Welcome to Bosnia and Herzegovina - a gem of the Balkans

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country (and the former republic of the former Yugoslavia) located in southeastern Europe. The country's territory is bordered by land on all sides, except for the southern border, where the population has free access to the Adriatic Sea. The area is 51,000 km², making the country slightly larger than Denmark. About 4.6 million people live in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The capital is Sarajevo, with a population of just under 200,000.

The Neretva is unique among rivers in the Dinaric Alps region, particularly for its diverse ecosystems and habitats, flora and fauna, and cultural and historic heritage. One of the most priceless biological resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia is in the Neretva freshwater. The Neretva basin is the region's most important source of drinking water.

Bosnia and Herzegovina borders Croatia to the west and Montenegro and Serbia to the east. The government is divided into two parts: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is dominated by Bosniaks and Croats, and the Republika Srpska, which Serbs dominate. On our website, you can easily find a local private tour guide who will take you around the area, share historical and other interesting details about the beautiful places of this country, and create itineraries that cover all the unique corners of the local nature.

Transport

The most common way to travel around the country is by road. In winter and spring, small roads can be blocked by ice and landslides. The road network varies in quality, but roads are often quite good in major cities and surrounding areas. Be very careful when driving at night or in winter. Keep to the main roads. If you want to drive your own car, you must have an international driving license.

Kravica Waterfall is a big tufa cascade on the Trebižat River, in the karstic heartland of Herzegovina. Its cliff is about 26 meters (81 ft), and the diameter of the Lake at the base of the waterfall is 240 meters (780 ft). Kravica is a famous swimming and picnic spot. The best time to visit is April-May, when the cascade is at its fullest, and the surroundings are vivid green. Around the Kravica Falls is also a small grotto with stalactites formed from calcium carbonate.

Enjoy a fantastic holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which offers many beautiful cities full of cultural attractions, as well as unique natural landscapes, including mountains, waterfalls, vineyards, and stunning beaches on the Adriatic Sea in the southern part of the country. In many places, you can see historical monuments and buildings that testify to the country's dramatic history.

Buna is a river in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the left tributary of the Neretva, flowing into it about 15 km downstream from Mostar, in the city of Buna. It is 9 km long and has two tributaries: Posrt, a non-permanent tributary that exists only in winter, and the Bunica, a permanent tributary that flows into the Buna north of the Buna. It is very rich in water: with a flow rate of 43 m3/s, the spring is one of the strongest in Europe. The highest water level is in November, and the lowest is in July and August. There is a trout factory and a farm directly under the spring in Blagay. It is rich in softmouth trout, and eels are also found in the lower reaches. At the very source, emerging from a deep cave in Blagay, there is an old dervish tekiya, mentioned by the travel writer Evliya Chelebia in 1664. Before its source, the Buna flows underground for 19.5 km.

You can choose from a variety of wonderful holiday homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina that suit your needs and from which you can walk in the city or go out into nature. If you dream of a big-city holiday, you can choose to stay in Sarajevo, the capital, which offers many exciting experiences.

And why not stay for the night in a log hut in a virgin pine forest and enjoy the closeness of nature and feel like a part of it?

If you want to go on a cultural journey, you can, for example, rent a holiday home in Mostar, the cultural center of Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you want to eat in a restaurant, you can, for example, order the local Ćevapčići (Ćevapi) dish, which is lamb and beef rolls with a lot of spices, and you will be served flatbread, vegetables, and sauce.

Rakija is a strong Balkan alcoholic drink (brandy) obtained by sublimating fermented fruits. The standard strength is 40%, but homemade brandy can be pretty strong - from 50 to 60%. Rakija can be explored as a classic national drink of the South Slavic peoples and Romanians: it is famous in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Crete, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria. Slivovitz made from plums is extremely common. Other fruits used include quince, juniper, mulberry, fig, cherry, pear, apples, apricots, peaches, and grapes. There is also Rakija, in which various fruits are mixed. Grape and plum brandy are often blended after distillation with other ingredients such as nuts, cherries, honey, anise, and herbs. The main difference from ordinary vodka is the distillation of the final product in oak barrels, which is typical for brandy (cognac).

