Travel Like a Dictator in Romania, Serbia and Yugoslavia

Here’s an unusual way to travel that you probably haven’t thought about. Why not travel like a dictator?

In Serbia there’s a travel agency called Vecol Tours that lets you follow in the footsteps of Bosnian Serb war crime leader Radovan Karadzic. It costs only about $10 and takes you to the wartime leader’s former home, the bar he frequented, the place he was arrested, and to the Serbian war crimes court.

Remember former Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito? Then head to Slovenia’s Lake Bled, where his summer house is now available to rent. The 10-room guest house is even where the dictator entertained other repressive leaders.

In the Romanian resort town of Timisoara, the former summer home of dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu is now a 4-star hotel called the Villa International.

And, if you’re in for some adventure, go to the Republic of Abkhazia, which is just a ferry ride away from the Russian Black Sea town of Sochi. You know what’s there? You get to rent out Josef Stalin’s summer getaway. Talk about dictatorship—with an upgrade.