An Englishman in the Balkans.

In this episode, join me as I explore the captivating journey of Helen Reynolds Brown, a British expat living in Belgium, who found her dream holiday home in the picturesque coastal region of Montenegro, near the ancient city of Kotor. Helen shares her incredible experiences, insights, and adventures in this enchanting Balkan paradise. Discover why Montenegro, with its stunning landscapes, diverse...

Welcome, to a replay edition of the podcast, where we're taking a trip down memory lane to 3 years ago, when Tamara and I sat down to discuss a cherished tradition here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Zimnica (or winter food). You can Download Tamara's Recipe HERE Preserving Tradition: Exploring Zimnica in Bosnia and Herzegovina I’ve experienced this tradition since I got together with Tamara, so I tho...

In this episode of we're delving into a topic that holds immense significance in the region: independent media in the Balkans. Joining me to discuss this is seasoned journalist, media analyst, and Balkans expert, Bojan Stojkovski. Bojan and I embark on a thought-provoking journey through the complex landscape of media independence in the Balkans. We delve deep into the challenges, triumphs, and un...

In this episode I give you a brief update about our return from our holiday in Montenegro. I post a weekly newsletter update on my substack and thought that maybe you might like to hear it as a podcast. Let me know what you think of that idea ? Thank you for being a part of our podcasting community, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting content in the future. You can support my work, b...

Welcome to this final episode of our mini series about life in Croatia through the eyes of another Englishman, Mark Whitfield. This is the third instalment of a three-part series, where I’ll be finding out about . how difficult it is, or maybe not so, a business in Croatia. Mark gives some valuable insights into daily life living in the north of Croatia near the small town of Štrigova. You can fin...

Welcome to "An Englishman in the Balkans," the podcast that aims to encourage people to explore Bosnia and Herzegovina. We talk to fascinating individuals not only from Bosnia and Herzegovina but also those who have come to this country or, like me, live here. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Nadja Gydat, an extraordinary woman who hails from Switzerland but has now made Visoko, just outsid...

In this episode of the podcast, ! we are delving into the vibrant world of folklore in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country where culture and tradition play an essential role in its identity. Dita Bajrami-Vrbanjac, the current Director of the folklore troupe based in Travnik, and passionate folklore enthusiast, explains the fascinating realm of Bosnian folklore. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, each major...

Welcome to this edition of "An Englishman in the Balkans," where I am continuing a micro-series about life in Croatia through the eyes of another Englishman, Mark Whitfield. This is the second instalment of a three-part series, where I’ll be finding out about . how difficult it is, or maybe not so, a business in Croatia. Mark gives some valuable insights and practical tips, of setting up a busines...

Join me in this captivating episode as we delve into the fascinating world of self-sustainability in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Ivy Šibinčić. Ivy is at the forefront of the self-sustainability movement in her region, working tirelessly to empower local communities and promote eco-conscious practices. During this conversation, Ivy shares her personal journey and the challenges she faced while advo...

In this episode, David goes on a mesmerising journey to the charming town of Travnik in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. This time he travels solo, leaving behind Tamara, and shares the wonders he encounters along the way. Travelling by bus through the scenic landscape of Bosnia, David provides essential tips for those eager to explore this beautiful country. Passing through the spectacular canyon...

Hello and welcome to the podcast, where in this episode we look at the legacy of a group of some 55 Italian families that came to the village of Mahovljani back in the late eighteen hundreds. Today all that remains of that Italian influence is its church, high on the hill, vineyards that those settlers founded (and by the way are still harvested and turned into wine), and families with both Italia...

Welcome to this edition of "An Englishman in the Balkans," where I am starting a micro-series about life in Croatia through the eyes of another Englishman, Mark Whitfield. This is the first instalment of a three-part series, where I’ll be finding out about . Marks decision to make Croatia his new home, learning about the intricacies of setting up a business in Croatia, with some valuable insights...

Welcome to another episode of "An Englishman in the Balkans Podcast," where we traverse the rich cultural landscape of the Western Balkans. In this edition, recorded outside in our garden here in the village of Čardačani, I sit down with the incredibly talented Jelisaveta Gluvić-Wragg, a classically trained violinist, who has embarked on a remarkable musical odyssey that took her abroad and brough...