You can also try the local alcoholic drink Rakija with a sweet taste of 40% ABV. Prices for food and beverages in restaurants and cafes are low, and the portions are large enough to fill up. Of course, you can also dine in your beautiful holiday home and unwind after a busy day.

Places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tunnel of Hope

The Tunnel of Hope is a little way from the center. This place was critical to the survival and lives of many of the city's inhabitants during the Balkan War because food, medicine, animals, people, weapons, and other necessities were smuggled in and out of the city during the siege of Sarajevo. In addition to going down a small part of the tunnel, you can listen to a presentation and view an exhibition. We would recommend the trip to anyone who wants to know a little more about the Balkan War.

The Sarajevo Tunnel, also known as Tunel spasa (Tunnel of rescue) and Tunnel of Hope, was an underground passage constructed in March 1993 during the Siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War. It was built by the Bosnian Army to connect the municipality of Sarajevo, which was completely isolated by Serbian forces, with the Bosnian-held part on the other side of the Sarajevo Airport, an area under United Nations control. The tunnel enabled food, war supplies, and humanitarian aid to enter the city and helped people escape. The tunnel became a primary way of bypassing the multinational arms embargo and supplying the city defenders with weaponry.

Visegrad Bridge (Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge)

The Bridge over the Drina is not only a Nobel book by Ivo Andric but also a real bridge. The bridge over the Drina is located in Visegrad, on the border with Serbia, and has therefore been the center of many wars for a long time. The bridge is beautiful, and the scenery is really emotional! The trip from Sarajevo to Visegrad takes an average of 2.5 hours, but the trip is worth it - the bridge is beautiful, and the scenery is really picturesque. The Visegrad Bridge, or the Mehmed Pasha Bridge, is an 11-span stone bridge 200 meters long across the Drina River in the Bosnian city of Visegrad. It is a significant monument of medieval Turkish engineering art. In addition to visual and engineering merits, the Visegrad Bridge is known for its rich history.

Andrićgrad and Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge
Andrićgrad is a building project settled in Višegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina, by movie director Emir Kusturica. The town is committed to novelist and Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andrić. The complex of Andrićgrad, also known as Kamengrad (Stonetown), was officially opened on June 27, 2014, and is located a few kilometers from Kusturica's first village, Drvengrad, in Serbia. Andrićgrad is situated near the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and extends from the bridge up to the intersection of the Rzav River. After Drvengrad (English: Woodentown), this is the second town Kusturica constructed from scratch. Andrićgrad is to be seen as the backdrop for Kusturica's new movie Na Drini ćuprija, based on the novel The Bridge on the Drina by Nobel Prize for Literature laureate Ivo Andrić.

During the First World War, three arches of the bridge were destroyed, and during the Second World War, five more spans were damaged. In Croatia, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the thesis that the “border on the Drina” is civilizational has existed and been widespread since antiquity, between East and West, Orthodoxy and Catholicism.

Wine and Rakija - authentic taste!

The soils and climate of Herzegovina are excellent for wine production. It is primarily developed in the lower reaches of the Neretva and in the Trebišnica valley, as well as on the low hills near Chitkul. There are also wineries in the northern part of the country, near Banja Luka. Two autochthonous varieties grow in Herzegovina - Blatino and Žilavka, as well as numerous international vineyard varieties.

The wine of the same name is produced from Blatina grapes. Typically, the wine contains up to 15% of the satellite varieties used for pollination.

Blatina has a rich, dark garnet color. The aroma is rich, with fruity and berry notes, and the taste is dense and harmonious. This is a southern wine with a temperamental character. Aged in oak barrels for a year or more, Blatina takes on a palette of prunes, cherries, and chocolate. The alcohol content is 11-12.5 degrees. This wine is supposed to be drunk carefully. It is easy and pleasant to drink Blatina, but behind the external tenderness, the strength of the Herzegovina stone and the heat of the southern sun lie.

Antique wine goblet made of juniper wood with a brass binding and a characteristic smell.

