Viewed from Belgrade's mighty Kalemegdan fortress, the blending waters at the confluence of the Danube and Sava are a metaphor for Serbia as a whole. While Novi Sad is sophisticated and central European in atmosphere, Novi Pazar's Ottoman architecture has the flavour of the Orient and the Guca festival is characterised by the raucous music of Roma trumpeters.
Meanwhile, outdoors enthusiasts will be excited by the sheer variety of landscapes - from Europe's longest and deepest gorge at Derdap, to the mountainous forests of Tara National Park.
Fully updated for this fifth edition, Bradt's 'Serbia' is crammed with all the practical and background information you'll need to get the very best out of your stay in this captivating country.