Where have I been for the past two months of not posting a podcast episode? In this episode I bring you up to date an recent events and what you can expect going forward. As an English language podcaster in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I sometimes feel like an outsider, but it also gives me a unique perspective to share with my audience. Living in a small village like Čardačani allows me to experience...

In this episode I’m sat in the reception area of the Marriott hotel in downtown Banja Luka. Why? Because at the moment the first ATP 250 Tennis Tournament is under way in Banja Luka. This tournament is also called the Srpska Open, as Banja Luka is in the entity of Republika Srpska. I have managed to get to talk to David Sammel the coach of British player Liam Broady. I find out about tournament li...

In this episode of the Podcast, I talk to Nebojša Ruzicic from The Banja Luka Dajak Club and take a Deep Dive into an aspect of the rich cultural heritage of Banja Luka, the second city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nebojša is an expert on the traditional Dajak boats, a unique watercraft used by the people of Banja Luka for centuries. We'll be discussing the history of the Dajak, I get a unique chanc...

In This Episode of the podcast I have the pleasure of speaking with Nermin Numić, the co-owner and founder of a travel agency in Sarajevo called Ćejf, which is based on this very concept. “Numa” (thats his nickname) explained that the word Ćejf is derived from the Arabic word kayf, which means pleasure. It's a way of life that is all about finding pleasure in the small things. What's unique about...

In This Episode. In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Martine McNee, a former British military Public Affairs officer, to hear about her 8-month deployment in Bosnia and Herzegovina from late 1997 to mid 1998. Martine shares her experiences during this time, giving us insight into the work she did and the challenges she faced. She also discusses how her time in Bosnia has stayed with he...

In This Episode. In this episode of the podcast I get to know Bella Dominković and to find out so much I never knew about the wines of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It really is a fascinating insight into the wine culture of this country and how Bella is trying to put Bosnia on the world wine map as a high quality boutique wine area. Get full access to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 An Englishman in the Balkans 🇧🇦 at www.ane...

In This Episode Join me as I chat with Kathrin Numić, a German tourism entrepreneur based in Sarajevo. Hear her inspiring story of her journey from Germany to Cape Town and finally to Sarajevo where she has established a small tourist agency with her husband. Discover her experiences of living in a new culture and find out what her future plans are for her business. Get a behind-the-scenes look at...



In this episode I catch up with Danilo Boznić, a local tour guide in Banja Luka. We delve into the potential the country has to become a top travel destination, Danilo's personal experience as a tour guide, and the challenges Bosnia faces due to negative perceptions. We chat about the importance of slow tourism, cultural understanding, and the impact of infrastructure, such as the local airport,...

Welcome to 'An Englishman in the Balkans,' the podcast that will introduce you to Bosnia and Herzegovina, that heart shaped, but much misunderstood country in the western balkans. I'm David Pejčinović-Bailey, and I’m inviting you to join me as we explore this beautiful country from a unique perspective. In each episode, I'll share my personal experiences and insights as an immigrant living in Bosn...

In this episode Tamara and I visit “Chiquita”, a Mexican restaurant in Hanište, Banja Luka. Chiquita is the only venue that serves Authentic Mexican cuisine in the city. Yes, there are Mexican recipes featured on our restaurants menus, but to be honest they really don’t “ cut the mustard ”. Adriana, who co-owns this small restaurant, tells us about the influences she has brought to Banja Luka as w...

This interview was recorded with a few hiccups due to buffering across our feed 😞 In this episode I get to talk to Peter Korchnak, Podcaster and Writer, about the “Remembering Yugoslavia” Podcast . The Remembering Yugoslavia podcast explores the memory of the country that no longer exists. How do people of the former Yugoslav republics remember and imagine their former homeland? “I was born in a...

This interview was recorded with a few hiccups due to buffering across our feed 😞 In this episode I get to talk to Biljana Lipić , a resident of Cornwall in the United Kingdom but originally from Sarajevo. Biljana lives on a boat anchored on a Cornish river. I first found out about Biljana from a story that I stumbled across online. I have to admit that I have always had an interest in narrow boa...