Assalamualaikum
Peace be upon you.
Geographically, Balkans is the south eastern part of Europe, some comprises former Yugoslavia. The countries are Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia( former Yugoslavia), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and European side of Turkey.
My trip joined together by 40 others commenced on 16 until 28 April 2019. It was energy and time consuming but satisfactory. We flew in Tehran from KL and then to Milan, Italy as our first destination. Our young energetic tour leader attached to Kembara Sufi(traveling agent) supported by a tour guide, a Bosnian made our holidays interesting and informative.
Day 1(16.4.2019) KLIA - Tehran - Milan.
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| Kuala Lumpur International Airport(KLIA) |
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| Imam Khomeini International Airport, Tehran |
Day 2(17.4.2019) Milan, Italy.
Arrived in Milan Airport, after 4 hours had stranded in the airport terminal said due to traffic jam
and then moved to the city centre.
Milan, a metropolis in northern Italy and the second largest after Rome is a global capital of fashion and design.
Milan, a metropolis in northern Italy and the second largest after Rome is a global capital of fashion and design.
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| Milan International Airport |
Galleria Victtorio Emanuelle II,
a museum and landmark, surrounded by famous shopping complexes in Milan.
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| Galleria |
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| Duomo Cathedral |
Day 3(9.4.2019) Venice, Italy.
By boat via Venetian Lagoon to San Marco Square. Venice a romantic city, the isle without engine powered land vehicle, just rely on series of waterways and canals. Situated on a group of 118 small separated islands. Famous for its historic attractions and architecture enhanced by ancient canals. Most famous areas are the Grand Canal, the centre of Renaissance, Central Square called Piazza San Marco and St. Mark's Basilica.
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| Gondola ride |
Traveled by land to Zagreb, Croatia passed through Slovenia.
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| On the way from Venice to Zagreb, halt for lunch and solat zuhur |
Day 4 (9.4.2019). Zagreb and Plitsvice Fall, Croatia.
Zagreb the capital city of Croatia
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| Old Bazaar |
Plitvice Lake National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Croatia, known for a chain of 16 lakes, waterfalls, alpine forest and caves. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage in 1979.
Day 5 (20.4.2019) Bihac, Jajce, Travnik and Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina
Bihac.
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| Bihac |
Jajce
Jajce water mill. Small huts were formerly mills for grinding cereal grain esp wheat by utilizing
hydro power to generate the grinders.
A mosque in Travnik
Malaysia's contribution
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| Fortresses in Travnik |
Day 6 (21.4.2019).Sarajevo dan Mostar
Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia Herzegovina, also known as Jerusalem of Europe which have a mosque, Catholic church, Orthodox church and synagogue in the same neighborhood. It was the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria that sparked the World War 1 in 1914. It suffered the longest siege in modern history during the Yugoslav War in 1992 - 1996.
City Market and Markale, Sarajevo
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| On the way to Mostar. Amusing. Stopped by the riverside restaurant for lunch |
Mostar Old Bridge or Stari Most is a rebuilt bridge. It was built by the Uthmaniah rulers in the 16th century to connect two parts of the city which was divided by Neretva river. It stood for 427 years until was destroyed in 3.12.1993 the Croatian paramilitary forces during Croat-Bosniak war. It was rebuilt on 7th June 2001 and completed on 23rd July(my birthday) 2004.
The old bridge area was declared as World Heritage by UNESCO.
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Day 7 (22.4.2019). Kravice Fall(Bosnia Herzegovina), Dubrovnik(Croatia)
and Herceg Novi(Montenegro)
Kravica Falls, Bosnia Herzegovina is also known as Small Niagara and Miracle of Nature.
Dubrovnik, a city in Croatia facing the Adriatic Sea. The Old Town is well preserved area with buildings range from Baroque to Renaissance and Gothic periods.
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| Neum, Bosnia Herzegovina. A coastal panaromic town, we stopped for lunch. |
Day 8(23.4.2019) Kotor (Montenegro), Tirana(Albania) and Ohrid Lake(Macedonia)
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| By ferry, alternative route to Kotor |
for its medieval old town
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| Skenderbeg Square |
Tirana, capital city of Albania
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| Old Bazaar |
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Day 9(24.4.2019). Macedonia: Lake Ohrid and Skopje.
Lake Ohrid is a geotectonic lake in the mountainous region that borders the North Macedonia and Eastern Albania. Ohrid Town, situated by Lake Ohrid was built since 2500 years ago is a UNESCO historic town.
Skopje is the capital city of Macedonia
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| A mosque built in the middle age |
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| Ab. Rahman, the standing tall |
Day 10 (25.4.2019). Sofia capital city of Bulgaria.
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| Banya Bashi Mosque |
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| A Greek Orthodox churxh |
Day 11(26.4.2019). Istanbul, Turkey. Formerly Constantinople during Byzantine period, changed to Islambul during Uthmaniah period.
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| Strait of Bosphorus in the background |
Topkapi and Hagia Sofia
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| A Turkish delight |
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| Carpet of tulips. |
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| The famous Blue Mosque |
The Grand Bazaar
One of the world's largest and oldest covered bazaar. Consists of 601 covered streets and more than 4000 shops.
Day 12(27.4.2019). Istanbul - Tehran - KLIA
Istanbul Airport, the present world's biggest airport. We are lucky to use this newly opened airport
Men's prayer room, Imam Khomeini Airport,Tehran
Day 13(28.4.2019)
KLIA
Finally we are safely back home on 28 April 2019.
We spent our trip mainly on wheels, sight seeings and lodged in 8 hotels of various categories. The places and sites of attractions are mostly undisturbed and amusing nature, splendidly preserved historic old towns, buildings and cities with various architecture, periods, people and culture. The soothing weather, temperately cool, sometimes cold and chill.
Wishing you all a happy and nice trip. Till we meet again.
My personal view on the best..........
1. Most beautiful nature..........The Plitvice Lakes Park, Croatia.
2. Most comfortable hotel......Hotel Bihac, Bosnia Herzegovina.
3. Most pleasant town.............Ohrid, Macedonia.
4. Most pleasant city................Istanbul, Turkey
5. Best preserved old town.......Kotor, Montenegro
6. Most expensive venue..........Venice, Italy
7. Most unique city....................Venice, Italy
8. Most beautiful country side.....Bosnia Herzegovina
9. City of Richest culture............Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina
10. Best food served.................Mercure Hotel, Istanbul.
11. Most amusing coastal town....Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Wassalam .
