Split Dubrovnik Croatian coast, five hours hugging the coast by bus. You must cross Bosnia around the coastal town of Neum just north of Dubrovnik.
The fleet
The coastal route takes a little longer but I’m guessing it is more interesting.
Mountains hug the coast
I’m certainly glad I decided on the coast road to Dubrovnik, the scenery is excellent.
Split Dubrovnik Croatian coast
Lots of small villages squeezed between the mountains and the sea.
Halfway between Split and Dubrovnik
So far no traffic problems and the bus driver seems quite competent. 🙂
Small rail big drop
That safety rail does nit seem high enough for my liking.
Neum in Bosnia
Neum is the only coastal town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It comprises 24.5 km of coastline, the country’s only access to the Adriatic Sea. In 2009 the municipal population was 4,605 and in 1991 the population of Neum town was 4,268.
Neum has steep hills, sandy beaches, and several large tourist hotels. Prices tend to be lower than in neighboring Croatia, making it popular with shoppers. Tourism, and the commerce it brings, is the leading contributor to the economy of the area. Border formalities with Croatia are relaxed at peak times. Neum has around 5,000 beds for tourists, 1,810 in hotels with the remaining capacity in motels, villas, and in private accommodation. Tourism in Neum is active only in the coastal region. The inland area behind Neum has a rich archaeological history and untouched wilderness and is starting to develop agricultural tourism.
Lunch break in Nuem
Time for a sandwich and a coffee before the final leg to Dubrovnik.
Neum in Bosnia
The scenery so far has not varied too much at all. It seems like a nice quiet place to live.
On the edge of Dubrovnik is this wonderful structure. The original bridge design was developed in 1989, however construction was stopped at the onset of the Croatian War of Independence.
Franjo Tuđman Bridge
This bus trip will finish a couple of kms over the bridge.
Eastern European Odyssey plus London was a hectic 4 week trip to a number of cities I had never visited before. First stop was Istanbul on February 25 2015 then on to Londonfor a few days before flying to Zagreb in Croatia. A 3 hour bus trip took me to Split on the coast for a couple of days followed by 5 hours on the bus down the coast to Dubrovnik.
From Dubrovnik I traveled to Mostarin Bosnia-Herzegovina then onto Sarajevo. Finally back to Zagreb for one night before a horror train journey to Budapest due to construction work on the railroad.
A stand out feature of this trip was my selection of hotels and apartments, everyone of them was in a perfect location with a very reasonable price when booked through Agoda,
It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Its Külliye contains a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is still popularly used as a mosque.
I stayed at the Hotel Spectra right next door to the Blue Mosque, it was in a great location and very good value if you book through Agoda.
Singing for the crowd
There were quite a few buskers around the city.
Second stop London
St Pauls CathredalThe cathedral is one of the most famous and most recognisable sights of London, with its dome, framed by the spires of Wren’s City churches, dominating the skyline for 300 years.
Enoteca da Luca
Very close to St Pauls is this delightful Italian restaurant, put it on your list, it’s a breath of fresh air in a city not known for its fine food. 🙂
The Villa Kensington 10-11 Ashburn Gardens SW7This excellent budget hotel is in a great location, only 2 blocks from Gloucester Road underground and surrounded by dozens of good restaurants. I booked through Agoda as usual and stayed in a newly renovated room for only 50 Quid or $98 usd including breakfast.
The Walkie Talkie and The Gherkin
Plus of course we have the Tower of London in the foreground.
x
Third stop Zagreb
My hotel the Dubrovnik, looked over Zagreb’s Main Square, the perfect location for exploring this interesting city.
The Corner Bar
This hidden away little bar was a gem, drinks, snacks of simply good coffee.
Zagreb Cathredal
The cathedral towers over the city.
Next stop Split
A three hour bus ride through the mountains to the coastal city of Split. My two bedroom apartment was terrific, only $60 per night in a perfect location. Book it through Agoda for this great rate.
Part of the old city
There seemed to be a surprise around every corner wandering through the old part of the city.
The Prokurative
The square has long been established as an excellent stage for cultural events, especially the pop music festival, and the local bars and restaurants made it a popular venue for the citizens of Split.
I was so pleased I was here in the “off season” as the crowds of tourists in the summer would be a real turn off.
