge is still there.

A story of a mountain usually begins or ends with people from the mountain. We crossed the mountain with mountaineers, locals, and an old suitcase tied with a rope.

Written on it was that it was sent by Savo Petrović from Plužine to his father Pero in Todorov Do. It started off from Đurđevića Tara and, after a several day journey from hand to hand, from crossroad to crossroad, it safely arrived to its destination. Locals say it would’ve arrived even if it were full of gold.

 Savardak Viewpoint Čurovac

The Highest Town of the Peninsula Žabljak is at an altitude of 1.465 meters. In summer, this highest city in the Balkans is an oasis of peace and quiet despite numerous visitors. The vastness of Durmitor absorbs many guests who take numerous paths towards their destination. Most of them walk to the Crno Jezero Lake or take a cable car to Savin Kuk.

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Attraction throughout the Year FOUR SEASONS IN KNJAŽEVAC, WHERE YOU CAN COME ANY TIME

By: Ljiljana Pavlović

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Yes, four seasons, below three mountains, on three rivers, in a city with seven bridges and numerous pretty little pleasures. From paintings of idyllic life of an Eastern Serbian town at the eve of he 20th century, to new attractive destination in the tourist map of Europe: Old Mountain.

From common wood pigeons, through the Knjaz and Felix Kanitz, medicinal Rgoška Spa Resort and mesmerizing traditional cuisine, to shepherds’ games and džervin wines – you will always find something that is “somewhat different” and about which you used to speak

Photographs: www.knjazevacinfo.com

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t used to be called Gurgusovac. The origin of its name could not be accurately explained, but the citizens of Knjaževac like to believe that their city was named after common wood pigeons, called gurgusani.

However, it is known for fact that Knjaževac was given its (beautiful) current name in the honor of the “greatest European of the time”, the great Duke Miloš. Rich cultural and historical heritage, thermal springs, abundance of events, and before all the hospitality of tame people, every year bring to Knjaževac an increasing number of modern nomads, who are looking for “something different”. That is why we are taking you on a tour through four seasons in this town below three mountains and on three rivers.

SPRING Writers used to call it “Serbian Venice” and “Little Paris”. Probably because of the bridges that connect the banks of the Svrljig and Trgoviški Timok. The rivers, which are dividing Knjaževac into upper and lower town, used to carry boats in which gentlemen would pledge their undying love to the ladies. And there are seven bridges. People from Knjaževac simply call them the White, Wooden, Concrete or, romantically, Bridge of Love. The most beautiful and the most famous is the Stone Bridge in the centre of the city.

It was designed in 1913, by engineer Borivoje Radenković. Spanning 30 meters, it used to be the biggest bridge of that type in little Serbia.

In the spring, the bridges are revived, along with the city. Taverns open their gardens where, from early morning, with a cup of conversation, people would go through daily provincial events. Facades of the old town are reflected in clear waters of the Timok, confusing the curious water world.

This is the most beautiful part of Knjaževac – its city core. The old bazaar, with colorful facades, has been for more than a century the recognizable image of the city, a special document about idyllic life in this little town of Eastern Serbia between the 19th and 20th century. In early spring, on Đurđevdan (the Day of St. George), people attend the “Prayer below Midžor”, the event celebrating the awakening of nature. People of all ages would come to the gates of the Old Mountain, to the villages of Vrtovac and Balta Berilovac, to hear the songs from the spring, see shepherds’ games, taste something from colorful tables filled with various healthy delicacies.

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SUMMER Knjaževac and its eighty or so villages (based on its surface, one of the biggest municipalities in Serbia), has a population of about 30 thousand. But this number would be at least doubled in the summer. Pupils and students come here for holidays, cousins from big cities and from abroad... Frequent guests are also volunteers from Europe, young people who, for some reason, think that “the centre of the world” is located right here, in the territory of Knjaževac municipality. Many people gather here, and it is sometimes necessary to ask for an extra chair in town cafes.

Long summer days are spent on water and the closest one is Rgoška Banjica. It has thermal waters with medicinal properties that were written about by Felix Kanitz as far back as in 1804. Thousands of visitors of Banjica, and excellent place for family excursions, claim that this place cured their diseases. And the idea of Knjaževac municipality is to use all these advantages, and build accommodation capacities, aqua parks and spa centers, to enable as many people as possible to enjoy this paradise. Thermal waters of Banjica are also used by the Olympic swimming pools in immediate vicinity, and its benefits are verified every year by swimmers and water polo players who come here for preparations.

Summer nights are a special topic. They are usually filled with song, music, movement, a kind word. For half a century, Knjaževac has been a host to a unique cultural event – Youth Culture Festival of Serbia.

In the first week of July, on summer stages of the Cultural Centre and Gurgosovačka Tower, young actors, directors, folklore ensembles, painters comic book makers and rock bands show their skills. There is almost no significant name in Serbian culture whose biographies do not include participation in this Festival. That is why they say that “every summer, Knjaževac celebrates culture”.

AUTUMN Autumn in Knjaževac is the period of wine and vineyards, harvests and wine makers who pour this divine drink into bottles and send it to the world. This is exactly how it was in ancient times, when the ancient Romans were savoring wine from the vineyards of Knjaževac. Wine is inseparable SERBIA  special edition  2013

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from history and tradition, and vineyards are cultivated with respect and love. A wine museum is located in Archaeological-Ethno Park in Ravna, eight kilometers to the north from Knjaževac. In the surroundings that would bring you two centuries back they keep the barrels with the best types of wine, and there is also a winery, as well as ancient devices for storing and cooling the wine.

The fall, when the image of Knjaževac becomes an aquarelle dominated by copper, gold and yellow shades, so everything is filled with nostalgia, is the best time to take a peek into the past. From prehistory and the Roman period, through Byzantine and the Middle Ages, up until today, the Home Museum preserves a repository of memories about the past life of Knjaževac. During three decades of work, the Museum has established a representative archaeological, ethnological, geological, historical and artistic collection. Especially valuable is the collection of double-stitch socks: 600 pairs, made of wool, knitted with five needles in the period between the 18th and 20th century. In 1965, this ethnographic collection was proclaimed a cultural monument of Serbia. One should also take a walk to the City Museum, located in the former house of the leader of the radicals – Aca Stanojević. It contains testimonies of Knjaževac as one of the oldest towns in Serbia.

One should not leave this place without visiting the Church of the Holy Mother of

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God in the village of Donja Kamenica, 16 kilometers from Knjaževac, on the road to the Old Mountain. It was built in the 14th century, its founder was an unknown nobleman, and it has impressive architecture and frescoes, unique in Serbian medieval art.

WINTER The Old Mountain is a new attractive tourist destination of Europe, and in this region nobody has any doubts as to where they would go for skiing. Being under snow for more than five months, ski trails of the Old Mountain are excellent. A new, modern tourist centre has been developed, with cable-cars, ski-lifts, the first gondola in Serbia and a high category hotel. Alpine or Nordic skiing, snowboard, or just simple sledging and walks down the snow covered slopes of the Sun Valley, Konjarnik, Jabučko ravnište, are activities described by tourists as unforgettable.

And when, with ruddy cheeks, you want to rest, at the foot of the Old Mountain open doors of local hosts will be waiting for you.

You will regain the calories you lost practicing sports during the gastronomic festival in any one of the houses that are involved in rural tourism. You will not be able to resist and take at least a bite of belmuž, sušenica, local cheeses, and so many other delicacies that have become a trademark of this region. 

D I R E C T I O N S NEGOTIN AT THE 35TH INTERNATIONAL TOURISM

Magnetism of “All this is a little mesmerizing. The Celtic traces, Roman ruins, Vlach magic, food from clay dishes, wine from vineyard settlements, and the kolo on the valley, sunrise in the bays of the Danube. And still it is all so simple and familiar. We are born with this, the foreigners fall in love with this. And all of us keep coming back.” And so, National Review, in its first edition this year, is writing about Negotin. And visitors at the Tourism Fair in Belgrade can see for themselves at least a little part of it

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FAIR IN BELGRADE

Eastern Krajina

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 On the Danube, near Negotin

 Fair of honey and wine in Negotin Visit to “vinice” on Rajac

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ourist Organization of the Municipality of Negotin will present itself at the 35th International Tourism Fair in Belgrade, on a joint booth with the Tourist Organization of Kladovo. Good collaboration of these two organizations has resulted in joint presentation of these two municipalities, which are connected by the Danube River.

