Pečat Dragačeva - Zoran Hristić

Ljubazno zamoljen da napišem nešto o Dragačevu, odnosno o Saboru trubača (pa zar to nije jedno te isto!), našao sam se u čudu, jer to je slično kao kada bi me neko zamolio da napišem ljubavno pismo! Međutim, ipak ima logike. Dragačevo, Guča, sabor, pesma i ritam moje su stare ljubavi. 

Kada se piše o ljubavi, biraju se reči, dovoljno lepe da se zaboravi svakodnevica, da se utone u nešto nalik na san i izbegava se reč ''ali'', jer sreću ''saborišta'' ne sme ništa da pokvari. Čovek se, po prirodi stvari, vraća onome što voli... 

Zaljubljenik Sabora ima tu sreću da to može da čini svake godine, da to jedva čeka svake godine, a da pri tome u slavlju i pravim salvama zvuka zaboravi da je još jednu godinu stariji. I tako svake godine čeka ga jedna umivena, nasmejana i trešteća Guča, koja ga slatko umori, promukne, ''budilicom'' razbija mamurluk, natera ga na radost i razmazi srećom.

Provodeći vreme po zagušljivim studijama za snimanje muzike, žvaćući muku svoga posla, u svome nemiru često se setim Guče i njenog zvuka od iskona. Tada shvatim koliko tome pripadam, odakle sam i gde ću biti. U retkim časovima prividnog mira i ne pokušavam da nađem zvuk iz Guče, on sam nadolazi kao obeležje jednog naroda. Sabor u Guči je pečat Dragačeva i prsten našeg venčanja sa trubom. 

Truba u Dragačevu nikada ne svira ''krivo'', jer dostaojanstvo ljudi nameće pravila ponašanja zvuka, koji se tri dana rasplamsava do onog ''prometejskog trenutka'', kada nam se od veličanstvenosti zajedničkog sviranja ''Sa Ovčara i Kablara'' izmiče tle pod nogama, pali krv u venama i stiskaju pesnice u slavu naše ljubavi prema slobodi.

Zoran HRISTIĆ Otvaranje 9. Sabora 1978.

Shake it, Guča - Matija Bećković

It is not habitual for the host to speak, except if hosting the Trumpeters Festival in Guča, where every guest becomes the host from the moment when he enters the world capital of trumpet. As the host among hosts, I asked how long should I speak. They answered like true hosts do – tell us how long you would like to speak. Well, then, with permission – listen and hear!

The trumpet has been in use by people and angels since ever, and never and nowhere without good reason. Here, in Guča, the trumpeters are among the first ones to take into their hands the trumpets, and they do so with one reason more.  They say that the first trumpet descended to Guča looking for a place from where it could be heard the farthest. All her sisters followed her in flocks and jointly thundered into the chest of Serbia.

The call of the trumpet made all that sounds and tunes in, all the quivers and joining quivers on that loud side with which all the sides are linked, all the languages, the skies and the earth, to start roaring, storming and weeping.

The people and those musicians without scores and those with musical notations in their soles swarm to follow the sound. And the sound which makes you tremble, is the sound of the mother whose son you are – so says the poet. So it happened that since the Festival in Žiča we perhaps did not have a more joyful festival than the Festival in Guča! Life seeks an exit, and the sound seeks its rights.

 The walls destroyed by the trumpets of Jericho, are destroyed also by the trumpets of Dragačevo, and this has been going on for forty two years now. In some places they call it Woodstock, in others Mariachi, or Band-aid, or Exit, but everybody knows that Guča is the exit and that the original sounds better.

What many intellectuals do not know, Serbian peasants did not forget. It is better to blow a trumpet, than to sniff glue! Therefore, we hardly do have something more urban and more superior than the Trumpeters Festival in Guča. Obviously, the world Festival in Guča is Serbian contribution to globalization. Namely, if we would join the European Community without our tunes and colors, without our name and memories, how would they know who came to them and what they brought with them?

From the old to the new era, from the goose-feather pen to the computers, from calls across across the hills to the mobile phone and e-mail – everything that was ever created has still been in the process of transformation and creation. And this is not a Festival, but rather a volcano of health and beauty, which was activated from the heart of Serbia. And new, young volcanoes always become active where the old ones were active, too.

There is nothing we did not use to make music with: the leaf, the comb, the glass, the hair, the nails, the fingers, the horns, the belt, the stones, the eye-lashes, the mustache. There is no tree from which we did not try to make a trumpet. And there are no two leaves that did not differ, nor two stones which did not make echoes in a different way. And everything that we see on the Earth, are instruments of the big and glorious people's philharmonic orchestra. And to those trumpets which are today in Guča responding to the sun, this is what we must say: I know you, trumpet, when you used to be a willow tree!

The self-willed voices, the stubbornness of accents, the individuality of tunes – they will never cease to live and move human hearts. The biggest achievements of mind and hand which belong to the general spiritual property of mankind, all the immortal things which Earth gave to the skies, it related to the people and multiplied with the people!

Poets compared our embroideries with the wistfulness of Bach's and Schuman's solo violins. We know that embroidery, national costumes, folk dance, rituals, habit are also symbols with many meanings. But hundreds of thousands of participants in the Festival in Guča come to enjoy, dance and sing, and do not listen to interpretations!

Modern man has reached far, but it seems as if he noticed before reaching the aim that he did not take his heart and his soul with him.

And now, without these two, he does not care about the entire world. And this is where the deeper substance of the Festival in Guča is hidden. Not only by returning to oneself, but returning to joy and to the sense of living.

The State is what its music is – said Confucius 500 years B.C. If we only could say this for Serbia – how well off we would be! It is unbelievable that the State can be second-hand, and music original and authentic.

Throwing garbage to the wells is one of the biggest disasters of our spiritual ecology. Famous is the case of the shepherdess which happened right here, sixty years ago. She allegedly started suddenly to call somebody from the Ovčar and Kablar mountains whose name nobody has ever heard before and to ask him nothing else but when he will be coming to Užice, without asking why he should be in Užice and whom he has there. This is how one of the most irrational creations emerged, which was sung for decades with most disastrous consequences. And nobody was wondering about those who forged this song, they were rather persecuting those who memorized the original.

Thanks God, everything ended well and at the 42nd Trumpeters Festival in Guča we heard the original version as if such wonder had never existed! Hence: Serbian Principle, accept us among the Serb people! Welcome and come with luck – and leave with even more luck!

Shake it, maple!

Matija BEĆKOVIĆ, poet and novelist Letter of the host at the opening of 42nd FESTIVAL 2002nd

Grunula je truba, Branko V. Radičević

Sve se izgleda menja. Sabor ostaje isti. Kao element. Zemlja. Vazduh. Voda. Pečenje. Lebac i slanina. Beli lukac. Kolovođa i kec. Prvi i poslednji u kolu. Sabor je čudo. I to čudo nad čudima. Trebalo je, pre trideset i pet godina, promarširati ulicama Guče. U anteriji. Sa šajkačom na glavi. U prisustvu vlasti. U pratnji trubača.

To je čudo. Taj pohod koji traje. Koji ne prestaje. Od Sabora do Sabora. Od grada do grada. U kasno leto. Pred jesen. Dumbara bubanj. Igra kolo. Ali, molim vas, zamislite: kako je to bilo pre trideset i pet godina. U prikradici. U prekorici. Kao inačica. Tek će narasti inat. Tek će se zainatiti pravi inat. U sveopštoj sumnji.

Prikradalo se. I pripremalo veliko kolo. U prikradici. Naizgled naivno i nevešto. Trebalo je imati hrabrosti. I odoleti pokudicama. Šta će vam to tu? I zašto će vam baš tu? I šta će tu Dragačevo? I zar se to sme u Dragačevu? I šta će drugi reći? I kako će se drugi ponašati? I ko će za to odgovarati? I šta ako se to u nešto neprilično izrodi? Opasno je! Nije vreme! Zašto baš trube? I šta će tu trube? Pa to podseća na ratove! I kakvi su to bili ratovi! Ima ratova i ratova. Osvajačkih, napadačkih, tlačiteljskih, nepravedenih, opakih i zlovremenih.

Šta će tu trube ? Na šta nas podsećaju? Na nekakva knjaževstva i kraljevstva?

