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The Best Hotels For September Sun

After Summer Delights

The very best of Serbia, from foreigners who know

ZLATIBOR

Warm, welcoming and lots of fun – everything you never heard about Serbia is true. Exuding a feisty mix of elan and inat (national traits of rebellious defiance), this country doesn’t do ‘mild’: Belgrade rivals Berlin as a party destination, the northern city of Novi Sad hosts the epic EXIT festival, and even its hospitality is emphatic – expect to be greeted with rakija (fruit brandy) and a hearty three-kiss welcome AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

Welcome To Serbia

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hile political correctness is about as commonplace as a smoke-free bar, Serbia is nevertheless a cultural crucible: the art nouveau city of Subotica revels in its proximity to Hungary, while the bohemian Niš echoes to the clippety-clop of Roma horse carts. In the mountainous regions of Kopaonik, Tara and Zlatibor, ancient traditions coexist with après-ski bling. Forget what you think you know: come and say zdravo (hello) or, better yet, živeli (cheers)!

Serbia is a land of surprises, many of them ready to dazzle and impress from the moment a visitor arrives. Others are less obvious or well known, like those wonderful places that only locals who live there know about.

For a little piece of tradition, head to the Zlatibor region to buy hand-knitted woollen clothing. Make sure to seek out the authentic Sirogojno Style produce – unfortunately, cheap imitations also abound and should be avoided. But the genuine article still adheres to a centuries-old production method, where local village women would protect themselves and their families for the long, cold winter by processing and dying their own wool with mountain herbs and barks, and knitting clothes inspired by the vivid colours of the mountain landscape they called home.

The most romantic place for foreigners to visit is Kaštel Ečka. Built in 1820 and inspired by English hunting lodges, this castle 3

today operates as a hotel. With its distinctive pinkish-red exterior, majestic park setting and choice of modern and medieval rooms, it is located just 60 kilometres north of Belgrade, in the village of Ečka.

For a different but no less impressive stay at a castle, head to Castle Fantast in the province of Vojvodina, located around 60 kilometres from the provincial capital of Novi Sad. Built in the early 1900s, it was constructed to display the wealth of owner Bogdan Dunđerski and demonstrate that, despite rumours to the contrary, he was not bankrupt.

It today serves as a hotel and restaurant.

The extensive grounds are open to the public,

EXIT FESTIVAL

as are the mausoleum (where the former owners are entombed), tennis courts, horse stables (once famed for producing some of the country’s best thoroughbreds), a small ostrich farm and a runway for light aircraft.

Whilst here, don’t miss the Church of St George and its painting of the Virgin Mary

KAŠTEL EČKA

by artist Uroš Predić. Legend has it that the Virgin’s face was changed to depict Mara Dinjacki, the blacksmith’s wife, who Dunđerski was apparently in love with.

Serbia today gains news headlines and feature article thanks to its astounding nature, vibrant cities, charming ethno villages, peculiar customs, friendly (and, let’s not kid ourselves, slightly crazy) people, world-class athletes and phenomenal festivals.

Apart from dubbing it the region’s emerging innovation hub and tourist destination, foreigners have a different approach and share their favourite locations in Serbia. Their list includes the likes of Perućac Lake, Kopaonik Mountain, Vrnjačka Banja, the Balkan Mountain (Stara planina), churches and monasteries, toffee apples, plums (and of course plum rakija), Pirot and Belgrade.

Speaking about Belgrade, visitors weren’t short of words to describes the colourful White City.

“Outspoken, adventurous, proud and audacious: Belgrade is by no means a ‘pretty’ capital, but its gritty exuberance makes it one of the most happening cities in Europe. While it hurtles towards a brighter future, its chaotic past unfolds before your eyes: socialist blocs

Serbia is a land of surprises, many of them ready to dazzle and impress from the moment a visitor arrives. Others are less obvious or well known; those wonderful places known only to those who live there

HOTEL MERKUR, VRNJAČKA BANJA

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AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

GUČA TRUMPET FESTIVAL

about style or genre. It’s about people. About art. About time with friends, old and new…”

For all those of you who thought of Guča the second you read the word festival, here’s how some foreign guests experienced this mayhem of brass.

