South Ossetia is a self acclaimed nation known to be a part of the Georgian country. The Ossetians previously under the Georgian and Byzantine rule became Christians during the Middle Ages. In 1801, after gaining freedom from the Mongol empire, Ossetia was attached to Russia. However, Georgia claimed them again and then Ossetia was split in two, north and south.
South Ossetia was assimilated by the Menshevik Georgian Democratic Republic, while the north joined the Terek Soviet Republic. In 1992, Georgia made a pledge not to effect any sanctions to South Ossetia though they haven’t relinquished control of some parts of the country.

Presently, South Ossetia’s government though unrecognized is located in Tskhinvali, which is also the largest town in the region. South Ossetia is rich in history and full of cultural monuments. Alkhagori and Java are two other cities in South Ossetia notable for the Lomisi Brewery which produces beer of the highest quality and the administrative district of Georgia respectively.

South Ossetia has stunning scenery, a conducive climate and a rich and balanced mix of flora and fauna, it is a prime destination for biologists. South Ossetia is blessed with many pretty mountain peaks which come to their full glory at dawn or at twilight. There are health spas in the middle of the mountains, and with the famous mineral water, caves and waterfalls, this is a place for those who crave to feel in communion with nature.

If you want to experience the enchanting scenery of the countryside, you will have to board a bus from Tbilisi’s Didube market. The Tbilisi has an energetic Mediterranean countenance, and you can lose your bearings amongst the many labyrinthine streets. The buses leave as soon as they are full and this happens quite early so one ought to get there as early as possible. The place is ideal for mountain climbers but as the trek up hill might take a couple of days, it will be wise to bring adequate supplies.

For those who would prefer an old fashioned excursion, South Ossetia offers various monuments dispersed throughout. Emblems of national pride, a few semi-ruined stone towers, can be seen beneath Mount Narivhoh in the Central Mountains.

A ride along the road linking North Ossetia with the South is a memorable event especially when you consider the number of lost lives in a bid to create this seemingly last link between the two cultures.

Authentic Ossetian food is exquisite and most previous visitors will recommend you try the Ossetian pie, a meal resembling the Georgian khachapuri, but the cheese is substituted with meat.

South Ossetia has a lot to offer her visitors. It is cheap and affordable and you will enjoy every moment of your visit.

Austria is a beautiful country with a diverse landscape which encompasses the imposing Alps mountain range and the lush Danube Valley. There are a number of excellent historical buildings and monuments to visit, and world class museums and art galleries are dotted throughout the main cities and Austria is famous for its culture and has produced some of the most important musicians and composers of all time including Mozart and Schubert.

Vienna is a stunning city and houses one of Europe’s oldest and most respected opera houses, and Salzburg is well known for both its stunning baroque churches and historic building and also for being the birthplace of Mozart.

Things to See and Do
There are many activities and attractions on offer in Austria including:

• Hiking – the Austrian Alps offer a rugged and beautiful terrain which is criss-crossed by walking trails, and you can hike through varied landscapes including stunning glaciers, rocky caverns, pleasant alpine meadows and thick forests.
• Winter Sports – there are a number of top class ski resorts in Austria and all offer plenty of wintersports for you to enjoy including skiing, sleigh riding, curling, skating and snowboarding.
• Steam Trains – one of the best ways to experience the stunning Austrian scenery is to take a ride on the 19th century steam train, which passes through many wonderful areas from lush green slopes through to pretty alpine villages and towns.
• Wine Tasting – Austria is famous for its wines, and you can visit the wine growing regions of Southern Styria, Burgenland and Lower Austria and take part in wine tasting tours, sampling famous varieties from Riesling wine through to the full bodied reds from Baden.
• Vienna Ball – if you have ever dreamed of going to a proper ball, then Austria is the place for you as traditional balls are still held throughout the country and the annual Johann Strauss Ball is an amazing event, held in the stunning Hofburg Palace in Vienna with waltzes and traditional ballroom dances that will take your breath away.

Croatia has for many years been one of the Mediterranean’s best kept secrets as it enjoys all of the fine weather and gorgeous scenery of this beautiful area, without any of the high prices and big crowds of the Greek Islands.

Croatia is growing more and more popular though, and is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s premiere seaside destinations and from here you enjoy the warm blue waters and golden beaches of the Adriatic combined with historic buildings and monuments of various UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Dubrovnik, Split and Trogir.

Top sightseeing destinations in Croatia include:

• Zagreb - this is Croatia’s capital and features a number of historic monuments including the stunning Cathedral, the beautiful tiled roof of St Mark’s Church and the Sabor which houses Croatia’s parliament.
• Zagorje – there are some amazing views out across the rolling hills and wine growing valleys of Zagorie, and there are two historic castles here as well, the Veliki Tabor and the Trakoscan.
• Dubrovnik’s Old Town – this historic walled city dates back to the 13th Century and the Old Town has achieved UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Top places to visit here include the historic Franciscan Monastery and several excellent examples of baroque churches.
• Split – this ancient city was founded by the Roman Emperor Diocletian back in the 3rd Century AD, and at the heart of its historic centre is the Diocletian’s Palace, another UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Trogir – this city was founded by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, and has a number of stunning examples of Romanesque and Venetian gothic stone buildings.
• Brijuni National Park – Croatia has a number of beautiful islands, and the Brijuni National Park is a stunning archipelago of small islands just off the west coast of Istria, which are largely unspoilt and full of natural splendour.

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Many airlines are now offering cut price flights all over Europe, and this has opened up lots of new destinations to the budget traveller allowing them to enjoy some of Europe’s most stunning and historic locations at very little cost.

Here are just a few of the top budget destinations on offer in Europe:
· Prague, Czech Republic – Prague has a lot to offer visitors, from historic buildings through to a vibrant and exciting nightlife, and the costs of accommodation, dining out and shopping are quite low, which makes this an attractive choice for budget travellers. You can also easily travel around the main attractions of Prague by foot as it is a small, compact city and the public transport system is also cheap and efficient and this combined with low cost flights to the area means that you can keep your travelling costs to a minimum.
· Budapest, Hungary – this is another historic European city and like Prague it offers good value for money when it comes to sightseeing, accommodation, dining out and shopping. The transport system is also cheap and there are plenty of things to see and do.
· Rome, Italy – Rome often has a reputation for being an expensive destination, but budget travellers can find much cheaper options if they take the time to look around, and there are some excellent small family run hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and bars which can offer good value for money, often right in the heart of the city so that you will be able to walk to most of the main attractions. Budget flights tend to serve airports just outside the city, but transfer options are often provided by the airlines which will take you into the main city at a relatively low cost.
· Barcelona, Spain – this is a vibrant, bustling city which offers both historic splendour and the latest modern conveniences, and has recently become very popular for stag and hen weekends as accommodation, shopping and nights out are very cheap, and there are plenty of excellent budget hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. There are also a wide number of low cost airlines servicing this city so you should be able to get a cheap flight nearly all year round.