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SARAJEVO
Sarajevo is a city in which even strangers can feel at home. Neither geographically
expansive nor characterised by large buildings, the city retains a particular, arresting charm with its abundance of busy
café's and abiding tradition of hospitality.
The city's breathtaking backdrop of seemingly endless hills and towering mountains
have in a sense always isolated the city, creating a timeless world, which despite its seclusion has always kept its doors
open to the rest of the world. Although Sarajevo is a capital city typified by the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it
also possesses a unique ambience that seeps into the soul.
This city epitomizes a partial centuries-old struggle against outside influences combined
with the absorption of these influences into one of the most diverse cultures in Europe. Indeed, few places on earth feature
an Orthodox and a Catholic church, a mosque and a synagogue within easy walking distance of each other.
If there were any city in Europe that effortlessly straddles east and west, it is Sarajevo. Here the Byzantine and Ottoman
empires of the east and the Roman, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian empires of the west left an indelible mark through culture,
traditions and religions.A walk through Sarajevo is a walk through its past. From the oriental Ottoman quarters lined
with sweet shops, café's and handicraft workshops, to the administrative and cultural centre of Austro-Hungarian times, Sarajevo encompasses the very best of both worlds.
In Sarajevo, people have time for family and friends.
It is often said that a man's wealth here is not measured in his material belongings but rather in his friendships.
BJELASNICA AND IGMAN
These two names are synonymous with the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. The war damage to the Bjelasnica
and Igman Mountain ski centers has largely been repaired, and new hotels and apartments are built.
There are currently three lifts operational on these mountains.
Bjelasnica has the better infrastructure and most challenging slopes while Igman is a bit easier and also has
a children's lift with soft hills to practice on. Bjelasnica has the steepest of all slopes – racing from
almost 2,000 meters to the base at 1,200 meters. It's quite a rush – no lines, no waiting.
LUKOMIR
At almost 1,500m, the village of Lukomir, with its unique stone homes with
cherry-wood roof tiles, is the highest and most isolated village in the country. Indeed, access to the village is impossible
from the first snows in December until late April and sometimes even later, except by skis or on foot. A newly constructed
lodge is now complete to receive guests. From there, you can do some magnificent hiking in the area along the ridge
of the Rakitnica Canyon, which drops 800m below.
Lukomir is known for its traditional attire, and the women
still wear the hand-knitted costumes that have been worn for centuries. A version of history of present-day Lukomir can trace
much of their ancestry to the Podvelezje region of Herzegovina. These semi-nomadic tribes would come to Bjelasnica in the
summer months because of the abundance of water. Podvelezje, a dry plateau above Mostar, could not provide the herds with
enough water to sustain themselves over the summer months. For reasons not entirely known, many of the villagers from the
Podvelezje region eventually made permanent settlements in the canyon and later in the place where it is now located.
JAHORINA SKI CENTRE
Jahorina is the mountain range to the southeast of Sarajevo. Its ideal geographical
position more or less guarantees three to four months of good ski snow.
Its highest peak reaches 1,910m. The ski lifts climb to 1,894m with fabulous views towards
Sarajevo. The slopes of Jahorina are covered in tall pines till about the 1,500m mark.
From there the mountainside
is relatively bare with some thick patches of klek, a high-altitude pine that doesn't grow higher than 2m.
ILIDZA
Situated 12km southwest of Sarajevo, Ilidza has long been
a close retreat for city dwellers to enjoy the thermal springs, recreation centre and the lovely park at the source of River
Bosna called Vrelo Bosna.
The park has acres of lush green fields, gushing fresh waters that spring from
the surrounding mountains, a recently upgraded park where children can play and two tasty traditional restaurants near one
of the largest cascades in the park. The springs are accessible by car, foot, bike or horse and carriage. The long
tree-lined aleja is closed to vehicle traffic and is perfect for a jog, walk or bike ride. It is possible to take a 10KM
horse and carriage ride from the top of the avenue in an old carriage from the Austro-Hungarian period.
This is the only
place in Bosnia and Herzegovina that still practises this tradition. Not far from the source is the Roman bridge. Although
it resembles a Roman bridge it is of Ottoman design. The bridge was merely named after the ancient settlers of this region.
Ilidza is one of the fastest developing tourist areas around Sarajevo. There is now a large indoor/outdoor thermal pool
complex open all year round.
Terme Hotel has recently opened a full service spas and recreation/ rehabilitation centre.
If you are looking for less expensive accommodation than found in the centre of town, Ilidza has many good hotels and can
be up to 20% cheaper.Ilidza is connected to Sarajevo by regular buses and the trams travel all day to the city centre and
back.
SUTJESKA NATIONA PARK
Sutjeska is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's oldest parks.
It is famous for the Partisan victory over the Germans in WW II and there are large stone monuments commemorating the event.
The park itself is 17,500 hectares of magnificent and untouched wilderness.
It hosts one of the last two remaining primeval forests in Europe, called Perucica.