The Guča Festival has no curfew, few rules and a real sense of bacchanalia, as hundreds

The list of foreigners’ favourite places in Serbia includes Perućac lake, Kopaonik Mountain, Vrnjačka Banja, the Balkan Mountain (Stara planina), churches and monasteries, toffee apples, plums (and of course plum rakija), Pirot and Belgrade are squeezed between art nouveau masterpieces, while the remnants of the Habsburg legacy contrast with Ottoman relics.”

Foreigners can’t seem to wrap their heads around Serbian customs. For example, they found Serbian ideas of fun fascinating, so they simply had to show scenes from the World Gander Fighting Championships, held in the village of Mokrin north of Belgrade.

They also posted an article entitled “Serbia made a 7,500-pound sausage”, featuring a 6,600-foot-long sausage that was unveiled at the Kobasicijada Festival in Turija.

Apart from customs, Serbian festivals attract an amazing amount of attention. The

WORLD GANDER FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP, MOKRIN

Huffington Post described one of our most popular festivals, Exit, by starting with our people, noting that “the people are warm, affectionate, passionate and generous.”

Meanderbug continued with a heartwarming description of the very soul of Exit: “It’s not about nationality or race. It’s not even

CASTLE FANTAST AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

of musicians blast exotic eastern funk while everyone dances until they drop. […] The energy, the joy, the sheer gonzo exuberance that overtakes this hamlet across the weekend is incomparable to anything. Dancers leap on tables, jump off statues, bounce off walls, belly dancing to hard zigzagging rhythms, achieving ecstasy via neatly dressed brass orchestras and copious supplies of beer and meat.”

And, of course, Serbian cuisine ends up blowing your mind and leaving you wanting more, even when it comes to street food. UK newspaper The Guardian also had its say on this, writing: “It’s rural, country-style cooking. Puritans will say that good and proper pljeskavica can only come with cabbage salad or kajmak curd – a dairy product from the Balkan region that’s made by collecting milk curd and adding salt, it’s divine. Young, old, rich, poor, hipsters … We are all the same while queuing for pljeskavica.”

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We present to you the chain of Zepter Hotels in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina

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ZEPTER HOTEL PALACE - BANJA LUKA • +387 (0)51 223 040 • office@zepterhotelpalace.com www.hotelpalasbl.com

Oases of luxury and health under the same roof!

CORPORATE

National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro

The Charm Of Mediterranean & Mountain Tourism This year has for Montenegrin tourism represented a year filled with satisfaction – outdoing the record year of 2017! Data for the first six months of 2018 show that about 609,000 guests visited Montenegro, which marks an increase of around 18% compared to 2017

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bout three million overnight stays have been recorded, which also shows growth of 9%, again achieving new records. According to the official statistics of the Central Bank of Montenegro, tourism revenue generated in the first two quarters of 2018 represented an increase of 13%.

When it comes to collecting on residence tax, the budget’s revenues amounted - as of 26th August – to over a million euros, 8

BAR

which is about nine per cent higher compared to the same period of last year.

The most numerous tourists in Montenegro come from Serbia, other countries of the region and Russia, but an increase is also evident in the number of guests coming from Germany, Austria, France, Poland, Great Britain, Czechia, the Benelux countries and Scandinavia. Along with constant increases in the number

of guests from the countries of Western, Central and Northern Europe, there is also a growth trend among tourists from socalled “distant markets”, such as China, Japan, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Major tour operators, such as TUI, Thomas Cook, FTI, DerTouristik, Thomson, First Choice, Monarch Cosmos, Kuoni, Biblio and Globus feature Montenegro in their prgrammes, which has led to this more AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

www.montenegro.travel

SVETI STEFAN

diverse structure of guests and the arrival of tourists from new markets.

Tourist visits remained at last year’s level during July, while in August an average growth rate of two per cent was recorded.

The airports of Tivat and Podgorica are currently connected to over 50 destinations around the world, while this number is constantly on the rise. From the start of the year until 26th August, Montenegrin airports served about 1.7 million passengers – which is as many as 190,000 more than in the same period last year. Some 10,000 flights have been conducted, which is 1,000 more than last year.

In the last few years we’ve seen the leading hotel groups launch a wave of investment that has led to a rise in the quality of accommodation and significantly more hotels with 4 and 5 stars. In the first six months of 2018, 17 per cent more tourists stayed in hotels and accounted for 12% more overnight stays.

