Jaunted

Balkan Shuffle

1/30/2006 at 12:05 PM
Tags: Balkans (all tags)

It's likely that most of the travel press will be pushing destinations like Muscat in Oman and Uganda this year. However, one destination that has been underrepresented is Macedonia. It finally gets some press in the Times of London this week.

While it might be in poor taste to suggest that the whole region is likely to "blow up" this year, with the massive growth in popularity of Croatia and the continuing development of Montenegro, countries like Macedonia have a lot of potential for an increase in tourism, too.

Skopje, the capital, still lives a lot to be desired--think of it is as Ulaan Bataar West--but the region around Lake Orhid, including the town of Orhid, may become a choice destination. There's a 13th Century Church and a 10th Century Fortress--the region has plenty of those, for the discerning fortress enthusiast--and it was the site where Europe's first uiniversity was founded. Plus, the natural beauty of the lake is quite impressive.

While they don't have the advantage of a coast, like Montenegro or Albania, they don't have bunkers, either, so it evens out. It's a country to watch this year.


[Image via Fif'/Flickr]