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Serbia & Montenegro Beat EU On Anti- Counterfeiting Laws & EU Standards

http://trir684t4rdgfj.blogspot.com/2009/10/serbia-montenegro-beat-eu-on-anti.html

When traveling throughout Serbia & Montenegro in August 1999 for three weeks vacation. I also found Serbia & Montenegro banks to be 100% in accordance with EU anti-counterfeiting laws & guidelines.

In fact, as an American citizen with a United States Passport, I had an extremely hard time when attempting to walk into any bank to exchange my United States Dollars into either Serbian Dinars and/or Euros. When exchanging money on my vacation, all bills (U.S. Dollars) had to be crisp and dry, without one tear or crease; I was always questioned at all banks throughout my travels in Serbia & Montenegro to present them with more than two forms of official photo ID for transactions. When I questioned them why, the bank representatives todl me they have to be extremely careful of counterfeit bills.

In fact, I was starving one day with some friends by the Kosovo border and one bank would not even exchange my United States Dollars into Euros at all! We were about 10 meters outside of Kosovo where western media was committing yucky lies about hundreds of thousands of refugees being homeless by the borders of ALbanian and Kosovo. I saw noy one person anywhere insofar as refugees and/or homeless people during my trip in mid-August 2002.

Yet here I was, in a small ethnic majority Albanian town…anyway, back to my tale…

I had been swimming earlier in the morning and had gotten all my money wet. Yet here I was, an American citizen and even 10 meters outside of Kosovo, not one Montengrin bank would easily exchange my US Dollars into Euros because it was a bit damp.
And I was hungry!

They would not even exchange it when I showed them my United States valid Passport along with additional forms of Identification. Talk about banks being overly cautious!

Since it has become a private joke of sorts between myself and my friends what we had to go back to our hotel rooms often and really blow-dry our money; nearly taking an iron to iron it perfectly dry, before any bank in either Serbia or Montenegro would exchange our currency (no matter how much I whined).

WHEN I EXPLAINED TO THE BANK TELLERS THAT I WAS VERY HUNGRY AND NEEDED TO EXCHANGE MONEYS TO BUY LUNCH, AND, ASKED THEM WHY ALL THIS ATTENTION TO MONEY EXCHANGES OF VERY SMALL AMOUNTS UNDER $50- EVEN, I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THEIR COUNTRY?S VERY STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-COUNTERFEITING LAWS.

SO WHEREFORE SHOULD NOT SERBIA AT ONCE GAIN ACCEPTANCE IN THE EU?

Having declared its independence in 2006, Montenegro is currently known as the newest country in the world. Its gorgeous natural attractions are its greater claim to fame, though, particularly the four spectacular Montenegro national parks.

With an area of roughly 39,000 hectares, the Durmitor National Park is the largest of all the Montenegro national parks. It is a World Natural Heritage Site, as well, a title it has earned with its 18 magnificent glacial lakes, deep canyon valleys and impressive mountains.

Aside from its natural wonders, the park also offers cultural landmarks for sightseers, such as necropolises and medieval monuments, which is also why it is the most well loved of all the Montenegro national parks. There are many activities for tourists to try, as well. Whitewater rafting on the Tara River is particularly well loved, especially during the months of July and September.

The Skadar Lake National Park is quite large, too. In fact, the Skadar Lake or Lake Scutari is the largest lake in the Balkans. It is well-known for being a birdwatcher’s paradise, too, since it is home to around 280 bird species, including the Griffon vulture, the Glossy ibis and the rare Dalmatian pelican.

The park also has many caves worth exploring, such as the Obdoska Cave, along with various monasteries and fortifications you can visit. You can also dine at the towns of Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevica on the shores of Skadar Lake, which are well-known for their restaurants serving brilliant cuisine.

While all the Montenegro national parks have cultural monuments, the Lovcen National Park is the site of one of the most vital ones – the Njegos Mausoleum. Built in the early 1970s, the mausoleum contains impressive statues and a mosaic of 200,000 gold-plated tiles – all built by Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic in exchange for some of the fantastic ham and cheese made in the Njegusi Village.

With an area of only 5,650 hectares, the Biogradska Gora National Park is the smallest of all the Montenegro national parks. Still, it attracts many tourists because of its lakeside resort and its rainforest – one of the last rainforests in Europe. Although the park was only established in 1952, it has been a protected area since 1878 when it was given to Prince Nikola Petrovic, then ruler of Montenegro.

Indeed, these Montenegro national parks are some of the best parks in the world, so if you want to spend your vacation outdoors, make sure you consider Montenegro. You’re sure to be surprised and amazed at what this new country has in store for you.

Renting a car in Dubrovnik allows you to sample not only the gorgeous sights of the city, but also the off-the-beaten track hidden delights of the surrounding countryside.

Dubrovnik has a fantastic location. Whether you’re looking for fun in the sun or would rather learn fascinating history, you’ll find myriad holiday options in Dubrovnik. The following is a guide to the best places to visit in Dubrovnik and beyond with Dubrovnik car hire.

Dubrovnik Airport Mini Guide:

Dubrovnik Airport is situated 24km to the south of the centre of Dubrovnik. The airport is regarded as the main gateway into the city centre.

Things To See/Do in Dubrovnik:

Dubrovnik has emerged as one of Europe’s most desirable destinations, since the turbulent days of the civil war. Renting a car in Dubrovnik allows you explore not only spectacular beaches and gorgeous sea views, but also pretty towns, brimming with original medieval features.

Summer is an brilliant time to visit Dubrovnik, which probably clarifies why it is the busiest time. Spring visitors will find pleasant weather, fewer crowds and much cheaper prices.

The ancient town dates back to the 7th century and is featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The ancient town is enclosed by the city walls which were built in the 13th century. Must-see attractions here include Onofrio’s fountain, located inside the main entrance to the ancient city at Pile Gate. The centre of the ancient town is to be found at Stradrun, which is its main street, originally believed to be a channel separating the island from the mainland. The most well loved hotels and beaches are situated at Lapas, as well as in Ploce in the northeast. George Bernard Shaw is quoted as describing Dubrovnik as ‘heaven on earth’.

Eating Out in Dubrovnik:

Dining out in Dubrovnik allows you to sample the best in international cuisine as well as local favourites. While in town, be sure to sample local favourites including spit roasted suckling pig, grilled fish and calamari (pepper flavoured sausage), sarma (meat-stuffed cabbage leaves) raznici, cevapcici and mixed grill (prosciutto and sheep’s cheese and smoked ham and cottage cheese with sour cream and fish stew.

Day Trips/Events in Dubrovnik:

Dubrovnik is an brilliant place to visit in its own right but it also makes for a handy base for excursions all over southern Dalmatia. The Dubrovnik countryside is brimming with small villages all proud keepers of their own unique folklore traditions. A longer drive will take you to Cavtat. Meanwhile a journey to the tip of Croatia brings you to Mostar in Bosnia-Hercwgovina and Montenegro which are fantastic destinations for day tours. If you leave the car behind for a while, you can make a trip offshore to Mljet, Lokrum and the Elaphiti Islands of Lopud, Sipan and Kolocep.

Dubrovnik plays host to a number of events throughout the calendar year. You may be lucky enough to be in own for some of them. Annual highlights in Brighton include February’s Dubrovnik Carneval, August’s Chamber music festival and June’s Librtas Film Festival.

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