Alongside existing luxury and branded hotels, this summer saw the opening of top-class hotels Holiday Village Montenegro in Ulcinj, Allure Palazzi Kotor Bay Hotel by Karisma, Hotel Adriatic Iberostar in Perast and The Chedi Luštica Bay. Mountain tourism is recording significant growth in the overall tourism balance of Montenegro, while the linking of offers in the south and north also contributed to growth in visitor numbers. By mid-August, the national parks of Montenegro had been visited by almost 258,000 tourists, which is 28% more than during the same period last year.

AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

The most important project for the development of mountain tourism is construction of the highway, which will mark an historic turning point in infrastructure connections between the country’s north and south.

Also contributing to the popularity and positive image of the country are visits of global showbusiness stars, like the recent visits of Oprah Winfrey, David Beckham with his family, and others, as well as affirmative features on Montenegro by prestigious media companies, like the recent popular New York Times’ article.

“We are constantly working on new motives for the arrival of guests, especially during the pre-and post-season period. We believe that positive trends will continue until the end of the year and once again serve to confirm that Montenegro is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean,” says Željka Radak Kukavičić, director of the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro, speaking for CorD magazine.

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CORPORATE

Luštica Bay’s

A joint venture between Orascom Development Ltd. and the Government of Montenegro

From a new cutting-edge marina to a five-star Chedi hotel, there’s plenty to celebrate at Luštica Bay. The evening of the resort’s grand opening celebrated the Montenegrin and international outlook, with musical and dance performances from around the country and the world. The extravaganza was held on the promenade of the newly finished Marina Village, with the event punctuated by two opening ceremonies marking these major milestones for Luštica Bay 10

AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

Spectacular Grand Opening

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n Friday 17th August, the emerging, new resort town of Luštica Bay held an unforgettable event on its shores, with the Grand Opening ceremony – commemorating a monumental milestone with a multimedia audio-visual spectacle and an evening of pure celebration. The evening brought 1,600 guests and residents together to celebrate the official opening of Luštica Bay as a fully operational destination and new Adriatic coastal town. This included the inauguration of its first neighbourhood, the Marina Village, set around the state-ofthe-art marina, and its first hotel, The Chedi Luštica Bay. The extravaganza was held on the promenade of the newly completed Marina Village, in front of the five-star hotel The Chedi. A huge multimedia stage rose above shimmering waters, while the surrounding buildings of the Marina Village were illuminated with a spectacular and colourful light show. The evening celebrated Luštica Bay’s Montenegrin and international outlook, with musical and dance performances from around the country and the world.

Both on stage and mingling through the crowd were a variety of riveting performers, including a marching band, folk dancers, fire-eaters, mythical mountain and sea fairies and eye-catching mirror people. One of the greatest disco bands of all time took to the stage for an unforgettable show, while Operosa Festival’s Electro Opera played a powerful set combining operatic classics with electronic beats. DJ Nick Bridges took the party into the early hours of a warm summer morning, while guests dined and danced.

The performers were joined by a spectacular laser show, which lit up the marina with shimmering colours and luminous shapes and ended with a firework spectacle that captured the evening’s irresistible energy.

The event was punctuated with two opening ceremonies marking these major 11

The Luštica Bay project has so far created 171 new jobs, 77% of those for Montenegrin citizens.

“We are aware and very proud of our role in raising the profile and our contribution, in a very tangible way, to the improvement of these sectors of the Montenegrin economy,” says Luštica Development Executive Director Darren Gibson

milestones for Luštica Bay. Set to be a fully integrated town along the Luštica Peninsula, this 1.1-billion-euro project is the largest tourist-related project in Montenegro. A joint venture between Orascom Development Ltd. and the Government of Montenegro, it will eventually encompass seven hotels, two marinas, an 18-hole golf course, a town centre, 2,000 apartments, family houses and villas, as well as a range of public, leisure and culture facilities. From sustainable infrastructure to environmental preservation and community participation, this project is leading the way in the country’s tourism.

The Chedi Luštica Bay hotel is one of the town’s unique facets, set to the be the largest luxury hotel in the Bay of Kotor. Its official opening saw the last three construction stones symbolically joined by Samih Sawiris, president of the Board of Directors and owner of Orascom Development Holding, Montenegrin Prime Minister Duško Marković and Johan Beerlandt, president of the Board of Directors of the Belgian Besix Group The Marina Village and its new state-ofthe-art Marina were also officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Khaled Bichara, CEO of Orascom Development Holding, Milutin Simović, Deputy Prime 12

Minister of Montenegro for Economic Policy and Financial Systems and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Mayor of Tivat Siniša Kusovac.

