Showing posts with label Belgrade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belgrade. Show all posts

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.

Let's Split Stories




 You must be wondering what is written above??
"I still remember the words
my father always use to say
don't go anywhere my son,
your home is...
....but always love Dalmacija!"

WHERE IS YOUR HOME?

People are always in a rush, buying and then selling houses, moving to a new city for THE job, running away, trying to figure out where might suit them, what they like or don't like!
 But sometimes it is enough to stop, take a minute, breathe in, think and just to ask yourself  'What do I really need, and what makes me happy?' 

And how to figure that out?? To answer such a hard and BIG question?? Likely starting from the past and reflecting on things you've accomplished, things you've tried, places you've visited, people that have made you smile no-matter the situation!

I know sometimes it is hard to find the answer.  The right answer.  The true answer.  Any answer. Some people search for it their entire life. Home. Where you belong.  Whether it be a house, a place in the world, or for some, a person.  Doesn't matter if, when and how you come to it, but finding that answer is important!

Some say "Home sweet Home" , or "Everywhere is nice, but at home is the best!" We say 
"Home is where your heart is".

WHAT DOES YOUR HEART SAY? WHERE DO YOU BELONG?

Split with us your stories! We are listening!


xo






Wednesday, 18 January 2012

10 DAYS + 5 CITIES = 1 UNFORGETTABLE TRIP.

 
The past two weeks have been a blur of....

.....get-togethers with family & old friends, ..Turkish coffees, ..holiday desserts, ..meat & cheese platters, ..bus & train stations, ..cities with different dialects, ...buildings lit up with red, green, yellow and blue bulbs, ...and exceptional evenings.

One of the greatest things stemming from our colourful backgrounds is that we have 2 Christmas' and 2 New Years - which means our holidays start Dec 24th and go all the way to January 14th!  The traditional Catholic Christmas (Dec 25th) and world-wide New Years (Dec 31st) celebrated in both Vancouver & Split (and in a large % of the world) are followed by the Orthodox Christmas (Jan 7th) and New Year's (Jan 14th).  Needless to say the merry-ness lasts just that extra bit longer and gives us an excuse to visit our family & friends way east of Vancouver and further east of Split in the always-buzzing city of Belgrade.

As this year's favourite Balkan destination for NYE (including an all-night party train from coastal Croatia to Belgrade and back!) Belgrade is known for its nightlife.  I've spent much of my life visiting, arriving in and departing from this city and have yet to master its web of public transport and curvy narrow streets.  The old part of the city, Kalemegdan, is perfect for a winter walk through history, munching on some freshly roasted chestnuts.  The whole inner core smells like popcorn and chestnuts - it's incredible!  To my luck, they have yet to get a snowfall this year (try navigating through a massive city where a north-south road suddenly into a one-way east street heading west, and ends up back at the northern most part of the city) when everything is covered in white.  While its always a bit stressful trying to cover all our bases and see everyone!, the city never ceases to provide a great time.
If you're thinking/planning/going to eastern Europe - Belgrade should be in your top 5.  No matter the season there are always a million things going on around town - club openings, museums, cafes & pastery shops, operas & theater, new shopping centers, not to mention the history at each turn (monuments, castles, WWII tanks, cobbled streets...the works!). Did I mention Serbia has a looooong history (including a Royal Family)...?
Belgrade truly is one of the greatest cities to experience the wonders of Eastern Europe and have a fantastic time doing it!!


Second stop was in a small town just outside of Osijek to visit some very dear family.  This is one of my favourite spots and I regularly make trips there whenever in Europe (usually multiple times!).  Set out in the country, this little gem is full of small-town charm; a main street with a couple of bakeries, a local store, a few cafes and a lot of friendly locals.  My favourite: a beautiful park along the Danube river, great for an evening stroll with ice cream in hand and oh.so.romantic at sunset in spring&summer.  But the thing that keeps drawing my heart back here? Three little munchkins who are growing up way too fast and who I absolutely adore to my utter core. 


Zagreb deserves an entire post so stay tuned on more about this sensational city!


And a final stop before landing back in Split is the majestic Lika which I've already told you about here.


Back in Split now catching up on a few things and looking forward to our upcoming agenda!

xo