Nije Srbin izmislio trubu. Šta će truba u kolu? Ima ona preča posla. Zna se njeno mesto. Ispraća u ratove. I maršira s vojskama. Jedan, dva. Pod komandom. Jedan, dva. Ne može u šest koraka.

I grunula je. U Dragačevu. Kao izazov. I prkos. Prisetila. Podsetila. Promladila. Dahnula vedrinom. I nadom. Jer narod igra. Ima nade. Jer narod igra. Dobro je kad narod igra. Zasvadbariće jesen. Rađaće se deca. Oživeće njive i livade. Biće leba i slanine. Zaratariće zemlja. Neće zaratovati. Ona će zaratariti. Jer bog Perun, vrhovni srpski bog, nije bog ratova, već berićeta, bog plodnosti. On opominje gromovima i munjama. On upravlja zemljom i nebesima. I šalje kišu na žednu zemlju. Oplođuje. Preporađa. Omlađuje. Stvara. Daruje.

Trebalo je lukavo, polako, strpljivo, uz neophodne dodvorice i nepotrebne pristanke, očuvati saborovinu, koja je postala dadž, napajala ljude verom i nadom da još ima zdravlja i da nije sve prošlo i da će se živeti i ploditi.

Zaigralo je veliko saborsko kolo. I porodio se veliki, opštenarodni inat. Truba se pretvorila u čudo. Oslušnite je. Drma. Čućete što nikad niste čuli. Čućete ako ste posustali. Čućete ako ste posumljali. Ima spasa. Ima nade. Čućete ako ste se odrodili. Čućete ako se još niste porodili. Čućete ako ste se zaplodili.

Moj glas je slab. Nemam snage da nadvičem trubu. Sve što sam govorim, kazaće vam truba. Ona neprestano samo o tome trubi. Treba je čuti, slušati i razumeti. Ona umesto nas progovara. Jednog dana, ko zna kada, došla je među nas iz dalekog belog sveta. I progovorila je našim glasom. Baš kao da je svirala. Kao da se usvirala. I uguslila. Videli smo je na slikama posvećenim Božijim prostorima. Anđeli navešćuju dolazak. Strašnog suda. Ona se potpuno pripitomila u Dragačevu. Ne poziva na juriš. Neće u rat. Ne navešćuje propast sveta. Dolazak Strašnog suda. Započinje kolo. Svetkuje. I razastire radost. I zato je dobrodošla. Kao preporoditeljka. Na radost. I veselje.

Branko V. Radičević, pesnik, jedan od osnivača Sabora, Slovo domaćina na otvaranju 30. Sabora 1990.

Čudo zvano Guča, Momo KAPOR

Ko je mogao i da pomisli da će zov trube uspeti da okupi, ni manje ni više, šesto hiljada ljudi i da će na pustim poljanama Guče nići, kao u kakvom ratnom pohodu, polje šatora? A svi su zaboravili, niko ni da pomene, da je čitavu tu priču pre četrdeset devet goina, 1960. godine, započeo jedan pesnik, Branko V. Radičević, zvani Mačista, koji je proslavio Srbiju, a posebno Čačak, odakle je rodom, svojim pesmama i poemama. Niko da se seti Mača, koji je sa nekolicinom prijatelja sakupio tri-četiri sirota duvačka orkestra koji su se potucali po Srbiji po svadbama i sahranama, više gladni nego siti, i da ih je doveo u portu ispred crkve Svetih arhangela Mihaila i Gavrila u Guči da tu sviraju ceo letnji dan do podne, a onda, bogami, i uveče, i sve tako, puna tri dana.

Vraćajući se u Beograd, Mač je natovario u kola i teški krajputaš iz okoline Čačka, prvi koji je ikada videla prestonica, uvevši tako u modu staru tradicionalnu skulpturu, i to obojenu, dok su se intelektualci divili rupama Engleza Henrija Mura. E, pa lepo bi bilo da je bilo ko od zvaničnika makar i pomenuo Mačistu, Branka V. Radičevića, ali Srbija je to: ona lako zaboravlja. Uostalom, pokojni Mačista ima vremena da čeka da ga pomenu.

Sva muka i bes, sva lepota i tuga, sva radost i muzika, koje se sakupe za godinu dana u Srbiji, prve nedelje avgusta šiknu u nebo kroz blistava grla truba na Saboru u Guči. To je događaj na koji seljačka Srbija nestrpljivo čeka punih godinu dana. Tada Guča, varošica u brdima, postaje svetska prestonica trube.

Ne zna se pouzdano kada su se i kako trube primile u Srbiji, koja je odvajkada poznavala uglavnom gusle, pastirske svirale, frule i dvojnice, ali je to verovatno bilo posle srpsko-turskih ratova potkraj devetnaestog veka, kada su se četni i pukovski trubači vratili u svoja sela, donevši sa sobom olupane, ulubljene i izubijane, a često i kuršumima probijene trube, kojima su, do tada, pozivali na juriše i svirali povečerja. Ratovi koji su usledili početkom novog veka znatno su povećavali, sem mrtvih, i broj truba. Zbog toga je u njihovom tonu još uvek najizrazitiji ratnički zvuk, poklič na pobedu ili smrt – tanki, mesingani lim, naliven melanholičnom mrenom povečerja.

Donosili su ih kao dragocenosti, pažljivo uvijene u krpe i futrole, sašivene od uvoštenih šatorskih krila, u svoja zabita sela. Odmotane i pažljivo izglancane blesnule bi, usred bode siromašnih izbi, sjajem zlatnog roga. Čuvali su ih brižljivo i negovali, zasviravši katkad u sutonu kolce ili posmrtni marš, sve dok ne postadoše pravi virtuozi, ravni, ako ne i bolji, od meksičkih marijačija. Svojim instrumentima postizali su i najviše, gotovo nemoguće tonove, ali su bili u stanju i da nežno, trubama, bekrijama šapuću u uvo uspavanke. I kao što je šljiva madžarka u ovom delu Srbije pronašla najpogodnije tlo za svoje sokove, isto tako se primila i truba, do tada nepoznata srpskim muzičarima. Pokazalo se da se nijednim muzičkim instrumentom, čak ni violinom, za koju su bili majstori Cigani, ne može bolje izraziti suština bića ovog naroda, ponekad kroz krik, često kroz suze, jecaje ili promukli smeh, a najčešće kroz obesne taktove narodnih kola, punih razuzdane radosti.

I sada su se, sa svih strana Srbije, sjatili svi u Guču. I oni koji su tek nedavno prvi put dunuli u pisak, i oni što su živeli od sviranja po svadbama, sahranama, vašarima i zabitim krčmama. Bilo je među njima svakojakih; onih u seljačkim gunjevima i opancima-šiljkanima, sa šajkačama na glavama, i drugih, što su već stekli ime, pa se odenuli u svilene košulje jarkih boja i širokih rukava, prsluke i lakovane cipele. Došli su tu odršani orkestri bez sluha i imalo muzikalnosti, uvežbani ansambli, koji su već nastupali na televiziji i igrali po filmovima, ciganski orkestri sa rumunske i bugarske granice i družine sa imenima nagrada ispisanim na bubnjevima pozlaćenih činela – čak i ansambl američkih marinaca! u Guču su se sjatilii rojevi domaćih i stranih filmskih i televizijskih ekipa da zabeleže kamerama još jedan potpuno nepredvidljivi uzlet srpskog duha. Već prve noći, podanici prestonice trube, zaplitali su jezicima i provlačili se kroz stolove pod šatrama u osmicama, opijeni raskošnim zvukom i pićem što se nemilice točilo na svakom koraku. Najbrojniji među njima došli su iz obližnjih gradova i Beograda, a nije bilo malo ni onih što su stigli čak iz Evrope i Amerike, da nedelju dana traže i pronalaze svoje zaboravljene korene. Samo na ovom mestu mogle su da se susretnu leptir-mašne sa šajkačama, mlade lepotice sa slavnim, pijanim starcima, dame, odevene po poslednjoj pariskoj modi, sa zabrađenim seljankama; pod šatrama koje su bazdile po rakiji, pečenom mesu i duvanskom dimu što je naprosto kuljao iz njih. Svaka šatra postala je improvizovana gostionica sa rasparenim stolicama i sastavljenim stolovima prekrivenim čaršavima, u kojoj su se smenjivala i nadmetala, naizmenično, po dva-tri orkestra duvača. Pred jutro, iskolačenih očiju, okrenuli bi svoje trube jedni naspram drugih, poput tromblonskih bacača zvuka, izduvavajući svu svoju nagomilanu snagu i bes kroz njih, nadmećući se ko će koga da nadjača i otera sa poprišta. Lepotice su se pele na stolove i igrale po njima (zvali su ih stolovače), a muškarci padali u dert, razvezivali kravate i opuštali kaiševe ispod nabreklih trbuha. Ništa se, naime, ne slaže i ne prožima tako dobro kao šljivovica iz tog kraja i svirka duvača-Dragačevaca.