Blatina is best served with meat dishes, especially those cooked over an open fire or game. Beef prosciutto and Kulen, a spicy smoked sausage originally from Slavonia, are perfectly combined as an appetizer with Blatina. Blatina is good with ripe cheese. The combination of Blatina wine tannins with spicy bagged Herzegovinian cheese is the best. The temperature of the wine when serving for consumption should be 18-20 degrees.

If you suddenly get the chance to try Blatina not from a glass but from a wooden Buсara mug, be sure to take it. Bucara, made from juniper wood, imparts a unique tart aroma to the wine.

Another famous local grape variety - Žilavka - is grown throughout the lowland Herzegovina: in the Neretva and Trebisnjica valleys, not far from the cities of Mostar, Chitluk, Medjugorje, Chaplin, Lubushka, Stolac, and Trebinje. It is believed that its distribution originates in the Brotnjo area near Chitluk, where its unique features formed. Žilavka loves a lot of sun and poor stony soils. It will be ideal for it if hot days alternate with cool nights; in this case, the vein acquires a uniquely rich bouquet.

The Halebia Tower on the northeast shore of the Mostar Bridge (Stari Most) and the Tara Tower on the opposite bank has the status of "bridge guardians". The bridge is supposed an illustrative detail of Balkan Islamic architecture and was ordered for construction by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1556. Mostar Diving Club has an office in this building. Stari Most diving is a traditional annual contest in diving arranged every year in mid-summer. It is traditional for the local men to jump from the bridge into the Neretva river. This requires skill and training and is a risky feat as soon as the water in the Neretva is icy even during hot summers. Since 1967 a proper diving challenge became official and annual.

On the gentle slopes of Brotnya, at an altitude of 300-400 meters above sea level, the microclimate is most suitable for the tit. Žilavka tolerates drought well, but an excess of water does not suit it at all. During the rainy summer periods, which, fortunately, rarely happen in Herzegovina, abundant harvests are obtained only from the "stone" vineyards, since the stone provides excellent drainage for the soil.

Žilavka ripens at the end of September. Its clusters, weighing 150-200 grams, range from densely collected to rare. One vine can produce one and a half to two kilograms of grapes, which is enough to make one liter of wine. The winemakers of Herzegovina consider their technical capabilities in this way: the number of vines equals the volume of wine in liters. The grapes are round and medium-sized, with color ranging from green to amber.

Wine made from the vine is usually crystal clear and light straw-colored. With age, the trim acquires a rich, sunny yellow color. The bouquet is characterized by fresh fruit notes: peach, apple, and citrus. A sensitive nose can pick up hints of wild herbs and the slight smell of a sea breeze. The taste of the vein is light and fresh, with a delicate sourness. The wine is straightforward to drink. The strength of the Žilavka varies from 13 to 14.5 degrees.

Sommeliers believe that Žilavka is a wine of “one year”. Usually, by the time a new vintage of wine hits the market, the stocks of the previous year have already been exhausted. Despite this, some Herzegovina wine producers are famous for their barrique trim, which ages the wine for 6 to 18 months in oak barrels. The wine acquires a rich bouquet and an enviable density.

Bag cheese (sir iz mijeha, sir iz mješine) is an authentic product of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such cheese was made by the cattle breeders of the Thracian camps, who settled in these territories hundreds of years ago. The technology is simple and natural, the cheese keeps for a long time, and it is high in calories and oily. Baul is a sheep skin - peeled, dried, and smoked. The cheese bag's skin should be smooth and resemble papyrus. The size of the bag is determined by the proportions of the sheep from whose skin it is made. The bag can hold 20-60 kg of cheese. Goat skin is sometimes used, but it is extremely exotic, as the cheese's aroma is striking on the spot. The cheese smell from the bag is sharp, "wild," and powerful - in 60 days, the cheese ideally soaks up the smell of sheep's skin. Well, since the bag's skin is smoked, the background will have a light smoke aroma.

