We are all familiar with Europe, which enchants us with everything it has to offer. From its rich history to its fascinating geography, economy, and politics. There’s a general liability in Europe too. However, farther south in Europe, we discover the Balkan Peninsula, a collection of countries mostly linked by fate but with a diversity of nationalities and civilizations unparalleled in Europe.
Balkans? What counts for it? Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania, Slovenia, and the European half of Turkey make up the Balkans today.
The History and People Of The Balkans
The Balkans encompass a large portion of Southeast Europe, including former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Albania, and northern Greece. The British Museum houses an extraordinary collection of Balkan textiles and jewelry. Edith Durham, Albania’s champion, performed compositions in 1914. Many pieces have been acquired from collectors who lived or worked in the Balkans in the late 1960s and early 1970s, many of whom were citizens of mythology communities and bought entire costumes, often with associated jewelry, to be as truly the case as possible to the spirit of the dance and the styles of the various regions.
The Balkans from 1800 to 1900
As a component of the Turkish Ottoman Empire, most of the region was once ruled by Istanbul. In a series of battles in the late 1800s and early 1900s, many territories gained independence from it. The jewelry and clothing on display were largely made at this time, during the Ottoman Empire’s fall, and depict the emergence of the nationalistic spirit at the time.
Prior to the building of usable highways in the 1920s and 1930s, communication was incredibly difficult. People from various ethnic, linguistic, or religious groupings — Albanians and Serbs, Christians and Muslims – lived in small village quarters in neighboring villages.
Balkans Culture
The very first thought that comes to mind when we think of the Balkans is its culture and all of its peculiarities. The Balkans are remarkable in that they are distinct yet equal at the very same time: in reality, they are extremely similar. The Balkan culture has always been about the rich, vivid, and intense sentiments you get when you’re immersed in it, demonstrating that even through a difficult period in their history, they gathered every scrap to create the Balkan culture that exists today.
Starting with the great traditional cuisine that the Balkans have to offer, the production has also always stayed true to the original recipes that have only been made by Balkan women for ages.
Balkan Jewelry
Jewelry was an important feature of the costly and intricate costumes used as wedding dresses, for festive events, and for dance in rural, typically wealthy towns.
Large clasps, head decorations draped with bunches of rustling ornaments, or necklaces strung with pennies and placed across the body were used to commemorate rites of passage, guard against bad spirits, and provide a jangling soundtrack to music when danced.
The majority of Balkan jewelry was constructed of a base material alloy, primarily copper. It was usually referred to as silver. It did have a modest quantity of silver in it.
Balkan Food and Eateries
Are you a fan of Balkan cuisine? Because it isn’t a popular food, fewer people are interested. Furthermore, it originates from a European location that does not receive as many tourists as more popular countries such as France or Spain.
Balkan cuisine may lack the beauty and finesse of French or Japanese cuisine, but it more than compensates for it in flavour and spirit. It’s European comfort cuisine at its most satisfying and delicious, with spiced meats, bread, filled veggies, and rakija.
- Ajvar
2. Dolma
3. Fiš Paprikaš
4. Pljeskavica
5. Kajmak
6. Sarma
7. Burek
Balkans Currencies and Money
Money might be a major issue while traveling across the Balkans. Every time you pass a border, the currency changes, and the calculations back to your local currency might be perplexing. Your head will begin to spin by the time you’ve acquired your fifth or sixth new money. Furthermore, you may not be able to convert your leftover cash in the next nation, so keep an eye on your wallet at all times. Here’s everything you need to understand about Balkan money, including where to acquire it, how to use it, and how much it’s worth.
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Use ATM
If you acquire your money from an ATM, you’ll get the greatest exchange rate. You’ll need an ATM card with no ATM fee and no foreign transaction cost for this. It’s even better if you have an account that reimburses you for any ATM fees charged by other banks.
If possible, avoid using the exchange offices. These establishments charge exorbitant rates. A better alternative is to use ATMs at airport terminals and transit terminals.
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Use Cards
Whenever feasible, use a credit card since you’ll obtain the most up-to-date exchange rate. To make this a decent deal, you’ll need a credit or debit card with no international transaction fees.
You may use a credit card for bigger restaurants, and hotels (particularly if you pay online), as well as other significant businesses like grocery shops in most metropolitan areas and other large centers.