Oko šatri su se okretali danonoćno ražnjevi sa prasićima i jaganjcima a na nekoliko mesta i teški volovi, sa kojih su vešti majstori noževima odsecali ispečeni sloj, i dok se pekao novi, prodavali još vrele režnjeve volujskog mesa u rasečenim lepinjama.

Što se tiče ovogodišnje Guče, zapanjile su me dve stvari: prva, da nije bilo nijednog slučaja svinjskog gripa, koji hara planetom, a to iz dva razloga – najpre, zbog toga što su gosti pojeli svu raspoloživu svinjetinu, tako da grip nije stigao da se zapati u njoj, a i to je najzad dokazano, da bacili gripa umiru na metar i sedamdeset pet centimetara udaljenosti od onoga koji je popio tri litra vina ili gajbu piva. Tako je slučajno i pronađen najbolji serum protiv gripa. Druga stvar koja me zapanjuje, po ko zna koji put, jesu pijani Slovenci, koji dokazuju da nema šta da tražimo u Evropskoj uniji, jer da je tamo dobro, ne bi dolazili kod nas u Guču da se provedu pod sloganom ''Samo jednom se živi!'' Kako im je tamo, najbolje se vidi iz načina na koji piju: oni se opijaju mračno i depresivno, bilo čim što im dođe do ruku, samo da pobegnu od načina života kojim žive.

Ono što je potpuno nelogično u Guči kuva se u velikim zemljanim loncima, i zove se svadbarski kupus. Kiseo kupus u avgustu, to me zaprepašćuje. Da li je to onaj poplesnivili kupus, preostao od zimus, ili su ga zakiselili na brzu ruku, ostaće zauvek tajna. Zaista ga je perverzno jesti usred leta.

Primetio sam još da Guča, i pored svoje popularnosti, polako ali sigurno gubi svoju izvornu dušu, približavajući se američkom Vudstoku ili novosadskom Egzitu. Njena buduća propast počela je prisustvom u orkestrima saksofona, koji je do tada bio nepoznat instrument u srpskoj narodnoj muzici, a nastavlja se sa sve prisutnijim klavijaturama. Još samo nedostaju orgulje i harfistkinja sa šajkačom, pa da stvar bude potpuna. Još nešto: u repertoar se sve više uvlače belosvetski šlageri od Maj veja do Kondorovog leta – kao , možemo i to. Za iduću godinu Guča je najavila takmičenje za prvu trubu sveta. Šteta što su umrli Dizi Gilespi i Majls Dejvis – oni bi sigurno došli da se takmiče sa Salijevićima.

Kao što je ono prase pitalo, ima li života posle Đurđevdana, tako se i mi pitamo, ima li ga posle Guče?

Momo KAPOR, književnik i slikar Nin, Beograd, 20. avgust 2009.

Guča The Best festival in the World

This year's Festival in Guča will be opened on August 5th by Emir Kusturica, a worldwide famous film maker. As it has been announced, he will also perform a music show with his “No smoking orchestra” on August 8th, after the competition of the foreign orchestras. Every year in August the sleepy town of Guča turns into a big party, the air is filled with the sound of trumpets and smell of grilled meat, streets with dancing and drinking people... More than 600,000 visitors make their way to the town of 2,000 people, both from Serbia and abroad. 

Elimination heats earlier in the year mean only a few dozen bands get to compete. Guča's official festival is split into three parts. Friday's opening concert, Saturday night celebrations and Sunday's competition. Friday's concerts are held at the entrance to the official Guča Festival building. This event features previous winners, each band getting to play three tunes while folk dancers, all kitted out in bright knitting patterns, dance kolos and oros in front of a hyped-up audience.

An English party site, www.ThisIsTheLife.com, has named Guča the best festival in the world.

Forget Glastonbury, Reading, Burning Man and Coachella: "The wildest music festival on earth is a cacophonic and crazy brass band festival that takes place every summer in the tiny Serbian town of Guča in the western region of Dragačevo".

Experiece

It is not said without reason, that on the territory of present Serbia, throughout the history, a collision between the worlds and civilizations, the West Roman Catholic and East Orthodox religion, the Ottoman and Hungarian Empire is taking place. However, there are numerous paradoxes.

From time immemorial, many people have visited us. Both invited and uninvited were coming. Legends were written and testimonies of their time were built. Therefore, now Days in this ambiance you will find the most beautiful combination of old and contemporary - the East on the West and the West on the East

Duration of the program: 6 Days / 5 nights

Day 1th: Arrival in Belgrade and accommodation in the hotel. Our professional guide will acquaint you with the details of the program which will be fulfilled during your stay. Depending on the time of the arrival, lunch or dinner will be organized.

Day 2nd: Breakfast. Departure to Vršac. Vrsac is a beautiful city in Vojvodina, located on the very border with Romania, and known, above all, after its vineyards. Data inform us that the grapevine has been grown in this area for over twenty centuries. But before you "start flying up in the sky" on the wine way, Vršac should be discovered! Town of spiritual culture, theatre tradition, great writers and bohemians…

Route starts with visiting St. Nikolaj Church, Vladicanski dvor [Bishop Court], Magistrate, Cathedral, Vršac Museum, and significant "Pharmacy on the stairs", the oldest pharmacy in the Balkans. Then its scheduled visit of the Monastery Mesic [15th century], located not far from Vršac.

Afterwards its time for discovering cafés in Vršac! This enjoyable route starts with restaurant "St. Nikola", exclusive for many things, which date back to 18th century. From there, we move spontaneously on the wine way, which directly leads into the cellars of "Vrsac vineyards", wine producing company with up - to - date equipment for winemaking. Passing throughout the wine plantations occupying area of 1700 hectares, we arrive in the old famous cellar in Gudurica village, where we can finally taste everything we have talked about. We prepared the best sorts for dear guests, and after being friends with the wine for a long time, we are going back to Belgrade - hotel.

Day 3rd: Breakfast. Departure to Banja Koviljaca [spa]. Wherever you go from Belgrade, you will discover that Serbia is luxurious and healing. Under the wooded Mountain Gučevo and in the middle of a hundred year old park, with lots of thermo mineral springs you will discover beautiful Banja Koviljaca, also known as the Royal spa.
After leaving Belgrade, we will arrive in Ruma, where we will take direction Sabac - Loznica - Banja Koviljaca, located in Western Serbia. Relaxation with refreshment after few hours of drive will be in the restaurant on the terrace of comfortable "Villa Dalmacija", and you will specially enjoy a hundred - year - old spa park. Or maybe you wish to try pearl bath, Royal bath, swimming in thermal water pool or at least try the effect of healing mud [peloid] on your body in the wellness center in Banja Koviljaca.

Your muscles will relax, your blood will circulate, while your mind will clear up, and all the consequences of the stress will be in the past. Lunch is planned here, after which we return to Belgrade. On our way back we visit Trsic, a birth place and birth house of Vuk Karadzic and the Tronosa Monastery, foundation of the Nemanjics Royal Family. In the evening we arrive in Belgrade. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 4th: Breakfast. Departure to the Country Club hotel Babe.
In Country Club hotel Babe we will spend a day and have lunch. The hotel offers two pools in the open, small football pitch, two professional tennis courts, basketball, handball and volleyball playing fields, volleyball sand terrain, trim track, walking paths, the lake for sport fishing, paddock, and marked paths for horse riding.

The thoroughbred horse farm is a special attraction for the guests, where the team of experienced instructors will teach you the basics of riding, and show the paths through the beautiful nature of the hotel complex to the excellent horsemen. During the stay we will go to the nearby mountain Kosmaj and visit the Monastery Tresije. Return to Belgrade in the evening, dinner and overnight.

