The Countries of the Balkans

The Balkans is a diverse cultural and geographical region. In this area of Europe you will find, spectacular lakes and mountains, skiing and great beaches, beautiful rivers and medieval castles. In most of the English-speaking world, the countries commonly included in the Balkan region are, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Romania. Sometimes, countries like Moldova, Slovenia and Turkey are included.

The Balkans, also referred to as the Balkan Peninsula, is a region of southeastern Europe. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains, which run through the centre of Bulgaria into eastern Serbia. "Balkan" comes from a Turkish word meaning "a chain of wooded mountains".

The Balkan Peninsula may be defined as an area of south eastern Europe surrounded by water on three sides: the Adriatic Sea to the west, the Mediterranean Sea (including the Ionian and Aegean seas) to the south and the Black Sea to the east. Its northern boundary is often given as the Danube, Sava and Kupa rivers.

Here are some of the interesting countries you can visit in this region:-

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a beautiful country, bordered by the River Danube in the north and the Black Sea in the east. There are mountain ranges and sparkling lakes.

Sofia is the capital city. And on the Black Sea coast there are long hot summers with the beaches to match at Varna and Burgas beaches Varna. If a winter holiday in the snow is more to your taste, then Bansko is the resort for you. The village of Bozhentsi in rural Bulgaria was proclaimed an architectural and historical reserve in 1964 and is part of UNESCO's cultural monuments.

Other popular attractions include the 10th century Rila Monastery and the 19th century Euxinograd chateau.

Croatia

Croatia is famed for the sapphire waters of the Adriatic that gently lap onto its stunning beaches and into the secluded coves. There are medieval castles to take your breath away and eight areas in the country have been designated national parks.

Among the World Heritage Sites are the Old town of Dubrovnik, the Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian and the historic city of Trogir.

Montenegro

Montenegro's mild Mediterranean climate boasts an average of 240 sunny days each year with some of the finest beaches imaginable. While the mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe.

The Tourism Masterplan of Montenegro (a 3 year plan started in 2007) is also paving the way for a national development program for nature based tourism, especially hiking and biking, with new infrastructure and services.

Slovenia

The beautiful country of Slovenia correctly holds the crown of the "Green Heart of Europe" it touches the Alps and borders the Mediterranean Sea.The nation's capital, Ljubljana, proudly shows its Baroque and Art Nouveau influence. The Skocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site are worth the visit alone.

A national symbol of Slovenia is Mount Triglav and the Triglav National Park named after it. It is part of the Julian Alps that supplies water to two large river systems, the Soca and the Sava, flowing to the Adriatic and Black Sea, respectively.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia has also become an increasingly popular skiing and Ecotourism destination. Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the last undiscovered regions of the Southern Alps, with vast tracks of wild and untouched nature attracting adventurers and nature lovers.

The central Dinaric Alps are loved by hikers & walkers, containing both Mediterranean & Alpine climates. Whitewater rafting is something akin to a national pastime, with 3 rivers including the deepest river canyon in Europe, the Tara River.

Next time you consider a holiday in Europe, consider the Balkans. You will not be disappointed and it could be the start of a long-standing love for the region.

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Enjoyable Norway Holiday

People in cities-when given a vacation-usually crave for places that can offer them new experiences. If given a free time to getaway, most people would want to experience a new world where they can see sights they have never seen before, a new world where they can experience activities they have done before, and a new world where they can truly enjoy everything it can offer. All these and more could be experienced during a Norway holiday.

A new world of fun, excitement, relaxation and appreciating natures can be synonymous with Norway. A Nordic country in Europe, Norway has been hailed as the best place to live on Earth because it has a very small population and it has been endowed with natural wonders. The country has folksy, warm, and inviting style that welcomes all kinds of visitors. Located near Sweden, Finland and Russia, a holiday in Norway is a perfect getaway to those who are consumed by the toxicities in the cities and of modern life, in general.

Norway, with its capital city Oslo, has become one of most favorite places to visit by people hailing from different places and from different walks of life. This is because it offers conveniences and attractions that cannot be found in the city or in other modernized countries.

The major difference of a holiday in Norway is one can enjoy exciting activities back dropped with wonderful stretches of pristine mountain terrains. The exquisite and enchanting sights of nature are what draws hundreds of visitors yearly and is what brought many people back to relish the place.

