Mixed experience in Serbia — beautiful but overhyped

Serbia is undeniably beautiful. Gamzigrad-Romuliana and the area around Subotica have a visual quality that photographs don't capture fully. I enjoyed gibanica pastry and appreciated genuinely warm Balkan hospitality. That's all real.

But Belgrade rough around the edges was more of a problem than I expected based on reviews I'd read. It coloured parts of the trip in ways I hadn't prepared for. I'd still go back, but I'd approach certain aspects differently. A 4 feels generous on a bad day but fair overall.