COVER STORY
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Ajvar
A bright-orange relish made from
red bell peppers, ajvar (pronounced
“ayvar”) is a recognizable specialty
of the Balkan region. It is typically
eaten in autumn and winter as a sauce
or a side-dish, and it comes in two
varieties: mild and spicy. Serbia boasts
excellent ajvar with countless local
varieties, and many families protect
their recipes, passing them on from
generation to generation.
My Secret: To shop for homemade
ajvar, explore one of the city’s
greenmarkets with their colourful
bustle. For instance, Kalenic market
has a nice selection of local produce
coming from different villages. If
you prefer to save time, look for
Bakinatajna (Grandmother’s Secret)
branded ajvar, available in major
supermarkets for roughly 400 dinars
(Rs 230).
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Local designer items
Belgrade is praised for its creative vibe, and
there are many young artists reflecting this
atmosphere in their work. The Serbian capital
is a great place to buy designer items for
your home and wardrobe since the prices are
lower than in Western and Central Europe—
this is why they call Belgrade “the cheaper
version of Berlin.”
My Secret: The best place to shop for
small items such as printed T-shirts, fashion
jewellery, stationery, and porcelain, is
Savamala neighbourhood, Belgrade’s most
hip going out area. Located here, KC Grad
and Mikser House always have a fresh
selection of items made by young local
designers. If you want to shop for clothes,
shoes or furniture, Choomich Design District
in the city centre is the right address.
Meet Anna Rostokina
A Moscow girl, Anna settled down in Serbia a few years ago following her love to the Balkans.
She works as a translator and a language teacher and enjoys exploring her beloved city of
Belgrade, the region and beyond. She also takes great pleasure in writing and translating poetry,
doing yoga and hiking.
travelsecretsmag.com monsoon issue 2016 Travel Secrets 33