Making the most out of the trip

Norway is a spectacular place from sunrise to sunset. It serves as a perfect playground for activities such as sailing, fishing, windsurfing, dolphin watching, horseback riding, shopping and golf, and other leisure activities. The country is not just a fantastic place at daytime but also at night time because it offers a night life that bursts with life through fine and fun dining, dancing, and music of your choice.

The most visited cities, aside from the capital Oslo, include Trondheim, Bergen, Tromsø and Stavanger. Whether you are in Eastern, Southern, Northern, or Central parts of Norway, you will find places and enjoy activities that will make the most out of your holiday vacation.

Aside from its wonderful fjords, what makes a holiday vacation in Norway great is that it is a premiere vacation spot where wilderness is in its natural state. However, climate should be a major consideration when going to Norway because there can be extreme temperatures.

It is best to go there from mid-June to mid-August where the climate is at its best. It is during these times where there is more accessible public transportation and accommodation is relatively cheaper. The moderate temperatures during these months also make it a perfect vacation spot for families, group of friends and college students looking for the ideal place to wind up during their holiday vacation.

To make the most out of your trip, it is a must to consider not only the weather or climate but also the list of activities that you plan to do or places that you look forward to visit.

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Nature Holiday in Serbia

The possibility of holiday activities in Serbia and attractions are big and there's something for everybody. There are a lot of significant historical places, untouched nature, spas, rivers, caves, ski resorts,world heritages protected by UNESCO. In every part of Serbia you will discover places, which are worth visiting if you want to travel Serbia.

Nature holiday, that means outdoor nature activities. No matter where you spend your holiday in Serbia, sport lovers can take part at nature activities like tracking, mountain biking, horse rides , or guided climbing tours through amazing mountains in east and south-western Serbia. National Park Tara with its untouched nature is ideal for people who want to enjoy in amazing scenic lookouts. Mostly of them are accessible by care. The most spectacular is Biljeska Stena.

Many rarely species of birds live in Canyon of River Uvac. The most impressive is griffin vulture. Watching them in their native habitat is unforgettable. For every season there are appropriate outdoor activities. In the winter Serbia offers snow activities. There are some ski resort. The most famous is Kopaonik - on of the highest mountain in Serbia. There is snow since December to April.

Other one is Zlatibor, which doesn't have professional ski tracks like Kopaonik, but offers amazing landscapes and interesting places to visit - caves, monasteries, waterfalls, train museums. Since 2008, there is new ski resort in Serbia - Stara Planina. It has not finished yet. At the moment there is only one ski track, but a lot of tracks and hotels are under construction so for some years it will be probably the most popular ski center in Serbia because of beauty of Stara Planina Mountain.

There are 2 airports: in Belgrade and city of Nis (220 km from Belgrade, and 80 km from Bulgaria border). The best season to visit Serbia for summer outdoor activities is April - September, for winter activities December - March.

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Slovakia Vacation

During these troubled times, when many of us are having to count the pennies, it is a good idea to look at different holiday destinations, where you can get the best possible value for your money, and so are not worrying the whole time how much your trip is costing you.

This is partly why Slovakia is becoming more and more popular as a European holiday destination, as there are a number of reasons why it is a great low-cost alternative to the likes of Austria, France and Italy.

Low cost flights into Bratislava and Poprad - Tatry

A number of the low-cost airlines now fly into Slovakia from all over Europe and it is possible to pick up return tickets to Bratislava or Poprad-Tatry for less than 100 Euros.

High standard cottages and holiday homes at a great price per person

While the better class of hotels can be quite pricey, it is possible for a family or a group of friends to stay at high standard self-catering accommodation for a great price per person. Always check out the off-season prices for the best deals!

Delicious food at incredible prices

Eating out is one of the top reasons why Slovakia is such a great value holiday destination. Restaurants serve good quality food at a fraction of the cost back home. The same goes for drinks, especially local wines and the excellent Czech and Slovak beers.

Getting around on a budget

Whilst there are no real savings to be made on hiring a car in Slovakia, Public Transportation can be ridiculously cheap and the country enjoys a good infrastructure. What's more, as a general rule, trains, buses and trams all run on time.

Great value sporting activities, tourist attractions and cultural events

The natural beauties of Slovakia are such that there is plenty to do and see all year round, whether you are skiing during the winter season, enjoying sporting activities in the summer, or simply sightseeing throughout the year. What's more, you are able to do so much without having to spend a whole lot of money.

