Despite the cold financial front, some ski nations, including France, are hoping to replicate the record levels of business  they  enjoyed  last  year  -  even  though  warning signs such as the unusual early discounting for the peak New Year week might suggest differently. Skiers and boarders will always want their annual fix of the white stuff and there is certainly plenty on offer that’s exclusive enough - particularly for the readers of CorD - on the mountains to keep everyone entertained. We have located the best ski resorts across the world.

1/10 Borovets, Bulgaria

The  oldest  Bulgarian  winter resort  is  Borovets, dating back to1896. Today Borovets is the biggest  and  most  modern  resort  in Bulgaria. It is situated on the northern  slopes  of  the  Mousala  ridge  in the eastern part of Rila. Huddled in venerable  pine  woods  1390  meters above the sea level makes it a great  place  for  relaxation  and  recreation. The climate is also considered to be healthy.

Price guide:
3/4* 1 room 2 persons (dou-ble room with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights - €600

5*  1  room  2  persons  (double room with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights- €850

Ski pass 6 days p/p - €170

2/10 Bohinj, Slovenia

A collection of small villages that surround the beautiful Lake Bohinj  are  dominated  by  the  magnificent  Julian  Alps, affording some spectacular  scenery.  A  superb  ski  school  is  on  hand  for those wishing to improve their skills. At the end of an active day there are a small selection of restaurants ideal for relaxing, sampling  local  drinks  and  specialities.  The  tranquility  and  stunning
views give this ski resort a special charm.

Price guide:
3/4* 1 room 2 persons (double room with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights - €600;

5* 1 room 2 persons (double room with break-fast) January avg. 7 nights - €1500;

Ski pass 6 days p/p - €170

3/10 Pelion Mountain, Greece

While talking about beautiful locations for skiing, Pelion Mountain is easily one of the noteworthy locations. The best part about the ski resorts here is that not many people know about it and skiing here is still not explored completely. Greece has been gaining popularity for skiing among other winter sports. Pelion Mountains offer majestic scenes and is one of the most preferred destinations for those who have discovered the ski terrains here.

Price guide:
3/4* 1 room 2 persons (double room with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights - €650;

5* 1 room 2 persons (double room with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights- €890;

Ski pass 6 days p/p - €100

4/10 Årefjãllen, Sweden

Skiing  in  Sweden  is  different  from  skiing in the Alps, the resorts are set in a landscape of forests, lakes and unspoiled wilderness.  Are,  short  for  Arefjallen,  is  where  the slopes  and  ski  accommodation  is  set  along the shore of a frozen lake. Are will suit beginners, intermediates and families skiing in Sweden  as  it  is  made  up  of  green  and  blue runs.  Are  is  somewhat  reminiscent  of  St Moritz - just as vibrant but in a much more remote setting.

Price guide:
3/4* 1 room 2 persons (double room with  breakfast)  January  avg.  7  nights  - €1100

5* 1 room 2 persons (double room with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights - €2000

Ski pass 6 days p/p - €190

5/10 Levi, Finland

The mountains are not very high here, but Levi has a northern location that almost guarantees snow right down to the bottom of the mountain. The trade off for this is the cold and the dark. Some will love  this  at  Levi,  some  won’t,  but  it  is  different!  Don’t  despair,  the sun does give off some light from mid-January that allows you to ski without floodlights. Levi terrain parks are some of the best in Europe and put many of the big Alpine resorts to shame!

Price guide:
3/4* 1 room 2 persons (double room with breakfast) January avg.  7  nights  -  €7000;

5*  1  room  2  persons  (double  room  with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights- €1100;

Ski pass 6 days p/p - €200

6/10 South Lake Tahoe, Utah, USA

South Lake Tahoe is a magical landscape of water, ice and mountains and whichever resort you choose in this area, it will more than live up to your expectations of skiing in California. But what’s really different about South Lake Tahoe is the unique glitzy feel of the place. It’s located astride the borders between California and Nevada, where gambling is legal. Stay here if you like the sound of big Las Vegas-style casino hotels and some very glam après-ski!

Price guide:
3/4*  1  room  2  persons  (double  room  with  breakfast)  January  avg.  7 nights - €1400;

5* 1 room 2 persons (double room with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights - €2100;

Ski pass 6 days p/p - €230

7/10 Trysil, norway

Trysil  boasts  one  of  Norway’s largest  ski  areas  set  within  the  heart of  Scandinavia.  The  imposing  Trysil Mountain  offers  64  runs  in  total  with slope types to suit every standard and discipline.  Trysil’s  northerly  location and  1132m  altitude  creates  a  snow sure ski destination. Trysil is exclusively  for  everyone  who  enjoys  the  mountain atmosphere and fantastic skiing.

Price guide:
3/4*  1  room  2  persons  (double room  with  breakfast)  January  avg.  7 nights - €1500

5*  1  room  2  persons  (double room  with  breakfast)  January  avg.  7 nights - €3000

Ski pass 6 days p/p - €225

8/10 Niseko, Japan

The ski resorts of Hokkaido, Japan’s northerly island have some of the best powder snow in the world. This island of extinct volcanoes provide a skiing heaven with an excellent range of runs set amongst silver birch woodlands. The Niseko mountain has three ski areas and three villages. Japan should feature on everyone’s list of unmissable ski destinations - no other area offers such a unique blend of culture and fantastic skiing.

Price guide:
3/4* 1 room 2 persons (double room with breakfast) January avg.  7  nights  -  €1600;

5*  1  room  2  persons  (double  room  with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights- €2400;

Ski pass 6 days p/p - €210

9/10 Tremblant, Canada

In Tremblant, ski holidays come with a little something extra – this is a North American ski resort with a touch of French! Located in the beautiful Laurentian Mountains, Tremblant’s unique character, user-friendly approach and well-groomed slopes have earned it the title of number 1 ski resort in eastern North America for the past 8 years in a row. With over 600 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain, this is the biggest ski resort in eastern Canada.

Price guide:
3/4* 1 room 2 persons (double room with breakfast) January avg.  7  nights  -  €1700;

5*  1  room  2  persons  (double  room  with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights- €3000; Ski pass 6 days p/p - €220

10/10 St. Moritz, Switzerland

What is it with the Swiss and skiing that just go  so  well  together?  Located  on  the  shores of an ice-cold lake in the Engadine Valley, St. Moritz is as exclusive as ski resorts get; with designer shops, Michelin-star eateries and hotels you need to book months in advance. In fact, if you half-closed your eyes, you may just think you’re in Hollywood.

guide Prices:
3/4*  1  room  2  persons  (double  room with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights - €2000

5* 1 room 2 persons (double room with breakfast) January avg. 7 nights - €4000

Ski pass 6 days p/p - €250

The 10 best private islands

Normally on the travel pages, CorD ofers you a guide of the most interesting places to visit, a travel itinerary for the world grand tourer, the most luxurious spa destinations on earth and everyother travel ofering considered relatively normal and afordable. In this  issue, we have decided to cater for the select few amongst our beloved readers who have the conidence, the will and above all the means to take on such an impressive investment. All of which comes nowhere near the gravity of being able to say you own your own island. For the rest of us who aren’t Bond villains, and are mere inancial mortals, it makes a good read and opens the window to the most exclusive of clubs. Here are our ten best picks of private islands currently for sale.

