Bosnia & Herzegovina
June 3 - June 5, 2022 (3D2N): BIH marks the last stop during our visit to the Balkan region: Croatia - Montenegro - Bosnia & Herzegovina. We visited the two most popular cities in BIH - Mostar and Sarajevo and even visited a nuclear bunker on our way to Sarajevo. The county is divided into two federal entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Republika Srpska (RS); as such, you will cross constantly between FBiH and RS during your journey below (no passport needed). The best way to enjoy the country is by driving as it is full of beautiful nature with dramatic rocky mountains and turquoise blue rivers.
*Highly recommended food & hotel
Day 1 (Mostar):
Drive to Mostar from Kotor (~3 hrs; be prepared for the long lines at border controls).
Lunch @ Prkarna Stecak* (Try the burke w/ ground beef & Jabukovača)
Check-in @ Pansion Villa Cardak* (Amazing hospitality!)
Kajtaz’s House (Old Ottoman house; 2 euros; closes at 4 PM)
Climb to the top of Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque
Sniper tower (Abandoned building with beautiful graffiti left from the Bosnia War)
Shop @ Mepas Mall (Pull & Bear | Terranova)
Dinner by Neretva River @ Hindin Han*
Kriva Cuprija/Crooked Bridge (A wedding celebration was happening when we were there)
Day 2 (Tito’s Bunker/Sarajevo):
Early drive towards Sarajevo (Pit stop near Komadinovo Vrelo for the beautiful view)
10 AM tour: ARK D-0: Tito's Nuclear Bunker (Highly recommended!! But getting here is a bit tricky - you can either map to Travel Konjic - Neretva Rafting to get tickets and directions or cross the river from Spiljanski Most and follow the sign from there)
Grad Konjic:
Stara Ćuprija Konjic (Beautiful bridge)
Trebevic:
Drinks @ Cafe by the cable car station
Check-in @ Hotel Central* (Splurge for the Junior Suite for less than $100/night)
3 PM-5:15 PM: Sarajevo Essential Free Walking Tour*:
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and Clock Tower
Baščaršija Square & Sebilj Foutain
Kazandziluk (Oldest street in Sarajevo)
Murder Place - Latin Bridge (The assassination spot of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria)
Saborna Crkva (Old Orthodox Church)
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus & Sarajevo Roses
Dinner @ Cevabdzinica Nune
Pool/steam room @ Hotel Central Club & Spa
Cocktails @ Deco Bar*
Coffee & tea @ Divan*
Drinks @ La Cava Beer Club
Shop @ Choco Loqum
Day 3 (Sarajevo/Zagreb):
Drive to Zagreb (~5 hrs; be prepared for a very long line at the border crossing to Croatia).
Other points of interest | Food & Drinks:
Mostar:
Dine @ Konoba Taurus
Visit Dervish House
Sarajevo:
Baklava @ Baklava ducan
Sarajevo War Tunnel (Close to the airport; 9 AM-5 PM;10 BAM)
Tips:
When crossing the border from Montenegro to BIH, we were asked to show our “green card” (proof that the rental car is insured).
Take advantage of Amex Centurion Loung and visit the speakeasy (1850) if you fly out of JFK T4.
The convertible mark (BAM) is the currency of BIH, but most places will also accept the Euro or US dollar.