Day 5th: After the breakfast in the hotel we begin familiarizing with Belgrade. Belgrade should be first experienced from the rivers. Therefore we will start the cruising from the Danube quay. Sailing along the Danube to the confluence of the Sava into the Danube, then to Zemun, Big War Island, Sport Center "May 25th", beneath Belgrade bridges, Cukarica branch, river islands Ada Ciganlija and Ada Medjica. The sailing is 18km long and it lasts 3 hours. The lunch of Serbian national cuisine will be served on the ship along with the tasting of several sorts of domestic brandy [rakija].

Spare time and possibility of choosing sport activities; walking and bicycling paths along the Sava banks are at your disposal. For those who enjoy watching the Sava and the life on water there are numerous boat - restaurants on water you can visit. Dinner. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 6th: Breakfast. Checkout.

Eastern Serbia

Experience the wild beauty of the unspoiled mountain regions of Eastern Serbia. Follow the trails where adventure awaits at every step. Have a unique experience on the mountain slopes of Eastern Serbia, as you admire the scenic views and routes of the region. Enrich yourselves with a taste of life in the Balkans. Take a piece of Serbia with You.

Tour highlights:
- wonderful Mountainside of Suva and Stara Planina,
- Zavojsko and Smilevsko Lake,
- zaskoci Waterfalls,
- wild nature with phenomenal scenic routes,
- climb to the peak of Mt. Midžor,
- poganovo and St. George Monasteries,
- niška and Zvonačka Banja Spas, who specialize in the treatment of cardio, rheumatic and stress related diseases,
- prolom Banja Spa with mineral springs which improve the digestive system,
- Rajac breweries and wine cellars from 19th century,
- Romuliana Residency of the Roman Emperor Maximilian,
- visit to the Roman Imperial City Naissus [Niš], where Emperor Constantine was born and a visit to the unique historical monument Ćele Kula,
- sightseeing of Belgrade and NATO bombing ruins,
- unforgettable Goodbye Party on one of the rafts in Belgrade.

Day 1: Friday
Arrival at the Belgrade Airport. Transfer to Niška Banja Spa. During the transfer panoramic sightseeing of Niš and a visit to "Ćele Kula". Dinner in the famous restaurant "Amerikanac". Rest.

Day 2: Saturday
Breakfast and sightseeing in Niška Banja. Departure for Kuršumlija. Visit to the unique natural phenomenon called "Devil's City". Lunch in Prolom Banja [Spa]. Departure for Zvonačka Banja [Spa] via Sićevačka Klisura and canyon of River Nišava. Visit to Ethno Center for Pirot Rugs and Souvenirs. Arrival at Zvonačka Banja via canyon of river Jerma. Dinner and rest.

Day 3: Sunday
Breakfast. Departure for Poganovo Monastery built in 1395. Hiking Tour. Bath and massage treatment in the Spa. Dinner and rest.

Day 4: Monday
Breakfast. Departure for Stara Planina. Sightseeing around Zavojsko Lake. Ethnic lunch in the village. Sightseeing of the canyon, waterfalls and undisturbed nature [optional bath]. Arrival at Babin Zub [1, 757m],  accommodation, dinner and rest.

Day 5: Tuesday
Breakfast. Hiking tour to Midžor [2,170m] in total 12 kilometers. Lunch, rest and a free afternoon. Dinner and Rest.

Day 6: Wednesday
Breakfast. Departure for Knjaževac and Zaječar. Fresh fish lunch by the lake. Arrival at Rajac and tour of breweries and wine cellars. Return to Zaječar. Accommodation, dinner and rest.

Day 7: Thursday
Breakfast. Departure for Belgrade. Along the way a visit to roman ruins "Romuliana" from the Roman Emperor Maximilian [3rd century]. Lunch on the outskirts of Belgrade. Sightseeing tour of Belgrade and NATO bombing ruins with a local guide. Accommodation. Goodbye Party with dinner and music on one of the rafts in Belgrade. Rest.

Day 8: Friday
Early breakfast. Transfer to Belgrade Airport.

Option:
- Instead of Devil's City we have an option for Duplex Paragliding from Koritnjak above Niška Banja Spa,
- Program is based on the minimum of 6 participants but the group should not exceed 15 persons,
- Program is available for booking from January 1st, 2006 but the tours start on April 21st 2006 and are executed every 7 Days.

What else:
- you will eat healthy ethnic food and as a souvenir you will take homemade wines from Rajac wine cellars,
- spend time on clean and fresh mountain air at high altitudes, which is of benefit for the people with respiratory problems,
- treatments for stress relief in the Zvonačka Banja Spa,
- have a relaxing holiday in Eastern Serbia where nature has remained unaffected by industrial development and
- surprise gift.

Tour details:
- 7 Nights with Half Board and
- 6 lunches.

A number of transfers:
Guide Service: 2 + 1.

Passes for all the sites that will be visited on the tour.
A unique Serbian experience awaits You. Unique tours offered by Outdoor open the doors to the hidden treasures of Serbian nature and culture. Visit the crossroads of Western and Eastern civilization and the region that forged much of the European history. Once You leave, take a piece of Serbia in Your heart.

Program is based on minimum 6 persons.

City Nish (Nis), Serbia - Entry for May 11

The city covers an area of about 597 square kilometres, including the city of Niš itself, the Niška Banja spa and 68 suburbs. Niš Constantine the Great Airport is its international airport with the destination code INI. Niš is the administrative center of the Nišava District of Serbia.

Situated at the crossroads of Balkan and European highways, connecting Asia Minor to Europe, Niš is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans, and has from ancient times been considered a gateway between the East and the West.

Niš is a university center. There are about 28,000 university students at the University of Niš, which comprises 13 faculties. Niš is also one of the most important industrial centres in Serbia, a center of electronics industry (see Elektronska Industrija Niš), industry of mechanical engineering, textile industry and tobacco industry.

Historical Sites:
· Skull Tower (Ćele kula)
· Tvrđava - Turkish fortress in the city center.
· Mediana - archaeological site, Roman imperial villa.
· Kazandžisko Sokače - example of original architecture from Ottoman period.
· Crveni Krst concentration camp built by occupying German forces during WWII.


RESERVATION OF ARRANGEMENT
+ 381.64.555.85.81

Rafting on Tara River (1 to 3 days)

This one day Tour will take you to the heart of "Durmitor" National Park and down the river from Sljivansko to Leveri Tara [12 kilometara] with an organized visit to the strongest spring in Europe, the shortest, 170m long, Ljutica river and 13th century monastery St. Arhangel Mihailo. You can also take a dip in Tara's Green Whirlpools. The package tour includes a lunch on the river bank with soothing sounds of this mountain beauty in the backdrop and return trip to Tara bridge. Price [per person] 55 €. Minimal number of passangers 2 persons. Application deadline [prior to departure] 5 Days.

Tour 2
This one day tour will take you to the heart of "Durmitor" National Park and down the river from Sljivansko to Radovan luka [24km] with an organized visit of the strongest spring in Europe, the shortest, 170m long, Ljutica river and 13th century monastery St. Arhangel Mihailo. You can also take a dip in Tara's Green Whirlpools. Occasional breaks are made at Museva vrela, Bijela vrela and Lazin kamen. The package tour includes breakfast before we set off and lunch in Radovan luka camp as well as return trip to Tara bridge or Zabljak by all - terrain vehicles. It's possible to include an overnight stay and a breakfast. Price [per person] 130 € [with overnight stay 160€]. Minimal number of passangers 6 persons. Application deadline [prior to departure] 5 Days.

Tour 3
One day excursion to Tara with an overnight stay in the camp. All - terrain vehicles will take you from Tara bridge to Brstanovica over Mt. Durmitor. You'll have dinner in the camp by the camp fire. The following day you'll go down the Tara river to Scepan polje, visit Pivsko lake and have lunch in a restaurant in Pluzine. Price [per person] 110 €. Minimal number of passangers 6 persons. Application deadline [prior to departure] 5 Days.

Tour 4
One day excursion to Tara. All - terrain vehicles will take you from Scepan polje to Brstanovice. You'll have breakfast in the camp and go down the Tara river to Scepan polje, visit Pivsko lake and have lunch in a restaurant in Pluzine. Price [per person] 60 €. Minimal number of passangers 2 persons
Application deadline [prior to departure] 5 Days.