1/10
Craro iSland, SCOTLAND (€ 69 000)

This  enchanting 8  acre  private  island  is located  just  off  the  SW  coast  of  the  Isle  of Gigha,  Inner Hebrides.  The  surrounding waters are home to seals and much bird life, with dolphins  passing  by  regularly.  The  island  is virtually untouched by people,  yet an  important part of local folklore. The  Isle  of Gigha  is  a  history-rich  part of  the  Inner Hebrides,  and  the most  southerly of  the  island chain.  Influenced by warm ocean currents, the area around Gigha is relatively  dry  and  temperate,  and  the  scenic bays,  green meadows  and  lochs  are  a  perfect expression of the beauty of the Scottish Isles.  The 8-acre  isle  of Craro  itself  is  in  a pristine state and waiting to be appreciated by its future owner.

2/10
PlitViCe iSland, CROATIA (€ 350 000)

Located in the backcountry of Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes are one  in one of  the most  famous national parks in the world. The national park consists of 16 wonderful  lakes separated by natural  travertine dams, which have been  deposited  by  the  carbonate-encrustation of moss, algae and bacteria.
The only  island at Plitvice Lakes National Park  is  situated  in  the  park’s  biggest  lake, Lake Kozjak. The island is embedded in an incomparably  well-preserved  natural  environment,  inhabited by brown bears, wolves, eagles and wild cats. This amazing territory has also been  the set  for  the movie “Treasure of Silver Lake”, a film based on Karl May’s adventure-stories  with  its  protagonists Winnetou and Old Shatterhand.

3/10
Ram Island – Maine, USA (€ 582 588)

Several miles  from shore  in the mouth of Maine’s Machias Bay, Ram Island is unspoiled and raw, with an elemental feel to its brilliant green meadows  and windswept hills. Viewed from  the  air,  a  patina  of  rust-hued  lichens covers the rocky shore of Ram Island in an unexpected explosion of colour.
Ram Island is the last (north easternmost) island on the Maine Island trail. The trail goes from Casco Bay to Machias Bay and  includes over 90 private and state owned islands.

4/10
Haapsalu Island, ESTONIA (€ 1.2 million)

This amazing  fish-shaped  island  is  located  in  the Baltic Sea, 1.5km  from  the  coastal  line near well-known  resort  town Haapsalu  (1h drive  from Tallinn),  the most  romantic seaside area with  its virgin nature, where  the old  legends and rich historical heritage meet  the present.
Haapsalu lagoon is perfect for those whose preference is flat-water. It also prides itself on having the first specially equipped kite park in Estonia.
It is easy to fall in love with Haapsalu. Writers, artists, composers and musicians from different parts of the world have discovered Haapsalu for themselves and have  left their recognizable impact on the cultural life of the town and are still creating something new on the daily basis.

5/10
half CroWn iSland, CANADA (€ 1.27 million)

The perfect family island, just a 90-minute drive  north  from Ottawa, Half  Crown  Island sits on a pristine  thirty-one mile  lake. There are  not  shortage  of  private  islands  resorts, however  it  is  rare  to  have  the  opportunity to purchase a unique private  island  resort  in North America.
Half Crown’s  current owners  started  visiting  in 1979  and  rented  until 1993. When their  predecessors  got  older  and  decided to  sell,  these  summer  tenants  immediately snapped up  the 3.86-acre  lake  isle and now spend  up  to  five months  of  the  year  there.
They  describe  it  as  the  perfect  antidote  to Houston’s  blazing  summer  temperatures. With  its  stands of  spruce,  cedar, maple, oak and birch, Half Crown Island’s autumn colours are spectacular.

6/10
St. athanaSioS iSland, GREECE (€ 1.5 million)

In the Gulf of Corinth, 1.5 miles from the city of Itea and only a short distance from Delphi, the skiing resort of Parnassos and the historic port of Galaxidi,  lies  this beautiful  island. St. Athanasios island is a small, private island, nearly knoll, of 10,811 sq. m.
Pine and olive trees are scattered all over the ground and a small sandy beach is located on the northwestern region of the island. The environment is natural and quiet, as far as internally, and  the seawater  that douses  the seaboard  is crystal-clear and rich in sea life.
St. Athanasios island is an ideal place for calm and unique natural  living conditions  in combination with the modern conception of a comfortable residence.

7/10
Scott island - British Columbia, CANADA (€ 3.1 million)

It’s not exactly the tropics, but this 5.26-acre island in British Columbia’s Stuart Channel  is not without  its charms. The price  tag  for Scott  Island  includes both a 4,500-square-foot residence and a caretaker’s cottage, both with wraparound decks and second floor balconies.
The island is accessible by boat, sea plane or helicopter, and offers views of Vancouver Island and the Pacific Ocean. The large patios and decks off the rear of  the home enjoy outstanding water views. This  is an extremely  rare and exceptional offering.

8/10
king’s island, DENMARK (€ 6.8 million)

King’s  Island  is perfect  in  size,  structure, and  location  to be utilized  for  conferences,  seminars or  team-building exercises.  It could be  a  jewel  in  the  crown of  a  large  corporation, or  several smaller companies could unite to own it jointly.
The private island purchase process for non-Danes is straightforward: The foreign buyer simply establishes a Danish company, which  can  in  turn buy  the  island without  any  complications. For such  a  culturally  important  and  ideally  located property, King’s Island  is  priced  extremely  attractively  and  is  located  between Copenhagen and the Swedish city of Malmö.

9/10
Petra island - N.Y., USA (€ 10 million)

You  probably  thought  all  private  islands  were  covered  in  coconut  groves and  soft white  beaches  (not  that we  don’t love  those!),  and  then  along  comes  Petra Island.  There  are  currently  two  homes  on Petra  Island.  The  smaller  of  the  two  is  a 1,200-square-foot  cottage  designed  and built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1950.
Petra Island has been on the market as of February 2011, but the asking price was not publicly available for sometime. Current owner Joseph Masarro bought the  island and the cottage in 1991 for a reported €513,000.

10/10
Great Hans lollik island, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (€ 32.9 million)

Great Hans Lollik  Island sits  just 1.5 miles north of St. Thomas  in  the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands. This 510-acre paradise  features white  sand beaches,  clear  turquoise waters and  lush palm  forests,  as well  as  spectacular 360-degree  views  from  elevations  as  high  as 713  feet (217.3 meters).
The  island  is  currently undeveloped and uninhabited, although  its  zoning would permit  the construction of a small resort and up to 150 private residences, as well as independent utilities and a heliport. What more could you possibly need..? Lots of MONEY!

SIX OF THE BEST AUTUMN BEAUTY BREAKS

All the countries on the following pages are alike, with harsh winters, ski resorts, open spaces, magnii cent scenery and snow. On the other hand, when the mercury is above zero, they each offer tourists a very special experience. If you are a fan of spectacular landscapes, great shopping, adventure sports, spas and culture then these countries in Northern Europe are amazing places to spend some of your well-earned holiday time, and are also great places for children. We do not recommend long-stays at these destinations for two reasons: they get bitterly cold and are quite expensive. However, if you like to be somewhere “cool”, but not cold, then plan a short break to any of our following recommendations.

6/6: Finland
www.finska.co.rs

The home of Father Christmas has much more to offer than reindeers and snow. Finland is not known for its cultural variety and neither should it, with perhaps the exception of Helsinki. When travelling to Finland you should be prepared to be either very relaxed or very active, you would hardly visit the land of former F1 Champion Mika Häkkinen, bad boy and former F1 Champion Kimi Räikkönen and Father Christmas without expecting some action or ‘relaxtion’! During autumn Finland
is a great destination for activities like hiking, camping and biking. For the more daring amongst you there are some of the best motorsport courses in the world, Finns are renowned for their driving talent, and there are plenty of water sports on offer – Finland boasts 188,000 lakes. After all the physical pursuits there is only one way to relax in Finland – a sauna. Saunas in Finland are treated with an almost religious reverence. Finland is for the i t, fun-loving and free spirited.

