Novi Sad Serbia to Croatia

Travelled:306km tolls €11(Serbia)

Visited: Sremski Karlovci, Novi Sad SERBIA

Stay:CROATIA- Ilok next to boat ramp on the Danube River N45.2299 E19.3769

After our morning coffee we were back on the highway continuing our journey north. As we approached the capital city Belgrade, the traffic expectedly became heavier. We caught a glimpse of the old town as we crossed the Danube River and drove on. 

Very unusual building design 

Country village

We find ourselves less enthusiastic to visit the larger cities near the end of our trip and so decided to go a little further on to Sremski Karlovci. After the Treaty of Karlowitz was signed here in 1699 between the Ottoman Empire and Holy League, the town became part of the Habsburg Monarchy, which was evident in some of the architecture. It is now know as the city of vineyards and is famous for its Serbian spirituality and culture. This weekend the yearly grape harvest festival is on. 

After our stroll admiring the buildings lining the main square we drove 8km to Novi Sad. This larger city is also situated on the Danube River and was under Habsburg rule. During the Kosovo War in 1999 it was devastated by NATO bombardment but it has since mostly recovered.

 We managed to find a parking spot along the Danube and walked to the heart of the city to Freedom Square. Here along with the town hall where several significant looking buildings. 

The highlight was the Neo-Gothic St.Mary’s Cathedral with its beautiful glazed tiled roof. 

 At the other end stood the 19thC Bishop’s Palace. 

Next to it was the Orthodox Church of St.George built in 1742. 

After lunch we made our way back to the Danube passing what was left of the local market. 

Lots of restaurants and shops

As we walked along the river we could admire Petrovaradin Fortress set upon the hill on the opposite bank. This vantage point has been occupied since the Romans but these buildings date back to the Austrian era in 1692.

 We then took Bluey through another border crossing, which took no time at all as there were only 2 cars in front of us. 

So now we are in Croatia, parked on the Danube River in Ilok enjoying the lovely view. 

Skopje Macedonia to Serbia

Travelled:438km tolls €4.80 Macedonia, €3.50 Serbia

Stay: Serbia A1 Autoroute rest stop parking €3 N43.7496 E21.4530

Visited: Skopje Macedonia

We left Ohrid MK at around 7am and followed the main highway up to Skopje. There was a large section of road that they were currently working on but as we left so early the road over the mountain was not too busy. 

Having stopped along the way to have breakfast,  we eventually arrived in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, around 10:30 and managed to find a parking spot at Kale Fortress. 

Archaeologists Have found that there has been inhabitants on the hill since prehistoric times. As we strolled the battlements we were rewarded with great views of the city and the Vardar River. From here we could see the symbol of the city the ‘Stone Bridge’ which connects Macedonia Square, the biggest in the country, to the Old Bazaar. The bridges’ foundations were laid in 1451 and has often been damaged since. The last reconstruction was in 1994.

 We drove back down the hill into town and as parking was impossible, Mark double parked with the hazards on and I went to have a look at Mother Teresa Memorial House as this were she lived from 1910-28. 

We then drove out of the city and to the border of Serbia. It took us only 1/2hr to cross the 2 check points. 

We continued along the autoroute towards Belgrade but stopped at 6pm along the way at a rest stop near Cicevac.