"Rakijada" (plumb brandy fest) in Sljivovica village

 

Late April / early May

 

 

 

Šljivovica is well known for its authentic way of production of plum brandy. In this beautiful village on Zlatibor Mountain, manifestation starts with famous SLJIVOVACA toast.

 

Competition on “Rakijada” promotes the best brandy, the best Zlatibor Toast, the best prepared Serbian pie strudel, the most beautiful garden in Sljivovica and best kept orchard, the most beautiful rural folk costume...

 

The event is accompanied by interesting exhibitions such as the exhibition of organic food, exhibition of products of countryside artisans, handicrafts of housewives, an exhibition of Zlatibor beekeepers, an exhibition of fruit products (sweets, jam, prunes, dried fruit products ...)

 

All-day long events follows a rich traditional cultural program interwoven with concerts of traditional folk assembles, traditional music soloists, trumpeters, pipers...

 

 

 

Program:

 

 

 

DAY 1 - MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015.

 

Arrival of passengers to the airport Nikola Tesla in Belgrade.

Accommodation at the Life design hotel (4 *) with the possibility of free use of spa / wellness center.

 

Sightseeing tour of Belgrade. Visit to the St. Sava temple, the second largest Orthodox Church in the world - tour of the historic center of Belgrade - visit to the museums of your choice: National Museum; Ethnographic Museum; Gallery of Frescoes; Princess Ljubica Museum; Nikola Tesla Museum; Museum of history of Yugoslavia; Walking tour through the Belgrade fortress – Kalemegdan

 

Optional lunch in a fantastic restaurant with a beautiful view of the Belgrade fortress and the mouth of the river Sava and Danube, a restaurant of local and international cuisine with an excellent selection of drinks. „Kalemegdan terrace" (complete menu roughly 30 euros per person)

 

Free time.

 

Optional: Dinner in Skadarlija, the bohemian quarter of Belgrade (complete menu roughly 25 euros per person).

 

Free time.

 

DAY 2 - TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015.

 

Breakfast.

 

Departure to Zlatibor Mountain with stop at Oplenac. Visit to the mausoleum of the last Serbian dynasty Karadjordjevic. Visit to the local winery Aleksandrović. Wine tasting.

 

The journey continues to Zlatibor Mountain. Arrival and accommodation at the Mona hotel (4 *) / private countryside households / private apartments.

 

Optional lunch at the hotel / private countryside households / private apartments.

 

Free time.

 

Optional: Dinner

 

Free time.

 

DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015.

 

Breakfast.

 

Free day to enjoy the natural beauty of Zlatibor Mountain - for relaxing walks - for use of spa / wellness services at Mona hotel.

 

Lunch at traditional Serbian cuisine restaurant Perun (price meals around 10 euros).

In the afternoon after departure to the event Rakijada in the nearby village of Sljivovica. Tasting of exposed brandies of local producers.

 

Optional dinner at Rakijada.

 

Return to the hotel / household / apartment.

 

DAY 4 - THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015.

 

Breakfast.

 

Optional excursion to the village of Sirogojno.

 

Sirogojno an outdoor museum - old village includes 40 buildings made of timber, which are here taken from the surrounding villages of Zlatibor, with the aim of the reviving of the typical Zlatibor household from the 19th century. The handicrafts of wool from this region, are very famous. Local knitters are making it in a specific way since time immemorial. The visit includes a tour of the Museum of knitters.

 

Optional lunch at Sirogojno.

 

In the afternoon return to Zlatibor.

 

In the late evening hours departure to Sljivovica village. Evening program on Rakijada with the optional participation in a May Day celebration with the campfire - specific custom among the Serbs for May Day that begins early in the morning after the whole night spent by the campfire.

 

DAY 5 - FRIDAY 01 MAY, 2015.

 

Breakfast.

 

Free time for the May Day holiday on Zlatibor.

 

Optional lunch at the restaurant Tavern 32 (price meals around 10 euros).

 

Departing to the Rakijada event in Sljivovica.

 

Entertainment on Rakijada until late at night.

 

Optional dinner at Rakijada.

 

DAY 6 - SATURDAY 02 MAY 2015.

 

Breakfast.

 

Optional excursion to the Uvac - special nature reserve.

Kayaking on the river Uvac, enjoying the natural beauty of the canyon, meandering rivers and lakes. Nature Reserve Uvac is characterized by exceptional biodiversity. It is home to griffon vulture, vulture species of large size (wingspan of up to three meters).

 

Optional lunch at the restaurant Zlatarski zlatnik near Nova Varos.

 

In return, visit to the monastery Mileševa where you can see famous icon of the White Angel.

 

Back to Zlatibor.

 

Optional dinner at hotel / household / apartment.

 

DAY 7 - SUNDAY MAY 03, 2015.

 

Breakfast.

 

Visiting the small picturesque village Mušvete, famous for the production of dried meat dishes, especially prosciutto. Visiting of prosciutto producers in Mušvet and tasting smoked meat products with the option of buying.

 

Travel continues to Mokra Gora. Driving on "Sargan Eight", the narrow railroad tracks picturesque landscape of the nature park "Sargan – Mokra Gora".

 

Optional lunch.

 

Visit to Drvengrad, ethno village and the project of the famous film director Emir Kusturica. Accommodation in Drvengrad.

 

Free time.

 

Optional dinner in Drvengrad.

 

Free time.

 

DAY 8 - MONDAY 04 MAY, 2015.

 

Breakfast. Transfer to the Nikola Tesla airport. Departure of passengers.

 

The package price includes:

- 7 nights in a 4 * hotel, private household and private apartment on bed and breakfast basis.

- Transfers during their stay in Serbia

- Security schemes and residence fees

 

The package price does not include:

- Transport to Serbia

- Optional lunches and dinners (average meal price is 15 euros per person)

- Optional excursions