Although small based on statistical data, Negotin has an important place in Serbian culture and history. Diverse opportunities have also made it a place attractive for development of several types of tourism, therefore attractive for different groups of tourists. Both for those who want to learn about the long tradition of this region, and those attracted to walks in the nature, those who love adrenaline experiences and good wine.

Within its presentation at the Tourism Fair in Belgrade, which gathers tourism elite of Europe and a large number of visitors, the Tourist Organization of Negotin will try to illustrate all the treasures of this town in Eastern Serbia to interested visitors.

In addition to very attractive tourist sites, our two “stone towns”, pimnice of Rajac and Rogalj, and Vratna complex, the

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emphasis this year will be also on promoting the Danube as one of great tourist potentials of Negotin municipality and the entire Serbia. In the vicinity of these sites there are rural households registered for tourism, which also offer to their guests, in a friendly atmosphere, the specific cuisine of this region.

One cannot truly get to know Negotin and its tourist offer without tasting the famous Krajina wines, and all this will be made complete with an exhibition of souvenirs.

As a place with long musical tradition, thanks to the composer Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac and the Festival “Days of Mokranjac”, Negotin has nurtured a number of people with talent for music. One of them is Katarina Kovačević, who is in the finals of the reality show “I Got Talent”, and who will be a special guest at the booth of the Tourist Organization of the Municipality of Negotin.

Previous participation of the Tourist Organization of the Municipality of Negotin at fairs was very well received, and it is expected that, this year again, Negotin will be an interesting tourist destination for numerous visitors of the Fair. 

WWW.BOROVETZ-RESORT.COM

Head officer: 166 Simeonovsko shosse, district Simeonovo, Arena garden ent. 2, fl. 3, Sofia, Bulgaria manager: Marina Sakalieva, mob.: +359 (0) 878 551 581; manager: Peter Bakalski, mob.: +359 (0) 878 551 521 tel./fax: +359 (0) 2 961 13 61; e-mail: paganova@abv.bg

C A R E

UNUSUAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION “YOUNG PEOPLE FOR TOURISM OF SERBIA”

To Know,

the Prerequisite for

to Love

This postulate of National Review could also be the motto of a big group of creative and educated young people who have gathered in order to continuously point out the forgotten and unused tourist potentials of Serbia. They will not accept belittling of their own and overestimating of the foreign. They do not accept discouragement and passivity. They know the significance of “little steps” in a long run and they commit to this, knowledgeably and joyfully By: Ana Ranković

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hile in the era of “White Schengen” thousands of young people rushed to see Juliette’s house, Disneyland, Vatican, Schönbrunn palace, a few students of tourism in Belgrade dared to ask the question out loud: do you think that the Danube near Bezdan or Đerdap is really less fascinating than the Danube in the surroundings of Vienna or Budapest? Or that hot water spring in spa resort Ždrelo near Petrovac na Mlavi is less medicinal than spa SRBIJA  SPECIJALNO IZDAWE  2013.

resort Morahlom in Budapest, which is recommended by many travel agents in Serbia?

Have you visited Stari Slankamen in Vojvodina, or the Gružansko Lake and old town of Borač in Šumadija? And the canyon of the Gradac River, Petnica, Nenadović Tower, Brankovina, Muselim’s Residence?

In May 2010, the Association “Young People for Tourism” was founded on the basis of such questions. They gathered around the idea: to improve the forgotten and unused

tourist potentials of their country, Serbia.

Until now, they have organized numerous activities, excursions, projects, professional lectures in the area of tourism in Serbia.

Great difficulties, disregard, empty shoulder taps, especially by institutions in charge of caring about cultural and natural goods – all this, unfortunately, go without saying.

However, true assistance and support has come from professors and experts in different areas of tourism.

The Association today has about 600 members, professional and amateurs in tourist industry, people who love travel and enthusiasts, about one hundred of which are engaged daily in one of the programs.

Young volunteers are arranged in teams for hotel management, for agency operation, for rural, urban and nautical tourism. Vladimir Krstović, Vladimir Šušteršić, Dragana Knežević, Miroslav Milošević and Nevena Sušić are some of them. One of their successful seminars was organized in December 2012, in the premises of Belgrade Serbian Chamber. The topics covered: cultural tourism, media in tourism, rural tourism and tourism entrepreneurship. Successful examples from practice.

CONSCIENCE IN A SEPTIC TANK They started the project called Let’s Save Vinča, Preserve the History in order to draw the attention of the public to the alarming condition at the archaeological site Belo brdo in Vinča. “The First Europe” and the oldest deciphered alphabet in the worlds, the centre of 7,500 years Neolithic Vinča culture old (older than civilizations in the valleys of the Euphrates and Tigris), is imprisoned by our indifference and oblivion, the true name of which is negligence.

– If one such an important site were located in Paris or Rome, it would be visited just like Eiffel Tower or Coliseum. And we are not even aware of what we have, we cannot use it, but we let it rot. That is why we have launched this action: “Let’s Save Vinča! Next generations may not have the opportunity to do so!” – says Vladimir Krstović, president of the Association “Young People for Tourism”.

Situation in the field is discouraging. In the previous period, the site was closed for visitors because of poor conditions, and recently only a small part was reconstructed, which certainly did not solve the problems SERBIA  special edition  2013

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C A R E of this exceptional place. In the area of 15 hectares, which is protected by the state as the “cultural good”, sanitary, property-legal and other basic issues have not been resolved yet. A ten meters thick archaeological layer is directly jeopardized, and landslides have appeared in the past few years.

Sixteen households in this area, with which the state has not resolved the property issues (which is the main condition for Vinča to be put on the UNESCO’s list), are still plowing this land, planting fruits, throwing fertilizers... Numerous calls for resolving these issues, from scientists and other people who are aware of the significance of Vinča, so far did not have ay effect.

– Carelessness and disregard of competent authorities are incomprehensible and unacceptable! We cannot accept this indifference and passivity. If older generations are tired from fighting, young people are aware that they must not give up – says Krstović – We know that we cannot solve these problems, but we can continuously raise these questions, inform and wake up others, call for responsibility. Because, this is a site that has immeasurable significance for our country and people, and the entire European culture.

DICTIONARY FOR RURAL HOUSEHOLDS Another recent project of the Association “Young People for Tourism” is education of rural households, for the purpose of overcoming linguistic barriers in communication with foreign guests. Dictionary for Rural Households was created from the idea of travel agent “PanaKomp Zemlja Čuda”, with support from the Program of development of private sector, which is financed by the government of Switzerland, and realized by the Regional Development Agency “Zlatibor” from Užice.

In the past few years, old rural households have been revived. All those old tools, household items and objects that are no longer in use, for decades forgotten on attics of our grandparents, have now become museum pieces. And guests, especially foreigners, want to see such authentic objects.

They like to spend time in rooms like that, stay in such ethno houses, taste such food and beverages. Most of them have never seen an old rural cellar, old pantry, carriage, single or double plow, harrow, roller, chari-

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ots... Let us add to this stuffed sour cabbage leaves (sarma), šljivovica, home made kajmak and cheese, beans with smoked ribs, home made soup with noodles, pies with cheese or spinach, strudel with walnuts or poppy seeds... It is natural that guests will be enchanted.

In order for everything to be just right, it is necessary that hosts have normal communication with the guests. And old people in our villages are not very good in this. Foreign language! People have been coping with this the best they could, they even used Google Translate, but it helped only partially. Only to get by. Of course, they compensated all this with their charm and kindness, but they are also aware that better communication with guests would contribute to increasing the general satisfaction and, of course, bigger profit.

Exactly in this area, members of the Association “Young People for Tourism” have developed their educational program. They explained to hosts in villages that foreigners experience them as an embodiment of Serbian culture, and that their attraction lies exactly in this. They are already spontaneous, natural, friendly. At least elementary knowledge of English language would help immensely. And the Dictionary intended for rural households contains hundreds of main words and expressions in English and Serbian, with transcription. Young volunteers of the Association have helped the households to master the basics of English language, theoretically and practically.

