Disappointed by the tourist experience around Gamzigrad-Romuliana

Gamzigrad-Romuliana in Serbia is extraordinary — the scale and history hit you immediately. But the experience around it has been thoroughly commercialised. Getting there, navigating the crowds, and dealing with persistent sellers around Niš centre made it more stressful than it should be.

Away from the main sites the country improves dramatically. The food (rakija especially) is excellent and excellent and affordable food was genuinely memorable. But I'd wish for a smoother experience at the headline attractions. It's still worth the trip — just lower your expectations around the big sights.