Beech trees tower over 60 metres high and endemic black pines stem from the rocky faces that protect the ancient forest. Skakavac
waterfall can be seen from the look-out point – this seventy five metre plus waterfall is dwarfed by the massive
blanket of green trees that cover the valley. The Sutjeska River has carved a stunning valley through the middle of the park
and divides Zelengora (Green Peaks) Mountain from Maglic and Volujak Mountains.
 Bosnia and Herzegovina's highest peak, Maglic at over 2,386m, is located
in the park, directly on the border with Montenegro. It presents a challenging climb for even experienced hikers. Zelengora
Mountain is great for hiking and walking and there are several newly renovated mountain huts on the mountain. Bear and wolf
sightings are common.
TARA RIVER
Coined the ‘jewel of Europe', this wild, turquoise
blue river is a raging mass of water fed by the towering mountains of Durmitor National Park in Montenegro. The Tara River
traverses along the border of Bosnia and Montenegro, with 30km of it in Bosnia and the rest belonging to the other side.
It rises from the mountain ranges in the northern part of Montenegro and flows 140km until meeting
with the Piva River and forming the River Drina, one of the longest and largest rivers in the Balkans.
For eons the
powerful flow of the Tara River has hollowed out a soft limestone surface, creating the sculpted form of gorges and chasms
that we see today. Age-old earth erosion has created the 82km-long canyon, the second largest canyon in the world after
Colorado.
UPPER DRINA VALLEY
The area of Upper Drina has a long and rich cultural heritage.
Marked by stunning mountains and canyon lands this is perhaps the most rugged part of the country, yet endowed with so much
beauty.
Nobel Prize winner for Literature Ivo Andric’s famous book the ‘Bridge on the
Drina’ takes place in the town of Visegrad. One can still walk across this magnificent bridge built by Ottoman
design in the 16th century. Centuries later, Tito and the partisans formed the first brigade in Rudo and fought one of the
most decisive battles of WWII in the Sutjeska, now the heart of the National Park. It is in area as rich in history as it
is in natural wonder. Ancient mosques and orthodox monasteries line the hilly countryside.
The Drina River towns
of Foca and Gorazde are both the cultural and touristic centres of the region. Foca is home to both Sutjeska National Park
(which hosts BiH’s highest peak, Mt. Maglic at 2,386m.) and the crystal clear Tara River. There is no better nature
attraction in southeast Europe. Gorazde is the largest city in the region as well as its geographic centre. From here it is
easy to reach Foca to the southwest, or Visegrad and Rudo to the east and southeast.
Although this region is not fully
developed for tourism, the vast, untapped, potential makes it an ideal place for the wanderer, independent or adventure traveler.
KRALJEVA SUTJESKA
Arriving in Kraljeva Sutjeska feels like stepping through
a time warp. As the industrial areas of Kakanj disappear as you near this tiny, ancient village with its large Franciscan
church and monastery one will find well-kept houses, gardens in perfect shape and the reflection of the sun off the water
is caused by the white stones and not a discarded can.
You'll find that many of the women, particularly the older ones, still dress in traditional attire.
Most are farmers but you'll find the odd carpenter or shop owner hammering away or selling his wares as well. The Dusper
House in the village is the oldest house in central Bosnia, dating back to the early 18th century. The house has been
designated a protected national monument. Restoration has not yet begun but the house can still be visited and is an impressive
example of authentic Bosnian architecture.
One of the oldest mosques in Bosnia and Herzegovina is situated
at the entrance of this village. It was built in a few days only, and has never required any maintenance since - or so the
story goes. The mosque and its wooden minaret are open to visitors. You’ll enjoy the (local language) accounts of its
past, told proudly and with a twinkle in the eyes by the lady who maintains this beautiful little place of worship.
Kraljeva
Sutjeska and the citadel at Bobovac were once the seat of two Bosnian kings, Tomas and Tvrtko, of the Kotromanic Dynasty.
The last Bosnian queen, Saint Katarina, is mourned today by the local townswomen who still wear black scarves as part
of the traditional dress. When the Ottomans conquered the fortress at Bobovac, Queen Katarina either fled or was exiled to
Rome, never to return to Bosnia. It was reported that her children were taken to Istanbul, where her son converted to Islam
and became a major figure in the Ottoman administration.
RAKITNICA CANYON
Rakitnica River is one of the biggest tributary streams of Neretva river. It formed a 26 km long,
rugged and painfully beautiful canyon that stretches between Bjelasnica and Visocica Mountains to southeast of Sarajevo.
Rakitnica River Canyon is one of the deepest and most profound gorges in Europe.
It is a natural wonderland. The entire length of the canyon is lined with endemic types of flora and fauna. Bears, wolves,
wild boar, pine martens, wild goats all take refuge in this difficult to access canyon.
As many
as 32 endemic plants, flowers, and trees can be found in this tiny region of the Dinaric Alps. The
crystal clear water, fed by the high mountains above, is potable for the whole length of the canyon region.
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