Gypsy happiness)
We learned by chance that a festival of trumpeters is held annually in Serbia. We immediately became interested, because we love Balkan music for a long time and wholeheartedly (mainly thanks to Bregovic and Kusturica's films). Travel agencies practically do not carry from Ukraine to Serbia, the exception was Eurovision 2008, so they organized one of their best trips on their own.
Background.
Every year, the village of Gucha, which is 150 km from Belgrade, gathers hundreds of thousands of tourists from different countries as guests at the festival of Serbian wind ensembles. During the year, teams are selected throughout Serbia, and the "best of the best" compete in the final (which, in fact, takes place in Guca), masterfully performing melodies "for weddings and funerals. " The program of the festival also includes competitions of "pushers" of toasts, national costumes, performances of folk groups, foreign guests and mass festivities on the streets of Guchi.
Citizens of Ukraine, unfortunately, need a visa to enter Serbia. But they put it on the same day, with almost no problems.
Documentation:
* hotel reservation for the duration of your stay (on letterhead, with a seal), you can facsimile a copy or a printout from the Internet, but most importantly - with a seal. or an invitation from Serbia, or a travel voucher
* for women under 45 years old - a certificate from work indicating the position and salary
* questionnaire - filled in at the embassy
* 15 euros - consular fee
You can get to Belgrade by your own car, of course...especially since Romania has now canceled transit visas. Or: charter buses of travel agencies (150 euros in both directions), train (240 euros) or plane (from 280 euros with 1 transfer). We chose a plane and a flight with a transfer in Rome.
Our program included 1 night in Belgrade before the festival and 2 nights after.
A taxi from the airport to Belgrade should cost up to 1000 dinars, the rest is a tourist scam. By the way, about the exchange rate: 1 dollar = 50 dinars, euro - 75.
Accommodation in Belgrade.
A room in a 3 * hotel costs from 70 euros, it is cheaper to stay in a 2-bed room in a hostel in the center. For 20-40 euros you can get a clean room, access to a kitchen, internet, hot water facilities. We managed to live in two Belgrade hostels, which we booked from Kyiv by email, without prepayment.
1. Af-terr, in the heart of Belgrade. 38 euros per room. The room is cramped but everything else is ok. The location of the hostel is simply chic, the main pedestrian street is around the corner.
2. Arkabarka, floating hostel on the banks of the Danube, in the park, 15 min walk to the center. For the same 38 euros a day, we also got breakfast and a welcome beer : ) The room is more spacious, there is a place for things. A fumigator is provided : ) A big plus of the hostel is the living room on the ground floor and a summer terrace with tables right by the water overlooking the Kalemegdan fortress.
I recommend both hostels.
Other accommodation options in Belgrade can be found at www. tob. co. yu
Belgrade-Gucha.
We get on the bus.
The main railway and bus station is also in the center. Belgrade-Cacak tickets - 10 euros (there is a discount for ISIC), the bus runs every hour, it takes 2.5 hours to go. From Chachak, a minibus or bus will take you to Gucci for another 3-5 euros and 30 minutes.
Housing in Gucha.
It cost us 30 euros per day and included breakfast, booked from Kyiv with a full prepayment through the company Panacomp (Serbian travel agency www. panacomp. eu). Met, settled with wonderful hosts. A room with a double bed, the amenities are one for 2 rooms, but this did not create any problems at all. "Breakfast" was fed around the clock, whenever he came.
It seems that all organizational moments are described, now about the festival itself.
THIS IS SOMETHING CRAZY! The village with 2000 inhabitants receives about half a million tourists. Orchestras play on the streets and in cafes, a lot of delicious food and dancing until you drop. The fun never stops, it seems.
Tourists are surprisingly cultured, in which they are also helped by VERY polite police officers who dance around to keep order.
It takes about 10-15 euros for food and drink per day.
From souvenirs you can bring tambourines, T-shirts, local slivovitz, national bells and whistles like hats, bags, shoes ...the choice is quite large.
Separately, I would like to note one of the most sincere cities in Europe - Belgrade. Moderately beautiful, very green, with many parks and summer cafes.
I am attaching photos and videos to complete the picture.
If you decide to visit this hospitable country - please ask questions : )
