If you’re like me and are always looking for new and exciting places to visit, I have just the right thing for you: Bosnia and Herzegovina. A place often forgotten, unexplored and sometimes deemed to be dangerous. I remember taking my friend for a visit and her parents were worried, still having fresh memories of the breakup of Yugoslavia and the war that tore the country apart afterwards.
Twenty years after, Bosnia is much more than a former battle zone. Whether you visit during the summer or winter, there is always something to do. If you’re a fan of skiing, half an hour drive from Sarajevo will lead you to one of the best skiing spots, Jahorina. Once a host of the Winter Olympic Games, finding your right track shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re more like me and enjoy basking under the sun, Bosnia has only one coastal town, Neum. Going to Neum is an adventure in itself, if you’re traveling through Croatia, you would have to cross the border twice in order to reach the southernmost region. So if you’re a passport stamp lover, you can look forward to getting double the fun.
But the real jewel of Bosnia is of course Sarajevo; the capital city promises an unforgettable experience. It is a blend of many cultures and ethnicities. A place where you can find mosques, churches and synagogues all next to each other. In the heart of the city you will find one street that resembles Istanbul and another one that looks like Vienna. If you’re lucky to become friends with locals, they will treat you like family. And trust me, it is a good family to be a part of. You will be fed non-stop, no matter the time. The food is heavily based on meat, so if you’re a vegetarian you might get a few strange looks. But don’t worry! Try pita, a pastry-like dish, that is sold on every corner, filled with cheese, spinach, potatoes or even pumpkin.
So if you’re looking for a great experience on a small budget, Bosnia is the way to go.
Image: Jasmina Kerla