Tour 5
Going down the river in rubber boats from Sljivansko to Scepan polje. This is a two day tour and includes meals and overnight stay in the canyon as well as return trip to Tara bridge or Zabljak. The overnight can be either in Radovan luka or in Brstanovica depending on the watermark and guests' preferences. If the overnight stay is in Brstanovica, the return trip over Mt. Durmitor is by day which is far better solution. Price [per person] 220 €. Minimal number of passangers 6 persons. Application deadline [prior to departure] 7 Days.

Tour 6
Going down the river in rubber boats from Sljivansko to Scepan polje. This is a three day tour and includes meals and two overnight stays in the canyon as well as return trip to Tara bridge or Zabljak. The overnight can be either in Radovan luka or in Brstanovica. Minimal number of passangers 6 persons. Application deadline [prior to departure] 7 Days.

General Terms and Conditions:
·- The prices are in euro, and the payment is effected in dinar equivalent value at the NBS selling rate on the day of the payment. Foreign legal entities can make the payment in euro.
·- The prices include: rafting tour, meals stipulated in the itinerary, transfer from the finishing point to the starting point, organized visits during the tour, Tara National Park tax [per person for two day or three day tours], park entrance fee [per person] and mandatory insurance [per person].
·- The Prices do not include: drink and optional overnight stay in Motel "Radovan luka" [the closest lodging house, 24km from the Tara's entrance point].

Terms:
·- Since the safety of the passengers is the Tour Operator's responsibility, the raftsmen's instructions must be strictly observed. All persons refusing to do so will be asked to leave the boat or the raft.
·- All rafting participants are equipped with safety gear [a west and a helmet] and even paddles if wanted.
·- The lower age limit is 7 years of age.

Other notes:
·- Please do not take too many things with you during the rafting and make sure you leave your extra luggage with the guide at the starting point. Personal equipment and things will be waiting for the passengers on every resting point and on the finishing point as well.
·- If the equipment was not handed to us for safekeeping, the Tour Operator is not responsible for any equipment lost or damaged during the rafting.
·- The meals consist of local, nutritious specialties, as stipulated in the itinerary and all proper hygienic standards are met. Possible dietary requirements and all menu changes must be given to the cook beforehand and the wishes of our passengers are usually granted.
·- We can also organize the transportation from all major cities in Serbia to Zabljak and back. The price of such service is given on request.

Belgrade - Topola - Oplenac - Arandjelovac - Koporin - Belgrade

08:00 Departure from Belgrade from the assigned place.
09:00 A ride to Topola. Visiting Karađorđe's town, which consists of a mansion and a church, today a museum in which Karađorđe's personal belongings are being kept.
10:00 Leaving for Oplenac and visiting St. Djordje church - the mausoleum of Karadjordjevic family.
11:00 Visiting Risovača cave near Aranđelovac, which is one of the oldest evidences about human existence in the entire Balkan peninsula.
12:00 Arrival to Aranđelovac. Visiting the Museum, where many acheological, ethnological, historical and art objects are being kept.
13:00 Lunch in the ″Park″ restaurant. Free time. A walk throught the Bukovička banja Park, an idyllic place rich with various plant species.
15:00 Leaving to "Marićevića Jaruga" in the Orašac village, 4km from Aranđelovac, where the First Serbian Rising began.
16:00 Continuing the journey to Velika Plana and visiting Koporin monastery, endowment of Stefan Lazarević from 1408.
19:00 Return to Belgrade.

Transportation:
- Transportation by Minivan tourist class minivan [CD player]
- Transportation by bus tourist class bus [high floor, TV/CD player, air condition].

Price of the arrangement includes:
- Transportation [bus or minivan]
- Lunch in the "Park" restaurant
- Visits and tickets for: historical complex in Topola and Oplenac, Museum in Arandjelovac, Risovača cave, the church, the school, the Museum and Karadjordje's monument in Orašac
- Services of the local guide
- Accompanist from the agency
- Trip organization and guidance

Minimal number of passengers is 35 for bus and 14 for minivan.

From Belgrade to Novi Sad / One-day excursions

Fruska gora, a national park with luscious forests, is hiding 16 orthodox monasteries from between 15 to 18 centuries. Sremski Karlovci, a city - museum, the centre of Serbian culture and religion in 18 and 19 centuries. Novi Sad, the capital of Vojvodina, an administrative, economic, cultural and university centre of a region with the remarkably well preserved fortress Petrovaradin which overlooks the city from the other side of the Danube.

Gems of Moravian Serbia / One-day excursions

The monastery of Ravanica, - memorial monastery of Prince Lazar, its founder whose tomb is in the church. Lazar built it shortly before the 1389 battle with the Turks at Kosovo. Resava monastery, a memorial of Prince [Despot] Stefan Lazarevic from early 15 century, famous in the past for its copying school and now for frescoes of Holy Warriors which depict the equipment of Serbian warriors of the late Middle Ages.

Weekend in Belgrade - Sightseeing Belgrade, Danube cruise, Trip to Vojvodina

1st day - Arrival in Belgrade. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation. Overnight.

2nd day - Breakfast. Sightseeing town: Kalemegdan fortress, Republic Square, National theater, National museum, Nikola Tesla museum, Belgrade museum, Ivo Andric house, Knez Mihailova street, Terazije Square, Federal Assembly, St. Marco's church, St. Sava Temple, Memorial centre Josip Broz Tito... Free time. In late afternoon hours visiting Belgrade from the rivers by boat - 2 hours. End of the day in one of the national restaurants in old quarter Skadarlija where dinner will be served. Overnight.

3rd day - Breakfast. Departure for Vojvodina. Stop in Sremski Karlovci [60km from Belgrade]. Visit old Patriarchate and Cathedral. After little break visiting monastery Novo Hopovo - XVI century. Departure for Petrovaradin, old medieval fortress on Danube. Visit fortress with great panoramic view on Novi Sad. Lunch break /Optional/. Sightseeing Novi Sad - economic, political and cultural centre of Vojvodina, and seat of Serbian cultural and literary society Matica Srpska: Bridges on Danube, National theater, central city zone... Back to Belgrade. Free afternoon. Dinner in one of the national restaurants. Overnight.

4th day - Breakfast. Free time. Transfer to airport at 12h. Visit aeronautic museum.

For realisation of program - minimum 25 passengers.

Price include:
- 3 bed and breakfast in 3* hotel,
- dinner in Skadarlija quarter - dinner in national restaurant,
- sightseeing Belgrade with tourist guide by bus - 4 hrs,
- sightseeing Belgrade by boath - 2 hrs,
- excursion to Vojvodina - entrances in museums and
- 1 free of charge.

Price not include: Air ticket to/from Belgrade.

Following the trace of Serbian spirituality

Day 1th: Arrival to Belgrade. Meeting of passengers and representatives of the agency at the airport Nikola Tesla - Belgrade. Transfer to the hotel. Spare time. Overnight.

Day 2nd: Breakfast. Route: Belgrade - Vrnjačka Banja [spa]
Sanctum places of Serbian capital [St. Petka Chapel and Church Ružica, Orthodox Church and Patriarch's residence, St. Sava's Temple, the biggest Orthodox Temple in the Balkans]. Departure to Vrnajčka banja. Visit to the Monasteries Pokajnica, Manasija, and Ravanica; lunch in the monastery. Arrival to Vrnajčka banja. Accommodation. Overnight.

Day 3rd: Breakfast. Route: Vrnajčka banja - Monasteries Žiča, Ljubostinja, Kalenić - Vrnjačka Banja. Lunch is planned in Monastery Kalenić. Visit to the open - air Museum "Kalenić" and familiarizing with the old Serbian crafts: weaving, spinning, knitting, basket weaving. Presentation of the national architecture and traditional usable objects.
Return to Vrnjačka Banja. Accommodation. Overnight.

Day 4th: Breakfast. Spare time. Route: Vrnjačka Banja - Monastery Studenica.
Visit to Monasteries Djurdjevi Stupovi, Sopoćani. Arrival to Monastery Studenica. Lunch. Accommodation in the Monastery's residential building and presence to the evening prayer. Overnight

Day 5th: Breakfast in the Monastery residential building. Route: Studenica - Ovčar banja [spa] - Ovčarsko - Kablarska Gorge - Valjevo

Visit to Monastery Gradac [long hiking tour] and St. Peter's Church on the way to Ovčar Banja. Arrival to Ovčar banja. Lunch in the national restaurant. Visit to the Monasteries of Ovčarsko - Kablarska Gorge: Vavedenje [Presentation of the Virgin], Vaznesenje [Resurrection], Sretenje [Meeting of Our Lord in the Temple], Svete Trojice Blagovestenje [Annunciation of Holy Trinity], Ilinje, Savinje, Nikolje, Jovanje i Uspenje [Dormition]. Departure to Valjevo. Accommodation. Overnight.