Most of them have accepted the idea to

Excerpt from Activities Student camp “Old Mountain 2012” in the village of Temska, 15 km from Pirot, promoted the tourist potential of this area. Humanitarian event to help children in Pecka and Osečina, in June 2012. Quiz “Get Up, Explore, Get to Know Serbia”, also in June 2012, focused on knowledge of history, geography, tradition, customs and culture of their country, Serbia. Festival of domestic tourism “Get Up, Get to Know Serbia!” in April 2012, drew the attention to the potentials of domestic tourism for relaxation and recreation.

“File H on Rtanj”, three-days long professional excursion in March 2012, enabled the participants to learn more about the work of Boljevac municipality, cities Zaječar and Jagodina, and to climb on Šiljak, the highest peak of Rtanj mountain (1,565 meters).

post tags with words in English language on objects in their houses, for easier memorization of foreign words. Through jokes and adventures, with well known Serbian humor, they have made progress.

At the Association “Young People for Tourism” they say that everything they have done so far is only the beginning.

There is still a lot of work to be done in Serbia. But the avalanche of positive activities has been initiated, the awareness is growing, awareness about the significance of neglected sites and reconstruction of old rural households, reorganization of museums, etc. Serbia is a country of many gifts, and it is up to us what we will do with them.

There is still too many people who do not value sufficiently what they have, and are overestimating the foreign. Students from the Association “Young People for Tourism” are searching for the balance and selfrespect, in actions and not words. 

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 On Rtanj In Sićevačka gorge On the Old Mountain

 On Kučajske mountains. On Piljski waterfall, near Pirot

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R E C O M M E N D A T I O N TOURIST OFFER OF SRPSKA AT THE INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR IN BELGRADE

Pack Your Bags and Go!

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Toward Subra

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R E C O M M E N D A T I O N

 Rafting on the Vrbas  Banjaluka (up) and Trebinje (down)

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epublika Srpska, within its tourist offer, has diverse programs for all tourists who come to visit it. Those who love adventure, active holiday, nature, and all those places that have preserved the spirit of history and tradition, will certainly find a place for themselves in Srpska.

Welcome!

Fly fishing. The rivers of Drina, Pliva and Ribnik are true bait for all fans of flyfishing. Use your free time in the most attractive way and visit these natural districts, where you will find conditions for fishing, which can rarely be seen in this part of Europe.

Spa tourism. Services of spa resorts in Republika Srpska are based primarily on treatment and healthcare services. Specifiable features of this offer include Banja Vrućica, near Teslić, which is today one of the leading healthcare, wellness and congress centers in the region.

Religious tourism. To all those who love tradition, culture and history, we recomTourist Organization mend to spend this summer visiting mediof Republika Srpska eval monasteries of Srpska, centers of spiriwww.tourismrs.org tuality which, in their treasuries, store sacral and church-artistic treasures. Do not miss to tors@teol.net

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visit monasteries Tvrdoš, Dobrićevo, Duži, Petropavlov, Hercegovačka Gračanica, Sase, Lovnica, Liplje, Stuplje...

Mountain tourism. Standing out among the mountains of Republika Srpska is the Olympic beauty Jahorina, which stands out for its well developed and demanding ski trails. In addition to skiing, it offers numerous other programs (alpinism, paragliding, cycling, hunting... Tourist offer of Jahorina is not only linked with winter period. There are numerous programs that are available to tourists in summer months as well. These primarily include weekend arrangements in exclusive hotels (which also include organized tours around the mountain), sports camps, schools in nature, organizing seminars and conferences.

Eco-Ethno offer. In Srpska, this offer has been gaining significance in the past years. The most attractive destinations of this type are certainly the ethno village of Stanišići near Bijeljina, area around Šipovo and Ozren mountain with excellent programs in winter tourism. We must not forget the Eco-Centre “Ljekarice”, a very attractive excursion grounds between Banjaluka and Prijedor.

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Srpska at the Fair in Belgrade Tourist Organization of Republika Srpska will present itself at the International Tourism Fair in Belgrade, February 21 to 24, 2013, on a special exhibition area. All elements of tourist offer of Srpska will be presented, the most attractive destinations, business entities involved in tourism. A large number of local tourist organizations will participate in this (Banjaluka, Prijedor, Eastern Sarajevo, Bijeljina, Višegrad, Šipovo, Kozarska Dubica, Drinić, Trebinje, Laktaši, Vlasenica, Zvornik), as well as “Tara Rafting”, Banja Vrućica, “Vukoje” Winery... They will also present promotional material “Bistro” – a detailed description of the most important areas for fishing in Srpska (Janj, Pliva, Sana, Ribnik...), in three languages, in English, German and Serbian.

National parks. Very interesting destinations in Srpska are also national parks Kozara and Sutjeska. Visitors of these oases of nature can enjoy various things. Mountaineering, walking along well develop treks, hunting, fishing... A true challenge for tourists and other curious visitors in NP Sutjeska is the rainforest Perućica, the biggest preserved rainforest reservation in Europe, and conquering of Maglić, the highest peak in B&H.

 Vrućica Spa

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Events. Festival, sports competitions, gastro, cultural, entertainment and various other events are some of the means in which you can get to known the beauty

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and spirit of Srpska. During the upcoming summer, numerous events will take place: Music Festival “Demofest” in Banjaluka, “Jumps from the bridge of Višegrad”, “Zvornik Summer 2013”, International handball tournament of TV champions in Doboj...

In the beautiful old town... Do not miss a ride on the popular “Ćira” train, which runs from Mokra Gora, via Dobrun to Višegrad.

The current tourist offer of Višegrad also includes sailing in boats down the beautiful canyon of the Drina River. You must also visit Andrićgrad, the new cultural-tourist complex, situated on the peninsula between the rivers of Drina and Rzava, about 300 meters from the bridge of Višegrad. It was established as an idea of the director Emir Kusturica about a medieval stone city inspired by works and characters of Nobel Prize winner – Ivo Andrić.

City break. This summer we also recommend “city break” tours in Banjaluka and Trebinje. The cities with rich cultural and historical heritage, but also filled with adventure, youth and unforgettable night life.

If you need another reason to visit us, just pack your bags and go. We are sure that you will find them here. 

OT K R I J T E DISCOVER ...jedinstveni šarm srednjoeuropske metropole

...the unique Central European charm and air

TURISTI»KA ZAJEDNICA GRADA ZAGREBA - ZAGREB TOURIST BOARD tel. +385 (0)1 481 40 51 www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr

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BRIEF CHRESTOMATHY OF OHRID, INSTEAD OF AN INVITATION

Treasury amidst Mountains Successor of ancient Lihnida, magic mountain of Macedonia, Balkan Jerusalem, this city is an entire cultural and sacral history. It has pearls, filigrees, all-time melodies, Biljana and the white cloth.

You’ll never forget the old streets whose cobblestones remember the steps of saints, emperors and poets.

Whatever way you make a story about this city, it’s an anthology

O

City Ohrid

hrid, immortal city in the legendary Balkans, magic mountain of Macedonia, eternally connects the old and the new times with its primordial pulsing. It’s a city that has been living for two thousand and four hundred years, a legitimate heir of glorious Lihnida, a city with woven achievements

Bazaar Most of the shops in the Ohrid bazaar were built of cut stone in the XIX century. They belonged to Ohrid merchants and artisans, as the inscriptions on the upper parts of the facades state. There are woodcut studios, copper product workshops, harness, pearl and silversmith shops where the Ohrid filigree is made.

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of the powerful ancient civilization. A city showing the cultural history of the Republic of Macedonia.

As a bishopric center of the ancient times and later, with the famous Archbishopric of Ohrid, the city has, through centuries, represented the religious history of Macedonia. Therefore it is called the “Balkan Jerusalem”.

The first all-Slavic university in Europe was in this city, in which St. Clement of Ohrid tutored in the late IX and early X century.

