The Balkans

Hi all:

I am interested in learning more about travel within Kosovo(a) specifically.

I would like to travel there at some point this summer (2005). I can find almost nothing pertaining to travel advice for Kosovo(a) at all, perhaps due to the recent conflict in 1999.

I wonder if any of you know about:
- transportation within Kosovo(a)
- best air route (from the U.S.) or suggested airlines
- mob activity
- general safety concerns/issues
- cool places to visit

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you

It doesn't seem like the most stable of places to visit. There's still quite a lot of unrest going on in those parts. Do a search in Google News for Kosovo. I dare say the travel warnings from most governments would be against any non-essential travel. I'm curious, any reason you want to go to Kosovo in particular?

One place to perhaps look for advice is the lonely planet website - this tends to tell you of any current warnings in the area. I too though much agree with previous posts and say that it is probably not the best area to travel in even if there are no warnings. it is very likely to still be very war trodden and i dont know how they will take to have foreigners there.

Just my opinion.

Nicola

I disagree with Peter and Nickla - Providing you take a few precautions and don't do anything particualrly silly, there's no problem visiting. It's incredible to see, the locals are amazingly friendly and welcoming and some fo the scenery is amazing. Plus, of course, you get to see the aftermath first hand.

Do your research first (some of the border areas for example should be avoided as they aren't really under full control).

Don't be gung ho, overly political (avoid all political/nationalistic signs/symbols and discussions where possible), and don't head off the beaten track without (a) talking to locals and foreigenrs on the ground there and finding out the current situation and if there are problems and (b) making sure someone knows where your going. But for all normal type visits, you have no problems at all and it's a great experience

Hey, I want to thank everybody for their input. I realize that Kosova isn't the most touristic of places, but I have some friends there. I met some Kosovar refugees when I was volunteering back in 1999.

I think as long as I am precautious, I will have a great time. I'm still open to hearing anyone's suggestions!!

Thanks.

Correct name is Kosovo and Metohija.
About transportation on KiM, I cant tell you a lot. The best air route from USA is to Belgrade (there is no direct line), and then from Belgrade to Kosovska Mitrovica by bus. And you are on Kosovo.
There was a lot to see on KiM, but after NATO bombing of Serbia, some Albanians destroyed many Serbian Orthodox monasteries and churchies (approx 120 in last five years) and more than 250.000 Serbs left from Kosovo.
Good to see is Prizren and Sara mountain (, Pec (Pecka Patrijarsija).
I dont recommend you to go to Kosovo and Metohija. Not yet, while a lot of Serbian people is in life danger, you are there as a tourist.
Anyway, if you are going, have a nice trip, and stay for a while in Belgrade and Serbia.
Welcome.

well i suppouse you are a little scared to go throu Albanija, and yes it is still better for you to go throu Kosovo, i dont know about mobile doing ok or not, i suppouse they should do good,

Religion:
Serbian people they are pravoslavia religion (russia)
Albania and other 95 % of Kosovo republic citizen are islamistic religion (that is the main reason the war started for you and the USA here, they just have to many children and the populatin there or here was in 50 years up side done.

They treat their female population very bad, but do not think they will kill you if you visit them, they will be happy to see some tourists and leave them extra money, but i think its not good for you to stay there for a long time then you may be in some kind of problems,....

[ Edit: removed swearing ]

If you cant find better way to travel, come to Belgrade by plane and than take the bus from there to Pristina, Kosovo. There are 2 departures every day, one at 21.30 and other at 22.00, the price is 15 and 10 EUR one way.
For more info on Belgrade - http://www.tob.co.yu/english/index.html
and
http://www.belgradeinsideout.com

hope you'll be able to plan your trip as you imagined, and i hope this helps a bit.
Greetings from Belgrade!

I want to thank you all for responding with your honest feelings, but I must say they seem a bit one-sided. I understand that this is still a current issue that affects many people emotionally.

It is my understanding that while Kosovo(a) isn't currently enjoying an autonomous status, there is controversy about the way in which it is spelled. I personally use "Kosova" because the majority of residents are Kosovar-Albanian, and it is what they prefer.

Hi Caroline,

I hope you have a great trip. Having friends there does make a big difference! I visited Albania back in 97 (?) when there was still some unrest there (probably not dissimilar to Kosovo now), but I was with people I knew and had a guard with me when I left the house, etc.. It was an amazing experience, although I was kind of half-relieved to have left after 10 days. The people I met were some of the most fantastic people I've ever come across and the scenery in Albania is simply stunning. Definitely no regrets. I imagine Kosovo is similarly beautiful.

Let us know how the trip went if you get a chance

Peter