The cheese is removed from the bag as slices of varying sizes. The color may be yellowish to white. Cheese can easily be crushed with your fingernails. The taste is incredibly salty, seductive, and bright, but not too powerful, as one might anticipate from the smell; its high fat content smoothes it out. Cheese is also added to a variety of dishes, which gives them a colorful taste and piquancy. The appearance of milk contributes to the cheese's color. If the cow spends time on the farm, the cheese will be white, and if it grazes freely in alpine meadows, it will be yellow. In all Herzegovina supermarkets, cheese from a bag is sold in portioned form. Outside of Bosnia, cheese from a bag is not common; they are not used to it yet.

Žilavka goes well with lamb dishes, white chicken meat, freshwater and sea fish, and a variety of seafood. Herzegovinians love to drink Žilavka accompanied by a classic Herzegovinian snack: prosciutto (cured ham) and cheese from a bag. Žilavka for consumption is cooled to 12 degrees.

Mosque of Koski Mehmed Pasha

The Mosque of Koski Mehmed Pasha was built on the banks of the Neretva, the main river of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The construction of the religious building was completed in 1618 at the order of Koski Mehmed Pasha.

The Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque in Mostar symbolizes a monumental, world-renowned, and remarkable piece of Ottoman architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mehmed Koskija, the founder of the mosque, was the grand vizier Lala Mehmed Sokolovic's mosque. Besides the mosque, he also built a mosque. It has a floor with three domes, and an extraordinarily well-crafted mimbar and mihrab. The harmonies of the mosque are special. The Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is precisely located on the precipices of the Neretva River in Mostar's city center.

During its presence here over many centuries, the mosque was repeatedly destroyed during military operations in the area, but each time it and the minaret erected near it were restored. As a result of these processes, the structure was rebuilt in almost every detail. In 2006, the minaret and mosque were reopened for visiting by mosques and tourists. In the same year, the Mosque of the Prophet and the Old Bridge were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage Site.

The minaret and dome of the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, framed by the branches and fruit of a loquat tree, in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mosque is located in the historic city of Mostar, known for its Ottoman-era architecture. The fruit visible is the loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), also known as the Japanese plum, which is an evergreen tree native to Asia. Loquat fruits are typically yellow or orange when ripe and are valued for their sweet, juicy flesh.

For those who wish, there is an opportunity to climb into the minaret, from where stunning views of the city open up. In addition, an interesting feature of this architectural ensemble is a small courtyard outside, where a fountain gurgles and a small garden is laid out. Entrance to the complex is free. The complex is open from 9 am to 10 pm every day except Friday.

Raska Gora

Raska Gora is a village near Mostar, with a population of 235. The ethnic composition of the town consists of Croats (137 inhabitants) and Serbs (98 inhabitants). The city is located on the banks of the country's main river, the Neretva, next to the Salakovac Hydroelectric Power Station. The surroundings are incredibly picturesque. The hill that descends to the artificial reservoir Salakovac, created by the dam, is completely covered with greenery. There are many routes for trekking and cycling in this area. The reservoir is famous among fishing enthusiasts.

The Salakovac hydroelectric power plant was built on the main river of the country, the Neretva, at the exit of the gorge in Bijelo Polje, 17 km upstream from the city of Mostar. The dam is a grand structure, 70 meters high, of gravity type, with three turbines.

Waterfalls Kravica

Kravica, with its waterfalls, is located about an hour from Mostar and is a must-visit when you are in the area. It's wonderful! The water is spotless, calm, and pleasant for swimming. You can swim behind the waterfall, crawl, and jump from the rocks into the river. You can park right at the entrance and walk a short distance. 100 steps down to the waterfall in about 10 minutes.

Kravica, with its waterfalls, is located about an hour from Mostar.

Blagaj – a sanctuary in beautiful surroundings

Try to visit an Islamic temple at the source of the river and take a sip of the sacred river water. 35 km from Mostar is Blagaj- a small town where an ancient minaret is hidden among the rocks, and where the river flows out of the mountain. It is recommended to visit the National Islamic Monument in this city and take a short boat trip to the grotto under the temple.

The spring of the Buna River is the largest in Europe in terms of water volume.