Ohrid was the most important official seat of Samuel’s Empire. The center of Macedonian renewal in the XIX century, under the powerful motto of one of the

greatest intellectuals of the time, Grigor Pilčev of Ohrid, “second Homer”: “Perfection or death!”

Today Ohrid is the cultural, spiritual and tourism center of Macedonia. Finally, the crown of all values of Ohrid and Ohrid Lake is its proclaiming a cultural and natural heritage under the protection of UNESCO in 1980. (Pasko Kuzman) IN THE MIRROR OF THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE Pre-Slavic Ohrid, in the old part of the city, had monumental temples and a theater for 5.000 spectators. Numerous epigraphic monuments and reliefs are built into the walls of the St. Sophia cathedral church and other temples of Ohrid. In 2002, archeologists discovered a golden death mask in the old part of Ohrid, at the site near Upper Port, which belonged to the oldest ancient Macedonian ethnos.

This tomb and the artifacts discovered in it, originating from V century B.C., are proof of the oldest funerals in the necropolises of ancient Lihnida (ancient name of Ohrid).

Sculptures of the Egyptian goddess Isis were discovered in the foot of Ohrid, in its flat part. From the IV to the VI century, early-Christian basilicas were built on the hills of Ohrid and its surrounding, churches that can be compared with the most beautiful sacral monuments of their time by their monumentality and beauty.

There are numerous floor mosaics with geometric ornaments, different stylized flowers, presentations of birds and animals, skillfully included in the big spaces, with an exquisite feeling for color, testifying about the extraordinary artistic value of these temples.

In the City-Museum Ohrid is a natural and artistic treasury amidst mountains. It preserved its old city center, on the double hill, under Samuel’s fortress. In that area, within the medieval walls, lovers of archeology and art will find more than they could expect. Each church in this city-museum, even the smallest one, each fresco and icon, are rarities of great value. The unique peace of these narrow, steep streets, filled with beautiful edifices of the old city architecture and medieval temples with picturesque facades, as a decoration of the blue Ohrid Lake, one of the oldest in the world and one of the most beautiful in Europe, will stay with you forever.

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In late IX and early X century, Ohrid entered European history as the center of Slavic spirituality, Slavic literacy and Slavic culture, as the center of the educational work of St. Clement and St. Naum, as the seat of Samuel’s Empire and the seat of the autocephalous Archbishopric of Ohrid for centuries. That is when the most significant preserved medieval churches, frescoes and famous Ohrid icons were created.

In Plaošnik, in the old part of Ohrid, in the center of Slavic spirituality and culture, the newly built Church of St. Clement and St. Panteleimon, made on the foundations of the old temple, was officially consecrated on August 11, 2002.

After 530 years, the relics of St. Clement of Ohrid were transferred to this place after 530 years, to their original tomb, which he made in year 916 with his own hands, prior to his death.

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In Corbusier’s Notebook The city architecture of Ohrid has a special place in cultural heritage. The specific type of oriental city houses of the XIX and XX century was preserved here better than in any other Macedonian city. Thus we shouldn’t be surprised with the fact that the great French architect Le Corbusier, in his writings about the city architecture in the Balkans, pays special attention to Macedonian houses and their facades, watchtowers and their interior.

Archeological excavations, made by Professor Dimče Koco in 1955, led to new information about the Church of St. Naum and Church of Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, 29 kilometers from Ohrid, in the vicinity of the Albanian border. The original church was built by St. Naum, contemporary and associate of St. Clement of Ohrid, student of St. Cyril and Methodius, as his endowment. St. Naum was buried in it in 910.

Not a single anthology of medieval art can today be imagined without the Ohrid frescoes from the Church of St. Sophia from the IX century or the Church of Virgin Mary from the XII century, or without the icons from the Ohrid Gallery of Icons.

This is what makes Ohrid, the treasury of art of the past times, so significant. (Risto Kuzmanoski) 

www.hotam.org ď‚– hotam@hotam.org HOTAM is the only professional association in Macedonia that has been representing Macedonian hotel and restaurant industry for the past 17 years, among other ways through lobbying on the level of the government and ministries for best legal solutions in this area of the economy.

BAHA (Balkan Alliance of Hotel and Restaurant Associations), EMAT (Euro-Mediterranean Academy of Tourism), EMRF (Euro-Mediterranean Restaurant Federation), IH&RA (International Hotel and Restaurant Association), UNWTO (UN World Tourism Organization).

www.tonus.co.rs

C E L E B R A T I O N S

BEFORE THE EIGHT INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL IN LESKOVAC

In the Fire of Games and Joy

In Leskovac, there is abundance of traditional customs celebrating life, birth, and rejuvenating power of man and nature. In one annual circle, the Carnival is certainly tithe peak of these celebrations. Big, international, six days long. The dates have already been defined, you should write them down into your calendars. And do not ply with fire, come here

S

ince ancient times, Leskovac region has been an intersection of roads, centre of social life, unforgettable entertainment and celebrations of spring, rebirth, awakening of nature and human youth.

All this is accompanied by rituals, song and dance.

No other area has retained so many customs celebrating the awakening of life.

Koledari used to drive away evil spirits and troubles, dodole-queens in cooperation with the Almighty used to attract welfare and wealth. This has become a heritage. In addition to others, the pristine colors of spilled over into the carnival tradition.

Leskovac had its carnival as early as in the 1930’s.

In 2006, the carnival was restored as a side event for the Leskovac Barbeque Festival (Roštiljijada). In 2009, it became a special institution.

Today, the Carnival in Leskovac is one of the most prestigious in Serbia.

This year, the Carnival will last seven days and it will include festivals of fire and water, procession of street performers, procession of jugglers on wheels, children’s carnival, carnival for seniors, carnival of animals, environmental carnival, carnival of body and face painting...

The main carnival procession with over one thousand participants, big fireworks and carnival ball will deserve the attention of 50,000 spectators, which is the number of people expected along the procession.

This is the event that you should not miss.

Come once, and everything will be clear afterwards.

In order to make plans on time, we are presenting the already detailed calendar of events during the Carnival.

Turn the page.

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AL N O TI A N AC R V E O T H N SK 8T I L IN LE VA I N CAR al 13 tion

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E X A M P L E S

DR DEJAN STANOJEVIĆ, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL HOSPITAL “MERKUR”

The Art of Staying on the

Top

By: Jagoda Plavšić

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“In every line of work, what you invest, you can expect to get back. And we have invested a lot and we are continuing in that direction which has been, and this is certain, taking ‘Merkur’ to a position of an important centre on the world map of medical tourism. This ‘Merkur’ is the success of a large team of people, which brings together experience and youth, nurturing respect and almost family atmosphere”

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pecial Hospital “Merkur”, for years the leader of medical tourism in Serbia and the brand of Vrnjačka Banja, is always on the throne and a step ahead of the others in terms of novelties in medical treatment, but also in terms of quality of vacation and enjoyment. Dr Dejan Stanojević, the expert who has been running this company for more than a decade, speaks for National Review about the results in the past year and plans for “Merkur” to stay on the top.

The year behind us?

Although it was an election year and a difficult one for Serbia, it was still successful for “Merkur”. We achieved growth in sales in commercial market on the level of 14.42 percent against 2011. We achieved positive financial result, opened the Balneo Centre, completed the renovation of one part of our facilities, purchased new equipment. The year was also marked by introducing a new indication – physical rehabilitation.

After reelection I stayed at the head of this institution, which enables me to continue in the same which has been, and this is certain, taking ‘Merkur’ to a position of the regional and European centre on the map of world medical tourism.

How will you keep this position on the throne, is there a recipe for success?

Every success motivates the entire team and obliges us to continue with even more enthusiasm. Success of “Merkur” is the success of a large team of people who are continuously working on raising the quality of services.

Currently in the phase of development is certification of healthcare services, we are in negotiations with world associations for certification, and the cluster has been developing its path for quite some time. We

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Photographs: Archive of “ Merkur”

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E X A M P L E S are creating new programs and investing into new projects. We respond to all professional challenges with our knowledge and experience.

