27th February 2017

Come meet us at the ITB Berlin: The Western Balkans and Via Dinarica Hiking Trail Aim for the Stars

Posted by Samer Hajric

Come meet us at the ITB Berlin: The Western Balkans and Via Dinarica Hiking Trail Aim for the Stars

Named one of National Geographic Traveler’s “Best of the World” destinations for 2017, the Western Balkans’ Via Dinarica Trail is Europe’s new adventure darling. From March 8-12, tourism professionals from the region—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia—will attend the ITB Berlin travel trade show—Hall 4.1, stand 213. Stop by for conversation and daily networking opportunities presented by the Via Dinarica Alliance, the Western Balkans Network, and a host of other operators from the Balkans. Activities include workshops and two trip giveaways.

The Western Balkans also welcome all visitors to attend two special presentations—both on the Pow-Wow (Responsible Tourism) Stage located in Hall 4.1.b:

Via Dinarica Mega Trail: Where Mountain Summits meet the Stars
Thursday, March 9, 15:30 – 16:00
Conservation Tourism: a new model for Macedonia
Friday, March 10, 16:00 – 16:30

#besttrips2017, #itb2017, #viadinarica

Picture courtesy of Adnan Bubalo / Balkanvibe

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Come meet us at the ITB Berlin: The Western Balkans and Via Dinarica Hiking Trail Aim for the Stars

Come meet us at the ITB Berlin: The Western Balkans and Via Dinarica Hiking Trail Aim for the Stars

27Feb2017

posted by Samer Hajric

Come meet us at the ITB Berlin: The Western Balkans and Via Dinarica Hiking Trail Aim for the Stars Named one of National Geographic Traveler’s “Best of the World” destinations for 2017, the Western Balkans’ Via Dinarica Trail is Europe’s new adventure darling. From March 8-12, tourism professionals from the region—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia—will attend the ITB Berlin travel trade show—Hall 4.1, stand 213. Stop by for conversation and daily networking opportunities presented by the Via Dinarica Alliance, the Western Balkans Network, and a host of other operators from the Balkans. Activities include workshops and two trip giveaways. The Western Balkans also welcome all visitors to attend two special presentations—both on the Pow-Wow (Responsible Tourism) Stage located in Hall 4.1.b: Via Dinarica Mega Trail: Where Mountain Summits meet the Stars Thursday, March 9, 15:30 – 16:00 Conservation Tourism: a new model for Macedonia Friday, March 10, 16:00 – 16:30 #besttrips2017, #itb2017, #viadinarica Picture courtesy of Adnan Bubalo / Balkanvibe

The Via Dinarica Hiking Trail a “Best of the World” Destination for 2017

The Via Dinarica Hiking Trail a “Best of the World” Destination for 2017

19Nov2016

posted by Thierry Joubert

National Geographic Traveler magazine has recognized the Via Dinarica mega-hiking trail and cultural corridor—an eight-country route that spans the Western Balkans—as one of its “ Best of the World ” destinations for 2017. The NGT story, which includes 21 of the most interesting places on the planet to experience adventure and authenticity, makes the point that trekkers along the Via Dinarica have the chance to “sleep in remote mountain shelters along the Adriatic Sea, atop the region’s highest peaks, and above the continent’s deepest gorge.” Please click on the link to read the story and National Geographic Traveler’s “ Best of the World ” package. The Via Dinarica is a network of long-distance hiking paths that connect the countries of the Western Balkans. The route traverses—moving from north to south—Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia. The corridor has become a valuable tool, which enables adventure travelers to discover the old world authenticity found in this untouched corner of Southeastern Europe. Being named one of the world’s best destinations by one of the industry’s most trusted magazines further validates the work and cooperation among Balkan-based tourism operators and local municipalities. It also affirms the region’s value […]

Adventure Loves The Western Balkans at the ATWS2016

Adventure Loves The Western Balkans at the ATWS2016

15Sep2016

posted by Thierry Joubert

The Adventure Travel Trade Association’s annual Adventure Travel World Summit (#ATWS2016) is about to start from 19 to 22 September in Anchorage, Alaska. This is one of the most anticipated yearly events for outdoor adventure professionals across the globe. The summit provides a place to learn, to collaborate, and to grow. This year the Western Balkans will be represented at the ATWS2016 by travel professionals from the Via Dinarica Alliance (via-dinarica.org). The Alliance is group of four private adventure tourism companies, which host adventurers along the 2,000-kilometer Via Dinarica (viadinarica.com) hiking trail. The trek traverses Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, and Macedonia. The Alliance—Green Visions (Bosnia and Herzegovina), VMD Adventure Travel(Croatia), Outdoor Albania, (Albania) and Black Mountain (Montenegro) —is also important because it achieves what the trail originally had been touted to do: bring groups from different parts of this contentious area together to work for the greater good of the region, work together to show the world and the region the vast adventure resources in the Western Balkans, and change perceptions. By every indication, this year the Western Balkans entered the world stage of must-see adventure destinations. To make it easy for you to find […]

Via Dinarica Trail and the Western Balkans Network ITB 2016

Via Dinarica Trail and the Western Balkans Network ITB 2016

24Feb2016

posted by Molly Harris

The Western Balkans and the Via Dinarica Trail: Undiscovered Beauty Becomes 2016’s Must-See Region of the Year The western half of the Balkan Peninsula, in Southeastern Europe, is the world’s next must-see adventure and cultural playground. Tourism professionals from the region will be in attendance at the 50th ITB Berlin travel tradeshow March 9-13 — the Via Dinarica Trail and the Western Balkans Network will be located in Hall 4.1/225) — and look forward to sharing future travel experiences with guests. The Western Balkans will also have a special presentation on Wednesday, March 9, from 15:30 – 16:00, during the 11th Powwow for Tourism in the Adventure Stage & Event Area of Hall 4.1.b. All are welcome. *** Holiday escape artists are quickly learning that travel to the Western Balkan countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia means sailing in the Adriatic Sea, skiing in the Dinaric Alps, kayaking in pristine rivers, and hiking on trails among the continent’s last remaining old-growth forests. As well, the region offers top-end gastronomic delights—award-winning wine, truffles, olive oil, cheese, prosciutto, and seafood—and authentic old-world culture. By every measure, 2015 was a banner year for the region. Visitors came […]

The Via Dinarica Hiking Trail and Cultural Corridor

15Feb2016

posted by Jack Barnes

The World’s Best New Mega-Trekking Route Uses Cooperation to Connect the Western Balkans from Slovenia to Macedonia The Via Dinarica hiking trail stretches nearly 2,000 kilometers and traverses the Western Balkans through the mountains of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, and Macedonia. And though travel publications have called the route the world’s best new long-distance trekking path, the trail itself represents only a small part of the journey’s importance. The Via Dinarica is both a cultural corridor and a historic, collaborative initiative among Balkan adventure tourism companies determined to shine an overdue light on this beautiful, misunderstood, and underappreciated corner of southeastern Europe. Starting in the north, the Via Dinarica hugs peaks above the Adriatic Sea and then heads east and south across the Dinaric Alps and the adjacent Sharr Mountain Range. The path connects ancient trading routes and shepherds’ mountain transversals and can be enjoyed as a thru-hike or as a series of day-hikes. Along the way, this cultural corridor links some of Europe’s last remaining old-world traditions. The route provides a lens through which travelers can discover the region’s unique gastronomy, preserved landscapes, heritage, and adventure. The trek crosses over mountain summits—the tallest being Mount […]

Via Dinarica Mega-Trail Video

11Feb2016

posted by Jack Barnes

Showing the Magic of the Western Balkans Novagenus Productions