5/6:Sweden
www.swedenabroad.com

On the oficial Swedish tourist website, the Swedes themselves describe their capital city, Stockholm, as ‘cool’. And ‘cool’ it is, with average winter temperatures hovering around 0 °C and the nickname of ‘Venice of the north’, Stockholm is a city of culture and Scandinavian style. 
A big plus for Stockholm is the fact that nearly everything you could want to see or do is within walking distance and with the weather far more forgiving in autumn it is the ideal time to take in the interesting sites to visit - parks, museums, and the general vibrancy of the city. 
Stockholm is 700 years old and as such is full of historic treasures including three sites which are listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List: the stunning Skogskyrkogården (the Woodland Cemetery); Drottningholm Palace, referred to as the ‘Versailles of the North’ and home of the Swedish Royal family; and the remains of the Viking settlement, Birka on Björkö island in Lake Mälaren. If all of the above hasn’t enticed you enough and you happen to be male, single and... need I say more? Yes? Well, Sweden is the third largest country in Western Europe so you won’t have the obligations of a family man and will be able to experience more of Stockholm....’s blonde bombshells.

4/6: Norway
www.visitnorway.com

Norway is one of the rare countries in the world where it is a struggle to ind a place that is neither beautiful nor interesting. From Oslo in the south, to Trondheim in the north, to the vast wilds in the remote far north, Norway has stunningly beautiful scenery like London has taxis. Of course beauty is a cruel mistress and she will do her best to extract every last Kroner from your wallet, even in regions as remote as Kamsvåg. Although Norway has some of the highest prices anywhere on earth, you get what you pay for. 
To name one thing to experience whilst visiting Norway is near impossible. Oslo alone can entertain for weeks on end with sights and locations such as the Royal Palace, Aker Brygge wharf, Kvadraturen, the Emanuel Vigeland Museum and Linderud Manor to name but a very few of its myriad of attractions. Venture beyond the vibrancy of Oslo and experience Norway’s famous fjords, northern lights, canoeing, riding, sailing and many more tourist attractions. Remember to pack a little bit of energy and a whole lot of cash.

3/6: Switzerland
www.myswitzerland.com

Chocolate and watches for the ladies, watches and banks for the men, penknives and chocolate for the children, and mountains and cheese for the whole family. Switzerland, although small, has something on offer for anyone who enjoys class, money, 
culture, and of course shopping.
The Swiss are famous for their love of skiing, and why would they not be when they have the beautiful Alps at their disposal. In fact, it would be unusual if they weren’t, but then again Jamaicans aren’t exactly known for their talented swimmers. Moving on however, when the snow recedes for a few months of the year, the Swiss, and tourists alike, enjoy the magniicent hiking trails, historical monuments, lakes and museums. Remember to take a credit card. Swiss people do not generally baulk at the high prices - in 2010 Switzerland had the highest average wealth per adult followed by Norway.

2/6: Austria
www.austria.info

The Sound of Music and Mozart are usually the irst thoughts when Austria comes to mind, but with remarkable alpine landscapes, tranquil lakes and a wealth of charming towns to explore, a holiday in Austria is far more than that. If you are an enthusiastic hiker, visit Hohe Tauern, If that sounds too much like hard work, and you are simply looking for a cultural family holiday, take a trip to Graz complete with delightful shops and cafes, or the mountains of Vorarlberg, or perhaps Vienna, the 4th “UN City”.
The cultural attractions in Austria are extremely impressive taking into account the size of both the population and territory. Vienna alone offers a blend of tradition and stunning modern architecture. It is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, wine taverns, and Viennese charm. Salzburg and the Theresa Wellness Hotel in Ziller Valley, the ‘world’s most active valley’, are well worth a visit, as are Austria’s hidden gems such as the Alpbach valley in Tirol and the stunning Burgenland.

1/6:Iceland
www.icetourist.is

The relatively recent volcanic explosions at Eyjafjallajökull and Grímsvötn, try saying those names with a mouth full, should not put you off visiting the small, yet majestic north European island. Iceland is oddly greener than Greenland, and the weather is quite comfortable until October when it takes a turn towards the extreme. The break in the harsh climate conditions provides a chance to enjoy some horse-riding, hunting, ishing, kayaking, scuba-diving and even a round of golf. For the less active there are some lovely boutique shops in the capital city Reykjavík, and plenty of restaurants and bars to sample and enjoy. Iceland has also become somewhat of a tourist hotspot after the global economic crisis – prices have plummeted in the wake 
of the banking collapse. Our advice for anyone travelling to Iceland is to rent a car and discover some of the gems off thebeaten path - the scenery is spectacular. There is a very good as to why the likes of Mercedes and Aston Martin launch new models in Iceland. Also, be sure to take a trip to one of Iceland’s spa’s.

Palmetto Point Beach, Antigua

While popular Antigua boasts 365 beaches along its shores, none is as removed as the magnificent swaths of secluded beaches found on its sister island of Barbuda, some 25 miles to the northeast. A rarity in the Caribbean, where building big resorts on spectacular sands is more the norm, Barbuda’s miles of white- and pinkhued beaches have been largely left untouched, with only a handful of full-service resorts to share them. Even the island’s finest stretch, a seven- mile expanse from Palmetto Point to Coco Point, is typically so deserted that you can expect to share your day with seashells instead of people. Hotel accommodation: Rate for two adults 15 nights in July, from €350– €2,500

Everyone loves a little slice of island paradise! Unfortunately, that’s the problem with an island beach vacation – you’re often forced to share your stretch of sand with countless others in search of a little R & R. If you’re looking for an island getaway minus the crowds, we’ve rounded up 10 undiscovered islands around the world where you’ll fi nd just that – and while you may have to work a little harder and travel a little longer to get there, you’ll be rewarded with deserted beaches, fascinating culture, exotic cuisine, and the satisfaction of “discovering” a fabulous, off-the-beaten-path island destination.

1. Anegada, British Virgin islands

A small airport and ferry service makes getting here from one of the other British Virgin Islands fairly easy, but Anegada still feels a world away. The only coral island in the volcanic BVI chain and surrounded by the largest coral barrier reef in the Caribbean, this undiscovered island is a haven for beach bums, fl y-fishermen, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The north shore boasts nearly deserted white-sand beaches, the south is home to a huge population of bonefish, and the west end lays claim to large salt ponds and exotic birds. Spend your nights feasting on local lobster – rumoured to be the best in the Caribbean – and rest your head at one of the island’s few hotels and quaint guesthouse inns.

2. Cat Ba island, Vietnam

If you needed another reason to visit Halong Bay – often hailed as the world’s Eighth Wonder – the limestone outcropping that is Cat Ba Island is it. The best way to explore the natural wonders of this undiscovered island – home to the remarkable Trung Trang Cave, cascading waterfalls, plummeting cliffs, and awe-inspiring National Park – is via motorbike. An hour-long ferry ride from Halong Wharf will get you there, where you can opt for accommodations that range from sparse and basic affairs to full-fl edged four-star resorts. You’ll have no problem staying awhile on this untouched, unspoiled masterpiece of Mother Nature.

Did you know that prices at the best hotel suites went up ten percent last year?

Are you ready to drop about USD$30,000 (22,000 euros) for one night?

Would you be willing to spend that kind of money on a hotel room?

And by the way, none of the nightly room rates includes tax so be prepared to add another 10 to 17 percent to your bill at checkout.