One must have goals that are sufficiently high to motivate, but not too high, so they would not defeat him. I have always seen “Merkur” as the leader in medical tourism and we have all been working together on this for years. The secret of success is a combination of experience and youth, as well as almost family-like atmosphere. We already have a wonderful young team of people who, with their ideas, and coached by experience of their senior colleagues, are making the image of “Merkur” increasingly persuasive on a daily basis. This is certainly the recipe for success. I think that successful people are those who are building their careers exclusively of results, fair and correct relations toward other people and colleague, those who have developed strong moral principles and who are working in accordance with the rules of the profession. It takes a long time to build business reputation, but it can be very easily and quickly destroyed.

And this year’s plans, novelties?

Since the Decision of the State Health Insurance Fund introduced more rigorous criteria and decreased the length of stay for patients suffering from diabetes, the strategy is to, in this year, bring “Merkur” back to the place of the National Educational Centre for diabetes patients, which it deserves.

When we speak about commercial market, it is planned to increase the number of guests by 20 percent, with strong emphasis on guests from foreign markets.

WELL MEASURED HEIGHT Are you conquering that foreign market?

How?

Loyalty Passports There is almost no award in this country that has not already been presented to “Merkur” and you in this area. What other recognition d you expect to win?

Tradition of winning awards continued in 2012 as well. This is certainly a motivation, but an obligation as well. For me personally, every award is an additional stimulus and the sign that we are going in the right direction. If I should single out one of them as especially dear to me, it is certainly the one that we were presented at the Tourism Fair in Belgrade by students of the Faculty for Tourism. And it would also mean a lot to us if we won the National Award fro Corporate Social Responsibility. However, by far the most valuable prize and the best recommendation are satisfied guests who keep coming back. We reward their loyalty with “Merkur’s” passports

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In every line of work, what you invest, you can expect to get back. In the past year, we invested a lot into promotion in foreign markets.

We participated at international tourism fairs in Moscow, Israel, Turkey, at the international “Balkan Spa Summit”, we promoted “Merkur” in the USA. All this contributed to the fact that the number of foreign guests has increased by 15 percent. For the first time we had guests from France and Norway, and there were also our regular guests from Cyprus and Russia.

Good strategy should not be changed, and so, led by good results from the past year, we continued in the same direction. For the purpose of simplifying the offer, flexibility and easier presentation of the diverse programs, we conceptualized the medical, wellness and standard board. Guests were given the possibility to, in accordance with their needs, create a package and in this way extend the already existing packages, at prices defined by seasons.

How do you see the future of your institution, as well as the entire spa and medical tourism?

Medicinal mineral waters are natural potential that gives advantages to spa resorts against other destinations. However, the natural gift is only an initial advantage in which one must invest. In Banja, numerous modern facilities have been built, and we are now expecting arrival of “MK Group”, as the new owner of most spa hotels. New possibilities for cooperation are being opened. They are certainly not our competitors, but an opportunity to offer medical services to their guests as well.

You have had excellent results for many years.

Does the state – and to what extent – listen to you. Hear you and support you?

“Merkur” is a state owned institution and mutual cooperation with the state is very important. In order for our institution to fully take the place it deserves, we have drawn the attention of competent institutions to the results of operation of the National Educational Centre. We expect to have their full support this year. Cooperation of all institutions within the healthcare system is necessity. For many years we have been organizing the Congress of Chamber of Healthcare Institutions of Serbia, symposia and educational programs. In this way we contribute to raising healthcare institutions to a higher level, which is certainly an example for good cooperation between us and the state. 

H E A L T H

PROLOM BANJA, BELOW THE RADAN MOUNTAIN, ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED IN SERBIA

On the Meridian of Energy

By: Petar Milatović

Why did a limping horse suddenly start running through the nearby forest? And what did all those people do on little carpets near the thermal water springs? And how was, after all this, such a modern oasis of health created in this part of Serbia, able to cure both body and soul...? And is the “dragon’s furrow” a natural phenomenon, scientifically explainable, or a fact of some other order?

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ow did this place, seemingly far behind itself from the times when newspapers reported from here for the first time. It was daily paper Politika from the 1940’s. And in it, a story about medicinal qualities of local springs and testimony that only one outhouse is located near the hot springs. Most of those who were searching for a cure for their ailments would settle on local meadows, equipped with carpets and other necessities.

A journalist, witness by vocation, also wrote this: “One man threw a coin into the water and it melted! The other one was brought ill, and he returned healthy, walking.

A woman that was about to go blind as also cured...” He also wrote, referencing the local legends, that the spa resort near the village of Prolom had been discovered by a limping horse who was left by his owner in the nearby Radan mountain to die, and afterwards could not have cached him after he had heard that the horse was running around the mountain.

And today? Today, on the place of that ancient outhouse, or somewhere nearby, there is dazzling Hotel “Radan”, superb special hospitals for the treatment of people with kidney, stomach and skin diseases with spring thermal water. Only now you would not pour that water over yourself with an old bucket or drink the still water from clay jugs, but now you can go to one of numerous pools that

Under volcanic stones The local wellness centre stands out from similar ones because it offers the medicinal qualities of water, in combination with modern treatments, in a fully natural way. Guests can use a sauna, whirlpool for 12 people, Jacuzzi tub, tepidarium, essential oil massages, hot volcanic rocks or hot chocolate.

contain the same water that you may drink from the tap in your room, and you may even take showers with it.

ENERGY FROM ABOVE AND BELOW At the altitude of 600 meters, nested between the mountains of Radan, Sokolovica and Meanski visovi (from 1,000 to 1,400 meters above the sea level), about ten kilometers after turning at the settlement of Rudara on the major road Niš-Priština, Prolom Banja has for years been a true ointment for all those troubled by diseases related to kidneys and urinary tract, digestive tract, ski diseases (primarily psoriasis), problems with peripheral blood vessels and so called soft tissue rheumatism.

It seems that there are two important things here. First, the local water “belongs to the category of rare water with exceptional Photographs: balneology values, and these include alkaDragan Bosnić linity, presence of ozone and silicic acid, as and Archives well as a small share of fluoride, because of of “National which people can drink unlimited quantiReview”

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Discount for the Visitors of the Tourism Fair At this year’s tourism fair in Belgrade, on the booth of Prolom Banja, visitors will be given vouchers for the fair out of season discount of 15 percent.

ties of it”. The second is the natural phenomenon (romanticists would certainly attributed this to fairies), the so-called dragon’s furrows, a phenomenon that occurs only in about thirty places in the world, two of which are in the Balkans. Namely, Radan Mountain is located on the crossroads of the so-called dragon’s furrows that represent “energy meridians and transmit positive energy of the Earth”.

Effects of medicinal mud are also important. The soil in the area with natural medicinal springs has been soaked with water for centuries, creating the mud which was used by people (first local people, and then increasingly numerous guests) to cure skin and other diseases. This is also much different today: this medicinal mud is now formed by mixing the thermal water and soil from the surrounding area of the spring of Pupavci, and is used in the most advanced mud baths and in the form of compressions. And all this in the treatment block that, within the Special Hospital, consists of six interconnected functional units.

HIS MAJESTY THE GUEST The centre of everything in Prolom Banja is certainly the modern Hotel “Radan”, which includes – for the convenience of the guests – a medical block, so everybody can finish all activities in a robe, which is waiting ready in every hotel room. And in the room (each

Experts’ Opinion The best testimony of the reputation of Prolom Banja among the professionals of Serbia may be the fact that for the twelfth consecutive year members of Dermatology Section of Serbian Medical Society are organizing seminars and presentations exactly here. Prof. Dr Sonja Vesić, president of the Section, is not hiding her satisfaction with the results shown among people who were treated here for psoriasis. Prof. Dr Mirjana Paravina agrees, and adds that, depending on the person and severity of the disease, some patients experience improvement of 80 percent against the time before the beginning of the treatment.

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with a TV, refrigerator, hair-dryer and internet connection), no matter which tap you touch, “Prolom water” would run out of it.

In addition to this, every guest, as it pleases them, can go to the fitness club, room for mini sports, or to play pool or table tennis.

There is also a big (indoor and reconstructed) swimming pool with thermal water, and – between late April and mid October – also two outdoor swimming pools, built last year.

