Serbia

General

Admire Novi Sad’s lovely Austro-Hungarian-era architecture, as you stroll through the Old Town. You’ll likely brush shoulders with bubble blowers and jubilant children. The pedestrianized lane paralleling the Danube offers pretty views of the riverside, too. This was one of Shawn’s favorite jogging spots.
Explore the Petrovaradin Fortress complex, and tell time in a different way via the clocktower’s reversed clock face.
Familiarize yourself with Serbian cuisine by perusing bins of overflowing cherries, peppers and strawberries at Novi Sad’s fresh market. I’ll never forget the kind gesture bestowed upon us by a merchant there. When Nada heard we loved ajvar, she insisted we come back the next day so she could give us a jar of the popular condiment she’d made herself. To this day, it’s one of the best we’ve had – smoky and delicious!
Spend the day in pretty Sremski Karlovci, which is a mere 8 km away from Novi Sad. Our highlight? Sipping wine, tasting honey, and learning about beekeeping at the Beekeeping Museum / Živanović Family Winery.

Meander through Subotica’s old town core, with its many pedestrianized streets.
Spend some time admiring Subotica’s celebrated Art Nouveau architecture, most of which dates back to the early 20th century.
Go paddleboating on nearby Lake Palić, or simply promenade along the lake.

Subotica (Lake Palić) – We spent a few – very pleasant – nights in the family-owned Stara Breza Apartments (affiliate link) in Palić. Tiny Palić is only about 7 km away from Subotica. In the early 20th century, Palić was a popular resort town, thanks to its lovely lake. We enjoyed the Stara Breza Apartment’s quiet atmosphere, made even more picturesque by its small fishpond and pleasing garden. It’s about a five-minute walk from the Stara Breza to a bus stop, and the bus there can take you to Subotica in about 15-20 minutes. As of May 2014, the bus-fare for one adult was 86 Serbian Dinar, about $1 USD each way.