There really is so much to do and see in this undiscovered gem, in the heart of Europe. And there really has never been a better time to visit Slovakia.

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The Wonderful Culture Of Romania

The beautiful country that is Romania can also boast of a strong cultural heritage. This culture has emerged as a consequence of its distinct geographical features and its eventful history. It is a Latin country, where the flavors of the Roman past are still evident, but on the other hand, it follows the Orthodox Church.

Romanian culture displays the telling influence of both Classical European and Oriental cultures. It is also a country, where pastoral traditions have given birth to a rich and down to earth popular culture. The centres of evolution of urban culture in Romania were churches and the royal courts. Urban culture of the early years generally dwelt around discourses on religion, morals and justice in the monasteries and courts. In the early years of the 18th century, Dimitre Cantemir earned great renown with his writings on the Turkish Empire.

Traditional culture was already vibrant at the time, and an example of the rich folklore of Romania is evident in the ballad "Miorita", which is taught in junior school to enlighten young Romanians about their cultural heritage. The story is deeply rooted in Romanian belief in destiny. It is about three shepherds, two of whom turn against the third out of envy. They even planned to kill the third shepherd. He gets to know of the murder plot from a magical sheep in his flock, but instead of taking steps to save his life, he gets reconciled to his fate with stoic fatalism. The only wish he has is that if he is done to death, he should be buried in the meadows to be forever in proximity with his herd and his loyal sheepdogs.

Romanian culture was also enriched by the cultures of various races that ruled over the country down the ages. It has been a cultural melting pot, where elements of Roman, Hungarian, Austrian and Turkish influences are clearly visible. During the 19th century, students from Romania used to visit France to study at universities in that country. Consequently, there is some French influence on Romanian culture.

Romanian culture is also spread across the population of the country. Chances are the person on the street will accurately recite from the works of their national poet, Mihai Eminescu. They could possibly relate the plays written by Ion Luca Caragiale, the most renowned of Romanian playwrights. Romanian society of the time with its absurd pomp, noisy hypocrisy and widespread corruption was captured brilliantly by the sardonic pen of Caragiale. His literary works have stood the test of time. They seem even more relevant today, particularly in the context of present day politics in Romania.

Then there is Ion Cranega, the master storyteller in the genre of children's literature. He penned the famous book called "Childhood Memories", a classic which is a must read for all Romanian children. It is said that all young people can find a bit of themselves when they read this universal book for children.

Literature is not the only arena, where Romanian culture has shown its prowess. Romanian genius has made its mark in fine arts and performing arts as well. Painters like Nicolae Grigorescu, sculptors like Constantin Branusi and musicians like George Enescu have been the toast of the connoisseur and the layman alike. Georghe Zamfir has cast a spell over the world with the sound of his pan flute.

The god fearing people of Romania are proud of their cultural heritage. They make every conceivable effort to keep this heritage alive among future generations. They make sure that Romanian children imbibe this culture from their early days, whether in the form of folk ballads that their mothers sing softly as they lull the babies to sleep, or the classical arts and literature that the young ones are taught at school.

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Business Travel Jobs

For those keeping their eye out for business travel jobs, there have been several events in 2010 that have given consultants and managers food for thought. The field is unpredictable by its very nature; there can sometimes be little warning before a problem overseas requires attention, or a new opportunity must be taken advantage of with an early meeting a long journey away. Travel managers, however, can never assume all will go as planned during these trips. Take a look at some of the events which affected the industry during 2010, and how they might affect the future of corporate travel.

Volcanic Ash

One of the biggest disruptions for travel in 2010 was the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull, a volcano in Iceland, which caused the most significant closure of European airspace since the Second World War. For weeks, many people simply couldn't fly for a myriad of technical and legal reasons concerning the volcanic ash which was released over European airspace. Those looking for travel jobs would be wise to take note of the ways businesses adapted to the restrictions - making use of online conferencing programs like Skype and using long-distance train and ferry travel as a substitute. Many businesses found that their air travel wasn't quite as critical as they'd first assumed. The most important lesson the volcanic eruption taught those in business travel jobs was to always have a back-up plan for travel arrangements, and a back-up for the back-up!