And what can we say about the modern wellness centre that offers the full range of services, from body detoxification to various body beautification programs?

And with respect to other types of healing, why not, it is sufficient to step outside the hotel. Depending on the need, but also curiosity, one can take health treks along the Prolom creek, then to eat trout or other delicacies in the ethnic tavern. Those who are interested in our history would walk for about 2.5 kilometers to the cabin-church Lazarica where, according to legend, a part of the army of Duke Lazar received communion before leaving for the Battle of Kosovo. In the church courtyard there are still six curved plum trees, another natural miracle of this area. The more daring ones, with an appetite for nature and everything it has to offer unselfishly, will go to the moonlike landscape of Đavolja varoš: about ten kilometers by foot, but one can also take a bus, which is organized by the spa resort.

There are also Sokolov vis and Gajtanska vrata.

Because of all these programs, not so frequent in the multitude of our beautiful spa resorts, differences between health and the so-called recreational tourism have long been erased in Prolom Banja. It has been several years now that they offer special tour packages intended for everybody who want to, in a short time and mostly during weekends, erase the layers of everyday stress and rest both physically and mentally. It is important to say that borders between seasons have been erased here. Every day is high season in Prolom Banja, for all 365 days in a year, also thanks to numerous discounts that are offered to guests in different periods. 

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“SINGIDUNUM” UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATION OF TRUE EXPERTS FOR CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

Creating Top Quality

Professionals On February 25, another building of this University will be put into operation, a new, super-modern on over 5,000 square meters, an example of applying the highest standards n designing, selection of materials and construction. It is furnished with the latest electronic equipment and software.

Conditions in which 2,800 students will work in the new building are simply the first rate

Text and photographs: Rozana Sazdić

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hose who decided to study at “Singidunum” were influenced by the fact that this University is applying the most advanced teaching methods and that students gain education that is on the level of world standards. In addition to superb knowledge in the vocational area, doing professional internship in renowned companies and institutions, students also have available numerous programs that enable the gaining of practical knowledge and skills.

Success and growth of every organization depends on the quality of its employees, and dynamism of world economy and quick changes in business environment require personnel that is well trained and able to adjust to new situations. “Singidunum” is helping students during the studies to learn to recognize and develop their abilities, thus creating experts for individual areas who can find business solutions and contribute to development of economy and modernization of the country.

TEACHING ORIENTED TO STUDENTS “Singidunum” graduates have many possibilities for employment, because they are recommended by the acquired level of knowledge that is applicable in practice.

They were educated by applying methods and teaching techniques that are applied by developed university centers of European countries. The teaching process is charac-

terized by lectures in optimal groups, individual and mentor work, quality of lectures and expertise of professors, who are in continuous communication with students and have stimulating effect on their work and adoption of business skills. Student is in the centre of attention.

Innovative teaching method – student in the centre of learning, which is applied at “Singidunum”, in addition to traditional learning, implies a concept of teaching that has multifold significance for students and should prepare them for future work. Teaching is oriented toward student.

This, among other things, implies that they should understand why they are studying, that heir careers can take different paths, and the like, namely that through meaningful learning and understanding they will adopt knowledge and connect that knowledge with practice. Additionally, they are also active participants of the educational process and, in accordance with that, their opinions will be respected. Lecturing methods that are used during lectures in order to stimulate and motivate students help them to develop efficient forms of learning and manage their own learning process.

Therefore, there is no universal solution for everybody – students arte different, they have different styles of learning, different interests, experiences, backgrounds, etc.

Since its establishment, the mission of “Singidunum” has been to transfer contemporary knowledge, and in fourteen SERBIA  special edition  2013

 Graduation ceremony, December 2012

Belgrade, Danijelova 32 011 3099 230 3094 094 www.singidunum.ac.rs

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S T U D I E S years of its operation, in accordance with requirements of the economy for new staff, they have increased the number of study programs that educated experts needed by the market. The University has developed cooperation with economy and non-educational institutions in the country and abroad, continuously improving its program concept. Simultaneously with this, interest for enrollment has grown.

Today, the University consist of four integral units (Faculty of Business, Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Information Technology and Computing, Faculty of Management), Department for Graduate Studies and International Cooperation, Department for Foreign Studies and Institute for Science and Research, within “Singidunum” University, are also independent faculties: the Faculty of Business in Valjevo, Faculty of Economy, Finances and Administration, Faculty of Media and Communication, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Faculty of European Legal-Political Studies.

Thousands of graduates, hundreds of alumni wit masters and doctoral degrees, as well as their successful careers, are testimony to the quality of education and conditions of work at “Singidunum”.

NEW UNIVERSITY BUILDING Investment into knowledge is the best investment. A new building was erected for future generations. Therefore, in addition to the well known location in Dušanovac, in Danijelova Street no. 32, and the building on Zvezdara, another destination for students will be our buildings in Kumodraška Street no. 261a, which was recently completed – says professor Milovan Stanišić, PhD, rector of “Singidunum”. – On the area of about one hectare, we erected a beautiful building on two levels, with surface area of 5,021 square meters, and which is an example of application of the highest standards in design and selection of materials. During construction, we complied with principles of energy efficiency, automatic lighting regulation was introduced, modern system of heating, air conditioning, etc. We used achievements of the latest technology, contemporary equipment and design in order to create a pleasant atmosphere and good quality area for studying, and we also built a student restaurant. Cabinets are made for

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70 professors, and all amphitheatres, classrooms and computer rooms are technically equipped and ready to receive 2.800 students. On December 28, 2012, in the new building of “Singidunum” we organized the first appropriate celebration –diploma awarding ceremony for masters and PhD’s.

Teaching in this facility begins on February 25 for the students of the second and third year of undergraduate studies, while their colleagues from the first and fourth year will remain on the current location, says Mladen Veinović, PhD, prorector for teaching, and continues: – We have about 12,000 students included into our system and we want to provide them with the best possible working conditions. We have invested funds, energy and knowledge into the construction of the new building. Designs and plans were directly reviewed by rector and professor Unković, and they often directly monitored phases of construction. It is very important that our computer center was involved in the entire project.

HIGH LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES – “Singidunum” has an exceptionally strong IT support. We developed a contemporary information system based on our needs, which also includes the system “E student”, through which students can apply for exams electronically, see their grades and receive all other information. This contributes to the quality of studies. Information technology as a science and the area of its application are developing quickly and we, of course, are keeping pace with those changes – continues professor Veinović. – Today, the use of internet and modern technologies is inseparable in everyday life and communication. For this reason we enable our students to gain necessary IT knowledge, as well as to attend additional courses, get certificates that will improve their CV and help them when finding employment. Certificates SAP, Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, Amadeus, Galileo, British Council, and others are recognized everywhere in the world. We also have DLS system of remote learning, and students have available numerous internet services that facilitate the finding of useful information. Information technology enables us to raise the level of satisfaction of students, and this is one

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 One of the buildings of University “Singidunum” in Belgrade

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of our advantages. Everything has been arranged well and is working well.

From the last semester, professor Vei­no­ vić has been working as the prorector for teaching, and up until then he was the dean of the Faculty for Computing and Information Technology.

– I have been employed at “Singidunum” for nine years and I can say that it is a pleasure to be a part of a team consisting of renowned professors and scientists. Over 400 work at the University. Many of them used to work in the economy or have many years of teaching experience. Working conditions for professors are excellent. WE have received accreditation from the Ministry of Education and Science for scientific-research activity, we have very well developed cooperation with many institutes of higher education in the world, and our goal is to maintain the highest standards in providing educational activities. (Every professor has, for example, an assistant, and the number of mandatory hours is lower than what is prescribed by the standards.)

After the last accreditation, about 20 new professors were employed and 10 assistants, again because of the quality of teaching – says professor Veinović. – My job is to coordinate work of all study programs.

In addition to cooperation with professors, I am also in contact with students who are active participants of the educational process. They are involved in conceptualizing the curriculum and programs, they often organize themselves independently SRBIJA  SPECIJALNO IZDAWE  2013.

through the Students’ Club and give lectures, and representatives of the Students’ Parliament help us a lot with teaching.