10 The Penthouse Suite, The Martinez Hotel, Cannes

www.hotel-martinez.com
Nightly Rate: USD$18,000 (€13,200)
This is the biggest, most expensive, and the only terraced penthouse suite on the Cote d’Azur. Both of the two suites available have a jacuzzi, plasma screen televisions, DVD library, kitchen, open bar, private butler on call 24/7 (ditto for a limousine), and an option to join both suites into one big apartment.

Luxury has no limit here – the design is Art Deco style, with streamlined furniture, silk curtains and teak parquet floors. The wraparound terrace has views of the Lerins Islands as well as the entire Bay of Cannes and can comfortably hold 100 people.

One Saudi sheik liked the suite so much he wanted to rent it for five years. The hotel said no. What else can you say? Tres magnifique! 


9 Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton Moscow

www.ritzcarlton.com
Nightly Rate: USD$18,200 (€13,300)
The floor-to-ceiling windows in the Ritz-Carlton Suite will give you the most beautiful views of the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Christ the Saviour Cathedral.

The furnishings are in a Classic Russian Imperial style. The 232 square metre suite comes with a spacious living room, dining area, library, office room and boardroom, grand piano, and heated floor.

You will get to enjoy five meals a day and their very own KGB approved autonomous energy supply system and secure telecommunications array. 


8 Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai

www.jumeirah.com
Nightly Rate: USD$19,000 (€14,000)
The two-story, 780 square metre suite features views over the Arabian Sea, marble flooring, a rotating four-poster bed in the master bedroom, a dining area, and a private cinema and elevator between the split-level rooms.

The marble bath comes fully stocked with full-sized products from Hermes. Guests are met by a chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph (or, for a bit extra, by a helicopter).

A personal butler stands 24/7 at the ready to fulfil every wish. The Royal Suite is the last word in luxury with a marble and gold staircase, leopard print tufted carpets and Versace linens. What you can also enjoy is a submarine ride to an underwater restaurant complete with shark-infested aquarium. 


7 Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt, Vendôme, Paris

www.paris.vendome.hyatt.com
Nightly Rate: USD$20,000 (€14,700)
This pricey suite is located on the fifth floor and covers 200 square meters. A 60 square meter balcony overlooks the Rue de la Paix, with an outstanding view of the Vendôme column.

The Imperial Suite has high ceilings, a dining room, kitchenette, bar, and a mansard roof. It also includes an in-suite spa with whirlpool bath, steam room shower and a built-in massage table.

Also included are high-speed Internet access and a computer with fl at screen monitor, multi-line telephones, and a separate work area to help you enjoy your work a little more. 


6 The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas

www.atlantis.com
Nightly Rate: USD$22,000 (€16,000)
The Bridge Suite is located on top of a bridge that connects the two Royal Towers buildings, so it overlooks the entire resort and marina area. An 800 square foot balcony and 3.6 metre high ceilings throughout with full length windows allow you to enjoy a 360 degree view of the water, lagoons and pools on Paradise Island.

We can make a guess that most of the room price is paid for the location of the suite. Forbes reports the suite has hosted such guests as Oprah, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, and Bill Gates. The suite has 10 rooms that are decorated in black, red and gold (including a 22-karat gold chandelier in the dining room). The living area is a 116-square-metre room with a grand piano and twin entertainment centres.

The master bedroom has a sitting area, his-and-hers closets so large that you can park your car there, and hand-painted linens. The kitchen also has its own entrance, so a permanent staff of seven, including a butler and a cook can access the room without bothering you. 


5 Presidential Suite, Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

www.ritzcarlton.com
Nightly Rate: USD$25,000 (€18,300)
This luxurious suite is located on the 53rd floor and looks over Tokyo providing spectacular views that include the Imperial Palace’s outer gardens and Roppongi Hills.

The suite’s 306 square meters provides absolute luxury including a stunning four poster bed in the master bedroom, personal concierge, connected living room/dining room, an oversized marble bathroom with a Sony Bravia 20 inch flat screen television, and access to the indoor pool and fitness studio. 


4 Villa la Capula Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome

excelsior.hotelinroma.com
Nightly Rate: USD$29,000 (€21,150)
Located on the fifth and sixth floors underneath the cupola of the hotel which was made famous by Fellini’s movies, this suite covers 570 square metres and has an additional 168 square metres of balconies and terraces.

While it only has two bedrooms, five more can be joined onto it. The entire suite was remodelled in 1998 for a cost of around USD$7 million, and it now includes all things Roman and excessive – a cupola, a Pompeii style jacuzzi pool, frescoes (the painted horizons on the frescoes were designed to match perfectly with the real Roman one), stained glass windows, and a balcony which includes a sun deck overlooking the Via Veneto district.

The downstairs area also has a private kitchen, and the dining room features an antique Murano glass chandelier, a private wine cabinet with over 150 wines to choose from and a study/library covered in hand-carved wood. And what really makes this suite over the top is a private cinema with Dolby surround sound. Now that’s living la dolce vita. 


3 Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons Hotel, New York

www.fourseasons.com/newyorkfs
Nightly Rate: USD$34,000 (€24,700)
The USD$50 million Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York was designed by legendary architect I.M. Pei, Peter Marino and hotel owner Ty Warner. The nine-room suite has walls inlaid with mother of pearl, gold and platinum-woven fabrics.

It is located on the 52nd floor of New York’s tallest hotel with floor-to-ceiling bay windows offering a breathtaking 360 degree view of the city. If that is not relaxing enough you can enjoy a waterfall in the Zen Room, play the grand piano in the library or soak in a tub overlooking Central Park.

Full spa treatments, a personal trainer and a 24/7 butler are all included, and if you still really want to leave your room, you can choose to be chauffeured in a Rolls Royce or Maybach, and you’re always guaranteed a table at the hotel’s renowned L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurant. 


2 Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

www.palms.com
Nightly Rate: USD$40,000 (€29,200)
If anyone knows how to vacation in Las Vegas, it will be Hugh Hefner. Even though he is known as a bit of a homebody he has been known to spend a few nights away from the mansion at the Sky Villa in Las Vegas.

The suite itself was built to model the original playboy mansion; it also incorporates elements derived from a vintage Playboy magazine article about the ultimate bachelor pad. The suite cost roughly USD$10 million to build but high-rollers can rent it for a small USD$40,000 a night. Everything screams S-E-X-Y at the Sky Villa.

The two-story 840 square metre villa includes a glass elevator, a rotating bed set beneath a mirrored ceiling, a glass wall jacuzzi that extends out over the hotel and offers amazing Strip views, around-the-clock butler service, massage and spa rooms, work-out room and poker table, fireplace, three bedrooms, and pop-up plasma TVs. Sorry... Bunnies not included. 


1 Royal penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva

www.hotelpwilson.com
Nightly Rate: USD$53,000 (€38,600)
The Imperial Suite, which is actually the entire top floor of the hotel, is reached via a private elevator and has four bedrooms, six bathrooms with mosaic marble floors, a cocktail lounge and a terrace with a dramatic view through the bulletproof windows over the city, across Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.

The suite is decorated in a contemporary style, with marble and hardwood floors. The living room has a billiards table, a library and a cocktail lounge with a view of the water fountain, and can accommodate 40 people. The dining room seats 26 people around an oval mahogany table.

Security in the Imperial Suite is among the best in the world, ideal for celebrities or travelling heads of state who visit the United Nations headquarters next door at the Palais Wilson.    

Source: Dir Journal

People in Serbia may be unhappy with the relative costs of living in their home-city but spare a thought for the residents of the most expensivecities in the world.

If you happen to be planning a holiday to Oslo, Milan, London or even Sydney make sure you have plenty of spending money or better still take the credit card.

The fifteen cities below are consideredthe world’s most expensive cities and have been ranked accordingly based on the cost of living there.

