By Fashion Editor Danielle Radojcin
Serbia is what you might call a low-impact destination. Tell people you've a weekend jaunt planned in Belgrade, and chances are you'll raise only the slightest of eyebrows. 'Why go there?' is the inference. Why, indeed: it's easy on the wallet, it's beautiful (well, in the countryside, at least), has fresh, delicious food, and a charming café culture. Oh, and the term ‘tall, dark and handsome' could have been coined for Serbian men. Finally, lest we forget, it is well to remember the Serbs know how to party. There's everything from the so-called Silicon Valley (the nickname for Stahinicja Banja, a road full of flash restaurants and bars - and where the punters have had more than a little silicon enhancement) to tucked-away drinking dens. Every night is a party night in this city.
Where to stay
The Regency Hyatt Belgrade is five-star brilliance with huge rooms, comfy beds, friendly staff and a delightful spa.
What to do
From the admittedly limited surface attractions of Belgrade, what may be of far more interest to the British tourist is the Exit festival, which takes place annually on the fort of Novi Sad, a few hours drive north of Belgrade. The annual event is turning into a heavy hitter on the festival calendar: last summer's festival, which was attended by 20,000 British music fans alone, saw no less than the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Snoop Dogg and the Arctic Monkeys perform.
Eating, drinking and nightlife
Enter the tucked away underground club that is The Federal Association of Globe-Trotters in Belgrade and you feel as if you've stumbled on a secret drinking den. Which, as it turns out, is just what it used to be. Founded in 1999 as a place for members of the press and progressive thinkers to meet and chat in safety from the war raging in Belgrade, this basement premises is filled with mismatched pieces of furniture donated by appreciative punters over the years. Cosy and eclectic, the best place to sit is in the courtyard, where water features and plants ensconce the chatty and vivacious guests.
For somewhere a little more cozy, the ? Café (6 Kralja Petra Street, Tel. +381 11 635 421) is the oldest restaurant in Belgrade. Built in 1820, it is a popular haunt for art students and in-the-know tourists alike, who sit around small tables and knock back beer from tankards.
Stara Koliba is a wooden construct on the river serving traditional Serbian food and featuring a folk band which serenades you as you eat. Make sure you try the pear brandy - a traditional Serbian aperitif, guaranteed to take the edge off. There's also Zaplet (Kajmakcalanska 2, Belgrade, Tel. +381 11 404 142) for modern cuisine in a trendy setting and great service.
Getting there
Two nights at the Hyatt Regency Belgrade in a Standard Double Room, bed and breakfast with British Airways flights from London Heathrow and private transfers. Price from £434 per person (based on two people sharing). For more information visit Abercrombie & Kent Travel.
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