If you wonder what to do over the weekend and you happen to be in Europe, why don’t you drop on the Balkans for the biggest summer event in contradictory Serbia, the Exit Festival.

The jamboree starts today and finishes on Sunday, offering unique and truly amazing experience for all off the beaten track lovers.

Some of the performers on the main stage are more than popular, these are Basement Jaxx, Beastie Boys, Groove Armada (I love them!), Wu-Tang, Snoop Dogg and the oldies The Prodigy. Sure, there are dozens of other bands, so to get idea for the menu, check the official site ExitFest.org

What would it cost? Generally speaking compared to other places and fest Serbia is cheap. 1 euro is exchanged for 61 Serbian dinars (RSD), 1 US dollar is exchanged for 44 dinars. However, the Exit has its own currency TOKENS. Aiming to reduce the reducing queues in bars, these serve only for buying drinks, but if you get hungry then officially you will need dinars. However, do not worry, even you do not have change, dollars and euros will go just fine and will be accepted almost everywhere. The bad thing with the TOKENS is that they can not be re-exchanged for real money after the fest is over, the good thing is that you can visit Exit for a drink next year too.

Serbians themselves are really open and loving people. You know, at the end of the 90’s these had quite a lot internal conflicts splitting the former Republic of Yugoslavia, bombings and embargo. Today all this is just a piece a history left behind. I thinks Serbia managed to emerge thank to its easy going citizens. I haven’t met Serbian who is not fun and tricky person. They are open to foreigners, creative survivors and definitely will surprise you.

The city of Novi Sad, where the festival is held, is worth a walk. You will see a lot of new buildings and bridges over the Danube River, rebuilt after the bombings of 1999. The Old Town (Stari Grad) itinerary includes a few cute churches such as St. George. Also, do not miss the Petrovaradin fortress which however is hard to stay unnoticed.

Serbia is safe, if travelers act wisely. You can be ripped off in your own country too if you lack common sense, leave your wallet unattended or try to rise conflicts.

Young Serbians speak English, but it is not bad to learn the world “Hvala”, meaning “Thank you”. It is polite and nice gesture to the local culture .

Back to the festival, sleeping can be booked on arrival – the exit hotel accommodation is 2 km far from Exit camp (where you can stay too, if you love tent and camping gear)

If you go, please send some pictures. I’d love to feature you and the Balkans on this blog!

- - -
Dobro jutro, Exit Fest!* - (in Serbian) Good morning, Exit Fest!