Cameron’s Balkan Odyssey
What’s it like to travel from the Alps to the Aegean by way of seven European capitals? Cameron Hewitt, guidebook author and frequent MNT guest, is just back from an epic adventure through the Balkans. His fresh-from-the-rucksack report includes highlights from Sarajevo, Belgrade, and Kosovo to Lake Ohrid and Albania’s up-and-coming beaches. Cameron also discusses how the Balkans offer an off-the-beaten-path alternative to soaring prices and crushing crowds and talks through planning a trip to this remarkably diverse land of stunning natural wonders, fascinating cities, and wonderful locals.
– Cameron’s Blog Post on Balkans Travel Tips: https://blog.ricksteves.com/cameron/2025/02/balkans-travel-tips/
– Cameron’s Memoir, “The Temporary European”: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/temporary-european
– Rick’s New (New York Times Best Selling) Book, “On the Hippie Trail”: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/hippie-trail-book
– Best of the Adriatic Tour: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/croatia/adriatic-tour
– Funky Tours: https://funkytours.com
– Croatia & Slovenia Guidebook: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/croatia-guidebook
– Virtual Event on Croatia & Slovenia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlzhe0AM9Tk
– Cameron’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HewittCameron
– Cameron’s Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/travelwithcameron/?hl=en
– Planning a trip to Europe? You’ll find lots of free travel information at https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/
– Subscribe at http://goo.gl/l6qjuS for more new travel talks!
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8 Comments
I understand that landmines are still an issue in some of these areas. Are there any precautions besides following signs and normal avoidance of trespassing? Are there any border crossings to avoid, such as Serbia-Kosovo? Are there potential issues with crossing into Serbian areas of Bosnia and other enclave/exclave type areas?
From one train enthusiast to another – well done 😊
Super informative. I love this series. Thank you Cameron Hewitt
Good to see Cameron always explained so well
I love hearing from Cameron, and this made me want to visit the Balkans one day!
The Balkan Mountains, which give their name to the peninsula, are almost entirely in Bulgaria. It's funny how my home country shaped the history of the entire peninsula and Slavic culture, yet it is always somehow excluded. The reason the Western Balkans use parts of the Latin alphabet is that the countries there are desperately trying to distance themselves from Bulgarian culture.
The churches of Drecan Gracanica and Pec were built prior to the movement of the Slavs in the Balkans. If you start to look closely under the ceilings paints, you will roman catholic church which Albanians adhered to prior to the Ottomans invasion. Religious sites should not be used as political tools.
Hi Cameroon! Thank you for visiting Balkans, and it was an honour to have you here and work with you. We hope to see you again in the Balkans. Check us out at 17:25 🤩