Novi Sad is the 2nd largest city in Serbia with over 350,000 inhabitants. However, when compared with Birmingham, Britain’s 2nd City which has a population of over 1 million people, it may appear small. Once you are there though you will find that doesn’t mean that there is a lack of culture or things to see or do. You will find that the size of the city will allow you to fully explore Novi Sad and it will quickly feel like a second home.  

There is a café culture in Novi Sad, and with it being a University town there is a healthy number of bars and clubs that will appeal to all tastes. You may find yourself dancing to the latest Euro-beats in a club one night, while singing gypsy songs arm-in-arm with locals in a basement wine bar on another.  

The Danube River flows through Novi Sad and offers the opportunity to swim and sunbath on the man made beach throughout the summer months.  

Novi Sad is located at the centre of the Northern State of Vojvodina, one the most multicultural regions of Europe. People of various nationalities and religions have been living in this corner of the world in harmony for centuries, and that is why it is so easy to fit in.  

Vojvodina offers a complete range of natural habitats to explore including marshland, forests and even desert. There are thermal and mineral springs, as well as famous fishing spots.  

The unspoilt landscape of Fruška Gora National Park provides a beautifully peaceful area to walk and rest, while also housing some of Serbia’s best vineyards. There are also a number of monasteries tucked away among the hills of Fruška Gora, each one uniquely decorated.  

The famous Petrovaradin Fortress, which literally translates as a ‘Castle on a rock, firm as faith’, guards over Novi Sad and is definitely worth a trip. Its construction was completed in 1780 after nearly a century and offers the chance to walk the complex of catacombs beneath it, as well as an insight into the complex history of the region.  

The Petrovaradin Fortress may seem an unlikely venue for one of the biggest music festivals in Europe, but the levels and acoustics allow a huge variation of music to be performed simultaneously on different stages across the sight. Exit festival attracts 150,000 visitors over the four day period in July, and with acts such as Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada, Robert Plant, Snoop Dog and The Prodigy, it would be a highlight of your summer. An added advantage would be that you would have accommodation in Novi Sad already with your placement, and so would not have to brave the campsite. Have a look at this link for more information.  

Belgrade is only an hour and a half bus ride away and offers yet more culture and nightlife.  

The capital city of Serbia is one of the oldest cities in Europe, dating back over 7,000 years. It has seen its share of destruction over the course of history. A good starting point for a visitor is the Stari Grad. This is the oldest part of Belgrade and a number of museums can be found here.  

The Kalemegdan Fortress sits above the meeting point of the Danube and Sava rivers and provides a view of New Belgrade and far off into the distance. The park on the sight is a favorite spot for couples to stroll and for elderly men to meet for a game of chess. The fortress itself houses a military museum and sports facilities.  

There are many museums, shopping centers and churches throughout Belgrade meaning you may need a few visits to take it all in.