One of Belgrade's off-landmarks, the fast-food stand Loki was forced to shut down it's operation two days ago. David Dowse posts a fitting farewell to this charming fast food joint. I must say that I can't really feel sorry for Loki's demise, because the owner could have prevented it if he really tried. Not to worry, I'm sure another Loki will eventually pop out somewhere soon. Until then, here's a 360 panorama to remind you how Loki looked like. (comment on Loki is no more)
Couple of years ago we reported about a book in production called "Subjective atlas of Serbia" - The book is now out and it looks great, with witty pictures and commentary. You can check out the pdf edition, but I recommend that you try and buy the book if you can. [via @Vukasin] (comment on Subjective atlas of Serbia)
Girl from the West gives all of you ladies out there six reasons to marry a guy from the Balkans. Great article, and the discussion continues in the comments. (found via @PeckoPivo) (comment on Reasons for marrying a Balkan man)
Chinese market in New Belgrade's blok 70 is already an interesting place, but from 1st of February it will become even more so. Art organization Anonymous said decided to turn this shopping mall into an open art exhibition with works of several Serbian contemporary artists. The Chinatown Market is open everyday except Tuesday from 10-17h, and the exhibition will be there through the entire February, so please drop by. (comment on Art exhibit in Belgrade's Chinatown)
Say you want to visit some place and you want to experience it like locals do. Who do you contact then? You contact the locals willing to show you how they live - and that is what Belgrade Alternative guide provides. They claim on their website that "the time you spend in Belgrade, you will spend living as a real Belgrader" - hopefully there will be an option like this for every major town in the world soon. (comment on Alternative Belgrade Guide)
Have you ever wondered about why there are so many towns called Belgrade in the USA? I'm sure you did. The same question was obviously on director Miodrag Kolaric's mind too, when he decided to visit all five Belgrades in the states. You can find out more about this interesting project if you listen to his interview which he gave to NPR if you go over here and hit that audio link. UPDATE: here's how the story unfolds at Boston.com. (comment on Finding Belgrades)
Find out what dishes and guests were Tito's favorites. [via Dnevnik Eklektika] (comment on Dinner with Tito)
Visual Sound Generation, or VSG for short is a new online magazine specialized in Serbian DJs and local clubbing. Handy if you want to see what's the latest event coming up, and what clubs are currently worth visiting. (comment on Online mag about Serbian club scene)
In this new photoblog, launched just a couple of hours ago, six photo-guys want to let you know how they see Belgrade through their [mostly analog] cameras: Belgrade Raw. Check it out. (comment on Oooh baby I like it raw)
After Sunday Times enlisted Belgrade in it's top five world party cities couple of years ago, this time it's the Lonely Planet with their top ten world party cities, and this time, Belgrade takes the first place. This is maybe nice opportunity to discuss you favorite party places in the city, so feel free to suggest some in the comments or on twitter with the hashtag #belgradeparty. (comment on At the top of the "party cities" list)
When you get tired of cruising the block for the Nth time trying to find a parking spot, or just don’t have the guts to experience one of the busses or trams, and your legs are still sore from the yesterdays bicycle ride, then catching a cab in Belgrade may seem like the best solution. Be careful, though – what may seem as a regular price to a tourist accustomed to prices from his hometown, is often nothing more than a broad daylight robbery. This is because taxis in Belgrade are, in fact, much cheaper than most in European countries. So, its not about the amount of money you can be fooled into giving the cab driver, its about the principle. Keep in mind the following rules and you wont be just another unsuspecting Belgrade tourist leaving the cab with a strange feeling that you could have paid five times less, but a smooth, cool, and very well informed one.
Don’t try to set a price with the cab driver before the ride, you are most likely to be tricked. Stick to the taxi-meter, and always ask for the bill after the ride if you feel that you are being tricked.
Don’t, under any circumstances,
enter one of the vehicles waiting at the train station or at the
airport, unless you really don’t mind giving a lot of your hard earned
money to a guy whose only satisfaction is the fact that he managed to
fool you, and the money will be just a bonus.
Be sure that the cab you are entering has an appropriate taxi sign,
plus a smaller, round sign next to it – the city’s approval that it’s a
licensed cab. Still, remember the previous rule – even if the cab
waiting at the train station or the airport has all these signs, don’t
test your luck with them. Check the Airport section for more info.
If you have the opportunity, always try to order a cab by phone – check
the list and the recommendations. If you are a chatty type, ask for a
cab driver who knows English or some other foreign language, and, if
your lucky, you can also choose the type of vehicle.A new service is
being prepared in Belgrade – the so-called “Elite Taxis” – where
drivers will speak english fluently, drive new cabs and know a lot
about city history and architecture. It’s still unknown whether this
vehicles will be more expensive to rent than ordinary cabs.
Most cab companies charge their rides by two tariffs: day and night. The Night tariff is more expensive and lasts from 22.00 hours to 08.00 in the morning.
For airport transfer and other services Belgrade 2.0 recommends:
NORD UNION TBS – Limo – Car – Minivan Transfer Services – Travel Tours
Tel. +381 63 386 493 Fax:+381 63 298 493
E-mail: nord@senter.co.yu
Visit their website
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tel: (+381 11) 9801, 064-12-88-000
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