Serbian monestaries & wineries

Serbia's Orthodox Christianity is a cornerstone of the nation's cultural identity. There are more than 200 medieval monasteries in Serbia, and we were humbled by the beauty of the few we visited. We were inside one when evening vespers started, and I was transported back in time with the monks chanting ancient words, in traditional clothes, with the focus that comes with a life dedicated to a spiritual practice.

To balance things out, we visited a home based winery and sampled some delicious wines. When we arrived, the winemaker asked about our ancestry, and hearing that Aaron's dad's family came from Romania, he smiled and waved us inside. The wine maker is keeping the traditions of his family alive, but his kids have more modern paths. The underground wine cellar was cool, and our host was very hospitable, making the case for Serbia being a country of acceptance, not hate.

This portion of the trip had some van troubles with a dented bumper and getting stuck in a narrow road turned slippery from some rain. The video is a bikeride view on the winding road that Aaron had to back us down when we couldn't get enough traction to get up the hill. We were helped by some amazing Serbian men and waited for the roads to dry so we could more easily drive out.Läs mer