Hotel Rtanj on Kopaonik Montain is back in business!

Several months after a fire nearly destroyed it, one of the best known hotels on Kopaonik is back in business.

Rtanj is located right on the ski slope called Mali Karaman (this slope is serviced by a four-person double chair ski lift) and it sits on 1.786 meter about the sea level. Built in 1962 this mountain retreat first became known as the home of the GSS (Serbian mountain rescue service). For several decades, it was a place where students and other younger people used to stay during the ski season, mainly because of Rtanj affordable prices. Of course, with those came also a relatively low level of comfort and an aging interior that somehow managed to keep a lot of charm in spite of crackling wooden furniture and crooked main staircase.

Then the fire came and nearly put an end to Rtanj’s long history. The blaze that broke out in May 2013 took over the upper floor and luckily didn’t leave any casualties. But, in the wake of this unfortunate event came the possibility for a long aviated upgrade. Now, Rtanj looks more like a high end ski resort than a crumbling mountain hotel. Apart from the interior, the building itself was enlarged and now has another floor.

Now, you can stay in Rtanj and still get that phenomenal location for skiing, and also get a great place to stay and relax during your holiday. If this sounds good to you, check out Rtanj official Facebook fan page for more details.

Kopaonik National Park

National park Kopaonik is located in central Serbia, 230km from the capital Belgrade. It is accessible from two corridors - Josanicke Banje and Brisa.

Although its one of the biggest nation parks, it doesn't cover the whole Kopaonik mountain; its situated on a flat region, a plateau caller Suvo Rudiste, and is surrounded by mountain peaks.
Around 118 square kilometers of protected forest and other mountainous landscape are incorporated in the park, and there are 12 separate zones (Kozje rocks, Vucak, Mrkonja, Jankova pond, Gobelja, Barska river, Samokovska river, Metodje, Jerak, Suvo rudiste and Duboka plain)

These zones are classified as ''special interest'' areas, because of the animal and plant species that live there, and are intentionally isolated and additionally protected (I'm not sure does this mean that they are no-go areas for tourist). Local laws, as well as a number of different international conventions regulate the park.

Of all the wildlife species that are living in the park, its variety of birds is probably most famous; those include scops owl, rock partridge and red-backed shrike. Bigger species of mammals like wolfs and bears are a rarity.

I have never visited Kopaonik National Park, but I have traveled to Kopaonik Mountain - the landscape is beautiful and often simply stunning. I can only imagine what the park looks like, but I can bet it's even more picturesque, due to it's protected status.

If you're into bird watching or are interested or love untouched mountain scenery, Kopaonik National park is the perfect place for a one-day visit.
For more info - kopaonik.net