Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Eastern Europe

Albania, Serbia, Entice Israeli Tourists

Aleksandr Shatskih

Israelis love their travels more than most, and so it is perhaps less of a surprise than one would initially think to learn that both Albania and Serbia have sent large delegations to a major tourism expo in that country.

Romania Reacts to Schengen Veto with Dismay

Aleksandr Shatskih

Romanian President Traian Basescu has hit out at the Netherlands for vetoing his country’s bid to join the Schengen Zone, accusing them of committing “abuse” amidst rumors that Dutch opposition could be linked to Romania’s earlier block on Serbian accession to the EU.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Art and Adventure

Guest Author

Despite its dark past, Bosnia-Herzegovina is now reborn as a country of culture, arts and adventure. It is, as yet, undiscovered by the tourist throng.

Georgia Set for Anti-Smoking Laws

Aleksandr Shatskih

It may have taken three long years for plans to come to fruition, but finally Georgia is set catch up with the rest of Europe, enforcing an anti-smoking policy that will see all public restaurants and cafes compelled to introduce non-smoking zones.

Le Meridien Announces Debut in Turkey

Aleksandr Shatskih

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has made another foray into Turkey’s booming hospitality industry with the opening of Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler, marking the debut of the Le Meridien brand in Europe’s South-easternmost nation.

East Europe Travel Trends

Aleksandr Shatskih

For most travelers Western Europe has been at the top of their destinations list since when, this is especially true for Americans. The Summer Olympics in London promise to bolster the decades long trend too, but according to Gate 1 Travel, river cruises in Eastern Europe show vacationers heading Eastward too.

Bulgaria Fury over Schengen Rejection

Aleksandr Shatskih

Dismay and anger at the news that Bulgaria has once again been denied entry to the Schengen visa-free travel area has led to calls for the country’s citizens to begin a boycott of all things Dutch, according to reports in the Bulgarian press.

Georgians Get Visa-free Travel to Russia

Aleksandr Shatskih

Russia has agreed to offer visa-free travel to Georgian citizens, to strengthen diplomatic relations with that country. However, there are some conditions.

Bulgaria Celebrates Liberation Day

Aleksandr Shatskih

Special festivities mark the event all over the country, most of them taking place in front of monuments, but the main site is the Shipka Pass.

Poland’s Białka Tatrzańska: An Outdoors Paradise (Part I)

Aleksandr Shatskih

News from CBS calls our attention to the fabulous and under-publicized Kotelnica Mountain of Poland. The village of Białka Tatrzańska there, once about as isolated and remote as any could imagine, now beckons skiers in search of fresh, white, powder and adrenaline. Even though the season is drawing to a close this year, it behooves the avid ski enthusiast to investigate this unsung Polish ski destination.