Elevate 341

R i tam grada / Rhythm of the ci ty 72 | Beograd » Belgrade ginativeways.The contrast between thepeaceful exterior surrounding summer homes and the awareness that you’re a long way from civilisation while being just a stone’s throw away is exclusive to Ada Međica. GreatWar Island Great War Island, the most serious of Belgrade’s river islands, is protected as an official natural asset of Serbia and a nature reserve for 196 bird species, many ofwhichare endangered.Herenewarrivals feel as thoughthey’ve foundthemselves insomekindof deciduous jungle, provided they avoid the dirt lane that leads them around the entire area of 211.38 hectares. The thickundergrowthand tall vegetationblock views of Kalemegdan to the south and the fairy-taleZemunto thenorthwest, thoughsuch views are not sought in such an atmosphere of complete natural harmony. There’s also roomfor bathershere, onthe sandybeachknownas Lido. Here theDanube is fastflowing andunpredictable, so be sure to stay as close to the shore as possible.There also river taxis carryingpeople to this island fromapoint near the Hotel Yugoslavia, or you can access it via the seasonal pontoonbridge.The reason is clear: to forget about the city as quickly as possible. AdaHuja AdaHuja offers you a four-kilometre-long promenade, but your thoughts will wander even then, as you approach the greatest attraction in the area: a karting circuit that’s the longest in Belgrade. Or as you head for a game of tennis on the nearby courts. Nowadays only rare experienced residents of Rospi Ćuprija, which is connected to the island, can reveal to you the secrets of the ruins of an ancient Celtic necropolis and springs of sulphur-rich medicinal water. All of this illustrates why you should tour all the green oases of Belgrade on the river islands of the Sava and Danube.They have something for everyone, and are everything for someone. ddle of their tour, or at the far end of the lake, they are awaited by a special pleasure in the form of the Aqua ski cable system for water skiing and wakeboarding. Even more courage is required to leap from the “uzletišta” bungee jump platform, from a height of 55 metres. Although Ada also hosts competitive sailing events, the July offer is focused on swimming. It is also possible to rent pedal boats, water bikes and SUP (standup paddleboards). Children are able to try out the inflatable fort on the water, where all games are harmless and fun. Even those who don’t fancy paddling won’t find themselves lacking in activities, given that the heart of the former island boasts a nine-hole golf course, rugby pitch, basketball courts, a paintball terrain, a baseball diamond, badminton courts etc. There is also the Adventure Park, catering for recreational visitors of all ages and fitness levels.The objective is, once again, similar for everyone: they need toovercomeobstacles alonganelevatedwalkwaypositionedbetweenplatforms raised high on trees. Sports anglers also have their own little spot, on the banks of Ada safari pond, nestled in the thick forest on the other side of the earthen isthmus connecting the former river island to the land. You can also travel to the mainland by river taxi, which carries you across the Sava to the New Belgrade side. AdaMeđica Water taxis also carry passengers from the New Belgrade side to Ada Međica, which is practically heaven on earth. Free of electricity mains connections, with the only power available from solar panels, Ada Međica guarantees total peace andquiet. Here you can swimupstream.Thisdiscipline is alsopromoted through a race that’s held in August, while both old and young alike spend July preparing for it. The reward that comes in July is letting the Sava carry you downstream, all the way to the upper tip of the island, where you emerge from the water to enjoy another ambience: observing the numerous river vessels that are anchored here at dusk. The stilt houses located across the islandprovidethe inspirationforanother type of competition: decorating homes and yards in the most imaZbog guste šume zovu je zelenom oazom, a zbog jezera – beogradskim morem Due to it being densely forested it is dubbed a green oasis, and due to its Lake-the Belgrade Sea Ada Ciganlija

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