Delivering a speech to those gathered, Prime Minister Marković congratulated the expansive and cohesive vision of Luštica Bay Development and Orascom Development Holding, recognising their remarkable achievements so far. “The crown of the work to date is the celebration of the opening of

The Chedi Hotel, together with part of this marina that will further position our country on the map of elite nautical tourism in the Mediterranean.”

During his speech, Darren Gibson, executive director of Luštica Development, declared that Luštica is already prepared for new challenges. “Whether it is one of the six planned hotels, our 18-hole championship golf course, hospital, school, the first phase of the Centrale commercial and AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

administrative centre of the town that is emerging, ensure that, while we are here tonight, new chapters in the Luštica Bay story are already being written.”

He thanked all those involved in the project, including Luštica residents and employees. The Luštica Bay projects has so far created 171 new jobs, 77% of those for Montenegrin citizens. “I acknowledge the entire Luštica Development team that has worked, devotedly and tirelessly, to reach this milestone moment for the project. The results of the efforts of all those mentioned have led us to a five-star hotel of top quality, as well as to the most modern facilities a marina can offer. Both are significant in the context of tourism and maritime sector development in Montenegro, in terms of quality and economic development, as well as the creation of new jobs in Montenegro.

We are aware and very proud of our role in raising the profile and our contribution, in a very tangible way, to the improvement of these sectors of the Montenegrin economy.”

Employees, residents and guests continued to mingle throughout the night and into the early hours, enjoying the delights on offer and the contagious atmosphere of the event. The enchanting evening not only provided entertainment, but also embodied the spirit of the Luštica Bay project: ambitious, communal, celebratory and, once seen, never forgotten.

“Whether it is one of the six planned hotels, our 18-hole championship golf course, hospital, school, the first phase of the Centrale commercial and administrative centre of the town that is emerging, ensure that, while we are here tonight, new chapters in the Luštica Bay story are already being written.”

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SEPTEMBER – IDEAL FOR HOLIDAYS, BUT ALSO FOR THE START OF NEW BUSINESS CYCLES

Holiday In The Waning

Of Summer Thanks to its more pleasant temperatures, reduced crowds, but also lower prices, people are increasingly opting to take their summer holidays in September.

And while tourists enjoy all the benefits of summer’s twilight, reservations at hotels and hospitality facilities are greatly sought after

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f you still haven’t taken your annual leave and shorter delays at the borders... it is clear why plan to do so in September or October, there people are increasingly choosing to holiday in are at least five reasons why these months are September, and even October. the most suitable for real rest and relaxation.

Luxury destinations often advertise their That’s especially so for those families that don’t greatest discounts in late summer and early autumn. You can find great September discounts have school-aged children, or for youngsters even for places where you always wanted to whose school days are behind them - these go but were hindered by the exorbitant costs months are an ideal time to go on holiday. of transport and accommodation.

For people who seek peace, flee from While September is already announcing crowds, get irritated that there are no places on autumn, the climatic conditions of this period the beach for their towels, the summer months can lead to the weather being really wondercan be a huge excursion, while the end of the ful. For those who want to escape the heat summer, with autumn on the horizon, offers them everything they need for a proper September is the right time for relaxation break. If we add to and rest. All those who are eager for good all of that the fact times and “craziness” at the seaside have that there is more largely gone home by then, so you’re space on the roads guaranteed the peace and tranquillity you’ve and planes, in hotels been awaiting all year and restaurants, with 14

of summer and relax in moderate and still pleasant temperatures of water and land, September is an ideal time.

Serbia has no sea, but it does have increasingly interesting contents in cities, villages, mountains... which you can enjoy only in September. These are lots of out-of-season activities that will enrich your recollections.

In recent times, July and August, as the hottest months of the year, have ceased to be the only synonyms for summer and sea. Moreover, many people complain at that time about the unpleasant and oppressive heat and crowds that ever increasing, so in popular resorts “it’s as though there's no place for everyone”.

Observing from that perspective, June has already become “full” as standard, while those who holiday during September are full of praise.

On the other hand, those who embark on summer adventures in early or mid-September are said to “profit” the most. Of course, not AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

SHERATON HOTEL, NOVI SAD

only financially. Their experiences speak more than figures, and travel agencies claim that this month “goes” first.

