Kindness on the Road: Stories from Serbia’s Heart and Hinterland

Reconnecting in Belgrade

Our latest stretch of travel brought us to the vibrant heart of Serbia: Belgrade. We stayed several days in the capital, reconnecting with former colleagues-turned-friends. Most of them I've known for over a decade from my former business roles. It was not only a walk down memory lane, but also a window into the present — including conversations about the ongoing student-led protests that are currently stirring Belgrade.

In between coffee catch-ups and conversations, we explored the city’s rich history and charm. We wandered through the Kalemegdan Fortress, sipped hot chocolate in tucked-away cafes, and marveled at the scale and serenity of the Church of Saint Sava. There’s something timeless about Belgrade — gritty yet graceful, where every corner tells a story.

A Journey into Remote Serbia

When we left the city, we turned our wheels north of the Danube and then east toward the Bulgarian border. The region we drove through felt markedly different: more remote, less developed, yet full of quiet beauty. We aimed for a small campsite, motivated by the simple desire to do laundry. Unlike Slovenia, where laundromats were abundant, Serbia has fewer options.

Unfortunately, the washing machine at the campsite was broken. But in true Balkan hospitality, the owners — Bronco and his wife — offered to use their private machine. Not only did they wash our clothes, but they also folded every single piece and brought them to our truck. We felt a strong sense of gratitude, even remorse, for accepting such kindness. During our conversation, we learned that Bronco became a campsite owner almost by accident and is still learning what campers need. It turns out, he too dreams of traveling the world in an RV someday.

Challenges on the Road

That night, our heating system failed — again. Water had crept into the storage box, an issue we had faced before. So, I spent the evening draining the excess water and dismantling the heater to help it dry faster. Even during the night, it wasn’t too bad; 20°C inside kept us comfortable. The next morning, with fingers crossed, we fired the heating system up again — and it worked. A warm cabin once more.

History and Hospitality by the Danube

With the truck warmed up, we headed west toward the majestic Golubac Fortress, standing tall by the Danube. For centuries, it was the frontier between European-Christian and Ottoman-Turkish influences. The museum provided a fascinating look into this tumultuous history.

From there, we continued east alongside the Danube, now widened into a lake-like expanse with waves stirred by the wind. The further we went, the more dramatic the scenery became — narrow gorges, steep cliffs, bridges, tunnels, and the occasional castle peeking from the Bulgarian side.

As dusk approached, we aimed to find a peaceful wild camping spot and spotted a path leading into a stone pit high above the road. Hazard lights on, I scouted ahead, but only 50 meters in the small farm track, a local man approached me. Thinking we were in trouble, he offered help. Using Google Translate, I explained our plan. He warned that the steep track would defeat even our powerful 4x4. Then, in true Serbian generosity, he invited us to camp in his backyard instead. Same view, no risk.

After settling in, we hiked up to the stone pit anyway — just to see. Annika and I were fairly confident our truck would have made it, but in the end, it didn’t matter. We had a quiet, scenic spot, far from the road, and the kindness of strangers once again warmed us.

We’ll spend tomorrow on foot, soaking in the fresh air before we push toward the southern border — next targets: Kosovo and North Macedonia.

The Power of Simple Kindness

Travel teaches us many things, but this leg of the journey reminded us especially of the power of kindness. Hospitality isn't about grand gestures — it's about the willingness to open your space, your time, and your heart to a stranger. Whether you're on the road or rooted at home, there's always an opportunity to offer warmth to someone passing by.

You don’t need to travel the world to connect with it — sometimes, it comes knocking right at your door. So next time you meet a stranger, be the Bronco in our story. Offer help, a smile, or even just a moment of your time. The world becomes a little smaller, and a lot kinder, with every act of hospitality.

Explore. Dream. Discover.