Amazing city walls
You can walk around the entire city on top of the ancient walls, it takes about 1.5 hours and is well worth the effort. If you visit Dubrovnik and want a fantastic apartment look no further than Karmen apartments. The location is perfect and the price is very reasonable indeed. Marc the owner is very helpful and a hive of information. Staying here is like staying in your own home, the furniture, atmosphere and comfort is simply fantastic.
Outside the walls
You can see why some scenes from Game of Thrones was filmed here.
Bosnia was never part of my original plans until a couple of people suggested I should go as it was so close to where I was in Dubrovnik. I’m pleased I took their advice as Mostar turned out to be a real surprise packet. The Old Bridge was the jewel in the crown, it was destroyed in the war around 1993 and rebuilt.
Opposite the Bella Vista restaurant
This reminded me of a mini version of Table mountain in Cape Town, in fact it was exactly one year ago when I was there. My hotel by the river is in a terrific location and the nice couple Arnela & Adis running the hotel booked me a car to do a 3 hour tour of the area for $70 aud. The funny thing was they said “we are not busy today can we come with you?” So as it turned out I had 3 personal translators and tour guides including Admir the driver. The Vila park only costs about $35 per night if you book through Agoda.
Adis, Arnela & Admir
Admir is a great taxi driver who will charge you the correct price, he speaks German & the local language but only a little English. You can phone him on +387 62 600 260, or if you are local 062 600 260.
Another bus trip, unusual for me when travelling to take so many buses, however you certainly see a lot more of the country. These guys gather every day to play chess in the square, lots of shouting from the spectators as they give advice to the players.
Avaz Twist Tower
The tallest building in Sarajevo, they have a lookout on the top floor which gives you a great view of the city. My hotel in Sarajevo was in a perfect location with a good price, even though the rooms & breakfast were average I would stay at the Kovaci Hotel again.
Unforgettable Eastern European Odyssey
I bought a nice leather bag for only $15.
The final stop Budapest
What a fabulous city, so many photo opportunities particularly at night with all the lights. Buda Castle above is a beautiful example.
I have never seen a city with so many markets, bazaars & mosques, over 3000 Mosques here and 83,000 in the country. https://fivestarvagabond.com/istanbul-cultures-nations-religions/
I hope you enjoy my post on Split a delightful Croatian coastal city, I’m taking a 4’5 hour bus trip to Dubrovnik tomorrow. https://fivestarvagabond.com/split-croatian-coastal-city/
Mostar was really a surprise package, I’m so glad I made a late decision to visit Bosnia. Check out my travel blog here. https://fivestarvagabond.com/mostar-bosnia-herzegovina/
Sarajevo Bosnia Herzegovina capital is the largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an estimated population of 369,534. The Sarajevo metropolitan area, including Sarajevo, East Sarajevo and surrounding municipalities, is home to 608,354 people.
The Sebilj is a pseudo-Ottoman-style wooden fountain (Sebil) in the centre of Baščaršija square in Sarajevo built by Mehmed Pasha Kukavica in 1753. It was relocated by Austrian architect Alexander Wittek in 1891. It is also frequently called “the pigeon square”.
Painting of The Sebilj
I saw this in a coffee shop just near the The Sebilj and thought it looked so good I would include it in this post.
The location is perfect, the rooms are average for the price of $70 aud per night. Breakfast is very average indeed but I would stay there again purely for the location. For a very good room rate just book through THIS LINK.
Sarajevo Bosnia Herzegovina Capital, close to Kavaci hotel
The tram is right at your doorstep of the Kovaci hotel. You can catch the number 1 tram straight to the Bus & railway station. A word of caution, make sure you validate your ticket inside the tram, I didn’t and had to pay a $20 aud fine to a couple of Bosnian thugs, c’est la vie. 🙂
Avaz Twist Tower
The Avaz Twist Tower is a 176 m tall skyscraper, construction began in 2003 and was finished in 2008.
View from the tower
I imagine the snow on the mountains is normal for March.
Sarajevo Bosnia Herzegovina Capital
The view from the tower really give you an appreciation of the layout of the city.
Foyer of Avaz Twist Tower
This huge interesting sculpture dominates the foyer of the Avaz Twist Tower.
