Serbia

The next stop along the Danube was on the Serbian side, at the capital city of Belgrade, aka the "White City". The site of many a conflict over the centuries, the strategic city had most recently seen strife in the 1990's during the bloody civil war and ethnic cleansing that wracked the former Yugoslavian states, before the UN put an end to the fighting and seven new countries were born.

The city has apparently been destroyed 44 times, and changed hands 60 times over the years. All things considered, they still seemed like a pretty happy bunch.

We were treated to a driving tour of the new and old city, followed by a stroll through Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress, and the prominent promontory overlooking the rivers. Afterwards, we ditched the free ride back to the boat and chose instead to walk the old town some more, and enjoy a nice lunch at the historic '?' Tavern. Switching to yet another currency, we paid for our lunch with dinar. Ahem.

Back aboard the Aegir, we enjoyed some fireworks over the city before pushing off into the quiet darkness and away from the illuminated facade of the imposing fortress.

Viking Aegir docked alongside Viking Embla on the Sava River

 Yugo!

(courtesy of our Serbian tour guide Milos)
Q: Why do they put rear window defrosters on Yugos?
A: To keep your hands warm while you are pushing them! 

Saint Sava Cathedral

Military HQ bombed by NATO in 1999 and left as a reminder

Draft Lav and pizza snack

Belgrade Fortress

Defending the confluence of the Sava and the Danube

Obligatory shopping in the pedestrian zone

Lunch at The '?' Tavern

Serbian Salad

Courtyard Dining

We had to cross through the Embla to come ashore!

The Serbian flag flies over the Aegir

Belgrade by Night