– Recently we received a special recognition document from the Committee for Verification of Quality System, during the mandatory reaccreditation, which must be completed after 4 years – emphasizes rector Stanišić. – It is the practice in a large number of educational institutions to fictitiously lease space in order to ensure standards. It is certainly not the case with us.

We have contemporary classrooms, laboratories, amphitheatres! This shows our strength that corresponds to the quality of teaching, number of students and reputation of the teaching staff. Our study programs are adjusted with the principles of the Bologna Declaration and accredited by competent institutions in the country.

The diploma that “Singidunum” graduates receive gives them great perspectives for employment. During the studies they gain applicable knowledge and skills they can use in various jobs, so they do not need additional on job training. Their diploma is also a testimony of who they were learning from, and of the fact that they are prepared for the job and have the plan as to what they expert from the future.

Graduated economists of the Faculty for Tourism and Hotel Management of “Singidunum” University find employment not only in the area of tourism and hotel management, but also in banking, traffic, insurance companies, production compa-

nies, trade and other areas. Such personnel is competitive in contemporary business environment because they speak well two languages, one of which is English, are trained for work on computers and have practical experience, They completed their internship in institutions involved in tourism, in hotels, travel organizations and successful commercial companies.

TOURISM AS THE FACTOR OF DEVELOPMENT – In 2012, international tourism marked growth of 4 percent, with over a billion tourists, and income of about 1,400 billion dollars. We should observe and analyze what well known tourist countries are doing. Their income from tourism, expressed in billions of dollars, is did not come by accident, but is the result of strategic orientation of the state and adopted measures of economic politics that stimulated operation and development of hotels, agencies, tour operators and all others that influence tourism – says professor emeritus Slobodan Unković, in an interview before this year’s Tourism Fair in Belgrade. – On the basis of my research, I have estimated that tourism will get out of the crisis before other areas of economy. Tourism is an important factor of total economic development and has an important share in the balance of payment.

Many countries have achieved tourism surplus, and in Spain, for example, tourism is included into priorities. Solutions are pro-

vided as to how to put fiscal politics into  Professor the service of tourism development, how emeritus, to increase quality and competitiveness in Slobodan tourism market. Spain has achieved excepUnković, PhD tional growth of 60 billion dollars of income from tourism, a 20 billion is how much its Mladen Veinović, citizens spent on traveling abroad.

PhD, prorector If, within our possibilities, we invest for teaching more in the development of tourism, we can expect better results and more profit, says professor Unković. We must conduct an analysis of the role of tourism in the development of Serbia, and then develop incentive measures of the state.

– At “Singidunum” University, we established the Faculty for Tourism and Hotel Management in 2003. Two years later we became a member of UNWTO, as an associate member, and our Library was given the status of the regional reference library of the World Tourist Organization. For undergraduate studies, master study program Business Systems in Tourism and Hotel Management, as well as for doctoral studies Management in Tourism there is always a lot of interest among students. We have also obtained international accreditation TeDQUAL UNWTO for study programs of undergraduate and master studies in English language.

It is very important to have highly educated staff, who master contemporary knowledge, and think about the future in time – explained professor Unković, who is also a member of the Organizational Board of this year’s International Tourism Fair in Belgrade.  SERBIA  special edition  2013

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THE COLLEGE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT IN BELGRADE

The Host to Entire Europe

A special recognition has arrived as the crown of a series of important achievements of this school, in 2014, in the capital of Serbia, European Championship of Schools for Hotel Management and Tourism will take place. It is expected that more than a thousand of participants will arrive, and preparations are already in full swing

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he College of Hotel Management in Belgrade has been crowned with numerous recognitions. Founded almost four decades ago, it is the only state school in this area  Students and his rang, the highest educational degree in the area of hotel management in Serbia. It is the of the College real nursery of excellent staff. There are foreign of Hotel students studying here as well, just like its loManagement cal students are going abroad, primarily for inat the ternships in the most representative European International Tourism Fair in hotels and restaurants. They also participate in Belgrade, 2012 international competitions and are regularly

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coming back as winners. They have won more than one hundred prizes in the past six years!

Even before they deserved medals, but the real boom started in 2007, in Italy, at the European Championship of Schools for Hotel Management and Tourism, when they won three gold, one silver and one bronze medal, as well as the cup they received as the best European school.

Since then, they have always been invited to participate at European and world competitions. They were proclaimed the best school in the Balkans in 2011.

CHALLENGE OF LARGE GATHERINGS All these achievements through the years have resulted in a special recognition: next year, in 2014, European Championship of Schools for Hotel Management and Tourism, members of AENT, European Association of Hotels and Schools for Tourism, with headquarters in Luxembourg, will take place in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade.

– Preparations for this meeting and competitions are in the full swing. For this European championship and annual conference of AENT, we expect arrival of more than one thousand participants. It will be a unique presentation not only of our school and Serbia, but also a meeting of friends with whom we have had good relations for years. They will come to see how we create champions.

During their stay in Serbia we will organize excursions to historical locations, so that they would get to know better our history and ourselves. At the final ceremonial dinner, the best participants will receive recognitions and medals. It will also be an opportunity to, in this era of high standards and new technologies, express our hospitality, our traditional joy of receiving a guest – says Slavoljub Vićić, PhD, director of the College of Hotel Management.

And until then, people at the College of Hotel Management work like on some kind of large construction site. The school has been refurbished and extended for several years. They hope that they will shine in their full splendor just in time for this great competition. The amphitheater with 360 seats is finished; it remains only to install electronic equipment for contemporary presentations.

Also completed is the ceremonial auditorium, and the works on the big kitchen (on two levels, two hundred square meters) are coming to an end. There will be three smaller rooms for studying foreign languages, and three bigger ones, as well as a new cabinet for information technology and, for the first time, the first real library with a reading room.

Of course, internet will also be available for students. Students will also have their corner to hang out: a little restaurant with music, but without alcohol. The restaurant will also be extended, and student services will receive a dedicated area.

– The first thing that we did when, three years ago, it was decided to extend the school, was to build another floor. For the most part, the construction was financed from our own resources, and in addition to friends, we also SERBIA  special edition  2013

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 Vlada Stojanov and Nevena Lazarević, the best juniors of the Faculty for Hotel Management at AEHT competition in Giulianova, Italy

received support from the Ministry of Education. As we expanded the areas of study, the school became too small. Every year we enroll about 400 students, and then we ask from the Ministry to expand this list. Because, we have so many applications from the economy that every year between one and two hundred students do not manage to enroll. We are producing staff that is currently in deficit, and we are the only school in Serbia that gives them this level of knowledge – says Mr. Vićić.

When everything is finished, the College of Hotel Management will be able to enroll many more students than now.

INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION – Not only that our students are going abroad for advanced education, but foreign lecturers also come here. In December last year, at Hotel “M” in Belgrade, there was a

Partner of Hotel Industry National review has already wrote about numerous awards and recognitions presented to the College of Hotel Management, and we should add to this list the award “Partner of Hotel Industry for 2012”, in category Education, presented in November last year by the editorial board of the professional magazine for contemporary hotel management and tourism “Tourism World” and Association for Tourism and Hotel Management of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (organizers of the Ninth Forum of Hotel Managers and Hotel Households).

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seminar on education and hospitality-tourist management, sponsored by Swiss Foundation for Hotel Management. Professor Elizabeth Eneson, PhD, from Metropolitan University in Manchester was a guest lecturer. Together with colleague Miha Lesjak, from Slovenian Faculty of Tourism, she gave lectures in the area of education in hotel management.

The College of Hotel Management has provided an auditorium and the necessary number of participants, from the university and from economy. Foreign lecturers were very pleased, and their significant donation to the College is a testimony to that, as ell as the fact that in November Belgrade students will go to advanced training in Manchester.

– Ten years ago, we organized the first International Congress “Hotelplan” and launched the magazine Hotellink. We are now preparing the anniversary, and the Management Board together with the Academic Council has decided that we launch Hotellink International in English language – says Mr. Vićić. – With foreign editors, it will also be the anthology for the Congress on November 28 and 29. We have been receiving papers for this event for quite some time. It is divided into three main thematic blocks: hotel management, tourism and gastronomy. This international event has become one of the most important regional congresses in the area of hotel management and tourism. 

