The Beauties of Balkan

Durres-Albanija
Durres is the second largest city in Albania. It has a population of 500.000. The city is a very important port town and it's also turisticly very active. There is a lot of industry and bussines going on in it is mostly a modern or socialitstic architecture. There is a small old town where you can see roman ruins. There are a lot of beaches filled with people, especially in the summer. Next to the beach there are a lot of hotels, tall buildings, cafes and clubs. In the beginning of the 20th century it was the capital of Albania (1914-1920). The main reasons that Durres is modern is that it old town was destroyed several times by an earthquake and in 1991 it became a popular sea stop and it built a lot of hotels and the population rised. Even if the old town is small the city is still waiting for you to jump in it's crowded sea!

Bitola-Makedonija
Bitola is the second largest city in Macedonia. It has a population of 103.000. Rughly translated from the old language it means "City Consul" and that is the main reason for it's visibility. It got the name because 12 world countries have their consul in Bitola. The city is in the foothills of the mountain Baba (2601 m), in the centre of the Pelagonija/Pelagonia basin near Greece. Bitola is the second most important univerity city in Macedonia. It's also one of the oldest cities in Europe which you can see in the archeological site Herakleja. In time of Jugoslavija/Yugolsavia it was one of the cultural centres of the country. Bitola is a city with luxuriant history and interesting stories, worth a visit!

Nikšič-Črna Gora
Nišič is the second largest city in Montenegro. It has a population of 70.000. Nikšič municipality is the largest one in Montenegro and it covers 15% of the country. It is an important industrial, cultural, and educational center of Montenegro. The city was found in the 4th century as Anderba. The Romans built a military camp and two centuries later in the 6th and 7th century Slovani/The Slavs settled and renamed Anderba to Onogošt. Nikšič was also influenced hard from th Ottoman empire. Some of the architecture shows the old Ottoman or Roman style, for exaple Bedem Grad/Bedem Castle. Nikšič is an interesting town with luxuriant history!

Novi Sad-Srbija
Novi Sad is the second largest city in Serbia. It has a population of 400.000. It is the capital of the Vojvodina (part of Serbia). It has it's traditional short and colorful houses. Crkva Ime od Marije/The Name of Mary Church dominates the Trg Slobode/The Freedom square. On the other side of the river Donava/Danube there is a small part of the city as well and the main atracttion is Petrovaradinska tvrđava/The Petrovaradin Castle. Today it acctually belongs to the city Petrovaradin, but Novi Sad still takes it as it's own. There are two large bridges crossing the river. Novi Sad could use some restoration, but it still keeps it's charms. Novi Sad is a big Serbian town worth a visit!

Split-Hrvaška
Split is the second largest city in Croatia. It has a population of 350.000. It is the most important sea port town in Dalmacija/Dalmatia (part of southern sea Croatia-where the dog breed dalmation is from). It is also an important tourist destination, where you can find roman buildings and beautiful churches. The old town of Split is in UNESCO world herritage. The main church the cathedral of St. Domnius right next to the Diocletian (The roman palace where cesars lived) is dominating the city centre. The church is built from the same material as the White house in Washington D.C. in ZDA/USA. By the sea there is a promenade with palm trees and old buildings. Next to it there is a port where ferrys and bigger ships come. Split is a very important bussines and industry town at the seaside and it is also a very nice destination to visit!

Maribor-Slovenija
Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia. It has a population of 120.000. It's also a cultural, turistic and industry centre in northeast Slovenia. It's especialy known for it's oldest vine yard. It is over 400 years old and it started growing when Sheakspear was still alive. The largest river in Slovenia (Drava) is floating right through the city. There is a nice promenade next to the river where you can enjoy many cafes and loud conversations. In Drava there are lots of swans. It is really a nice experience. In the old city centre there is an interesting museum that was once a castle. There are lots of beautiful statues and colorful buildings. Maribor is an interesting town that is usually underestimated and it is worth a visit!

Priština-Kosovo
Prishtina is the capital and the largest city in Kosovo. It has a population of 300.000. Kosovo became independent in 2008 in February. It was once a part of Serbia. When Kosovo became independent they built a statue "NEWBORN" in the centre of Prishtina. From time to time the statue changes colours or signs. Prishtina is mostly modern and industrialized. It's Kosovo's main industry and bussines town. With it's different people, culture and architecture it is waiting for you to visit it!

Sarajevo-Bosna in Hercegovina
Sarajevo is the capital and the largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has a population of 850.000. Sarajevo is very well known for it's religius devirsety because in Sarajevo you can find Orthodox, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish and many more. It's also called "where all cultures meet". The old part of the city has more different architectures. There is a street called Baščaršija that represents the style of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city is very livly and you can enjoy it's cafes and loud streets. Sarajevo is in a style "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". You can see that the city was once in a terrible war, but it is getting it self on feet. It's an amazing town worth a visit!

Sofija-Bolgarija
Sofia is the capital and the largest city in Bulgaria. It has a population of 3.000.000. It's one of the largest cities in Balkan. It's best known for the Alexandar Nevsky Chatedral. The chatedral is very big and it has blue and golden domes. Sofia lays in west Bulgaria, south from the Stara Planina/Old Mountain. Sofia is slowly getting more and more modern and popular. It's not the most popular turist destination in Bulgaria, but it is slowly getting famous. Sofia is a wonderfull town with nice people waiting for you!

Bukarešta-Romunija
Bucharest is the capital and the largest city in Romania. It has a population of 4.924.000. It is also the second largest city in Balkan. It is famous for it's parliament because it's the largest one in the world. Walking through Bucharest you can see thet it was once an important city, but now it seriosly needs restoration. The city has many important conferences. Even if the city needs restoration it still has charm and it's beauty. There is even a river. The city is called after a Bukur the could be everything because there are many legends of him. In every legend he is something else. Bucharest is a beautiful town waiting for you!

Atene-Grčija
Athens are the capital and the largest city in Greece. It has a population of 7.090.000. It's expecialy known for it's influence in ancient Greece and it's acropolis. The acropolis was made for the Greek godess of beauty-Afrodita. The city is named after the godess of wisedom Atena/Athina. She had a deal with god Pozejdon that who ever gives the city a better gift it will be named after him/her. Atena/Athina gave an olive tree and Pozejdon gave water. Who do you think won? Athens have many monuments from ancient Greece. It makes the city look like it has it's own old charm. Greece culture is very interesting. Athens also have sea and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Athens are the 7th largest city in Europe waiting for your visit!

Tirana-Albanija
Tirana is the capital and the largest city in Albania. It has a population of 1.300.000. It's the most important city in central Albania and it has important industry. River Tirane is flowing through the city. There actually is no old part of the city because the city got developed in 20th century. It's the capital since 1920 and it wasn't important until 1930.Tirana is expecialy known for it's coloured houses. All newer houses are not extrodinary beautiful, but when they coloured them the became a high light of Tirana. You can enjoy the beautiful coloured houses, nice people and streets with lots of trees. Tirana should deffinetly be on your visiting list!