September is the right time for relaxation and rest. All those who are eager for good times and “craziness” at the seaside have largely gone home by then, so you’re guaranteed the kind of peace and tranquillity you’ve been awaiting all year.

into close contact. And all water is cleaner when there are fewer bathers. Women most commonly say that it is “a sin to traverse such a distance and not buy anything”.

Many disagree with them, but sometimes envy them. Believe it or not, out of season, right on the seaside, you can do your autumn shopping. Many retail outlets and large shopping centres – if they have them in a certain

have shown that lower temperatures do not necessary mark this period. On the contrary, above-average temperatures marked the years behind us, and the autumn rain that everyone expects have been falling with significantly reduced intensity. In coastal areas, sea temperatures are satisfactory for swimming even a few months out of season, and rain, if it does come, can only come as a refreshment.

Is it not romantic to swim and enjoy the water while fine rain falls?

You can take your summer holidays in any part of the Mediterranean until the end of September without any problems.

Daily temperatures range up to around 27°C during September, while evenings are somewhat fresher. If it's cooler or raining during the day, you can take trips to explore some interesting sights.

If you want to holiday in the immediate neighbourhood, the Adriatic Sea is warm in September, only a few degrees cooler than during July and August. As there are no large crowds, the beaches are cleaner, as is the sea itself.

If you still haven’t taken your annual leave and plan to do so in September or October, there are many reasons why these months are the most suitable for real rest and relaxation ZEPTER HOTEL DRINA, BAJINA BAŠTA

You will feel like that piece of sunshine belongs only to you and that you aren’t sharing it with anyone.

September is also the ideal month for people who have certain health problems, but of course not only for them. It is known that this part of the year favours cardiac patients the most. Less moisture and evaporation is also a welcome factor for those suffering from respiratory problems.

Although the sun is milder in September, this principle should be valid until the end of the whole season. Doctors mostly recommend walks beside the sea, breathing fresh air and swimming in salt water, which is an elixir for many health problems.

Furthermore, most viruses are transmitted on crowded beaches where many people come AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

place – will release their autumn collections at the end of August, and do so at considerably reduced prices, as they are aware that they can thus attract plenty of tourists. That’s why you can often hear women boasting of how they bought their boots precisely at the seaside.

The experiences of tourists in recent years

September is an ideal month for city breaks, spa visits, sailing along rivers and visiting cultural and historical monuments. Whichever of these you choose, you won’t be mistaken. In September it is far more pleasant to walk, sail, fish or practice any sporting and recreational activities that you enjoy.

BACK TO BUSINESS

While summer breaks are coming to an end, a new tourist cycle begins – based on business travel. City hotels, in good locations and intended for the world of business, are actually just launching their latest business activities in September and October. After holidays across most parts of Europe in August, business now gets into its new rhythm.

It is therefore no surprise that a fairly large number of hotels have already filled their bookings for this early autumn period. Fairs and congresses are already marked in hotel calendars, along with individual business meetings.

For hotel managers in cities, the business season is just beginning!

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CORPORATE

B y G. ST O JA KOV I Ć , Tourist Organisation of the City of Novi Sad

Novi Sad, On The Bačka Plains

temporary Art of Vojvodina. Part of Dunavska Street also runs alongside the Danube Park, a monument of nature and protected natural heritage site that began being landscaped at the end of the 19th century.

Novi Sad / Újvidék / Neusatz has existed for three centuries under these names, as an area of the diverse and rich cultural heritage of the many peoples who live there

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he material and immaterial cultural heritage created over past centuries forms the basis of an interactive network of scientific and cultural institutions, which makes Novi Sad today a place for cultures and different identities to actively encounter one another. The old city centre of Novi Sad comprises the urban area of Liberty Square (Trg slobode), Zmaj Jovina Street and Dunavska (Danube) Street. Trg slobode is dominated by the City Hall and the Roman Catholic Name of Mary Church. The city hall was built in 1894 in the neo-Renaissance style, while the Name of Mary parish church was constructed between 1893 and 1895 in the Neo-Gothic style. Also located on Trg Slobode are the Hotel Vojvodina, the city's oldest working hotel (1854), and the building of Vojvođanska banka (1892), while nearby are the building of the Roman Catholic parish office (1808), the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Virgin (1776) and the Synagogue (1909).