Journey to the Middle Ages - Počiteljj

Počiteljj is a town and historical village in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is an open-air museum. The settlement is located on the left bank of the Neretva River. The earliest record of the Follower can be found in the charters of Kings Alfonso V and Frederick III from 1443 to 1449. However, archaeological evidence indicates that the village arose earlier than these documents suggest. It is impossible to establish the exact date. Still, the fortified city, along with the settlements that complement it, was built by the Bosnian king Tvrtko I sometime in the 14th century.

Architecturally, the stone-built structures of Počiteljorm form a fortified field complex; two stages of evolution are evident: Ottoman and medieval. The trekked Ottoman-era bastion townlet of Počitelje is amongst the country's photo-perfect architectural open-air museums. Topped in a vertical stony amphitheater, it’s a warren of stairways ascending between crumbling stone-roofed huts and pomegranate scrubs. The 16m clock tower stays bell-less, as it has been since 1916. It is believed to have been erected after 1664. It is common for clock towers in Herzegovina to be influenced by Mediterranean-Dalmatian architecture.

Počitelj was coPočitelj a point of great strategic importance. In 1470, after a short siege, the city was conquered by the Ottomans and remained part of the Ottoman Empire until 1877. After the establishment of Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1877, Počitelj lost Počiteljtegic importance and began to fade rapidly as its population declined. As a result, the original urban architectural ensemble has been preserved, and the city has remained in its original form to this day. The entire historic town of Počitelj and its surroundings wPočiteljtantially destroyed during the 1992–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the bombing, the sixteenth-century masterpieces of Islamic art and architecture of Počitelj were utterly destroyedPočiteljst of. The population underwent ethnic discrimination.

The famous Hadji Alija Mosque was built in Počitj around 1564. It was built in the 17th century by Šišman Ibrahim Pasha. The domed mosque is renowned for its unique acoustics. The mosque was renovated in the 1970s, desecrated during the Bosnian War in 1993, and restored in 2003.

Počitelj represents one of Počitelj important and best-preserved architectural complexes within the city walls in the region. The city can be compared to famous world heritage sites, such as the old cities of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Ohrid (North Macedonia), Safranbolu (Turkey), and Gjirokastra (Albania).

Mostar

The story tells us that Stari Most in Mostar was built with steel pins and egg whites, and that to this day it remains an unusual yet unique design.

Mostar is the cultural center of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and if you rent a holiday home in the city, you'll find many exciting cultural experiences waiting for you. The marble bridge across the Neretva River symbolizes the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Christians. The bridge was dismantled during the 90s civil War, restored in 2004, and is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. While walking around the city, you can, among other things, visit the churches, monasteries, museums, and mosques of Koski Mehmed Pasha. You can also see the Turkish House and Bunakilden in the town of Blagaj, near Mostar. Try to enjoy a good atmosphere at Mostar's many cafes while sipping coffee and eating cake, and remember that you can dine cheaply in restaurants.

Sarajevo

Suppose you rent a holiday home in Sarajevo. In that case, you will live in a beautiful, atmospheric city full of cultural and historical attractions, which at the same time offers gorgeous natural surroundings, such as the Miljacka River that runs through the town and the stunning Dinaric Alps in the surrounding area. Having your own holiday home, you can walk, hike or drive at your own pace and, for example, visit one of the main attractions - the bazaar in the old town of Baščaršija.

Handicrafts of famous local Bosnian chasers who make patterned copper utensils

The other exciting sights are the Latin Bridge, where Franz Ferdinand was shot before the start of the First World War. Visit the Old Orthodox Church, the Jewish Museum, the Imperial Mosque, the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Sarajevo Historical Museum, or the Market Square with the Sybil Fountain.

Ćevapčići (Ćevapi), kajmak, and aivar

It is better to stand in line at restaurants with a grill or go into smaller bikes, which smell of grilled coals and meat. Because it is here that locals eat the food they prepare themselves. For example, a dish such as Ćevapčići (Ćevapi), minced beef and lamb rolls seasoned with onion, garlic, parsley, and a mixture of spices such as cumin, chili, mint, fennel, etc., depending on the chef.