1 Moscow, Russia www.geographia.com/moscow
The most expensive city in the world, Moscow is also home to more billionaires than anyother city. The most noticeably expensive aspects of travelling in Moscow are accommodation followed by restaurant prices. Transportation however is a steal with the Moscow underground beingextensive and dirt cheap.

2 Tokyo, Japan www.jnto.go.jp
Tokyo has had its reputation of being superexpensive for almostthirty years and the onlything that’s surprising isthat at one time it actuallymanaged to be moreexpensive than it is now. Hotels in Tokyo cost a fortuneas their target audienceis business travellers.Taxis are an unfathomableluxury for all but the mostwell off and eating in restaurantscan quickly makea dent in any budget.

3 London, England www.visitlondon.com
The US dollar hasn`t done any favours in terms of London becoming affordable. While the dollar has backed away from the lows it reached in 2007, London is still avery expensive city. Food and transportation are outrageous in the city, with the cost of something as simple a sa subway fare costing upwards of five euros. Taxis are not to be considered, and it`s also hard to affordably indulgein the national pastime of “pubbing“.

4 Oslo, Norway www.visitoslo.com
Always a staple on the ‘mostexpensive cities’ list, Oslo is definitely not cheap. A strong local currency and exorbitant taxes have culminated in scaring away even themost stubborn budget traveller.

5 Seoul, South Korea www.visitkorea.or.kr
Seoul is an amazing city but it can also be an amazingly expensive city. The city isn’t too badfor travellers though as you’ll be able to get around via public transit and the food is decently priced.The only problem is finding adequate lodging tofi t your budget. Taxis are surprisingly affordable inSeoul, and the city is nowhere near Tokyo’s stratosphericprices, it’s more comparable to Hong Kong.

6 Hong Kong, China www.discoverhongkong.com
Home to more skyscrapers thanany other city in the world,Hong Kong is not a cheap placeto live or to shop. However itcan still be a cheap place to visit.Unlike some of the other cities onthis list, Hong Kong has a lot tooffer the budget travellers. Mass transportation is amazing andsome very cheap budget accommodation can be found.

7 Copenhagen, Denmark www.visitcopenhagen.com
While not as expensive as someof its Scandinavian brethren,Copenhagen is still not for the budget minded traveller. However ifyou’re not on a budget and appreciatethe finer things, Copenhagen is a place you will enjoy.

8 Geneva, Switzerland www.geneva-tourism.ch
Geneva ranks highin this list partly because of the proliferation of international organisations in thecity and their impacton the local economy.The city itself is very beautiful and the natural setting couldn’tbe better.

9 Zurich, Switzerland www.zuerich.com
Switzerland is just an expensive countryand it’s always highly ranked incost of living indexes. There are benefits to travelling in Switzerland though,namely that it’s a beautiful country with safe streets and friendly people. If youcan afford it, Switzerland is a great destination for families.

10 Milan, Italy www.visitamilano.it
Milan is the kind of placewhere it’s possible toblow your entire fortune in a matter of hours; this is of course because Milan ishome to some of the world’smost extravagant shopping. However the city wouldhave been nowhere near this highly ranked beforethe switch to the euro. Pricesin Italy literally jumped through the roof in a matter of months.

11 Osaka, Japan www.osaka-info.jp
Any and every city in Japan is going to be expensive to visit. Lodging in the country is astronomical, as are food prices.Transportation isn’t as expensive as it could be due to the wonderful public transit systems. Osaka itself doesn’t have the cultural attractions found in other cities in Japan; therefore it’s best tocheck your bank balance before planning a trip.

12 Paris, France www.parisinfo.com
Paris, although it’s only the 12th ranked city on the list,is much more expensive than its ranking for travellers. Lodging and food are both quite expensive in the city.Transportation remains affordable as long as you stick tothe city’s wonderful metro system. Prices show no signs of slowing down with the euro consistently reaching new heights against the dollar and the city remaining the preeminent destination for world travellers.

13 Singapore www.yoursingapore.com
Singapore is a small island nation in Southeast Asia with high wages and a very high standardof living index. The main thing that will strain visitor’spocket books is lodging. Food and transportationare still very affordable.

14 Tel Aviv, Israel www.goisrael.com
Tel Aviv is the most expensive cityin the Middle East and it’s fi ttingwith Israel having more billionaires per capita than any other country in the world. But as far as MiddleEastern Mediterranean get aways are concerned, Tel Aviv is still theplace to be.

15 Sydney, Australia www.visitnsw.com
Sydney’s placement in this list owes a lot to the Australian dollar’s strength against the weakened US dollar. Earlier in the decade theUS Dollar was almost 40% highert han it is today and as such Sydneywas a deal. However the city offers such a wealth of tourist attractions so there’s not much a traveller cando except stomach the increased costs of visiting the city.

Christmas in Serbia surpasses all the festivities celebrated by Serbians in regards to the diversity of folk customs and rituals. These may vary from region to region, and some of them now have modern versions that have been adapted to the contemporary way of living. There are a lot of old Serbian traditions associated with the countryside, which have now lost their meaning because more people tend to live in towns and cities. Serbians celebrate Christmas for three consecutive days, and during this festive time, people greet each other with “Christ is born,” which should be responded to with “Truly he is born”. The Serbian name for Christmas is Božić, which is the diminutive form of the word bog, meaning ‘god’. The reason Serbia celebrates it’s Christmas Day on a different day to many other countries around the world is due to the fact that the Serbian Orthodox religion uses the traditional Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian one. This means that Christmas Day falls on 7th of January, with Christmas Eve on the 6th of January.

Christmas Eve

The Serbian name for Christmas Eve during the daylight is Badnji Dan, and after the sunset it is known as Badnje Veče. On this day the family makes preparations for the oncoming celebration. The Badnjak and straw An important part of Christmas Eve is the ‘badnjak’, and there are many regional variations surrounding the customs and practices of this. Traditionally early in the morning the head of each family, usually accompanied by several male relatives, selects and fells the tree from which the log will be cut for their household. When the head of household finds a suitable tree, he stands in front of it facing east. After throwing grain at the tree, he greets it with the words “Good morning and happy Christmas Eve to you”, makes the sign of the cross, says a prayer, and kisses the tree. He then cuts it slantwise on its eastern side, using an axe. Some men even put gloves on before they start to cut the tree, and from then on never touch the badnjak with their bare hands. The tree should fall to the east, unhindered by surrounding trees. Its top is removed, leaving the badnjak of such a length that allows it to be carried on a man’s shoulder, up to about 2.5 meters long. Once in the home, each badnjak is leaned vertically against the house beside the entrance door. In the evening, a man of the family brings their badnjak into the house. Stepping across the threshold, right foot first, the man greets his gathered family with the words “Good evening and happy Christmas Eve to you.” The woman of the house greets him back, saying “May God give you well-being, and may you have good luck”, before throwing grain from a sieve at the man and the badnjak he carries. Immediately after the badnjak has been brought into the house, or immediately before in some places, an armful of straw is spread over the floor. The reason behind this tradition is simulating the connection of the household with the earth, (or others say this is a symbol of the stable/cave where Jesus was born).

