Here are a few links to start off with
http://www.tob.co.yu/eng/
Tourist organization of Belgrade
http://www.beograd.rs/cms/view.php?id=220
City of Belgrade home page
Monday, November 24, 2008
Flight Information
Hello!
As it turns out, the Swiss flight from Zurich to Belgrade is the cheapest and most convenient option not only from Geneva but also from Sweden and France (we don't know yet about the UK) which means that... Everyone is going to be on the same flight!
This means two things:
1. the party will start on the plane already
and more importantly,
2. it is essential to book as early as possible
So this is just a quick reminder to make sure that nobody is left without a ticket.
Best regards,
Smiljana
As it turns out, the Swiss flight from Zurich to Belgrade is the cheapest and most convenient option not only from Geneva but also from Sweden and France (we don't know yet about the UK) which means that... Everyone is going to be on the same flight!
This means two things:
1. the party will start on the plane already
and more importantly,
2. it is essential to book as early as possible
So this is just a quick reminder to make sure that nobody is left without a ticket.
Best regards,
Smiljana
Visa Information
Dear guests,
Here is some more information regarding obtaining a visa for Serbia, for those who need it. This is the information from the Serbian embassy in Bern. For those resident in a different country, you may need to contact your local embassy.
Who needs a visa?
The following list http://www.ambasadasrbije.ch/EN/konzulat.htm#Vizni_re%C5%BEim: is a list of countries that DO NOT need a visa. Russian citizens also do not need a visa.
Those whose country is not on this list will have to get a visa for Serbia.
How to get it?
- Since the travel date is first of may, visas need to be done in march, not before
- There will be one consular Saturday in Geneva in February or March, i will check with the embassy in January and let you know which day exactly.
- All the requests need to be submitted in person.
- The procedure takes around 3 weeks, and the embassy people will call you directly when the visa is done
Documents required
- invitation letter from a resident in Serbia (I will obtain those from Serbia closer to the date)
- hotel reservation
- travel / accident insurance (recommended but not required)
- form to be filled in at the embassy
So, there is nothing to do at the moment, except contact me for the invitation letter if you haven't done so already.
I will keep you posted with any new information.
The clock is ticking.... 22 weeks till the big party
Regards to all,
Smiljana
Here is some more information regarding obtaining a visa for Serbia, for those who need it. This is the information from the Serbian embassy in Bern. For those resident in a different country, you may need to contact your local embassy.
Who needs a visa?
The following list http://www.ambasadasrbije.ch/EN/konzulat.htm#Vizni_re%C5%BEim: is a list of countries that DO NOT need a visa. Russian citizens also do not need a visa.
Those whose country is not on this list will have to get a visa for Serbia.
How to get it?
- Since the travel date is first of may, visas need to be done in march, not before
- There will be one consular Saturday in Geneva in February or March, i will check with the embassy in January and let you know which day exactly.
- All the requests need to be submitted in person.
- The procedure takes around 3 weeks, and the embassy people will call you directly when the visa is done
Documents required
- invitation letter from a resident in Serbia (I will obtain those from Serbia closer to the date)
- hotel reservation
- travel / accident insurance (recommended but not required)
- form to be filled in at the embassy
So, there is nothing to do at the moment, except contact me for the invitation letter if you haven't done so already.
I will keep you posted with any new information.
The clock is ticking.... 22 weeks till the big party
Regards to all,
Smiljana
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Useful Information
Useful Information
Since most of you have never been to Serbia/Belgrade, we have a few tips to get you started. More details regarding the organization of the weekend will be sent closer to the date to those of you who decide to honour us with your presence.
RSVP – in order to get our plans finalized, we would appreciate if you could confirm attendance before February 1st 2009
Getting there – from Geneva the easiest and most reliable airline is Swiss via Zurich, which costs around CHF 500 return trip. Most other airlines also fly to Belgrade.
Visas – most EU countries, as well as US and Canada do not need a visa to go to Serbia. To make sure, please check the embassy website http://www.ambasadasrbije.ch/EN/konzulat.htm#Vizni_re%C5%BEim: to see if your country is listed. If not (for example China), visa can be obtained from the nearest embassy. There is no embassy in Geneva. Contact us if you need a visa, we will write a letter and help you with administration.
Accommodation – we have pre-reserved Hotel Balkan at a 10% discount for 3 nights: check in Friday 01. May 2009, check out Monday, 04. May 2009. You can see the place at www.balkanhotel.net. Your reservation needs to be confirmed before March 1st 2009 using the enclosed form. You are of course free to choose a different hotel, but the bride and groom and most of the guests will be staying here.
Getting around – the most reliable and cheapest way to get around Belgrade, to and from airport, to and from the church and the wedding party is taxi. Taxis are extremely cheap (about 20% of Geneva prices)
Budget – prices of drinks and food out in Belgrade are about 60% those of Geneva. Taxis are only 20%. Shopping is about the same as in Geneva. The wedding party is paid for, on Saturday you will only need money for taxi and tips for the music (prepare small bills)
Currency – the Serbian currency is Dinar, at the exchange rate around 80rsd to 1eur or 50rsd to 1chf. Credit cards are generally accepted, and there are plenty of ATMs and exchange offices in town.
* Update: Good news for those whose base currency is Euros or Swiss Francs - the economic crisis unfortunately hasn't avoided Serbia, so Dinar has recently fallen, which means that you get more bang for your buck. At the same time, bad news for those earning their money in Dinars...
Timing
Friday (public holiday in Europe) – arrival, free evening
Saturday – wedding, all day occupied
Sunday – either departure or tourist visit in Belgrade organized by us
Monday – departure
Communication – people in Serbia generally speak English. Nevertheless, here are a few phrases: dobar dan = hello ; pivo = beer ; hvala = thank you; svadba = wedding
Important numbers – Smiljana’s RS mobile: +381-63-7008125; Smiljana’s CH mobile: +41-79-7779401; Chris’s CH mobile: +41-76-3552142
We are looking forward to welcoming you in Serbia!
Hello!
As you can imagine, we've been very busy sending out the invitations and organizing further details regarding the Big Day. Most of the preparation stages are now done, we have booked the hall, organized the church and the band and sent out our invitations.
On sunday at 14h we are going to see the Foire de Mariage at the BFM building in Geneva (on the river by Usine), if anyone is interested, you're more than welcome to join us.
Now that most of you have received your invitations, and some of you have confirmed already, I urge the guests to book your flights earlier, since pretty much everyone will be flying out from Geneva on friday, and there is only one flight per day (Swiss via Zurich)
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our friends and family for sharing our excitement about our wedding!!
We will keep the blog updated, so you can find all the important information here :-)
Cheers,
Smiljana
As you can imagine, we've been very busy sending out the invitations and organizing further details regarding the Big Day. Most of the preparation stages are now done, we have booked the hall, organized the church and the band and sent out our invitations.
On sunday at 14h we are going to see the Foire de Mariage at the BFM building in Geneva (on the river by Usine), if anyone is interested, you're more than welcome to join us.
Now that most of you have received your invitations, and some of you have confirmed already, I urge the guests to book your flights earlier, since pretty much everyone will be flying out from Geneva on friday, and there is only one flight per day (Swiss via Zurich)
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our friends and family for sharing our excitement about our wedding!!
We will keep the blog updated, so you can find all the important information here :-)
Cheers,
Smiljana
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