Following civil war and the break-up of Yugoslavia, Serbia has survived international sanctions and NATO bombing to emerge as one of Eastern Europe's hottest ‘undiscovered' destinations. The capital Belgrade has plenty to offer, with excellent museums and galleries, a wide range of restaurants and cafes, and some of the best nightlife in southeast Europe.

Away from the capital, Novi Sad is an attractive, lively city with an elegant centre and picturesque fortress overlooking over the Danube. In the far north, Subotica has an array of secessionist architecture and a notable Hungarian character.

The province of Vojvodina, north of Belgrade, has some excellent wetland habitat that is home to numerous bird species, while south of the capital, the countryside consists of lush, wooded valleys with hidden-away Orthodox monasteries. Scattered among the country's more mountainous regions are a number of vast national parks.