Dinner

Christmas Eve in Serbia is the last day of the Christmas fast, so after the ceremony of the badnjak and the straw has been completed, families gather and share a Christmas Eve dinner. The head of household makes the sign of the cross, lights a candle, and incenses the whole house. In some regions it is a custom that he then goes out into the yard, and calls by name pest animals (e.g. wolves, foxes, and hawks) and his personal enemies, inviting them, “Come to dinner now and again in a year, God willing.” This is intended to protect the household from them for a year. Before dinner is served the table is covered with a white cloth, and prior to starting the meal the family all rise and a man or boy among them says a prayer, or they may sing the Troparion (a short hymn). With Christmas Eve being a fast day, the dinner is prepared accordingly, but true to Serbian tradition there is no shortage of food or diversity. One very interesting tradition of this evening takes place once the household members have gone to bed - an elderly woman of the family sticks a knife into the house door from the inside, or alternatively, she might put a hawthorn stake by the door, hanging a wreath of garlic on it. This is done as a protection against curses, witches, and demons. In some families children are rubbed with garlic on the palms, armpits, and soles before going to bed for the same reason. In some regions, men keep watch in shifts by the ognjište (the oak log) during the night, to keep the fire burning.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is called by Serbs the first day of Christmas. On Christmas Day, the celebration is announced at dawn by church bells and in country areas, by shooting into the air. During the entire Christmas Day a custom is to replace a classic: “Hello” or: “Good day” with: “Hristos se rodi” (Christ is born!) and as greeting in reply: “Vaistinu se rodi” (Really born!). Nowadays it’s a habit to call relatives or friends by phone and instead of saying “good morning”, one says: “Hristos se rodi!”

Breakfast and the cicvara

A traditional Christmas Day breakfast always includes cicvara (a dish made of flour, eggs, butter and cheese). One will also find small dry cakes, dry figs and the well known Serbian plum brandy called sljivovica. Sljivovica is a common drink throughout the year however quite often the one served on Christmas Day will be home made and at least ten years old. Another custom is to prepare a bowl in which young wheat is planted to grow during the forth- coming year. This conveys the meaning that the household should be fertile and that the family will have luck.

Položajnik

A great deal of importance is given to the first visitor a family receives on Christmas Day - this person is known as the polozajnik. People expect that this visit will summon prosperity and well-being for their household in the following year; and so this visit is often pre-arranged. Tradition requires that this person should stoke the fire in the fireplace and say “How many sparks, that many sheep. How many sparks, that much money. How many sparks, that much health!” The polozajnik is then offered zito (a Christmas speciality made from boiled wheat) and red wine.

The Christmas meal

The meal that is enjoyed on Christmas Day is the most celebratory meal a family has together during the year, and is therefore often a veritable feast. The traditional Christmas Day menu will include a piglet roasted over the fire of oak tree logs. As this is possible only in the countryside, families in cities will order their Christmas roast pork roast from special bakers who exclusively use oak for the fire. Symbolically the Christmas day meal marks the end of the period of abstinence as well as a ritual in which the food and the pork is considered a sacrifice made to god. Other traditional Christmas table foods include sarma made of stuffed sauerkraut leaves, soup and, in the area of Serbia once ruled by the Austro- Hungarian Empire, a dense soup dish called corba. Dessert usually includes three kinds of cakes and small cookies.

Česnica

The most important part of the Christmas meal is česnica, a special festive loaf of bread baked especially for this occasion. The bread contains a coin, and during lunch the family breaks up the bread and the one who finds the coin is said to be assured of an especially happy year. Traditionally the česnica was prepared using the stalks of the last wheat harvest filling them with kernels of different grains. It is always decorated with braids, birds or roses made of dough. In addition to a česnica, other kinds of Christmas loaves may be regionally baked, each with its specific name and purpose within the celebration. For each male member of the family a round loaf named ratarica is made – the biggest one for the head, and the smallest one for the youngest boy. As for the female members, for each of them a pletenica is prepared, a loaf shaped like a three-strand braid – the biggest one for the woman of the house, and the smallest one for the youngest girl.

Christmas terminology

• Badnjak: The oak log that burns on an ognjište during Christmas Eve and Day, or in church yard on Christmas Eve; leaved oak twigs burnt instead of the whole tree, or used as an ornament in the house during Christmas
• Badnjačar: The man who takes the Badnjak into house on Christmas Eve
• Badnjački kolač: A loaf for Christmas Eve dinner
• Badnje veče: Christmas Eve after the sunset
• Badnji dan: Christmas Eve before the sunset
• Božić: Christmas
• Božićni kolač: A kind of Christmas loaf
• Česnica: A Christmas loaf, necessary for Christmas dinner
• Detinjci, Djetinjci: The third Sunday before Christmas, when children give presents
• Koleda / Korinđanje: A Christmas custom
• Koledari / Korinđaši: Participants in the koleda
• Mali Božić: A folk name for New Year’s Day according to the Julian calendar, literally Little Christmas; coincides with the Feast of Saint Basil the Great
• Materice: The second Sunday before Christmas, when married women give presents
• Oci: The Sunday immediately before Christmas, when married men give presents
• Ognjište: An indoor fireplace without a vertical surround, so the fire burning on it is similar to a campfire.
• Pečenica: A whole pig roasted for Christmas dinner
• Pletenica: A kind of Christmas loaf
• Položajnik: The first person who visits a family during Christmas
• Tucindan: The day before Christmas Eve, when the pig for a pečenica used to be slaughtered
• Vasilica: A little round loaf made with cornmeal and cream, eaten for dinner on Mali Božić

The citizens of Serbia can now travel with a smile on their face with this well respected company, which holds numerous awards for innovations in the world of modern tourism, and whose logo is simply a smile! Regardless of whether TUI’s ‘friendly smile’ logo charms you, TUI ReiseCenter prides itself on “putting a smile on people’s faces” with their exacting standards, and their offering of exceptional comfort, convenience and the safety of organised travel. For these reasons they are confident that you will end up travelling with a smile!

This world renowned tour operator ensures that, no matter what destination or travel arrangements you select - you will always enjoy a sense of security and be assured of the fact that you will be getting the best value for your money.

Wherever you decide to go for your winter holiday, TUI will make sure that even prior to your departure, reliability is secured through the ‘snow guarantee’ or will take care that your winter sports equipment is covered by the relevant travel insurance.

The friendly and smiling staff at TUI will help you select the most suitable winter destination and accommodation, just right for your tastes and requirements. They will be assisted by sophisticated catalogues that will fulfil your every personal request, to enhance your long-awaited holidays. For example, for a seven-day holiday to Austria, at the 4-star Hotel Alpina on a half board basis, prices range from only €399 per person!

TUI specialises in individual travel, understanding that this is what most customers want - to personally create a holiday of their choosing! At the same time customers also want to have a wide choice of hotels, apartments, and villas, and TUI is able to provide all this.

Maybe you’re not such big a fan of winter? How would you like to escape to the warm tropics; to enjoy first class service, sip your favourite cocktail on a white sandy beach and finally know what it feels like to truly relax? If this sounds more like you we can suggest, as an example, 14 days at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic at the 5-star RIU Hotel (all inclusive), from just €899 per person!

For culture lovers we know that you might want to experience something a little more refined than the beach. Why don’t you let us take you to Cuba or Thailand, or just to Egypt ... and we know you will certainly be thrilled!

At the beautiful Canary Islands, you can swim in the sea throughout the year. We can organise a holiday for you to Lanzarote, with a very special offer at the 4-star plus RIU Olivina Resort (all inclusive) for seven days from just €389 per person!