A simple way to prepare Ćevapčići (Ćevapi) at home:
Ingredients:

• 500 grams of pork meat from the shoulder
• 500 g beef leg
• 2 DCL of carbonated water
• 3 tablespoons of coarse sea salt
• 300 g of onion
• 1 teaspoon of fine black pepper, if it's a lot, reduce the amount
• 1 roasted and peeled green pepper
• 2 spoons of coarse crushed hot pepper

Preparation:

1. Grind both types of meat twice on a meat grinder, or ask the butcher to do it. If you have "your own man" at the butcher, which everyone here at my place does, first ask him to sort and choose the meat for the cevapi, and bring onions to pass it through the machine together with the meat, if not, grind it at home and add it to the mixture
2. Knead the minced meat with spices, vegetables, and water well, for half an hour at least, with your hands, like a dough.
3. Leave it in the refrigerator all night, if you don't have that much time, then at least three hours.
4. With the help of a special device for making Ćevapčići (Ćevapi), or an ordinary funnel, or with your hands, shape Ćevapčići (Ćevapi). In our country, they are made small, like a little finger.
5. Roast them on the grill until they sizzle and burn a little. It can work on an electric grill, but that's just not it.
6. Serve them hot, with finely chopped onions, salt, and hot pepper, a hilarious cheese and pounded pepper salad, with scones or some buns. Or even without bread, on a "stick".

If you've heard of Ćevapčići (Ćevapi) in other Balkan countries or Turkey, you're not wrong - it's the same grilled meat. However, a Bosnian version is still served, either in a flatbread or on a large platter we share at the table.

For your Ćevapčići (Ćevapi), you get grilled vegetables, onions, a creamy yogurt called kaymak, and a dip called ajvar made from apple cider vinegar, garlic, olive oil, roasted peppers, and eggplant.

Homemade Rakija

Rakija is a local spirit, of which most households prefer the homemade version. It can be bought in many places, in most of the Balkan countries, in fact, and has an alcohol content of around 40 percent to start with. But the Balkan guys like to mix stronger.

It is served in small glasses like brandy and similarly produced by boiling with various wines, cherries, or plums. You might think that a slightly sweet, full-bodied drink is suitable for the evening hours, but for locals, breakfast and Rakija often go hand in hand, just as offers of a glass of Rakija can fall at any time of the day.

Blue and red natural lakes, Crveno Jezero in Imotski

The small town of Imotski is indeed worth a potential line at the border barrier because here you will stumble upon two multimeter holes in the ground, which are said to have been formed as a result of a massive sinkhole in the land. The so-called "failure".

Red Lake (Crveno jezero) is a freshwater karst Lake in southern Croatia near the city of Imotski, located in a deep karst funnel formed during the destruction of an intra-rock cave. The Lake is named for the red-brown color of the surrounding vertical banks, which are covered with iron oxide.

One hole is called “red” because of the red walls surrounding it, about 530 m high. At a depth of 220 m, the “blue” hole does not go so deep into the ground, but the Lake at the bottom is illuminated by the sun, which makes the water completely blue.

Modro (Blue Lake, Plavo jezero) is a freshwater karst Lake in southern Croatia near the town of Imotski. Like the nearby Red Lake, it is located in a deep sinkhole, formed, according to speleologists, by the collapse of a giant underground cave. The maximum depth from the edge of the coast at the top is about 230 meters. The depth of the water depends on the season. In the spring, it can reach up to 90 meters, and in the archives of 1914, it is reported that the water reached 114 meters, flooding the southern bank of the funnel. At the end of summer, the Lake can completely dry up. Blue Lake is a popular tourist and sightseeing attraction on the Balkan tourist routes. In 1908, a hiking trail was laid on the surface of the Lake. In 1943, seismic movements caused a massive landslide, causing the depth of the Lake to shrink significantly.

Since these lakes sit right by the Croatian border, many travelers choose to continue their journey into Croatia as well. The nearby Dalmatian Coast offers beautiful coastal towns, clear Adriatic waters, and historic cities like Split and Dubrovnik. One of the best ways to explore the coastline and its islands is by joining an intimate cruise, such as Sail Croatia's small-ship cruises, which allow visitors to discover hidden bays, charming ports, and some of Croatia’s most scenic spots in a relaxed way.

