The Balkan War of the 1990s left deep scars on Kosovo, and it wasn't until 2008 that the country seceded from Serbia. Although a turbulent history is still fresh in the minds of many Kosovars, they are optimistic about the future and about the arrival of travelers who come to discover their green, mountainous country. Kosovo brings together an interesting mix of influences: Eastern European, such as the communist architecture in the capital, Pristina, but also Eastern, such as in the city of Prizren, which was part of the Ottoman Empire for hundreds of years. Islamic mosques and Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries alternate, but one thing remains constant everywhere: the hospitable locals are delighted with your interest in their country and welcome you with open arms.