Gallery “HEAVENLY FIRE”

Kosta Kilibarda, miraculous and self-made Montenegrin sculptor, was born in 1942, in Grahovo. Fir decades he lived and worked in Zelenica (Herceg-Novi), wherem, at the site called Lalovina, he built himself the famous atelier-gallery “Nebesko ognjište” (Heavenly Fire). From 1960’s until today, this is also an attractive gathering place for famous painters, authors and other artists from the territories of the former Yugoslavia and from abroad. He did sculptures in wood, stone and metal.

By now he had independent exhibitions in Herceg-Novi, Dubrovnik, Belgrade, Titograd, Cetinje, Bar, Split, Banjaluka, Skopje, Niš, Pirot, Debr, Valjevo, Bajina Bašta and other Yugoslav cities, as well as in the USA and Germany. His works have also been presented at numerous group exhibitions, and he has also participated in several art colonies. His sculptures are today owned by numerous respectable foreign and local art collectors .

Numerous newspaper articles and essays have been written about Kilibarda’s art by

the most famous authors, and numerous TV shows were made about him. His authentic life philosophy and art work are the topic, among others, of inspired essays by Dušan Kostić, Zuko Džumhur, Mihailo Lalić, and a series of other respectable writers and publicists who were and still are his friends. For his work and altruism, Kosta Kilibarda has received a series of awards, notably the First (purchasing) award at the international exhibition Work, Peace and Freedom”, in Belgrade 1986, for his sculpture “Hiroshima II”.

Gallery “Nebesko ognjište” Lalovina-Zelenika, Herceg-Novi, Montenegro; (+382 31) 678 345, (+382 69) 605 515 nebeskoognjiste@t-com.me, www.nebeskoognjiste.com

I N S U R A N C E

HEALTH IS OUR GREATEST TREASURE. DO NOT TRY TO SAVE ON IT. INSURANCE DURING TRAVEL AND STAY ABROAD WITH ASSISTANCE – TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance policy is a protection from possible unpleasant situations during travel abroad, because it covers costs of emergency medical assistance and hospital treatment, as well as costs of transportation in the country

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ven during most carefully planned travels or short excursions abroad, unexpected unpleasant situation can happen such as accident or illness. Costs of treatment are certainly high. Our goal is to make you feel safe during your travel.

Excursions and trips abroad are much more carefree if we plan in advance the protection in the form of “Triglav” travel insurance policy. In addition to financial security within the limit of the contracted sum insured (for covering the costs of necessary treatment and transportation costs), the policy also provides free assistance. The assistance is provided by our business partner “Europ Assistance” (www.europ-assistance.rs), 24 hours a day on all continents. It is trusted by the major European insurance companies, those with millions concluded insurance agreements and satisfied clients.

You may purchase insurance in all branch offices of “Triglav” and authorized travel agents, immediately before the travel.

There are three programs within travel insurance: Basic – Insurance coverage 15,000.00 EUR, of which maximum 3,600 EUR for transportation costs.

Above-standard – Insurance coverage 30,000.00 EUR, of which maximum 7,200 EUR for transportation costs.

Special – Insurance coverage 10,000.00 EUR, of which maximum 2,400 EUR for transportation costs.

Insurance covers provision of travel and legal services, costs of necessary medical treatment, as well as transportation costs because of unexpected illness occurred during stay abroad.

You can contract travel insurance as individual, family or group. On the insurance policy you may also select the purpose of travel, depending on whether you travel as a tourist or for business.

Only “Triglav” will allow you to conclude travel insurance policy regardless of your age.

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I N S U R A N C E PROCEDURE In case of illness or accident, the Insured must report the insured case to the assistance company. The client should call our business partner “Europ Assistance”, telephone number: (+381 11) 41 44 105, fax: (+381 11) 411 99 99 and say to the operator his/her name, policy number, description of accident or illness, place where the client is located, contact telephone number, address and telephone number of the doctor who is treating him/her.

The operator will forward the main data to the doctor from “Europ Assistance”, and he will

call the doctor who is treating the insured or will give instructions for further actions to the Insured. If the doctor from “Europ Assistance” should determine that the health condition is such that it requires better quality treatment than the one offered by the institution where the Insured is located, he/she will recommend another healthcare institution.

In case the client, for objective reasons, does not report the insured case to the assistance company, or decides to independently select the facility where medical assistance will be provided to him/her, and pay the costs of treatment him/herself, the insurance company will reimburse the client for these costs after he/she has returned to the country of residence, up to the amount of reasonable and usual costs of treatment (maximum up to 500 EUR).

In case of accident or illness, “Europ Assistance” can provide financial guarantee within the sum insured, or organize transport to the country of residence.

You may receive all information at the points of sale of “Triglav Osiguranje”, by calling the Call Centre (0700) 505 555, as well as on company website: www.triglav.rs BECAUSE LIFE REQUIRES SAFETY!

Ordered by: Turizem Ljubljana, author: Nuit

Region of fresh experiences www.visitljubljana.com

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N RESTAURANT “ORAO” IN BELGRADE

Definitely a

Good Choice It landed in the capital of Serbia, on four different addresses, and stayed there. And every time the word would spread fast. Citizens of Belgrade, of all ages and tastes, know why. Since October 2008, “Orao” (Eagle) has also been flying to people’s homes, businesses, fairs, parties – wherever excellent food and service are needed. And the most popular dish, they say, is their specialty called “Eagle’s Nest for Two” By: Jovan Vučković

O

n the corner of Cetinjska Street and Bulevar despot Stefana, in the heart of Belgrade, there is Restaurant “Orao”, the house of Italian cuisine, with good selection of beverages, pasta and other Italian dishes. When it opened, there was a question: how to make it in Belgrade restaurant industry, always well known for quality and diversity?

– In this city it is really not easy to become famous and attract guests – say the employees in “Orao”. – In addition to high professionalism, one must have a soul and a lot of good ideas. We were the first in Belgrade to start selling pizza slices. Good quality product, good service, acceptable prices and wisely selected location have made “Orao” become a popular place, especially among young people. Later, it was much easier.

They expanded their menu, as well as the list of Italian dishes, and later also included international cuisine.

– In the beginning, we organized all this for friends and our regular guests.

Then the word spread, the interest was in-

Catering “Orao” has introduced catering service in October of 2008. It was a wish of regular guests. And it paid off. There are plenty of orders, and the entire menu of the house can be delivered. Guests are especially fond of the specialty of the house: “Eagle’s Nest for Two”. The best way to discover why – is to order it.

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SRBIJA  SPECIJALNO IZDAWE  2013.

creasing, and we introduced very pleasant live musing during lunch and dinner...

In 2001, “Orao 2” was pened on the corner of Vojvode Šupljikca and Bulevara kralja Aleksandra, and already in 2006, “Orao 3” perched across the street from “Đeram” market, in Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 186.

Modeled after the previous ones, “Orao 4” was opened in 2009 in Beogradska Street.

In all facilitates we created an atmosphere in which guests will fill at ease and where they would be happy to come back.

– We are visited by a wide circle of people – they say at “Orao”. – Some of them come every day to have coffee, others come for lunch or dinner with friends or business partners, some come with families to taste our special dishes. There are also many of those who celebrate important dates here... Every guest is welcome. And we are sure that all of them feel good here, because we pay maximum attention to all of them.

In two decades of its existence, “Orao” has received a series of official prizes and awards, among them the Acknowledgment of the Institute for Upbringing and Education of Children and Youth of Belgrade.

– However, even if it sounds like a cliché, truly our biggest award is the trust of numerous guests and business partners. 

GG N I R E T CCAAT E R I N DELIVERY

D E L I V E RY

WWW.ORAO-PIZZA.CO.RS

REsTAuRANTs AND PIZZERIAs

CALL INFO  011/322 11 91

HTP TREND KORALI Obala Iva Novakovića bb, Sutomore, Montenegro Sales: +382 30 37 37 20, Reception: +382 30 301 900 E-mail: prodaja.trendkorali@t-com.me, pajovic.htptrendkorali@gmail.com Web: www.trendkorali-montenegro.com

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