Zmaj Jovina and Dunavska streets are 16

pedestrian walkways criss-crossed by passageways in which there are many shops, restaurants, pastry shops and craft shops. Among the most important buildings in this zone are the Bishop's Court of the Eparchy of Bačka, built in 1901 in the Serbian-Byzantine style.

Alongside the Court itself is the cathedralstyle Serbian Orthodox Church of St. George (1902-1905). In front of the Court is a monument to doctor and poet Jovan Jovanović Zmaj (1833-1904). Dunavska Street starts with the White Lion Building (built in the first half of the 18th century) and the City Library. This street also houses the Collection of Foreign Art, the Museum of Vojvodina and the Museum of Con-

For the youngest visitors, we recommend a visit to the Natural History Collection of the Institute for Nature Conservation. There, among other valuable exhibits and collections, they can see the skull of a woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius).

Info: Matica Srpska Gallery +381 (0)21 48 99 000 www.galerijamaticesrpske.rs; Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection +381 (0)21 472-99-66 www.pavle-beljanski. museum; Gallery of Fine Arts – Gift Collection of Rajko Mamuzić +381 (0)21 520 223 www.galerijamamuzic.org.rs; Natural History Collection of the Institute for Nature Conservation + 381 (0)21 4896 345 www.pzzp.rs; Serbian National Theatre + 381 (0) 21 520 091 www.snp.org.rs ANOTHER TWO OR THREE HOURS THROUGH GALLERY SPACES Novi Sad is a city of museums and galleries.

In the very centre of the city, on Gallery Square (Trg galerija), there are top gallery displays of national importance. The permanent exhibition of the Gallery of Matica Srpska provides visitors with insight into Serbian artistic creativity from the 18th and 19th centuries, the Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection preserves and exhibits the most significant works of Serbian and Yugoslav art created between the two world wars. The Gallery of Fine Arts – Gift Collection of Rajko Mamuzić preserves and exhibits works of contemporary Serbian fine arts produced in the post-WWII period. In the evening hours, we recommend you enjoy the opera and ballet performances of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad.

We recommend that you enrich your visit by sampling gastronomic specialities, which include an excellent selection of wines. Restaurants and cafeterias offering domestic and international cuisine are located along the entire stretch of the city centre from Trg slobode to the end of Dunavska Street.

Info: Museum of Vojvodina +381 (0)21 420-566, www.muzejvojvodine.org.rs; Foreign Art Collection +381 (0)21 451-239 www.museumns.rs; Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina +381 (0)21 526 634 http://www.msuv.org AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

CORPORATE

The Spirit Of History

LJUBIČEVO EQUESTRIAN GAMES

Požarevac Today

& The Gallop Of Horses With five per cent growth in the number of tourists and overnight stays compared to the same period last year, Požarevac is becoming an increasingly attractive tourist destination. The most visited sites are Viminacium and the Ljubičevo Stables, while there are ever more people interested in the history of the city and its architecture. Požarevac this year commemorates the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Požarevac Peace Treaty, while from 4th to 9th September Viminacium is hosting the triennial World Limes Congress, one of the most important archaeological congresses in Europe. This year also included the staging of the 55th Ljubičevo Equestrian Games 18

AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

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he name of Požarevac was first mentioned in Turkish records dating back to 1467 and is linked to a legend about despot Fiery Dragon Wolf (Vuk Branković), who ruled Slankamen, being attacked by Turkish hero Ali-Bey (an historical figure known by the people as Đerzelez Ali).

The Turkish hero was allegedly wounded in the duel and barely managed to crawl to the fen located between the rivers Morava and Danube.

In order to destroy his enemy, Despot Vuk set fire to the reeds and they burned for days.

The marsh was burned to oblivion along with Ali-Bey. The place was named the burned fen, Požarevac [Požar means wildfire in Serbia].

The second capital city of Prince Miloš in the 19th century, Požarevac is today the seat of the Braničevo District and Braničevo eparchy. Surrounded by the rivers Danube, Morava

VIMINACIUM

and Mlava, it is also known as the home of the oldest stud farm in Serbia, Ljubičevo, the Požarevac Peace Treaty, Viminacium, the District Building, the monument to Prince Miloš, the National Museum, Milena Pavlović-Barili Gallery etc. Požarevac also celebrates its famous former residents, such as Miloš Obrenović, Đura Jakšić, Milena Pavlović-Barilli, Petar Dobrnjac, Serbian Patriarch Dimitrije et al.