Of course, these are just a small selection of the many ideas we have at TUI. No matter what destination you choose and which method of transport you select, TUI will always be with you to assist and solve any problems, so you can enjoy your holiday and return home relaxed. Welcome to the world with a smile! TUI ReiseCenter, www.tui-reisecenter.rs

It’s no secret that Serbian’s love food. There is a genuine passion for eating and sharing food with friends and family. Meals are to be enjoyed and savoured - everything else is secondary. In fact aside from the friendliness of the locals in this rather unique corner of the world, it is the country’s approach to eating and the heartiness and flavours that appeals to me most. Serbians are not shy about using meat, bread and cheese and I’ve yet to meet a vegan Serbian – though I do know they exist, somewhere. In terms of its heritage, Serbian fare is a real mish-mash of influences and is basically a cuisine that has been shaped by the inspirations of its neighbours from the East and West. In the north, particularly the Vojvodina area, it is easy to recognise typical Hungarian influences and in the south a lot of Turkish. Fusion may be a fashionable term used in all the best restaurants, but here in Serbia it is alive and well and is evidenced in even the humblest of meals. In Serbia people still live and eat at a slow pace - food is to be enjoyed and conversation comes later. In fact it is not uncommon to see a couple on a date silently enjoying their meal, with conversation being kept until later. Serbs enjoy full-flavoured food - often spicy, more often than not fatty, roasted meats cooked slowly, homemade spirits and preserves, and rich, rich deserts that need washing down with copious amounts of coffee or rakija. Hedonism is alive and well in Serbia. We are all familiar with the Serbian culinary ‘standards’ of pljekavica and chevapi but for people who want to experience the true flavours of Serbia, below are some examples of meals that will be put before you in a Serbian home or will appear on a ‘kafana’ table.

Gibanica

My initial introduction to Gibanica was sitting in the back of a Jugo on the prowl for a late night bite to eat, when some one called out “We’ve got Coke, we’ve got pizza, where the hell’s the Gibanica?” That night we ate road-side pljeskavica and it wasn’t until months later that I finally got to try my first taste of this traditional Serbian pastry delicacy. It’s possibly not a dish that would feature on the Weight Watchers ‘recommended foods’ list ... and that’s why it tastes so damn good. Usually made with a white cheese, a pastry called ‘kore’ which is similar to phyllo pastry and eggs; it looks something like a strudel, or can sometimes be served in individual snail-shaped rolls. Aside from burek it is probably one of the most popular and recognisable pastry dishes in Serbia, and is made most often for festive occasions, or simply as a comforting snack. Although gibanica is most commonly made with white cheese, other varieties are made with spinach, meat or potatoes and onions. So cherished is gibanica in Serbia, there is even a FaceBook page devoted to the pleasures of consuming it.


Prebranac and Pasulj

...or ‘Serbian beans’. Yes there is a difference and it took me a while to figure it out. Both recipes use white or the Great Northern bean but the difference is all in the method of how it is cooked. Prebranac is baked and pasulj is prepared on the stove-top. These two dishes are in my opinion the ultimate ‘comfort food’. It’s sort of like the notion of mashed potato... but made with beans instead. Prebranac is quite simply known as ‘Serbian baked beans’. The most basic of recipes stipulates white beans, a lot of onion, salt, pepper, dry ground paprika and oil. It is usual to include some sausages too. It can be served warm or cold, and is one of the dishes traditionally eaten at Christmas time. Pasulj is effectively a very thick soup and is considered by many to be one of the national dishes of Serbia. It is normally prepared with meat (ideally smoked bacon or a smoked sausage, or sometimes even smoked ham hocks, pig’s feet or ribs.). It is eaten mostly during hotter periods of the year due to its low fat content.


Sarma

Sarma is one of those dishes that visitors to Serbia either seem to love or hate - either way it elicits a response! Sarma is the Serbian version of stuffed cabbage and many Serbs serve it for special occasions like their Slava (saints day). From my personal experiences with the dish, it is all about the quality of the meat and the pickled cabbage. Sarma is made from chopped beef and pork meat, rolled into a pickled cabbage leaf and then cooked in the oven. The size of each roll is usually from five to 15cm, depending on what is preferred. Many folk use their own homemade whole heads of pickled cabbage (sauerkraut) known as ‘kiseli kupus’ when making their sarma but it is also possible to buy the product and then do the final preparation at home. The dish is eaten year round but due to its ‘comfort food’ qualities and strong favour it tends to make more of an appearance over the colder months. It is said that sarma are always best if you prepare them in a large quantity, which I think is just a good excuse for Serbians to cook plenty and share them with their neighbours and friends.


Riblja čorba

A common saying in Serbia is “I have not eaten, if not eaten with a spoon!” – in other words it is difficult to imagine a meal, particularly lunch, without a soup or broth. If you enjoy the taste if fresh-water fish and are looking for a hearty winter warmer, riblja čorba (fish stew) is irresistible.Traditionally made with fresh-water or river fish, it can have quite a strong flavour but is balanced nicely with the addition of tomatoes and paprika. More often than not it can have a bit of a kick in terms of spiciness too. Connoisseurs claim the best riblja čorba should be cooked for a long time in order for the flavour to combine; should contain a variety of different fish; and should be spicy but not excessively hot. Being a Serbian speciality of course means that many families have their own ‘secret’ recipe that has been handed down through the generations and, naturally, improved upon with time. And it’s not just for amateurs either. There are numerous competitions every year to award a prize for the best fish broth, which suggests that there is no standard recipe, only excellent chefs and their well-kept secrets. One word of warning ... the čorba more often than not has bones in it (and not just one or two!) so consume with caution and don’t be dainty about how you approach it as there will be a pile of bones on the side of your plate at the end.


Podvarak

Podvarak is basically roast meat with cabbage. Like many Serbian dishes the ingredients are very simple and involve usually roast pork (or chicken), sauerkraut (pickled cabbage), onions, and some seasonings, which are then combined and baked in an oven. Podvarak can also be made with a variety of other vegetables and additional meats such as bacon, and I’ve even got a friend who says the best-ever podvarak is made with turkey. It is a favourite winter food for Serbians and you will often experience it as a Sunday lunch when visiting locals. In fact for many Serbs one of the highlights of winter is being able to eat podvarak – and I have heard people joke (or not) that they would it eat every day if they could. In more traditional families there is often a ‘family recipe’ for podvarak that has been handed down from grandma, or previous generations, and so with it being such an institution you will often hear Serbs wax-lyrical about how their own family makes this dish better than any other.


Čvarci

Čvarci are effectively deep fried bacon pieces and are a kind of rustic countryside specialty. They are often homemade but can also been found at the green markets. The process of making čvarci involves the bacon being cut into blocks of about two centimetres in size and slowly fried in their own fat - the frying lasts until all the fat has melted away and only the tough crispy pork rind remains. Onion or garlic is sometimes added as a spice but regardless, these little morsels are packed with meaty flavour. As with most traditional pork products, they are considered to be winter food due to the fact that the traditional time for pork processing in the Balkans is late November and early December. They can be eaten on their own as a snack, enjoyed with Rakija or beer, and are often used as an ingredient in other food recipes. This dish will not be found on the Weight Watchers menu any time soon.


Vanilice

This delectable morsel is a favourite of mine - butter biscuits sandwiched together with jam, usually apricot, and dusted lightly with icing sugar. They come in dainty bitesized circles and I am partial to them not just because they are so small and one can consume a larger number with less guilt, but they also look very pretty on a table with tea or coffee. Vanilice are perfect to take to someone’s house if you have been invited for a visit, are great as a small gesture to say sorry and are perfect for gossiping over. Oh...and did I mention that they also have a tendency to melt in the mouth? Yummmmmmm.....

