It has all started with flight ticket for 22 € from Vienna to Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina and back. I and Maria couldn’t resist. Arriving to Tuzla airport during night and rain seemed like a scene from a terror movie. This small airport was currently under construction but if we were in EU it would had been closed. I would say it was even dangerous for passengers to be at the airport but I guess for local authorities was alright.
It was also first time in my life when we were able to literally walk a hundred meters from the airport and get accommodation. I am not talking about any airport hotel but a small village right by the airport. Next day we even saw cows and goats feeding just a few meters from the airport entrance. What an experience.
In order to visit the best of Bosnia and Herzegovina we had to rent a car. So we did and since we only had 3 days to cover as much as we could we headed to one of the most iconic places in the country, city of Mostar. The way from Tuzla was quite mountainous and very green. It was also rainy and cold. The speed limits in the country are very low. There are almost no highways and many trucks and buses which makes travelling by car very uncomfortable without any chance of overtaking. Eventually after approx. 2 hours we arrived to our first stop Konjic.
I would say it’s a typical small Bosnia´s town. The only thing that makes it interesting is the typical A-shaped Bridge connecting two parts of the town. Since more than half of the population of the country are Muslims you can see mosques everywhere therefore for the most places the biggest dominant features are mosques.
The way from Konjic changed rapidly and we were travelling close to river with stunning views of mountains and cannons. Weather was getting better and temperature was rising. By coincidence we stopped in the town called Jablanica because I saw an interesting bridge and wanted to fly over with drone. Finally it turned out it was a railway bridge which was a scene of a battle during World War II. It was blew up by the locals so the Nazis wouldn’t get to the town. The remains are still there and it was just a perfect scene to film with the drone.
Another great news before leaving for Bosnia and Herzegovina for me was that there are no laws for drones what so ever so it was a heaven for me. I could easily fly wherever I wanted obviously within the limits and basic rules of aviation.
So after a short shooting break in Jablanica we finally arrived to Mostar. Weather was amazing and I was happy to park the car and go explore the city. Our first steps led to the most famous landmark “Old Bridge” in the old town. That’s the place where you want to be accommodated as well because all those small streets with shops, cafes and restaurants with great summer vibe are situated in the old town. Mostar has very Adriatic atmosphere and for both me and Maria it was a great place to stay.
Bosnia and Herzegovina offers great variety of food and we had to try the best in Mostar. In small but Top rated restaurant “National Restaurant Cevabdzinica Tima – Irma” we ordered traditional mixed meat platter. Just for approx. 12 € it was plenty of food not for 2 but for 4 people. It was really tasty and worth waiting in the queue to be seated.
Next day we headed to Bosnia and Herzegovina´s most famous waterfalls. Kravice waterfalls are situated just about 50 minute drive from Mostar. We arrived in the morning and it was the best time to be there. Once all those tourist buses get there you won’t enjoy it at all.
Kravice waterfalls are pretty big and you can even swim there. There is a small entrance fee about 5 € per person. You can stay as long as you want but we only stayed until the first big group of tourist arrived. I managed to make awesome shots from my drone which thankfully nobody complained about and after a cup of coffee and some juice we decided to leave those beautiful and magnificent waterfalls and move to another place.
If you are Christian you shouldn’t missed Medjugorje which has become a popular site of catholic pilgrimage. It is located very close to Kravice waterfalls. Since we didn’t have enough time we decided to skip and head to Pocitelj.
Pocitelj is one of the coolest villages I have ever seen because it is built in a natural karst amphitheater. The village was mostly developed during 16th and 18th century under Ottoman rule. Two main dominant buildings in the village are Mosque and the Fort of Pocitelj. This place was meant to be recorded by drones. I was able to make a stunning footage above this unique place. There is no entrance fee and free parking. It is definitely a place to stop by and walk all the way up to discover its small houses and some of the greatest views Bosnia and Herzegovina has to offer.
Before going to spend another night in Mostar there was last place of the day to visit. Not less famous that places before, Blagaj Tekke must be on your bucket list. Blagaj Tekke is a Dervish monastery located next to the source of Buna river. Although it was very touristy place with many restaurants and tourist shops, it sure was beautiful. If you want to stay for a lunch you have to pay a bit extra compared to typical Bosnia and Herzegovina´s menu prices. There is parking available for a small fee.
After a long day and 3 beautiful places visited we went to our final destination, the capital Sarajevo. Weather had completely changed and it was cloudy and raining. But when you have to explore rain can’t stop you. First of our 2 days we basically spent wandering around the old town trying some local beers and foods. Old town of Sarajevo is way too different than what we are used to seeing in the EU.
Most of the building were really old but It was somehow a unique feeling and atmosphere due to its architecture and style. You could hardly see any reconstruction and all the houses were almost falling apart. In any other city in EU those would be the most expensive estates. However in Sarajevo you could see a house with chickens and hole in the roof on the hill just couple hundred meters above the city center.
I know the city itself has a very sad history and sooner or later the developers are coming to take over the place. Once you stepped out of the old town there were modern shops, new buildings and even a fancy shopping mall built by Arabs from Saudi Arabia under one condition. There must not be any shop selling alcoholic beverages within the shopping mall. As our local tour guide said, we agreed, Arabs built it and we continue to drink outside…
Sarajevo was too good city to skip the free walking tour so on the next day we decided to take the tour “War scars in Sarajevo”. It took almost 3 hours but was totally worth it. You can read more about War scars in Sarajevo in my separated article.
Since food in Bosnia and Herzegovina is all about meat in Sarajevo we had to try the most famous one called Cevapi and headed to typical Cevabdzinica in the old town Sarajevo. Those are the typical restaurant serving only Cevapi. It is a grilled minced meat served with sour cream or just with onions in the bun. You simply say how many pieces you want and after no time you are served this delicious dish. I think the whole dinner with water cost us approx. 6 € and we were both full. It is definitely a must while in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After amazing 4 days and 4 nights in Bosnia and Herzegovina I have to say the country caught my attention a lot and confirmed my close connection to Balkan countries for their nature, people and low prices. To be honest Bosnia and Herzegovina made the best impression and is definitely one of those countries I will return in the future.