Day 6th: Breakfast. Route: Valjevo - village Sitarice - Valjevo.
Petnica cave, Research Center in Petnica. Visit to the old city center Tešnjar, Muselin's konak [hist. castle, palace], the monument of the greatest Serbian army commander Živojin Mišić, and the monument of poetess Desanka Maksimović]. Visit of the Monasteries Ćelije and Lelić in which are the relics of the Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović, the Orthodox theologian and writer from 20th century. Visit to the Monastery Pustinja from 14th century, built during the rule of the Nemanjić royal family.

Visit to the village Sitarice on the hillsides of Medvednik Mountain. This is the place with traditional, old Serbian houses, outbuildings, folklore, customs and traditional dishes of Serbian cuisine are preserved and cherished. In the yard of an old authentic village house, Serbian dining table brimming with national dishes and drinks, traditional Serbian host, songs and dancing typical for this part of Serbia, welcomes guests. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 7th Breakfast. Route: Valjevo - Soko Grad - Monastery Tronoša - Tršić - Belgrade
Departure from Valjevo. Arrival to Soko Grad and visit to the Monastery Complex of "Soko Grad". Short break. Departure to Monastery Tronoša and Trsić. Visit to the Monastery Tronoša and monastery residential building. Visit to the Ethnographic Commemorative Park and Commemorative House dedicated to the father of Serbian literacy Vuk Stefanović Karadžić in Tršić. Lunch break and individual activities. Departure to Belgrade in the evening. Accommodation in the hotel. Overnight.

Day 8th: Breakfast. Transfer to the airport; departure.

Belgrade by BOAT

Touring: 'May 25th' sports center, Belgrade fort, orthodox cathedral possibility, bridges on the Sava of renting the boat, Cukarica channel between official tours, Ada Ciganlija island, return to the Yugoslavia hotel pier for the following purposes:
- birthday parties,
- wedding on the river,
- organizing programs lasting Several HRS.

Belgrade churches and monasteries, organized groups duration 240 min by bus with 28, 50 and 70 seats. Ruzica church, [the oldest orthodox church in Belgrade - 16th century], St. Petka chapel, old Belgrade core, patriarch's residence, orthodox cathedral, St. Sava church, Vavedenje monastery, and Rakovica monastery, departure in front of the hotel.

Grand tour through Serbia and Montenegro

Day 1th: Meeting of passengers and representatives of the agency at the Belgrade airport "Nikola Tesla". Transfer to the hotel after which sightseeing of the city with a professional tour guide is planned.

Walking tour route: Oldest Orthodox Church in Belgrade - Ružica [XVI century], St. Petka Chapel, old Belgrade core, Patriarch's residence, Orthodox Cathedral.

Sightseeing route by bus: The City Parliament, The Federal Parliament, Terazije Square, Republic Square, Students' Square, New Belgrade, Slavija Square Nikola Pasic Square.

In the evening, we will visit old bohemian quarter Skadarlija and have dinner in the national restaurant with program which includes actors and musician. With this experience you will feel the spirit of Belgrade from its old times.

Day 2nd: Route: Belgrade - Topola [Oplenac] - Mountain Rudnik. Breakfast is in the hotel. Departure of a group to Southern Serbia.

First we will visit St. Sava's Temple in Belgrade, the largest Orthodox temple on the Balkans. It is located at the place where in 1594 the relics of great Serbian saint Sava had been burned.

The road leads us to the South, in the interior of Serbia. First to Oplenac and to the Museum and St. George's Church, the charitable foundation of King Petar i Karadjordjevic, where there is also a family crypt of Serbian royal family Karadjordjevic. Here we will also visit king's wine cellar with the wine tasting and gourmet offer.

Departure to Rudnik Mountain where we will be accommodated and have lunch or dinner, depending on arrival. The Rudnik Mountain, which dominates Serbia's central region Sumadija was declared a climate spa in 1922 because of its superb climate conditions - great number of sunny Days per year, air currents, high level of air ionization, unspoiled nature… Overnight.

Day 3rd: Route: Rudnik Mountain - Kragujevac - Kraljevo - Monastery Zica - Monastery Ljubostinja - Vrnjačka Banja. Breakfast and departure towards Vrnjačka Banja. On the way to Vrnjačka Banja, you can't overlook the monastery Zica [the 18th century], charitable foundation of Stefan Prvovencani, where in accordance with tradition the keeper of the Seal of old Serbian state is; then in the direction of Krusevac - female monastery Ljubostinja [the 15th century], charitable foundation of Empress Milica [the wife of Serbian prince Lazar] which is one of the most important monuments of the Morava school.

We will continue our trip to Vrnjačka Banja, spa where you will be accommodated in hotel. First, we will have lunch and in the evening you will have some spare time and time for rest. Vrnjačka Banja, well known Serbian tourist spot, is situated below Mountain Goc and nearby spa there are many natural beauties, cultural and historical heritage of old Serbia, from the regency of Dynasty Nemanjic. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 4th: Route: Vrnjačka Banja - Monastery Studenica - Monastery Djurdjevi Stupovi - Mountain Bjelasica [Montenegro]. After breakfast group leaves hotel and continues trip to Montenegro. On our way, we will visit one of the most important monasteries from 12th century - Monastery Studenica [80km]. This Monastery is one of the UNECO World Heritage Sites. Trustee of Monastery Studenica is Stefan Nemanja and Dynasty Nemanjic. Also, this is the birthplace of Serbian art and literature, and founder stone of Serbian culture. In Monastery compound there are Church of Our Blessed Lady, Church of St. Nikola, King's Church, monastery treasury, and dinning room where you will take a brake and try monastery wine, honey and meals from monastery kitchen.

Since we chose this way, we will find ourselves in another fairy tale from Kopaonik area, named Stari Ras [Old Ras] which is made of jewels of Serbian spirituality. You can start meeting the temples of Nemanjic's Serbia from the monastery Sopocani, the charitable foundation of king Uros i [the second half of the 13th century] which is located in the valley of the River Raska, by the ancient town Ras - the center of Serbian medieval state. Some members of the royal Nemanjic family found their eternal peace here. On a hill above Novi Pazar, there is a monastery Djurdjevi Stupovi, charitable foundation of Stefan Nemanja. The oldest building of this block is St Geogije's Church.

Petar's church in Novi Pazar is even older and it is one of the oldest Serbian Orthodox churches. It was built in the 11th century and is famous for being the oldest spiritual centre in Raska area. Sopocani and Petar's church are the part of the world cultural heritage and they are under protection of UNESCO organization.

On our way to Montenegro, we will take a break and accommodated on Bjelasica Mountain in Mojkovac and have dinner. Overnight.

Day 5th: Route: Bjelasica Mountain - Monastery Moraca - Podgorica - Budva. Breakfast in hotel and departure to Montenegrin coast of Adriatic sea.

On our way we will visit monastery Moraca. The Moraca Monastery is one of the most majestic medieval monuments in Montenegro that is influenced in architecture and fresco painting by the Byzantine Empire.

We will pass by Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, and soon we will find ourselves on a beautiful coast of Adriatic sea. We will accommodated in hotel in Budva and have lunch in some of famous fish restaurants in Budva.

In the afternoon, we will visit Monastery Rezevici near Petrovac. The Monastery Rezevici is situated on a picturesque hillside not far from the sea, near Petrovac and in the immediate vicinity of the famous tourist complex Sveti Stefan. According to tradition pagan temples and ancient graves existed here, some of which can still be seen. The Serbian king Stefan the First - Crowned spent some time of his life in Rezevici. There we will also visit Sveti Stefan [St. Stefan] a former fishermen's village, today a famous city - Hotel situated in the most beautiful part of the Montenegrin coast. Sveti Stefan hosted many celebrities, such as Sofia Loren, Monica Vitti, Willie Brandt, Bobby Fisher, Silvester Stallone, Claudia Schiffer, Ingemar Stenmark...
Return to Budva. Dinner. Spare time. Overnight.