LJUBIČEVO STABLES One of the oldest horse farms in Serbia, founded in 1860 by Prince Miloš Obrenović on the estate of the Morava Farm near the Great Morava river, it is situated five kilometres from the city and was created with

“VIMINACIUM FEST – MYTHS OLD AND NEW”

The new theatre festival “Viminacium Fest – myths old and new”, (3rd to 9th September, Kostolac) will take place on the area of the Viminacium Archaeological Park as a competitive event between professional theatres from Serbia and the region.

The festival includes the participation of theatres from Zagreb, Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Belgrade and Novi Sad, which will perform the plays Richard III, The Phoenician, The Odyssey – dream of return, Electra and Hasanaginica.

The finale of the festival, on 9th September, will feature a concert in honour of the winners performed by the Novi Sad Big Band. This theatre festival will take place in the Viminacium amphitheatre. The co-organisers of the event are the Viminacium Archaeological Park, the Požarevac Culture Centre and the local government.

AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

the aim of improving horsemanship for the best horse races. Prince Miloš’s son Mihailo later named this 300-hectare estate “Ljubičevo”, after his mother, Princess Ljubica.

The Ljubičin residence was erected at Ljubičevo, as well as several stables where the prince kept his horses. During the early 20th century this stud farm grew into an institution at the European level, boasting around 500 horses. It was made famous by champion steeds Ljubičevac, Kastor, Ramoz and Hajdžan.

A monument erected to Ljubičevac, who won the “triple crown” (as an undefeated galloper), is located at the centre of this oasis of peace and tranquility, where numerous walking trails culminate. The activities of the stud farm are connected to the annual Ljubičevo Equestrian Games tourism and sporting event.

MILENA’S HOME FOUNDATION - GALLERY OF PAINTER MILENA PAVLOVIĆ-BARILI The Gallery of Milena Pavlović-Barili is located next to the building of the National Museum in the heart of the city. It is housed in the birth home of the painter, which her mother Danica donated to the City in 1962 and which was subsequently used to establish this memorial gallery. Its exhibition collection includes the majority of her artistic opus. Milena lived and worked during the period between the two world wars. Born 19

back in 1909 as the only child of Danica and Bruno, an Italian composer, she lived between PoĹžarevac and Rome, because her parents were separated, and this had a major impact on Milena herself and her later work.

Guided by a restless spirit, she travelled to Spain, London, Paris, Venice and America, where she died in 1945. Milena was engaged is in the United States as an illustrator of the most respected fashion journals and magazines, including Vogue, Charm and Glamor, as well as a creator of costumes for ballet performances.

Visitors to the gallery can view the permanent exhibition paintings (oils on canvas, watercolours, tempera and pastels), her personal items, furniture and Milena's personal library.

The gallery is not only the biggest meeting place for visual artists, but also tourists,

MILENA PAVLOVIĆ-BARILI, SELFPORTRAIT

NATIONAL MUSEUM

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services sporting a gilded coat of arms, a gift from Miloš Obrenović to Stojan Ribarci – a liberal champion and minister who was born in Požarevac, then items of silver dishes and stained-glass dishes. Public and private presentations include photos in the format of business cards that receive a prominent place in family albums.

VIMINACIUM

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK VIMINACIUM Viminacium is an archaeological site near Stari Kostolac, 12 km from Požarevac. Built as a Roman military camp in the 1st century AD, it lasted until the beginning of the 7th century. It had tens of thousands of residents, while the camp around which it was built and the city itself where the headquarters of the Legion VII Claudius.

It experienced its ultimate destruction in 441AD, when the Huns razed the area to the ground. It was reconstructed during the time of Justinian I in 535 as a frontier military fort, marking the end of its former existence.

Excavations at the site of the Roman town and legionnaire camp have so far revealed 14,000 graves and discovered 50,000 caskets, a thousand of which are gold.

All artefacts able to be moved – marble

sculptures, tombstones and sarcophagi, jewellery and vessels – are kept in the National Museums in Belgrade and Požarevac.

The special charm of this site cam with the discovery of a mammoth over a million years old, popularly called Vika. Vika the Mammoth is among the oldest specimens in the world (dating back to the prehistoric Miocene period).

The curiosity of this discovery is that its skeleton is preserved at the site, located some 270 metres east of the Viminacium Imperial Mausoleum.

