Exploring Belgrade's Cultural Gems
Exploring the Nikola Tesla Museum
Our visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum was a highlight of our Belgrade trip. Getting in required a guided tour, and the limited availability meant a short wait, which we spent enjoying the city view from the steps outside. This unexpected pause turned out to be a pleasant prelude to what was to come.
The museum itself is relatively small, but the guided tour more than compensated for its compact size. Our guide brought Tesla's life and work to life, detailing his inventions and the impact he had on the world. Seeing the urn containing his ashes was a profoundly moving experience; it felt strangely intimate to encounter the physical remnants of such a brilliant mind. The demonstrations of voltage differences, a striking visual display of Tesla's genius, were particularly memorable.
Day 2: Recovery and Sightseeing
Feeling slightly better, though still cautious about my diet, I opted for a gentle start to the day. A banana and some toast were my culinary adventures. My boyfriend, meanwhile, bravely (or foolishly) consumed a whole container of sour cream, mistaking it for yogurt. It was a comedy of errors, a perfect start to a day of gentle exploration.
We spent the afternoon wandering. First, we admired a beautiful Orthodox Christian church, its golden domes gleaming in the surprisingly clear sky. This led us to Skadarlija, a charming street that hummed with a different energy in the daytime quiet compared to its bustling nighttime reputation. It felt almost dreamlike, a bit of a ghost town in the midday sun.
Next, we explored another famous Belgrade street, lined with shops and bookstores. A welcome respite from the day's earlier unease, it gave us time to simply browse, breathe and take in the ambiance. Then, it was off to the Belgrade Fortress, where stunning views from the ramparts made up for any lingering feelings of weakness. The merging of the Sava and Danube rivers below was breathtaking.
A sudden downpour sent us scurrying for shelter into the Historical Museum of Serbia. While smaller than expected due to renovations, it offered a fascinating, albeit brief, glimpse into Serbian history. The day ended with a simple meal – toast, eggs, and another banana – a far cry from the Serbian culinary delights I'd envisioned, but a satisfying conclusion to a day of slow recovery and unexpected discoveries.
A Revitalizing Walking Tour and Further Explorations
Feeling much better, both physically and mentally, we decided to embark on a walking tour. It was a smart move. The three-hour excursion, offered by the excellent Free Belgrade Walking Tours, wasn't just informative; it breathed new life into our exploration. We revisited some sites from previous days, this time with clearer heads and a better understanding of their significance. The improved weather certainly helped too – the gray skies of our previous meanderings had been replaced by sunshine.
But the best part? Discovering new hidden gems. Our guide was superb; their knowledge enriched our experience, turning familiar streets into captivating stories. Following the tour, I finally felt ready to tackle proper Serbian cuisine. I opted for a local salad, a sort of Balkan take on the Greek salad, which was delightful. My boyfriend went for sausages, which also seemed to pass the taste test. It was a far cry from my previous culinary misadventures, a perfectly satisfying meal after a day of enjoyable, revitalizing exploration.
Lunch, a Communist Tour, and the Museum of Yugoslavia
Feeling much better, I decided to finally try some proper Serbian food. I opted for a local salad – a delicious Balkan twist on the Greek salad – while my boyfriend bravely chose sausages. It was a welcome change from my earlier culinary mishaps, a satisfying reward after a day of gentle exploration and discovery.
Next up was the Communist tour. For €15, it offered a fascinating three-to-four-hour journey through Serbia's communist past, led by the same excellent company as our walking tour. The highlight? The Museum of Yugoslavia, including Tito's mausoleum. The tour provided context and depth we wouldn't have gotten exploring on our own. It ended near poignant house ruins, remnants of the NATO bombing of 1999, a sobering reminder of more recent history.
Visiting the Church of Saint Sava and Apartment Tour
After the whirlwind of the Communist tour, we finally made our way to the Church of Saint Sava. It's a truly magnificent structure; even from a distance, its scale is breathtaking. The sheer size of this Serbian Orthodox church is something to behold, a testament to faith and architectural ambition. Honestly, photos don't do it justice.
Exhausted but satisfied after our cultural immersion, we returned to our cozy apartment. It might have been small, but it provided a comfortable sanctuary. I thought I'd give you a quick virtual tour. The bedroom, while compact, was surprisingly well-organized; the kitchen, though minimal, had everything we needed. The bathroom, a clean and functional space, was a welcome respite after long days of exploration. It wasn't luxurious, of course, but for a short stay, it was perfectly adequate – a functional and welcoming space. It lacked nothing important; it suited our needs.