Day 6th: Route: Budva - Kotor Bay - Monastery Ostrog - Zabljak Mountain. Breakfast in hotel and departure to Kotor Bay. If you have not fallen in love at first sight with any town before, you will certainly fall in love with Kotor! This small medieval town on the beautiful Kotor Bay is both charming and seductive. Narrow streets, contiguous houses, bulwarks, churches, cathedrals, squares, carnivals and feasts, create an environment that one can not resist. After a short break in this beautiful area we will continue our trip to Monastery Ostrog.

The orthodox Monastery Ostrog is the most frequent visited one on the Balkans. It is visited by believers from all parts of the world, either individually or in groups. It represents the meeting place of all three confessions: the Orthodox, the Catholics and the Muslims because it is believed that the enshrined body of Saint Vasilije Ostroski makes miracles. According to the stories of pilgrims, by praying by his body many have been cured and helped in lessening the difficulties in their lives.

On our way back to Serbia, we will take a break on Zabljak Mountain and accommodated in hotel. Lunch. Spare time. Overnight.

Day 7th: Route: Zabljak Mountain - Prijepolje - Monastery Mileseva - Zlatar Mountain.
After breakfast group leaves hotel and continues trip back to Serbia. First treasury that we will find is famous known monastery Mileseva.

The Mileseva monastery was founded between 1234 and 1236 by Serbian King Vladislav. The monastery is situated in a valley of the Mileseva river, near Prijepolje. The church's most famous fresco is the White Angel, now regarded as a symbol of Serbia and recently adopted as an emblem for the United Nations.

Further on, in beautiful nature of Mountain Zlatar, we will find unique ethno village and this will be an opportunity to meet Serbian old tradition, tasting real Serbian food and spending a night in old traditional houses of this village.

Day 8th: Route: Zlatar Mountain - Zlatibor Mountain - ethno village Sirogojno - Mecavnik - Zlatibor. After breakfast, we will continue exploring Serbian tradition and values from its old times on Zlatibor Mountain in unique open - air museum "Old Village Sirogojno".

This open - air museum represents the village dwelling culture on mountain Zlatibor. To save at least a part of this cultural heritage, a number of authentic objects and buildings have been transferred to the present site of the Museum and conserved in order to be used for further research and to be exhibited for the public.

We continue our trip towards Mokra Gora. Here you will enjoy in "Sarganska Osmica", narrow - gage railroad, shaped in number eight, 15km long, with 22 tunnels, many viaducts and bridges which represents the greatest tourist attraction in Europe at the moment. You will board the old type train "Cira" and drive along spectacular places and views. Also, you will visit film village Drvengrad [Wooden town] where our famous film director Emir Kusturica made his film "Zivot je cudo" [Life is a miracle], and watch the projection of his latest documentary film. Lunch is planned in the ethno restaurant of this unique film village and maybe, during lunch, Emir Kusturica will personally come to welcomes you. In the evening, we will return to Zlatibor to be accommodated in hotel. Overnight.

Day 9th: Route: Zlatibor Mountain - Ovcarsko - kablarska Gorge - Kostunici village - Belgrade. Departure to Belgrade is planned after breakfast. Way leads us to Ovčarsko - Kablarska Gorge, Serbian Holy Mountain [66km].

Ovcarsko - Kablarska Gorge is recognized for its natural beauties as well as for its cultural - historical monuments. The monasteries played an important role, not only in spiritual sense, but also in development of the national conscience, in acquiring knowledge and in teaching illiterates how to read and write, throughout the history of Serbia and Serbian people who lived on this territory for centuries. Monasteries of Ovcarsko - Kablarska Gorge represent the evidence of the past times and each of these monasteries [there are 10 of them] has its own story related to the period of its foundation and existence on this territory.

Next stop is Kostunici village where we will visit the local museum and ethno gallery. Lunch is planned in an authentic national restaurant where you will taste Serbian cuisine followed by sljivovica [plum brandy]. Arrival in Belgrade in the evening hours. Accommodation in hotel. Spare time. Overnight.

Day 10th: Route: Belgrade - Fruska Gora - Sremski Karlovci - Novi Sad - Belgrade. After breakfast in a hotel, you will be taken to one - day jaunt to Fruska Gora, Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad.

Fruska Gora - Serbian Sacred hill with 12 monasteries among which the monastery Krusedol is the most famous [the 16th century] and it used to be the residence of Serbian archbishops. Further on, the road leads us to Sremski Karlovci where Patriarch's Court is, as well as St. Nicola's Church and lots of art monuments. All treasuries of this city are reasons for calling it Serbian St. Andreja on the Danube! Here, you can find famous known wine cellars and in one of the oldest, we will have wine tasting.

The great finale of this trip is in Novi Sad. Sightseeing of central area and Petrovaradin Fortress which has a good 'memory' and 'knows'.

Spending a time in Serbia and not tasting fish specialties would be such a shame! We will have lunch in fish restaurant on the Danube coast with national music "tamburasi", after which we will return to Belgrade. Spare time. Overnight.

Day 11th: Route: Belgrade. Breakfast. Free time until transfer to the airport. Departure.

Arrangement includes:
- transfers by high tourist class bus / mini bus during the travel,
- accommodation & type of service,
- 3 nights in hotel "Majestic" 4**** Belgrade [BB],
- 1 night in hotel "Neda" 3*** Rudnik Mountain; [HB],
- 1 night in hotel "Fontana" 3*** Vrnjačka Banja [FB],
- 1 night in hotel "Palas" 3*** on Bjelasica Mountain [HB],
- 1 night in hotel "Obala" 3*** in Budva [HB],
- 1 night in hotel "Jezera "3***, Zabljak Mountain [HB],
- 1 night in ethno village3*** on Zlatar Mounatin [HB],
- 1 night in hotel " Zelenkada "4**** on Zlatibor Mountain [BB],
- All meals included in program, no drink included during the travel,
- All tickets and sightseeing included in the program,
- A guide speaking native language of the group provided during the trip,
- Organization and running the trip.

Down the Danube to Eastern Serbia

Golubac, a unique fortress at the Djeparska gorge's entrance built on a ridge above the Danube with its nine towers from which Prince Lazar controlled this route as early as 14 century. Lepenski Vir, a world - renowned archaeological site with a reconstructed Neolithic settlement. The Vratna canyon with its three amazing "gates" carved by the river Vratna in chalk cliffs.

Rajačke pivnice, a village of 300 wine cellars where top - quality wine exported to France used to be produced. Today rarely visited only by those with the privilege to taste wine in the still functioning cellars.

Romulijana, the best-preserved locality of late antiquity in Serbia, protected by UNESCO.
Imperial palace of the emperor Galerius, born and buried here with his mother Romula.

Ethnic Serbian Tour The Ovcarsko Kablarska gorge through which the river Western Morava carves its way and whose inaccessible slopes hide 10 Serbian Orthodox monasteries from 16 and 17 centuries which is why it is also called the "Little Serbian Holy Mountain" [i. e. Mt Athos].

Sirogojno, the oldest regular ethnic locality in Serbia, a village - museum with typical log dwellings furnished in corresponding style and equipped with utensils. A wooden church of St. Peter and Paul. A restaurant with local culinary specialties.

Zlatibor, a tourist and mountain resort at 1000m. The highest mountain is Tornik. In winter full of skiers, in summer full of hikers enjoying the fresh air and rolling meadows.

Sarganska osmica, a narrow gauge railway along which up to 1974 a train from Belgrade via Sarajevo to Dubrovnik crossed the mountain saddle between Mokra Gora and Sargan, a height difference of 300m. Today used as a tourist attraction and outdoor railway museum.

Drvengrad, built by Emir Kusturica on the hill Mecavnik while shooting his film "Life is a Wonder" and succumbing to the beauty of the local countryside.

Belgrade sightseeing

Day 1th: Meeting of passengers and representatives of the agency at the airport Nikola Tesla - Belgrade. Transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight.

Day 2nd: Breakfast. Sight - seeing of the city with a professional tourist guide in the English / German / French Language.

Itinerary: the City Parliament, the Federal Parliament, Terazije Street, Republic Square, Students' Square, Belgrade Fortress, City Gate ["Varos kapija"], New Belgrade, Topcider Hill, Dedinje, Oslobodjenje Square, Slavija Square, Nikola Pasic Square. Free afternoon. In the evening organized visit to the Belgrade Bohemian Quarter - Skadarlija. Dinner in the national restaurant with live music. Overnight.

