There is still quite a bit of war damage visible in Mostar (bullet holed buildings for starters). Preparing your children (especially your 9 yr old)for the reality of this might be something to consider.

We did this as a day trip from Dubrovnik and it's a very long day. It's about 2-1/2-3 hr from Dubrovnik to Mostar, but it's an amazing trip! The day trip to Montenegro is also a full day, but it made more stops once you entered the country. Can highly recommend visiting both places but they are totally different in character, charm and appeal. While Montenegro is stunningly beautiful, Mostar left a lasting impression that will be hard to equal.

anyone? anyone has done this before?

Topping, because I'm really interested to know the answers to your questions!

I am planning on driving from Dubrovnik to Split - via a night in Mostar - in October.

I've been searching here all weekend and most of what I can find is people who have done day trips with a driver. But I have only just started to plan, and will be searching elsewhere when I have time. There are guide books covering Bosnia Herzegovina and I shall consider looking at them. First of all I am waiting for my road map of that part of Europe to arrive from amazon so I can study the roads to see how 'safe/scary' they seem to be!

I took the bus from Mostar to Dubrovnik in August, and it was a very easy trip. I posted some photos and a trip report that I will top. If you don't want to drive, there are daily buses (very inexpensive). I don't have a hotet recommendation -- I stayed at the Hotel Bristol, which was terrible (no hot water), a historic hotel, but it was destroyed and re-built in a utilitarian, characterless sytle. You can see Mostar in a day, and it may be reachable by early morning bus, with a late return (if there is a late bus).

Michael

Re staying in Mostar - apart from the Hotel Bristol and Hotel Ero, I have found these...

www.mostar-villa.ba

www.motel-mostar.ba/eng

www.pansion-rose.ba

We did a road trip last summer and drove to Mostar, no problems, the roads are good. We stayed 2 nights as we arrived late the first evening, spent the whole next day exploring Mostar and left the next am for Dubrovnik. We stopped in three different villages on the way with the highlight being Kravice Falls (also Blagaj and Pocitelj), that was a very nice day.

We stayed at the Pansion Rose and I highly recommend it. They also have secured parking which I had found most hotels did not. The room was large and airconditioned as well and was very reasonably priced.

If you click on my name you can find my trip report with more details if you wish. I still have to post the end but the Bosnia and Dubrovnik sections are finished.

Thank you everyone for the information.

Kellyee21, do you know how long the drive may take from Split to Mostar? Viamichelin.com says it's about three hours. Just wonder if that is close to reality. And do you think it's worth to stay a night there or should we drive back to the coast in the evening? Hotel/accommodation optioins seem to be limited in Mostar. Thank you.

Winnie

I also found this place which looks quite interesting...

www.muslibegovichouse.com

50euros a night per room.

I drove from Dubrovnik to Mostar in September but continued on to Makarska on the coast rather than staying there because I wasn't sure that my rental car was insured outside Croatia. The driving is no more difficult than in Croatia.

Hi Winnie,

I think 3-3.5 hours is about right, i usually find ViaMichelin to be a little optimistic. I definitely recommend staying a night (or 2), Mostar was really beautiful all lit up at night and we liked just being able to take our time not having to rush about. Plus you have already mentioned the kids and driving, I think just a daytrip would be a lot for them.

Please allow me to recommend you the best travel agency in Mostar, that will be on your service for all your trip advice.They are specialized in organization of accommodation ( hotels and private in Mostar, Sarajevo and surroundings), organization of excursions and rent a car services, renting a buses, certified guides in foreign languages. you can contact them on a.travel@bih.net.ba and see their web page www.almira-travel.ba

marking

We're booked at the mostar-villa apartment linked above for early June. William, the owner, has been very responsive with emails. His rate is 80E/night. We looked at the Muslebgovich house (sp?) but it really just has double rooms and we too will be traveling with two kids (14 & 12). Also, they NEVER answered my emails and I sent several. I'll post when we get back.

We are also traveling to Mostar with 2 children. We have booked two rooms at Hotel Kriva Cuprija (motel-mostar.ba), which looks like it is very centrally located. Villa Fortuna gets some good reviews on Trip Advisor. We also looked at Muslibegovic House, which really appealed to me, but we too never got responses to our e-mails.

Dear Digbydog, we have contract with Muslibegovic house and in future If you want to book that hotel or any other in Mostar and surroundings you can send us an e-mail and we would be more than happy to do that for you... we would also send you a voucher for reservation

Hi,
Just to let you know about the Motel Emen which we have booked for 2 nights in late April. It was reviewed on Trip Advisor by "lizzy". I had to contact her to get the web site and e-mail address. They gave me a fantastic price of 70 euros for the superior room with balcony breakfast, and parking.
info@motel-emen.com
www.motel-emen.com

Take a look.

We drove from Dubrovnik to Mostar last summer and stayed in the Kriva Cuprija. The drive was no problem and the Kriva Cuprija is extremely well-located and run by friendly people. The hotel has several signs that made finding it easy. Parking was interesting but I was satisfied.

There were three issues colored our stay: the heat (we were there is mid June and were warned that Mostar is hot in the summer.) The other issue was a wedding dance at the hotel that went on until about 3 am. (But that's not Mostar's fault). The other issue was the border crossing going back into Croatia. There was quite a bit of traffic so it took a while.

I enjoyed the visit to Mostar. It is an amazing place. The mixture of cultures and remnants of war damage are unlike anything I have seen.

I don't know if anyone has said this but be sure to have the special document that allows you to take your rental car into BH.

sshephard--what do you mean "parking was interesting." Were you able to park anywhere near the hotel? Do you remember the cost of parking?