It is a beautiful afternoon as I leave Zurich for Belgrade, Serbia. However, with an almost 5 hour stop over in Dusseldorf, Germany, it is near midnight before I arrive at Nikola Tesla International Airport.

An arranged airport pickup for 18 Euro and soon enough I am on my way to the city which is about 15 miles from the airport. After checking in at a nice room at Central Park Apartments it is about one in the morning when I set out on a peaceful walk around town. For me, this is a great time to enjoy the layout of the city and take pictures of its lit up architecture. Tonight I even get a sampling of some late night foods.

A daytime walk around the city takes me to some of its famous sites including historical Skadarska Street along with “The New Court”. The New Court was intended in the early 1900's as the residency of the Royal Family but today serves as the cabinet for the President. Here I am fortunate to see the ceremonial changing of the guards take place.

Next with a delicious Solunac Gyro (filled with hot fries) in hand I venture off to St Sava's Temple. It is the largest Orthodox Temple in the Balkans. Although currently under renovation on the inside it is still an amazing sight to see.

My second night in Belgrade rewards me with more beautiful views of the city including the nicely lit up National Assembly building and famous walking street.

At the Belgrade Fortress I get a history lesson of the area during World War I when in December 1915 it was reported that “Belgrade is dead”. Tonight as I look across the Danube River and see colorfully lit bridges it is evident that there has been a resurrection here.

A two hour bus ride outside of Belgrade and I take in views of the Serbian countryside as I head to Topola. Here a visit to “The Cathedral Church” is a must. I think you will be impressed by the colorful and amazing paintings inside this temple. Topola also offers a few more historical Serbian sites.

My last day in Belgrade takes me to a museum of a man who we can all be thankful for. Although there is some minor controversy about which country should take credit for him and his great work, Nikola Tesla of Croatian and Serbian descent has a museum here. Although it is a small museum I can appreciate the significance of the displays here. After all, this museum is a tribute to the man who contributed so much to the advancement of humanity with his theories and inventions all built around electricity.

The next time you use the internet, talk on a cellphone or turn on a light switch you should be thankful for Tesla.

For this time of the year the weather is unusually nice in Belgrade and I along with many others are really enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon. A delicious slice of Mexican pizza without the hot dog crust and my senses are delighted as I listen to a violin and piano make beautiful music.

Yes, today Belgrade is very much alive.


Video:https://youtu.be/GPYl6Xc6Ors

What made you pick Belgrade, DMB?

We've been to quite a lot of central and "eastern" Europe but i can't say that Belgrade has ever been on our radar.

annhig,

"007", "November Man" and "The Montenegro Express" are all part of the reasons I wanted to visit Belgrade besides checking it off my bucket list.

I think you and others should put it on your radar. A clean, safe and inexpensive city with some beautiful sites

DMB - should the opportunity arise, I'll definitely consider it. We were lucky enough to be invited to a wedding in Sofia [Bulgaria] last year which hadn't been on my radar either yet we had a great time.

Thanks for posting.
I visited Belgrade( and several other cities in former Yugoslavia) before the war but cannot remember much except a walk in the
lovely park by the river.
Sarajevo, Bled, Dubrovnik are much more vivid in my memory.

danon - we "honeymooned" on Lake Bled and in Dubrovnik over 35 years ago when Tito was still a force in the land. They were both really lovely and though Dubrovnik has been restored, it can never be the same, nor the lives that were lost and ruined resurrected.

"nor the lives that were lost and ruined resurrected."
How true!

As the war was going on , we met some of the refugees from Sarajevo.
They were in their late 40's, well travelled, well educated professionals.
Not only that they left everything behind, but their qualifications did
not carry much weight in Canada.
Adjusting was very difficult and stressful. One of the women I befriended
took her own life.
A number returned to Sarajevo after the war, but their grown children stayed here.

As the war was going on , we met some of the refugees from Sarajevo.
They were in their late 40's, well travelled, well educated professionals.>>

for Sarajevo read Syria.

we never learn.

annhig,

I visited Sofia last year and enjoyed it too

If you get to Belgrade add a side trip to coastal Montenegro.
You won't regret it.

Danon,

Like you my first visit to the area (Dubrovnik) was when it was Yugoslavia.

One of the things I remember most was that it was the first time I was almost a millionaire. I think the local exchange rate was something like 26,000 to 1.

I also remember when dollar was thousands of Italian lira.
Long live euro.

Thanks for sharing, DMB. I enjoyed reading and watching your report. Belgrade looks different than the other European cities I've visited.

tripp,

Would definitely put Serbia on your list along with Montenegro. Although long (12 hrs) the train ride between Bar and Belgrade has some awesome scenery.