Do I need VISA?
You should check for yourself with the authorities/embasies of corresponding countries in your country.
Is it safe there?
Yes. The Balkans are geopolitically stable, with good relations with the other countries and world forces. After the breakdown of socialism in Eastern Europe and the big change to market economy the area is developing in a new way. Some of the countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Most of the countries are pretty safe. You should be more careful about your personal belongings at crowdy touristic places and better not leave your expensive car without supervision in specific places.
What are the people like?
Hot blooded and emotional. Normal and different. In big cities you will find many stressed and hard working people while outside the Matrix you can enjoy contacts with friendly and welcoming people.
Many young and skillful people immigrated to western world and richer countries. Some remained but few returned bringing investments and ideas. Many of the people who remained (mostly middle age and older) were disappointed from the changes and big part of them still lives quite poor life. In order to survive many people returned back to nature and in countryside you can still see people using horses for pulling carts or digging the ground, picking up herbs and developing alternative and traditional medicine (because of the costly medical treatment), distiling alcohol from the wine or fruits they produced... The wild spirit in mountain areas still resists the globalization.
What is the food and drinks like on the Balkans?
Tasty and natural! The Balkans enjoy very fertile climate and soil: corn, grain, rice, beans, potatoes, grape, tomatoes, peppers, melons, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, apples, pears, plums, figs, peaches, apricots, walnuts, peanuts and many other full with flavor vegetables and fruits.
If you have an opportunity try the famous red wine, yoghourt and cheese. In many restaurants you can find some traditional dishes like: "shopska salata" (tomatoes, peppers and onion), "tarator" (cold soup with yoghourt, cucumber and garlic), "kavarma" (meat with vegetables), "musaka" (meat, eggs, potatoes), ''cevapi” (meat balls), “tavche grafche” (bean), “potica” (cake) …
Beer is also good and goes well with fried tzatza (small fish from the Sea).
Is it expensive on the Balkans?
In most countries prices are 2 times cheaper than some Western European states. For example a beer is about 1 - 3 €, a bottle of excellent red wine is 10 - 20 €, a dinner in good restaurant is 20 - 40 € a person. Craft souvenirs, textile, shoes etc. are also good purchase but be careful not to mix them with the cheaper and low quality Turkish immitations. The prices are higher in the touristic places of Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria (especially the coastal areas and winter ski-resorts).
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