Breathtaking Places to Visit in the Balkans Before you Die
The Balkans are one of those places you must visit in your lifetime. They are some of the most beautiful places on the earth to go and visit. You cannot drink in enough of the scenic beauty the Balkans have to offer. A tourist may enjoy a one or two week trip creating memories that they will enjoy for the rest of their lives. Let’s start our trip to Balkans. Some of the most beautiful places lie in the Balkans and there are places there you will never forget you saw for the rest of your life.
The Balkans are the forgotten and lost treasure of Western Europe. They have many interesting places to visit and breathtaking scenery to cherish. But the wars in the 1990’s have put a damper on travel and poor traveling strategies have slowed tourism down it the past few decades. But travel to the Balkans is on the rise again. Here are some of the best places on earth to visit:
Plitvice Lakes National Park – Croatia – Photo by HansPermana on Flickr CC
The Unforgettable Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
These cascading lakes have been a source of wonder for about 200 years. The different shades of green and blue waters will instantly catch your eye as the colorfully placid waters attract a million visitors a year. You will do yourself a lifetime favor visiting these unforgettably beautiful waters. But don’t forget to tour the picturesque orchids that grow plentifully in the Plitvice National Park where you will find over 50 different species growing.
The One and Only Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
This fabled town once the proud capital of Bulgaria. Its past glory has not faded as it is intertwined with exciting contemporary art scattered through the streets of the village. The lifestyle of the town will leave an inedible memory for any tourist visiting the town’s ancient streets and byways. The local hills are scattered with houses and picturesque roads wind through the hills. You can enjoy a cup of coffee while you drink in the many picture-worthy views the town has offer. Don’t forget to take in the illustrious light and sound show set on the historical Tsarevets Hill where an ancient castle has been restored for your viewing pleasure.
Veliko Tarnovo – photo by Klearchos Kapotsis on Flickr CC
Famous Figures from the Balkans
The Balkans is not only known for its beautiful tourist sites but it has bred some famous people on the world scene:
Nikola Tesla-Was one of the most brilliant scientific minds of the 20th century. He is claimed to be the father of modern electricity and he was a scientist, mechanical and electrical engineer, and an inventor. He was born in the village of Smiljan (Republic of Croatia), on July 10, 1856. He was the inventor of the rotating magnetic field which was his greatest work. He also invented the distribution of electricity based on an alternate current using motors and generators. Currently, essentially every single induction motor is based on one of his designs.
Mother Teresa-Who has not heard of Mother Teresa a catholic nun born in Skopje (Republic of Macedonia) on August 26, 1910 who once said “By blood, I am Albanian, by citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.” She founded the famous “Missionaries of Charity” which came to symbolize compassion for millions in the 20th century. Mother Teresa was so known for her work of peace and compassion because she won the Nobel Peace prize in 1979. Reported by deadorkicking.com, she died on September 5, 1997 after a long illness and heart problems since 1983. At the time of her death, the “Missionaries of Charity” was operating 610 missions in 123 countries.
Orhan Pamuk-The famous novelist was born in Istanbul, Turkey on June 7, 1952. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006, and he has won numerous other literary awards, honors, and honorary doctoral degrees. He has sold a whopping 7 million books and his most famous works are: The New, My Name Is Red, Snow (was selected as one of the best 100 books of 2004 by The New York Times)
The Beautiful Kotor Montenegro-
Here you will visit the most southern fjord of Europe. To this day you can see the ancient architectural influence of the Venetians the ancient rulers of, Kotor, this picturesque land. You will want to climb the majestic steps to the fortress San Giovanni where you can view the Old Town and bay in all their splendor and beauty. While visiting Kotor Montenegro, you will not want to miss sailing on a boat that travels between the luscious, green coasts and sparkling, blue waters.
