The Caucasus’ are a region located at the border of Europe and Asia, situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and occupied by Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. After the collapse of the Russian Empire, the latter of these three countries became part of the short-lived Trans-Caucasian Democratic Federative Republic. The republic dissolved in May 1918, and Azerbaijan declared independence, which lasted until the Bolshevik Red Army invaded it in April 1920. Georgia and Armenia
Often, the best way to experience a different world culture is through its food. In the small Balkan nation of Macedonia, food is the center of every celebration. Macedonian cuisine is an aspect of Balkan cuisine that reflects both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. The relatively warm climate of this country provides excellent conditions for growing a variety of unique vegetables, herbs and fruits. Located at the top of the high hills of the largest
Create your very own authentic experience in Greece! Click the magnifying glass icon above and type “Greece” to find helpful articles, ideas and tours that include Greece. While the starting and ending points of our Tours are many and varied, any of them can include a visit to Athens, home to many ancient monuments like the temple of Olympian and the Ancient Agora. There are also many museums in Athens, as well as modern urban
Trakoscan Castle Trakoscan Castle lies in the northern part of Croatia on 450 acres close to the Baroque town of Verazdin, known for its architecture. The castle was originally built in the thirteenth century as an observation fortress monitoring the road from Pluj to the Bednaj Valley when the Knights of Drachenstein ruled the region. It changed hands several times until in 1584 it was given to the Draskovic family who kept it in the
A L B A N I A A BEAUTIFUL NATURE AND A POWERFUL SPIRIT THE LAND OF SUN AND HOSPITALITY Albanians refer to themselves as Shqipetare, meaning “Sons of eagles”, and to their country as Shqiparia. Descended from the ancient Illyrians, they have lived in relative isolation and obscurity through most of their difficult history, in part because of the rugged terrain of their mountainous land, but also because of a complex of historical, cultural,
In the first part of 2018, Bulgaria will be home to the revolving presidency of the Council of the European Union. Sofia, the capital, will host many of the events of the presidency. This Balkan country is well worth closer scrutiny by discerning travelers, offering much diversity in such a small, largely mountainous rural area. Bulgaria is bordered on the north by Romania, by Serbia and Macedonia to the west, by Greece and Turkey to the
From our tour guide partner South America is an amazingly diverse continent full of adventure just waiting to be had. I, Garrett Cooper of Feral Human Expeditions, took my first trip to Latin America on my motorcycle which I had ridden for seven months, covering 21,000 miles from Oregon to Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. Over the course of this trip I spent time in some of the highest mountains
Many landmarks, milestones and historic towns dot the Via Egnatia, a Roman-era road that traverses a 1000 km route stretching from Dyrrachium on Greece’s western Adriatic coast eastward to Istanbul on the Black Sea. It crosses the Balkan peninsula through Macedonia, what is now known as Albania, Greece, and European Turkey, visiting mountain towns and Aegean Sea towns along the way. This difficult route also follows the banks of the beautiful river Shkumbin, from its mouth
The Museum of Broken Relationships The Museum of Broken Relationships is the third most popular attraction in Zagreb. It is easily beating all other cultural destinations, perhaps because its name resonates so well with audiences around the world. Every new exhibition seems to “go viral”. This museum was been awarded the Kenneth Hudson Award in 2011 for ‘the most unusual, daring and, perhaps, controversial achievement that challenges common perceptions of the role of the museums’. Sounds
Popova Kula Winery in Macedonia’s Wine Country is one of the Balkans’ best kept secrets. Growing grapes and producing wine are woven deeply into Macedonian history. On our Macedonia Culinary Tour you will visit this renowned winery where you will taste wine from the highest quality grapes. I stayed one night at the beautiful Popova Kula hotel and woke to the sound of bells tied around the necks of a whole herd of goats making their way across