Spring and the approaching summer bring a need for the overburdened residents of Serbia's capital to occasionally find a breath of fresh air away from the bustling Belgrade crowds. Just an hour's drive, the heart of Serbia, Šumadija, offers a perfect opportunity for such a reprieve.

This area provides almost everything: from healing mineral baths and mountain trails to royal vineyards and prehistoric underground sites, all at affordable costs that appeal to both modest and substantial budgets.

Šumadija is a picturesque and enchanting region, recognizable by its lush forests and scenic landscapes. It often evokes comparisons to the famed Tuscany, and many who visit often stay longer than they originally planned. The area, known in folk songs as: "Šumadija, who would leave you?", stretches between the Sava and Danube rivers to the north, Velika Morava to the east, Zapadna Morava to the south, and the Kolubara river to the west.

Aranđelovac: Mineral Baths, Caves, Bukulja, and Historical Orašac

For most Belgraders seeking a short trip, the ideal choice is Aranđelovac. Just an hour away, this town nestled at the foot of the Bukulja mountain, with the nearby Venčac range, is an excellent place for a quick break. The Bukovičke Banje Park, with its famous mineral springs, spans about 22 hectares and is a unique open-air exhibit of sculptures made from white Venčac marble, the only one of its kind on the Balkan Peninsula.