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Balkans

Four Balkans Countries Will Bid for 2030 World Cup

2018-11-05 by Aleksandr Shatskih

World Cup South Africa

The prime ministers of Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania and the president of Serbia say their countries will bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

Tags: Balkans, Balkans countries, Balkans events, Bulgaria, Greece, Russia World Cup, Serbia, soccer, World Cup, World Cup 2030, world cup soccer

Greece’s Tsipras and Serb President Vucic Announce Cooperations

2017-07-14 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Aleksandar Vučić

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras hailed historic ties with Serbia in a televised exchange with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic yesterday. The meetup was part of a Western Balkans conference promoting bilateral relations between the Balkans nations.

Tags: Aleksandar Vucic, Alexis Tsipras, Balkans, Greece, macedonia, Serbia

Balkans Roaming Rates to Be Scrapped

2014-09-02 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Roaming charges

If you’re thinking of traveling to the Balkans soon, you’re roaming charges may just go down. According to news from Montenegrin Ministry of Telecommunications, ministers there are set to sign an agreement for establishing a “roaming free” zone across the region.

Tags: Balkans, mobile charges, mobile traveller, roaming, travel advisory, travelers, WiFi

Albania: A Look at Peripheral #Ukraine Effects

2014-03-08 by Phil Butler

Edi Rama

The crisis in Ukraine now threatens western Balkans nations like Albania with further stalled economies and more. Even despite the recent announcement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Urban Development and Tourism of Albania to commit to working together to promote tourism in Albania, the gridlocked detentes in between the US, EU, Britain, and Russia over Ukraine may well spell disaster for all Balkan’s travel.

Tags: Albania growth, Albania Tourism, Albania Travel, Balkans, Edi Rama, EU, Europe crisis, Obama, Putin, Russia, Ukraine

Book Review: The Balkan Odyssey

2013-09-16 by Aleksandr Shatskih

The Balkan Odyssey

Jason Smart invites us to accompany him in a journey in the Balkan countries, discovering them with a traveler’s eye: The Balkan Odyssey: Travels around the former Yugoslavia…oh, and Albania too! He makes this trip along with his friends, Michael and Phil. “Phil simply couldn’t understand my fascination with visiting foreign lands. To him, a […]

Tags: Balkans, balkans book, book review, jason smart, The Balkan Odyssey

SpiceRoads Cycle Tours Launches “Bike the Balkans”

2013-02-22 by Aleksandr Shatskih

The old fortress of Kotor

Starting today SpiceRoads Cycle Tours adds incentive for those who would love to Bike the Balkans. Their continuing program to promote touristic destinations in emerging countries reveals Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro with $150 savings on first time departures there via the tours.

Tags: Albania Travel, Balkans, Balkans touring, bike tours, biking the Balkans, Macedonia tours, Montenegro touring

Croatia Airlines Eyes Adria Merger

2012-05-29 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Croatia Airlines

In news from the Balkans, it seems likely there may be a merger in the offing, with reports suggesting that Croatia’s national air carrier Croatia Airlines are set to hold talks with their Slovenian counterparts Adria Airways to form a new pan-Balkan carrier.

Tags: Adria Airways, Airbus A319, Balkans, Croatia Airlines, Jat Airways, Kresimir Kucko, Montenegro Airlines, Sinisa Hajdas Doncic, Zoran Djurišić

Macedonia’s Winter Tourism Boom

2012-03-20 by Aleksandr Shatskih

The Balkans may have been deluged by one of the most extreme cold snaps in living memory this winter, but that hasn’t done anything to harm local tourism industries across the region, least of all in Macedonia

Tags: Balkans, Iguana Tours, macedonia, ski resorts, ski tourism, Valon Saraquin, Visa liberalization, winter tourism

Grisha Ganchev and the Great Wall of Bulgaria

2011-01-05 by Phil Butler

Grisha Ganchev

Bulgaria’s Grisha Ganchev is a controversial figure to say the least. One thing is certain however, the industrialist believes in helping the people of his country climb out of the current economic crevass. A €100 million auto plant in the remote village of Bahovitsa will produce 120o jobs and 50,000 inexpensive autos for people in the Balkans.