Snow Problems

At the beginning and end of 2010, heavy snowfalls in Europe left many airports and airlines struggling to cope. While the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull couldn't have been predicted by those working in the industry, regular occurrences such as snow during the winter months should factor into business travel planning in 2011. It was Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, which was the most affected because - as its critics noted - it had done the least to prepare. A lesson for those in travel jobs in 2011 is not to assume major transport hubs will be 'ever-ready' whatever the weather - they are as susceptible to misfortune, and even closures, as smaller transport hubs.

Future Developments

With new transport security developments on the horizon in 2011, it remains to be seen what impact they will have on business travel jobs. In October 2010, the US Transport Security Administration introduced controversial new full-body scanners. Many air passengers saw them as highly intrusive as operators were able to see through clothes. When those in travel-related jobs need to deal with urgent or short-notice travel arrangements, avoiding such stringent security procedures may not be an option, and so the preferences of those embarking on the journey must be taken into account.

While 2010 threw up many challenges for the travel industry, there will always be a necessity for efficient travel arrangements. Those looking for travel jobs could learn a few lessons for the year ahead by examining the problems faced by travellers in 2010.

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Ski Holidays in Slovenia

Skiing is a great sport for all ages. If you are new to the slopes, you may be looking for recommendations for good ski resorts you'll enjoy. This guide will help you choose the best Slovenian ski holidays and resorts for people new to the sport. If you're budget-conscious, you may want to take a look at the Slovenian ski resorts too... they are very affordable.

While skiing has never been a cheap sport, by the time you have bought your clothing, booked your vacation and rented the equipment you require, added all those extras like insurance, skiing lessons and a lift pass, you may feel you need to take out a loan. You may be asking yourself if it is really worth it.

Hold tight to your ski poles... even with a low budget you can enjoy nice ski holidays if you're willing to do a bit of shopping around for bargains, make an effort to eat frugally while you're there, and can make your own travel reservations when needed.

Andorra has always been the most inexpensive place to ski in Europe... but not anymore. Since it joined the European Union, prices have soared. At the same time, this duty-free principality has spent over £112 million over the past few years to build new lifts and make itself a four- or five-star vacation destination. Someone has to pay this bill... and it is the tourists.

If you're a skier looking for a less expensive ski option this season, check out Slovenia. It is one of the top destinations in eastern Europe. One could say, that Slovenia has got a corner on the budget holiday market. The ski resorts are establishing themselves as major destinations in the budget ski vacation market with their excellent skiing, modern amenities and beautiful scenery. These resorts are in particular suitable for beginning skiers, and they charge very reasonable prices.

Whether you're traveling with family or by yourself, this is a place you won't want to miss. Slovenia offers terrific slopes for beginners and those looking for something different than they normally ski. It has something for everyone! The ski resorts are few, but fantastic. Some ski slopes face beautiful pristine lakes, others offer incredible mountain scenery. Courses are varied enough to be safe for beginners, yet challenging enough for intermediate skiers. You'll find Slovenia's resorts to be quiet and relaxing as well, unlike some of the other more well-known resorts around Europe.

Slovenia's most famous resorts are Kranjska Gora and Maribor Pohorje, the site of several international races. Since these slopes are not as high in altitude as some of the neighboring resorts in the Alps, if you want to be assured of adequate cover you may want to wait to see before booking your reservations. While this may seem a bit of a hassle, remember, this makes the slopes easier to reach. The lower center of Kranjska Gora is around 800 meters (approximately 2624 feet).

Slovenia's highest ski resort is Mount Kanin... touching the sky at 2,000 meters (approximately 6561 feet). It is covered in snow until the spring. The Kanin Ski Center is close to both Austria and Italy, so tourists vacationing here can pick up a seven-day pass that allows them to ski for free for two days at the Austrian ski resort of Arnoldstein and the Italian resorts of Sella Nevea and Tarvisio.

One of the most modern ski resorts in Slovenia is the Cerkno Ski Center - my favorite slovenian ski spot. Situated at 1,300 meters (approximately 4265 feet), it has modern snowmaking equipment and the only covered chairlifts in Slovenia. It is also the best equipped slovenian ski resort for families. The Cerkno Ski Center guarantees snow for 70 days every season. It is close to the towns of Gorenjska and Primorska.

Bohinj has a private lake with ski slopes above it. The resort of Vogel, which can only be reached by cable-car, is the biggest and most sophisticated in Slovenia.

That was my Top 5 slovenia ski holidays recommendation for you. Are you looking for excellent downhill skiing? Then let me mention also Krvavec, a slovenian ski resort near Ljubljana, which occupies a meadow on the Kalska range.