OZREM, Serbia - In a remote Serbian mountain village, they cook up delicacies to make your mouth water - or your stomach churn. At the seventh annual World Testicle Cooking Championships, in 2010, visitors watched - and sometimes tasted - as teams of chefs cooked up bull, boar, camel, ostrich and even kangaroo testicles. “This festival is all about fun, food and bravery,” said Ljubomir Erovic, the Serbian chef and testicles gourmand specialist who organises the bi- zarre cooking festival and has published a testicle cookery book. The food - politely called ‘white kidneys’ in Serbian - is believed to be rich in testosterone. In the Balkans, it is considered to help men’s libido. The festival includes dishes like testicle pizza and testicles in béchamel sauce flavoured with a variety of herbs found in the region. (Source: The Associated Press)

On the Zemun bank of the Danube, beneath the town’s historic quarter of Gardoš, lies a well- know foodie strip where a new restaurant has found its home. This new eatery has been given the highly appropriate name of ‘Talas’, which translates into a ‘wave’ in English. Visitors can easily recognise it by the creamy painted beams that give the place its personal visual identity. If you are familiar with this neck of the woods you’ll remember that there used to be a short-lived restaurant here, but since Talas is a brand new concept, the premises have been completely redone to give a modern swish look with quite a few contemporary details. The restaurant itself is divided into two levels with a spacious patio overlooking the Danube’s promenade. The patio has been done in a soothing beige tone, has an eating section and a drinking one, while the tables are arranged in such a way to give you enough privacy, but not to make you feel isolated. The menu consists of only four pages, which is a good sign, as every long or very long menu is a warning of a restaurant’s lack of clear cuisine vision.

Talas’ menu is made up of two sections that are inspired by cooking ingredients, mostly protein, that come from water and live on land. The first section lists a selection of sea and fresh water fish, which is not a very common occurrence in that most Belgrade restaurants offer mostly frozen seafood. Being near the Danube and in Zemun, which prides itself on having a great fishing and fish-mongering tradition, fresh water fish is a must. The menu’s second section flirts with the Serbian fondness for meat, especially the red sort. There are some less common sweet and savoury combinations of tastes such as pork shanks with pineapple or veal rolls with figs, but there are also some all-time restaurant favourites like turkey with mushroom sauce or lamb. If you need a little help with food and wine pairing, a trained staff member will be at your disposal. Speaking of the wine list, it is extensive and includes an offering from well known domestic producers and some carefully chosen foreign ones.

As the restaurant has a nice selection of fresh water fish we decided to start off with a catfish and pike-perch pate.The dish was creamy in texture, just of the right consistency, mildly seasoned and of a slightly pleasant tart taste. It was plated in a simple and contemporary manner without unnecessary and inedible old-fashioned garnishing. I always pay attention to the bread selection in a restaurant. Although very often a simple accompaniment, the bread basket content is a telltale sign of how detail oriented and dedicated to the client’s enjoyment the chef is. This bread basket had a selection of white and whole grain bread. To my disappointment these were not the artisan kinds, but the ones that are industrially mass-produced. In choosing our mains we relied on the waiter’s recommendation and we highly appreciated his sincerity when he told us they were out of some ingredients for the dishes we were interested in, as they could not find the fresh produce. That fact ruled out our first dish choice and I sincerely hope that it will not become the restaurant’s common practice. Meanwhile while waiting for our mains to arrive we were sipping our aperitifs. My martini bianco was moderately strong but came without an olive for some reason unknown to me. As this has already happened several times in other restaurants I’ll have to check if there is some new cocktail trend. Call me a traditionalist, but I always look forward to an olive at the bottom of my glass. Another thing I noticed was a rather modest choice of lady’s aperitifs.

We did not have to wait too long for our mains to arrive. My companion’s choice was a generous-sized turkey breast dish that came out as a layered cake with tomato, mozzarella and kackavalj cheese on the top. The meat was tender and moist; mozzarella gave the dish a mild milky and creamy taste, while the tomato’s acidity broke the one-dimensional mildness in taste and gave it a needed and balancing freshness and edge. The kackavalj melted on the top rounded the dish up with its squeaky and gooey crust. There was no side of any kind with this dish, but even the simplest and freshest salad would make this dish a complete and satisfying meal. My companion’s salad had all the traditional ingredients of a šopska, but they came with a twist, creating a construction of carefully jointed tomato and cucumber slices topped with onion, paprika and grated feta cheese.

I opted for veal rolls stuffed with figs accompanied by vegetables as a side. A piece of a dried fig was rolled in veal, then rolled in prosciutto, pan-fried and coated in a balsam ic vinegar reduction sauce. The vegetable selection of carrot, broccoli, potato in a skin and courgette, was steamed and it lacked salt, which I was later grateful about but was not aware of it at the time. What actually happened was that the vegetables managed to balance the extreme saltiness of my meat to some extent. Prosciutto already being salty andin combination with the almost intolerably salty balsamic vinegar sauce was too much. From the moment the sauce was in my mouth I could hardly taste or feel anything else from the plate. I am not very keen on a balsamic reduction sauce in general, as its black colour does not look appetising to me at all. This time I had to remove this sauce somehow, which involved unrolling and dissecting the roll in order to eat its edible inner bits. I could barely taste the mild sweetness of the fig and the softness of nice veal meat, and unfortunately the quality of this dish was complete lost due to the unfortunate sauce.

Speaking of sweets and our waiter agreed with us, the restaurant has a small choice of desserts, a cranberry baklava being one. Cranberry is all the rage in some Belgrade restaurants, as cranberries are still a relatively new ingredient to the local food market and diet. I’ve tried a cranberry baklava in another restaurant and have to say that in my opinion the sweet, sticky sugary baklava syrup and phyllo pastry texture do not pair well with acid and watery cranberry meat. Other dessert choices were a good old cheesecake, which having made it to the Belgrade restaurants and cafes menu have not stepped down since, then there was a chocolate gateau, a standard offer of seasonal fruits and a factory made ice-cream. Unfortunately the restaurant either has no a pastry chef or has one who is not particularly inspired. The dessert list is an important part of a restaurant menu and identity, and a short, but effective one can makethe difference. We experienced polite and discrete service. Some evenings there is live music performed by a tamburica orchestra and a DJ. An available parking spot is not easy to find nearby so think about parking your vehicle in a near by street. The prices are on the higher end of mid-priced Belgrade restaurants.

Autumn is the ideal time to go to the spa - for treatment or a rest. In Serbia there are over 1,000 cold and warm mineral water springs, and a great wealth of natural mineral  gases and medicinal mud. In over 53 thermal resorts, the benefits of which even the ancient Romans enjoyed, spa therapies which involve drinking medicinal water or taking medicinal baths have been adapted to treat a wide range of health ailments and diseases. Today, the spas are increasingly returning  to what they once were – places for rest, enjoyment and recreation. Wellness programmes have become very popular in Serbian spas over the last few years. The programmes entail spa therapies which are ideal for preventing illness, restoring physical and spiritual vitality and great form and appearance, renewing skin elasticity and firming neglected muscles.

Vrnjačka Banja spa is located in central Serbia, 200 kilometres south of Belgrade. It rests on the slopes of Goč Mountain and in the valleys of the Vrnjačka and Lipovačka rivers. Vrnjačka Banja has seven mineral springs, four of which are used in spa therapies. The Topla Voda spring, which is unique because it is the same temperature as the human body (36.5°C), is of the carbonic acid homoeothermic variety and is used for drinking and bathing. The cold mineral springs, Snežnik (17°C), Jezero (27°C) and Slatina  (14°C), are of the alkaline-earth variety. For those who prefer rivers and angling, 10 kilometres from Vrnjačka Banja, on the Zapadna Morava River, there is the Podunavačke Bare lakes area, where sporting events also take place. Goč is also an ideal place for hunting, with its managed hunting grounds. Vrnjačka Banja guests can go on organised visits to the nearby Studenica, Žica, Gradac, Sopoćani and Đurđevi Stupovi monasteries, as well as to the remains of the Ras, Maglić, Brvenik and Koznik fortresses.