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NewsMarch 25, 2017March 25, 2017

Greek Independence Day

On the National Independence Day, Greeks mark the anniversary of the beginning of the revolution for liberation from the Ottoman Empire March 25, 1821.

In 1821 the Greeks rebelled against the Ottoman Empire which occupied Greece nearly 400 years, which eventually led to the war for independence.

Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lavras, and it is speculated that the exact date could be March 25, which he himself admitted that happened at the end of the month, so the event gradually got associated with the religious feast of the Annunciation.

Besides Greece and Cyprus, the Independence Day of Greece is also celebrated by many Greeks abroad, a large procession became common in the cities all around the Unites States where the Greeks have made their homes, including Boston and New York.

Every year, the US president announces the proclamation which reminds citizens of the contributions of Greece to democracy, and all current contributions help the Greeks in their new communities around the world.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Must see in Bosnia and Herzegovina PlacesMarch 24, 2017March 24, 2017

Ruište-untouched jewel of nature

The historic and beautiful city of Mostar is usually associated with the Old Bridge and Neretva river. But these historic places are not the only things this area has to offer.

Located just about 20km north from Mostar is Ruište, untouched jewel of nature situated almost at the bottom of mountains Prenj and Velež. It has an altitude of 1,703 metres (5,587 ft).

This place is among the richest European places with oxygen content in the air. Surrounded by munika trees, a rare and endemic species, this area is also well known for its rich beauty among nature lovers.

In addition to picnic lovers, hikers and nature lovers, Ruište is also visited by athletes who prepare themselves here for high profile competitions.

This mountainous area in winter becomes the favorite place for skiing.

Ruište is also just one of the stops for real adventurers and mountain climbers who pass is on their way to conquer the Prenj mountain, which has six peeks above 2,000m and the tallest peak is the Zelena glava at 2,155m.

Before the war, Ruište was an attractive excursion place for people from Mostar, nature lovers and people who come to spend their vacation in nature, those who go to one-day and two-day trips, and those who enjoy barbecues. This place is visited all year round – in winter there is snow, and in summer a lot of people come here to get away from the high temperatures in Mostar.

In summer, when in Mostar heats up to more than 40C, the temperature in Ruište does not exceed 25C, and at night the temperatures drop so it is necessary to take extra blanket for sleeping.

Bosnia and Herzegovina PlacesMarch 23, 2017March 23, 2017

Sarajevo Airport

The city of Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Located on the Miljacka River, this city is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps.

Its center has museums commemorating local history, including Sarajevo 1878–1918, which covers the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, an event that sparked World War I. Landmarks of the old quarter, Baščaršija, include the Ottoman-era Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque.

In case you have missed it, read our previous post – Short road trip from Sarajevo to the south of Herzegovina.

Sarajevo is connected to the rest of the world by a network of regional roads, international flights, rail and bus lines. Visitors from countries in the region and those carrying passports of the USA, Russia, Australia and Canada do not require a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, nor do citizens of EU Member States.

The Sarajevo International Airport ( also known as Butmir Airport) is located about 12km from the city center.

International airline companies such as Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Swiss and FlyDubai, connect Sarajevo to many cities and countries around the world.

It is also important to know that the airports in Mostar and Tuzla are both about a 2-hour drive from Sarajevo and they offer flights to Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Netherlands and Italy.

According to the statistics, in 2015, 772,904 passengers traveled through the Sarajevo airport, compared to 323,499 in 2001.

GastronomyMarch 22, 2017March 22, 2017

Wine in the region of Herzegovina

According to an age-old recipe and with the help of the latest technology, a new generation of wine that will mark the future has been produced in Imperial vineyards Mostar. And only someone who remembers past can write about future. Imperial vineyards Mostar are located in Gnojnice, 12 kilometres far from Mostar, and cover an area of 100 ha.

The best and number one quality wines of the region are produced in this area. A territory of Herzegovina is very rich with sunlight(on average 2300 hours of sunshine a year). Rocky terrains enhance a reflection of the sun with its positive effect on grapes, resulting in top-quality production of grapes.

When the Ottoman Empire arrived to the region of Herzegovina, the wine producing gradually declined during the 16th, 17th and 18th century until eventually stopped.

Later on winemaking as industry became a significant source of income in Herzegovina in late 19th century, when the first exports of wine to Western Europe were made. This trend continued by expanding to the markets in the rest of the world.

Today Herzegovinian winemakers want to be worldwide recognized for their unique grape varieties Blatina and Žilavka. Their goal is to present themselves in the whole world through these two vines that carry the scent of earth and the power of Herzegovinian sun.

The largest wine region in Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the area of Brotnjo (Čitluk). The crown of each season is the annual cultural and economic event “Days of grape harvest”, which has been taking place for the last 60 years.

Social MediaMarch 21, 2017March 21, 2017

We don’t have special needs-World Down Syndrome Day

CoorDown, Italian nonprofit organization for people with Down syndrome, examines the term “special needs” in its latest PSA, using humor to highlight how their needs might not be so different from those of anyone else.

They released a PSA that humorously explains why the expression “special needs” doesn’t make much sense..

Film directed by McClammy Wayne presents various humorous scenarios where Down syndrome people have “special needs” with a twist. This film maybe goes a little way to changing how people view those with Down Syndrome. Take a look and decide for yourself.