If a red hole is mostly a view from above and straight into the depths, then a blue hole is an oasis that you can descend into by footpaths. At the end of the paths, there is a Lake in which both locals and passers-by bathe.

Princip's Bridge (Latin bridge), on which World War I began when Franz Ferdinand was shot dead in Sarajevo

Shortly after the Latin Bridge was built in 1541, it was demolished as it was made of wood and was uncomfortable. So it was turned to stone. After 200 years, it was thoroughly washed away by water, but, as the oldest bridge in all of Sarajevo, it had to be restored. In itself, it is the central part of the capital and therefore the first point of contact across the water, but it also has a history that extends beyond Bosnian borders.

Like many surviving structures, the Latin Bridge is now only for pedestrians. There are enough other modern automobile bridges across the Milyacka River - functional and wide. Near the bridge, there is an excellent Museum of the Latin Bridge, where visitors can learn in detail about what happened on that day, which provoked the beginning of the First World War, which changed the world order of our planet so much and consider artifacts recovered during the reconstruction of buildings in the vicinity of the bridge and at other excavation archaeological sites in the neighborhood.

On June 28, the Hungarian-Austrian archduke, who had just survived an assassination attempt, drove across the bridge in an open car. The 19-year-old revolutionary Gavrilo Princip happened to be there. It was he and his Black Hand organization that failed in their attempt to assassinate the duke on the first try. But now he lashed out and shot and killed Franz and his wife Sophie.

In itself, it was a bloody assassination by the 19-year-old revolutionary Gavrilo Princip, but it subsequently reached new heights when the assassination became the starting point of the First World War. Until 1993, the bridge was called the Prince’s Bridge.

Alois Schönn - At the Latin Bridge in Sarajevo.
Friedrich Alois Schönn (1826–1897) was an Austrian history and genre painter. He specialized in oriental historical painting, landscapes, and oriental motifs. He undertook numerous study trips to Hungary, France, the Balkans, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, Galicia, Holland, Greece, Syria, and Palestine. In 1848, he belonged to the volunteer Tyrolean company, took part in the fights in Hungary and Italy, was arrested in Komorn, and condemned to death but released by imperial troops.

Currency

Bosnia and Herzegovina uses a convertible mark (KM); 1 KM = 0.5 euros, but you can also pay in euros. They accept international payment cards in all major cities, and there is good ATM access. Some banks also exchange traveler's checks. Some shops, restaurants, and cafes do not accept credit cards.

Overnight stay

Sarajevo has a large selection of hotels. Right from small questionable 1-star places to 5-star luxury ones. In smaller cities, the choices are somewhat fewer. Gradually, however, several small private hotels and motels began to appear throughout the country.

Opening hours

Banks are usually open from 8:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and are closed on weekends. Shop opening hours: all working days, 8:00 to 20:00. Post offices are open 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays.

Security

The most significant danger is that landmines remain in some parts of the country, especially in rural areas.

Freshly cooked rack of young lamb on the grill in a restaurant in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Food and drink

Bosnian cuisine is a mixture of the region's many different cultures. Specialties include:

• Ćevapčići (Ćevapi) are small sausages made from lamb and/or beef.
• Burek - a pie with cheese or meat.
• Bosanski Lonac is a meat stew cooked over an open fire.
• Filovane paprika - baked peppers with a mixture of beef and rice.
• Jagnjetina - lamb or lamb roasted over an open fire.

Exceptional wines are being produced in this area (read above).

The Old Bridge site, with its pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, Mediterranean, and western European architectural elements, is an exceptional illustration of a multicultural metropolitan settlement. The rebuilt Old Bridge and the renovated Old City of Mostar are the symbols of reconciliation, global collaboration, and the coexistence of various artistic, ethnical and religious communities.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a gem in the Balkans that deserves to be discovered. It's wonderful there. The population is friendly and hospitable. It is easy to get around with a rental car, as most roads are good (the EU pays for many of them). The price level is very low. Welcome!

 

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