Serbia, Belgrade 1

Belgrade is the bustling capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the polluted Sava and the clean Danube rivers. The city has a population of over 1.1 million, making it one of the largest cities in Eastern Europe. It is one of the oldest prehistoric settlements of Europe, in

Sarajevo Museums

Sarajevo City has numerous fine museums; some are traditional and others are unique and unusual. The most traditional is the National Museum built in 1913 with its Roman and Illyrian sculptures surrounded by Doric columns, as well as the priceless Sarajevo Haggadah Jewish Codex book. Adjacent to the National Museum is the daunting Sarajevo War

Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mostar City

Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region. The city is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country. The Old Bridge, built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, is one of the city’s

Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sarajevo City 1

Sarajevo is a ‘tough’ city, that is, it is clearly in recovery mode from the devastation by the Serbian armies in the ’92-’95 Yugolslav War. It is also in recovery from a forty year communist controlled lifestyle in which life was sparse with little hope of personal prosperity. There are plenty of remnants and reminders

Croatia, Zadar

Zadar is an ancient city, built in the center of the Croatian Adriatic, full of historical and cultural monuments. It is three thousand years old, a city with a tumultuous and dynamic history. It has been destroyed, looted, devastated by succeeding civilizations, however, each time emerging stronger, richer and more beautiful. Zadar appeared for the

Croatia, City of Split

Split, on the Adriatic shoreline of Croatia, is centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the 3-4th century Emperor Diocletian fronting on the bay and city port. The population is about 178,000 and a metropolitan area numbering up to 350,000. It is the largest Dalmatian city and the second-largest city of Croatia. Modern life continues

Montenegro, Podgorica City

Podgorica is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city’s position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers on the fertile Zeta Plain and the Bjelopavlići Valley has been conducive to settlement since Roman times. The city is close to winter ski slopes as well as resorts on the Adriatic Sea. The

Croatia, Dubrovnik City

Dubrovnik is a major Croatian seaport city on the Adriatic Sea coast of Croatia and one of the most attractive tourist destinations on the sea. Its total permanent population is about 43,000, with several thousand visitors arriving every day. In 1979, the city was appointed to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. It is

Montenegro, Kotor City

Kotor is a coastal city in Montenegro, secluded in the southern end of the Gulf of Kotor. The Bay is one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea and is sometimes called the southern-most fjord in Europe. The city has a population of about 14,510. This picturesque old Mediterranean city is surrounded by

Gay Life in Montenegro 2012

GlobalGayz interview with Zdravko Cimbaljevic, (former) director of LGBT Forum PROGRESS in central Podgorica; with an additional description of Juventas  and Montenegro Gay Portal   Lay of the Land and Culture Montenegro is often overlooked as a tourist destination. Indeed it is often overlooked in general or looked down upon politically, economically and ignored for industrial

Albania, Butrint Ancient City Ruin

Butrint was an ancient Greek and later Roman city. Today it is an archeological site 14 kilometres south of the Albanian town of Saranda near the Greek border. It was known in antiquity as Bouthroton in Ancient Greek and Buthrotum in Roman Latin. Located on a small hill it overlooks the Vivari Channel. It was

Ukraine, Lviv Photos 1

Lviv is the largest city in western Ukraine and is regarded as one of the main cultural centers of the country. The old heart of Lviv with its 19th century buildings and cobblestone roads survived World War II and then the Soviet occupation largely unscathed. There are many industries and institutions of higher education such

Ukraine, Lviv Photos 2

Lviv is the largest city in western Ukraine and is regarded as one of the main cultural centers of the country. The old heart of Lviv with its 19th century buildings and cobblestone roads survived World War II and then the Soviet occupation largely unscathed. There are many industries and institutions of higher education such

Ukraine, Kiev Photos 2

Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is a progressive stylish and educated city with magnificent church architecture, world class museums and a long history of invasion and occupation. Today it vibrates with modern life, high tech, antique shops and vegetable markets .  

Ukraine, Kiev Photos 1

Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population is about 3 million. It is a major industrial, scientific and cultural center for Eastern Europe. It is also the location for many  industries, schools and universities and

Greece, Corfu Island, Achilleion Palace

Corfu is a resort island in the northwest of Greece where Greek mythology once flourished, where European royalty secluded and sunbathed and modern tourists swamp the beaches and hills in the summer season. On a hill overlooking the Ionian Sea is the beautiful Achilieion Palace built in 1890 by Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Bavaria

Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine

Yalta is an historic resort city that bubbles with modern life, cruise ships, shops and restaurants and a long waterfront promenade along the Black Sea. Surrounding the city are snowcapped pine covered mountains, vast vineyards and sprawling suburban townships. Since the 19th century the city was a health spa for health impaired aristocrats and commoners

Balaklava, Ukraine

Balaklava is today a sleepy and charming harbor town with yachts, cafes, high hills and a 15th century Genovese castle ruin. Its history goes back 2500 years. However, it’s history is darker and more ominous than now meets the eye. In the mid 20th century here was located an enormous and highly secretive Soviet nuclear

Turkey, Istanbul 2012

The ancient city of Istanbul is divided into Europe and Asia, old and modern, tradition and innovation. Muslim tolerance, magnificent mosque Ottoman architecture, a beautiful location on the sea, and the countless high and low end eateries, all make this city a universally appealing place to live and visit.  

Ohrid Lake, Macedonia

Ohrid Lake is one of Europe’s largest (about 20 miles long) and deepest (about 1000 feet) lakes. It is on the western border between Macedonia and Albania. The town of Ohrid is in Macedonia and is a charming, church-filled ancient settlement with Roman ruins, an appealing lakeside promenade, waterfront cafes, a medieval fortress and magnificent

Odessa, Ukraine 1

Odessa, Ukraine is a lively commercial, industrial, touristic port city on the Black Sea. It was once the valued seaport for the Soviet Union. Today it still houses some of Russia’s naval ships, by agreement until 2036. The city is famous for it Potemkin  Steps, 192 granite steps (installed in 1841) that lead down to

Odessa, Ukraine 2

Odessa, Ukraine is a lively commercial, industrial, touristic port city on the Black Sea. It was once the valued seaport for the Soviet Union. Today it still houses some of Russia’s naval ships, by agreement until 2036. Each year the city mounts a ‘Carnival Humorina’ with a colorful parade of revelers in costumes, funny facial

Gay Ukraine Up Close

Introduction Here are two personal testimonies from gay Ukrainian men who know well the ardors of living gay in Ukraine. The first is from a well know TV entertainer and singer who quit the scene rather than be humiliated. The second is by an angry man who has felt confined and limited by his society

Gay Life in Liechtenstein

Introduction The principality of Liechtenstein is a charming mountainous landlocked country sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria where “Gay Life in Liechtenstein” is generally comfortable. That is to say, since the entire population of this tiny independent country is only about 35,000 an organized  gay ‘scene’ would be so small as to be virtually nonexistent. Mostly,

Gay Life in Luxembourg

Introduction A person who happens to be gay (LGBT) in 21st century Luxembourg is fortunate to live in safe protective place with freedom of expression. “Gay Life in Luxembourg” is a right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness like any other citizen of the country. Here is high tolerance of homosexuality and most gays