A paleontological park opened there in June 2014. Known as “Mamut Park”, it covers an area of 1,500 square metres and includes an underground cave which houses the skeleton of Vika, found in 2009, and the remains of four other mammoths excavated two years later that are 180,000 years old and have been named Socks, Trbuško, Đomla and Lenka.

who tour this vast collection in large numbers each year. Today this gallery honouring the life and works of Pavlović-Barili organises the Biennial “Light of Milena” event, which is a kind of festival of Serbian painted art.

MUSEUM OF CULTURAL HISTORY The building of the Museum of Cultural History at No.9 Nemanjina Street is a typical example of a house of a rich merchant family.

The urban elite of Požarevac began building expansive and comfortable family homes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, using solid construction materials and beautify the interiors with massive antique furniture, art objects, products, craft activities and domestic and foreign productions, reflecting their prestige, power and grandeur. Antique furniture was purchased in Budapest, Vienna and Belgrade and modelled on the European styles of the time – Biedermeier, historical eclecticism, Altdeutsche etc.

As the most valuable part of the house used as the museum of cultural history, we recommend the ceiling of unknown Viennese masters. There are items from glass AFTER SUMMER DELIGHTS

NATIONAL MUSEUM

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CORPORATE

IVONA BOROJEVIĆ General Manager, Prezident Hotels ***** Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci

The Guest Always Returns

Quality & Attentiveness The human factor is the most important item, the way in which staff treat the guest and how they address and resolve all their demands and wishes

I

am very happy that the new strategy for the development of tourism of Serbia paid special attention to developing tourism beyond Belgrade and Novi Sad, says Ivona Borojević, general manager of Prezident Hotels, speaking in this interview for CorD magazine.

The hotel business has also become a profitable sector in Serbia. Most construction is occurring in Belgrade, but Vojvodina has also proven its competitiveness. Your hotels are in great locations. What needs must be fulfilled to ensure a guest’s return?

- As general manager of the national chain of Prezident Hotels of the highest category, I must admit that the demands and expectations of our guests are very high, which is completely understandable because these are five-star hotels, the service must exceed expectations. I consider the human factor is the most important item, i.e. the way the staff treats the guest and 22

how they address and resolve all their demands and wishes. In accordance with this, we pay special attention to the selection of staff and their training and improvement, because what’s the value of a comfortable bed, top quality kitchen, swimming pool and expensive décor if, for example, the receptionist was impolite and didn’t do their job properly.

Special attention should be paid to the details, for example, if someone returns to the Hotel often, they should receive a bottle of wine, a basket of fruit or, say, a nice birthday card, which serve as a small sign of attention, but very often result in a guest being truly thrilled. Of the basic requirements, which are simply implied, I would highlight a good mattress and bedding, fast internet connection and parking, regardless of the category of the hotel.

hotel, particularly if it is of the highest categories, absolutely meets all the standards and regulations required by those same stars. What is the value of us having a restaurant with excellent food in the hotel if the air conditioning or ventilation in that same restaurant are not installed and functioning properly?

To what extent does the state encourage the development of the hotel industry and tourism; and which measures should be applied to develop tourism faster beyond large cities?

- As vice-president of the Association of Hoteliers of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, I must stress that communication between the economy and the state has improved considerably. There is still a lot that needs to be done, but progress is evident. I’m very happy that Serbia’s new strategy for the development of tourism pays special attention to the development of tourism beyond Belgrade and Novi Sad. I would cite the example of Sremski Karlovci, because

The hotel market in Serbia is increasingly competitive. What should be invested in a hotel business to make it profitable?

- In recent times we have witnessed With very little investment, Sremski Karlovci numerous projects could become a serious tourist spot in in the hotel and hosour country, starting from wine tours, pitality industry that gastronomic tourism, cultural values etc are carried out without any kind of plan, ad hoc, without specific and serious market one of our hotels is located in this beautiful analyses in advance. I stand firmly behind the town. I often compare it with Salzburg and point idea that a serious, profitable business requires out that Sremski Karlovci is the heart of Serbia. well determined preparation, i.e., to conduct With very little investment, this could become a adequate analyses, primarily of the market and serious tourist spot in our country, starting with the cost-effectiveness of the investment itself. wine tours, gastronomic tourism, cultural values When we have reached the stage at which it etc. An individual cannot do much to change that, makes sense to begin implementation, then we but when the economy and the state unite, that’s must maximise our efforts to ensure that the a ticket to success.

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