Day 3rd: Breakfast. One - day excursion in the Central Serbia, Valjevo City and its surroundings.

Itinerary: Belgrade, the Kolubara River valley, Petnica cave, Research Center in Petnica, Valjevo [old city lake Tesnjar, Muselin's overnight stay inn, the monument of the greatest Serbian army commander Zivojin Misic, the monument of poetess Desanka Maksimovic]. Visit of Monasteries Celije and Lelic with relics of the Bishoup Nikolaj Velimirovic, the Orthodox theologian and writer from 20th century, visit to the monastery of Pustinja ["The Desert"] from 14th century built during the rule of the Nemanjic royal family.

Visit to the village Sitarice on the hillsides of Medvednik Mountain. This is the place where the tradition of old Serbian houses, outbuildings, folklore, customs and traditional dishes of Serbian cuisine are preserved and cherished. Here in the yard of an old authentic village house, Serbian dining table brimming with national dishes and drinks, with welcome of a Serbian host, song and dance typical for this part of Serbia are waiting for us.

Return to Belgrade in the evening hours. Overnight.

Day 4th: One - day program - One day with Nikola Tesla

The day with Tesla begins on the catamaran boat, where Tesla's breakfast is planned, as well as a public lecture with the works of a composer Stevan Mokranjac in a way Tesla saw and experienced them. The program will be preformed by the national song and dance ensemble under the name of "Nikola Tesla" and under the original flag which Tesla presented them. There you will take active part in the program and learn to dance traditional Serbian "kolo".

Landing from the boata and following the way once Tesla went along, when he visited Belgrade. Lunch "Tesla's Menu" in a well - known Belgrade café restaurant. The afternoon rest and preparation for Tesla's night. Departure on the drama performance at the "Madlenianum" theatre, dedicated to Tesla.
Since it is known that the great genius worked late at night, in his honour, we will spend the night in the heart of Belgrade, Nikola Tesla Museum, performing experiments which made him famous.

Day 5th: Breakfast. Transfer from the hotel to the airport. Departure of the group.

Arrangement includes:
- transfers by high tourist class buses during the travel,
- accommodation in the hotel. Type of service: Bed & breakfast [BB],
- 3 lunches, 1 dinner, no drink included during the travel,
- all tickets included in the program,
- a guide speaking the native language of the group provided during the trip,
- organization and running the trip.

Zasavica

Long time ago, 33km long Zasavica stream has been named "Bara" ["Puddle"] by the local people. The reason for that was the green cover made of rich water vegetation, which in some parts slows the stream, creating the illusion of total stillness. This stream makes possible the survival of many diferent plant and animal species. In order to preserve this world of rare flora an fauna, in 1997. Zasavica and its side had been put under the State protection, as a natural treasure of great importance. Zasavica is an oasis for almost 200 diferent plant species, 120 bird species and about 20 species of fish, amphibians and reptiles.

This year in April, thanks to the present of The Bavarian government, Zasavica got back its former inmate, European beaver, which is now again a respected habitant of this beautiful reservation.

We must point out that the greatest acknowledgment for preservation goes to always good - willing locals who live nearby and with Zasavica.

A lot has been written about Zasavica. It lives in many songs, but the most beautiful stories and songs you will hear from Zasavica itself. A boat ride throught Zasavica represents a true pleasure for all of those who enjoy foto safari, because its nature will never leave you indifferent.

Program:
08:00h Departure from Belgrade
09:30h Arrival in Sremska Mitrovica. Coffee break. A visit to the Roman imperial town of Sirmium. A visit to Museum of Srem.
11:30h Crossing over beautiful St. Irinej pedestrial bridge to Mačvanska Mitrovica
12:00h - 12:30h Continuing the Journey to Ravanj, to the "Zeka Buljbasa's bush" [a place where, in 1813, a battle between hajduks and a lot more powerful Turkish army took place].
13:00h Continuing the journey to Glogovac [a place where writer Janko Veselinović was born and died]
13:30h - 15:00h A visit to the ethnic park and museum in Sovljak; theatre show in amateur theatre from Ravnaj. Coffee break.
15.30h Return to SRP Zasavica ride by Umbra boat, lunch, Gipsy string Orchestra

Note: Lunch time is at 17:00h.
Leaving after the guests are tired of the fresh Zasavica's air.

Transportation:
- Transportation by Minivan tourist class minivan [CD player]
- Transportation by bus tourist class bus [high floor, TV/CD player, air condition].

Price of the arrangement includes:
- transportation
- traditional welcoming serving
- lunch in the country house
- boat ride
- musical program - gypsy strings
- coffee in Sovljak
- services of the local guide
- trip organization and guidance

Minimal number of passengers is 35 for bus and 14 for mini-van.

The agency keeps the right of canceling the excursion 5 days before departure if not enough passengers had applied.

Western Serbia Route

Brace yourself for a unique Serbian experience! Visit the beautiful mountainside of Western Serbia and enjoy the renowned ethno villages and specialties. Enrich yourselves with a taste of life in the Balkans. Take a piece of Serbia with You.

Tour highlights:
- scenic landscapes and gentle slopes of Zlatibor,
- Zlatibor Lake,
- scenic hiking routes to Čigota filled with pinewoods, therapeutical for the people with thyroid gland problems,
- mountain and River Tara with its scenic views and crystal clear water,
- monastery and Pension Soko Grad,
- famous scenic railroad Šarganska Osmica,
- "Wooden City" Mećavnik built by Emir Kusturica,
- 200 - year old Ethno Village Sirogojno,
- handmade arts and crafts form Sirogojno, which are the latest fashion trend in the ethno styles,.
- stopića Cave,
- NATO bombing ruins in Belgrade.

Day 1: Saturday
Arrival at Belgrade Airport. Departure for Zlatibor with quick stop for lunch. Arrival at Zlatibor. Accomodation in Villa "U Lugu". Dinner and rest.

Day 2: Sunday
Breakfast. Sightseeing on Zlatibor with a shuttle with several stops. Lunch and rest. Hiking tour to Cigota. Dinner and rest.

Day 3: Monday [Field Trip 1]
Breakfast. Departure for Mokra Gora. Ride on the scenic railroad Sarganska Osmica, which was the location for the filming of Emir Kusturica movie Life is a Miracle. Arrival at Mecavnik, "Wooden City" which was designed and constructed by the famous director. Departure for Bajina Bašta with a stop for sightseeing of the lake. Return to Zlatibor. Dinner and rest.

Day 4: Tuesday [Field Trip 2]
Breakfast. Departure for Sirogojno. Tour of the Ethno - Village and the museum. Shopping for handmade arts and craft, for which this area is famous for. Ethnic lunch and return to Zlatibor with a stop for the tour of Stopica Cave. Dinner and rest.

Day 5: Wednesday [Field Trip 3]
Breakfast. Departure for Soko Grad near Ljubovija with a visit to the monastery. Lunch. Trip to Kozja Stena, the most scenic view from Mt. Tara. Return to Zlatibor. Dinner and rest.

Day 6: Thursday
Breakfast. Free time before lunch. After the luncha a scenic hiking tour. After the hiking tour some rest and dinner. Good Bye Party and rest.

Day 7: Friday
Return to Belgrade. Lunch in Belgrade. Tour of sights and NATO bombing ruins with a local guide. Dinner and Goodbye Party on one of the famous rafts in Belgrade. Rest.

Day 8: Saturday
Early breakfast. Transfer to Belgrade Airport

What else:
- you will eat healthy food and as a souvenir you will take some specialties with you,
- clean and fresh mountain air at high altitudes which is of benefit for the people with respiratory problems,
- participate in health and fitness program on Čigota,
- take a bath or drink water from crystal clear rivers on Tara and Zlatibor,
- have a relaxing holiday in the parts of Serbia where nature is unaffected by industrial development,
- surprise gift.

Tour details:
- 7 Nights with Half Board,
- 8 lunches,
- 2 Transfers,
- 3 Field Trips.

Guide Service: 2 persons, Tickets and Fees for all locations.

A unique Serbian experience awaits You. Unique tours offered by Outdoor open the doors to the hidden treasures of Serbian nature and culture. Visit the crossroads of Western and Eastern civilization and the region that forged much of the European history. Once You leave, take a piece of Serbia in Your heart. Program is based on minimum 6 persons.