Tags: auto industry, Bahovitsa, Balkans, Bulgaria, Bulgaria commerce, Bulgaria labor, Bulgarian Minister, Great Wall Motors, Grisha Ganchev, Litex, Ministry of Economy, Sergey Stanishev, tourism, Visit Bulgaria

Winter in Kosovo: Hiking in the Šar Mountains

2011-01-05 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Brezovica

When visiting Kosovo during the Winter months, one of the top activities worth pursuing is hiking in the Sar Mountains. This Balkans mountain range offers almost unparalleled challenge and breathtaking vistas for the newcomer and veteran hiker alike. The Kosovo Valley below, and Šar Mountains National Park also offer rare encounters with some 20 unusual wildlife species.

Tags: albania, backpack Kosovo, Balkans, hiking, Kosovo, Kosovo Mountains, Kosovo travel, mountain hiking, mountain species, Sar Mountains

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Featured Stories

Municipal Market of Chania April 26 2026

Great News, Chania! The Municipal Market Reopening Is Only Four Years Behind Schedule

Hersonissos Mayor Zacharias at PASOK-KINAL forum

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Arkalochori Earthquake Survivors Await Recovery INZEB study

Five Years On, Arkalochori Earthquake Survivors Still Await Recovery

The Six Pufferfish Species Found in Greek Waters

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Why We Embrace AI

At Argophilia, we believe in using every tool at our disposal to bring you the stories that matter. You may notice a certain precision in our data analysis, a specific flair in our visuals, or a rapid turnaround on complex topics. That is no accident—it is the result of our rampant use of artificial intelligence.

We use Gemini to help synthesize data, structure our reporting, and ensure our news remains as sharp as the reality we cover. When it comes to our imagery, we rely on the creative power of Midjourney and NightCafe, unless otherwise noted in our editorial credits.

We are not apologetic for this. In a fast-moving world, these tools allow us to focus on what really counts: investigating the issues, giving a voice to the marginalized, and maintaining the journalistic integrity you expect from us. We see AI not as a replacement for human judgment, but as an engine that amplifies our ability to inform, analyze, and tell the truth about our island and beyond.

We are writers and journalists first—but we are proud to be tech-enabled ones, too.

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Stories of Interest

Arvi banana festival AI illustration

Arvi’s Banana Festival Returns from 7 to 9 August

2026-07-25 By Argophilia Travel News

The 8th Arvi Banana Festival returns to southern Crete from August 7–9, 2026, with live music, theater, family entertainment, and Cretan hospitality.

Heraklion shelter AI illustration.

Heraklion Plans 20-Bed Support Center as Housing Shortage Strains Social Services

2026-07-25 By Mihaela Lica Butler

The Municipality of Heraklion is planning a new 20-bed support center for vulnerable residents, acknowledging that the city’s biggest challenge isn’t visible homelessness, but finding affordable housing for people who need a fresh start.

Municipal Market of Chania April 26 2026

Great News, Chania! The Municipal Market Reopening Is Only Four Years Behind Schedule

2026-07-25 By Arthur Butler

Chania completes tenant auctions for the historic Agora, targeting a December 4, 2026 grand reopening with a focus on local Cretan products.

affordable fitness

Heraklion Municipal Gyms Offer Affordable Fitness Across Two Modern Facilities

2026-07-25 By Manuel Santos

Heraklion Municipality opens modern fitness facilities at Pagkritio Stadium and Pateles for €30/month with full disability access.

Heraklion July rain

Summer Downpour Takes Heraklion by Surprise

2026-07-25 By Argophilia Travel News

Unseasonable summer rain surprises Heraklion as EMY issues weather warnings across Greece for lightning, hail, and squalls.

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