Ćevapi has its origins in the Balkans during the Ottoman period, and represents a regional specialty similar to the kofte kebab. I had one in Dudbovnik and was rather disappointed, however in Bosnia they were perfect, in fact I ate them three days in a row, twice for lunch and once for breakfast.
They also debate every move in loud voices while playing, the onlookers shout advice to the opponents.
Chess in Sarayevo
I think I have got you now.
Orthodox Church
By now you can probably see there are many photo opportunities in Sarajevo.
Sarajevo Bosnia Herzegovina Capital, Taslihan
Taslihan was built in 1543 as the Ghazi Husrev-Bey’s waqf. It had a fountain, mosque, yard, shops and storage rooms.It was severely damaged in several fires that struck Sarajevo.
Favorite pastime is drinking coffee
No different to most other European cities, drinking coffee on the side-walk while being bought up to date with the latest gossip.
During the Siege of Sarajevo, Serbian forces purposely targeted many centers of the city’s culture, having suffered a significant amount of destruction, the reconstruction of the Mosque started with foreign help in 1996, right after the war.
Baščaršija was built in 1462 when Isa-Beg Isaković built the Ishaković han, in addition to its many shops. At that time, most of the inhabitants of Sarajevo lived in the vicinity of the Emperor’s Mosque. Therefore, Isa-Beg Isaković built a bridge across the Miljacka to focus the main Sarajevo suburb and a new economic center of the city, Baščaršija.
Sarajevo tram
The trams are not too flash, they can also be expensive if you don’t validate your ticket on board. I was lazy and paid a $20 fine when two Bosnian thugs checked my 50 cent ticket and found I had not validated it, c’est la vie. 🙂
Sarajevo Bosnia Herzegovina Capital Dveri restaurant in
I had dinner at this highly rated restaurant two nights in a row, it was very close to my hotel and quite unique. The veal soup was sensational, I returned the 2nd night just to have it again.
Dveri veal soup
Tripadvisor rate Dveri 9th out of 339 restaurants in Sarayevo.
Dveri is quite unique
Many thanks to TripAdvisor once again for helping me find another terrific restaurant.
Farewell from Sarajevo
Thanks for visiting my Sarajevo Bosnia Herzegovina Capital photo blog, I’m heading back to Zagrebfor one night before taking a train to Budapest.
Mostar Bosnia Herzegovina turned out to be a real surprise package, my hotel by the river is only $35 and the nice couple Arnela & Adis running the place booked me a car to do a 3 hour tour of the area for $70 aud. The funny thing was they said “we are not busy today can we come with you?” So as it turned out I had 3 personal translators and tour guides including Admir the driver. Consequently I was able to see a lot of the surrounding country , we visited a town that has become famous because some children claim to have seen a vision in 1981, now thousands of believers (mainly Italian) flock here every year which has turned the village into a boom-town called Medjugorje.
Adis, Arnela & Admir
This is Adis, Arnela & Admir who were my translators and tour guides, we drove to Medjugorje, Kravice Waterfalls, Pocitelj and Blagaj. Anela & Adis work at the Vila park hotelwhich is a terrific place to stay, close to the Old Town and the bus station. Anelia helped me so much organizing taxis and even taking me to the phone shop to have a data package put on my phone. The Vila park only costs about $35 per night if you book through Agoda.
Admir is a great taxi driver who will charge you the correct price, he speaks German & the local language but only a little English. You can phone him on +387 62 600 260, or if you are local 062 600 260.
Kravice Waterfall
The noise of the water was quite loud.
Here is a short video of the falls
Kravice Waterfall Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Mostar Bosnia Herzegovina, Belagaj
This was a delightful spot, I never would have found it without my guides. 🙂
Počitelj is a town in the Čapljina municipality, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The historic site of Počitelj is located on the left bank of the river Neretva, on the main Mostar to Metković road, and it is to the south of Mostar. During the Middle Ages, Počitelj was considered the administrative centre and centre of governance of Dubrava župa (county), while its westernmost point gave it major strategic importance. It is believed that the fortified town along with its attendant settlements were built by Bosnia’s King Stjepan Tvrtko I in 1383. The walled town of Počitelj evolved in the period from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
Stari Most is a reconstruction of a 16th-century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina that crosses the river Neretva and connects two parts of the city.
This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposite the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.
![2CELLOS - Game of Thrones [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DcFpvolRN3w/0.jpg)