Ohrid – photo by hanspoldoja on Flickr CC
Oh, Ohrid, Macedonia
You would be amiss if you did not visit the religious hub of Macedonia-Ohrid which once had 365 churches one for each day of the year. There are still plenty of historical churches to visit in this grand old town. The beautiful, old town is nestled along the shore of Lake Ohrid hence the name of the town-Ohrid. The town is a jewel for Macedonians and tourists from neighboring countries even though it is not a famous tourist spot for Europeans in the outlying countries. It offers many beautiful sites that would be well worth your effort to visit for an unforgettable week or two.
Pretty Prizren, Kosovo
You must not make a trip to the beautiful Balkans and not visit Prizren, Kosovo. Prizen is one of the lost treasures of the Balkans. It is one of the least visited areas in that region. This ancient city boasts natural sites and old fortresses from which you can see beautiful panoramic views of the town of Prizren. After walking around the old local stronghold explore the local cuisine and enjoy a cup of coffee as you people watch down by the river.
Jonufur – Albania – photo by Godo-Godaj on Flickr CC
The Mystery of Albania
Albania, the land of caves and castles. If you want to make a trip into the past then visit the mysterious land of Albania. From southern Albania, tourists can travel by boat to the beautiful Karaburun Peninsula, which is the largest in the country. The peninsula lies on the eastern side of the Strait of Otranto,where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. This lost treasure was discovered by tourists in 2013. It has some of the most beautiful natural bays and caves in Europe.
You will want to visit the cave named after the 16th Century pirate, Haxhi Aliu is a must on your visit to Albania. The cave overlooks the beautiful Grama Bay, where you can enjoy the breathtaking crystal-clear waters of the bay. A few miles from the bay you will find the beautiful coastal town of Himara that boasts the castle of Ali Pashe Tepelena nestled in Porto Palermo Bay.
The castle dates back to the 17th century and is believed to have been built by the Venetians when they ruled in Albania. In the 19th century, Ali Pasha of Tepelena, took over the castle and ruled from there. Take in the wonderful views from the castle walls and terraces that overlook the beautiful Ionian Sea. Tour the castle and enjoy its long history and if you are adventurous you can enjoy a swim along the majestic castle walls.
Pocitelj- Bosnia – photo by watchsmart on Flickr CC
Bosnia a Step Back in Time
Travel back in time, and visit the ancient villages of Bosnia. Pocitelj, an ancient settlement dating back to the 14th Century, was abandoned after the 1990’s Balkan wars. It has been a forgotten treasure in Bosnia but be one of the tourists who are starting to visit it and other ancient villages nestled in Bosnia. Pociteli, is easily accessible as it lies on the road that connects Mostar town with the Croatian town of Metkovic. These are two unforgettable villages you must visit while you tour Bosnia.
The village, Pocitelj, remains mainly abandoned but is beginning to teem with life again as local villagers are beginning to restore the village to its ancient beauty. Visiting tourists will find restored restaurants and shops where they can buy gifts and enjoy the country atmosphere of this ancient village.
You must become a part of history by visiting the most isolated village in Bosnia, Lukomir, well worth the scenic day trip from the capital city Sarajevo.
Bulgaria’s Peaceful Waters
The Iskar, a river flowing 228 miles solely in Bulgaria, is the country’s longest flowing rivers. Take a boat ride along the beautiful river. The river cuts through beautiful mountains and picturesque hills. There are many memorable sites worth taking in that dot the countryside along the river. The Iskar is the oldest river in Bulgaria and remarkably has kept its original course over the centuries.
You must visit the Seven Rila Lakes, nestled high in the Dangskiya region of the north-western Rila Mountains. These lakes are a must see while you tour Bulgaria. Tear Lake, is of a special interest because it is the highest located lake of the seven. It sits 8316 feet above sea level in the Rila Mountains.
Concluding Thoughts
The Balkans have many beautiful spots to visit that you will remember for the rest of your life. You can spend a month or two visiting these beautiful sites and still nor appreciate their beauty. The Balkans offer some of the most beautiful vacation spots in the world that you will not regret visiting in your lifetime.
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Hi! I'm Lash, an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
