Bosnia May 2021
 

Was scheduled for a two week holiday in both the French and Spanish Basque regions in May 2021. Not looking good. Now looking at Bosnia for May 2021 which is currently open to US visitors with a negative test prior to departing and then again upon return. That is not a problem and due to me and my wife's professions we will both have had both covid vaccines prior to departing. That being said, we are looking at any input on travel to Bosnia. We have been to Croatia on three occasions and absolutely loved it. We did travel into Bosnia for day trips to Mostar and Neum. Now looking to fly into Sarajevo (great flights on Lufthansa-times-prices) and then rent a car for 3 nights in Mostar, 4 nights along the Croatian coast (looking at Brela or Makarska) then back into Bosnia for two nights in Konjic or Jablinica. Conclude the holiday with three nights in Sarajevo (after dropping off the rental vehicle at Sarajevo Airport). Any ideas for day trips from our destinations? Our interests include, hiking, visiting wineries, long nature walks, and historic sites, castles, forts, local themed museums.
Thank you very much.
MKTK

I have enjoyed Croatia but not been to Bosnia. I hope to rectify that one day, and for years I had an excellent B&H tourism website bookmarked, but sadly it appears to be having technical difficulties. (https://www.tourismbih.com/ in case they get their act together--it really was a well designed site)
What captivated me was the Hercegovina area, where there are waterfalls at Kravice, the town of Pocitelj, and a Dervish monastery. Bradt has a guide; those are generally good.

When dipping into Croatia, you might explore the Ston area if you missed it before. Makarska should be great for hiking.

Hi Mike, might be a good idea to keep the Croatian part fluid. Right now the borders are pretty tight. In May hopefully will be better! Yorkshire mentioned good spots outside of Mostar, I went to all of them with a tour operator in Mostar, IHouse tours. The young guide was wonderful. You can do it on your own of course. In Sarajevo I did two Funky Sarajevo tours. Highly recommend them. I think you could use a bit more time in Sarajevo especially if you do some day tours outside.

Outside of Mostar is a very nice winery, Brkic. It’s just a little tasting room but the wines are good and the family very nice. I can also recommend Nuic wines, you will find them everywhere, even Croatia. They do not have a tasting room or winery tours. IHouse tours does a wine tour but I did not go on that one.

please keep us updated on your plans, it’s so exciting to read about trip planning these days!

Hi Rialtogrl,
I agree with the Croatia aspect. Thank you. If not Croatia, just more days in Bosnia which is fine. We just love Croatia and too be so close and not able to visit would be a shame. Thank you for the advice on the wines! We will definitely check out. Yorkshire we stopped for a glass of wine and a quick snack in Pocitelj on our return day trip from Mostar to Komarna, Croatia and loved it! Did Ston, awesome.....walked the famous walls (incredible workout) and famous for the oysters! The wall itself is supposedly the largest walls outside of the Great Wall of China. Beautiful town.
We have good friends in Croatia who will keep us posted on al the cover updates, which helps.
Thanks again,
MKTK

Facebook is so creepy. A link to an article for Sarajevo appeared in my feed today. But, if you are not already aware, Spotted by Locals is a good site for Sarajevo and other cities.. https://www.spottedbylocals.com/sarajevo/

you should be able to get into Croatia, you will just need a test. Then maybe one to get back. Key word: maybe.

the visitors centre in Sarejevo offered a range of guided tours tours of the area. we did walking tour of the city , another tour with a guide in his car of the area war sites -theguide was a fireman at the airport during the war-fascinating..
We travelled by train in BHi so cant help you re car trips except for the drive from Mostar to Dubrovnik which goes past lots of wineries and tobacco farms..
If the road from Sarejevo tp Mostar goes the same way as the train the scenery is superb.
we loved both Mostar and Sarejevo.
Be warned -unless the laws have changed recently -smoking is alive and well in BHi-baristas smoke whilst serving coffee, smoking doesn't seemed to be banned anywhere. even if it is as on trains many take no notice.

Following... my next trip will include Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, and maybe, parts of Italy.

Northie,
Thanks for the input. Definitely interested in the history of the war events of the area. And yes, I heard/read about the smoking, which is unfortunate, me and my wife detest smoking and will even be forced to enjoy a coffee or lunch inside on a beautiful day in all European cities we visit as smoking is allowed outside. It even bothers us outside!. So definitely a check in the negative box of Bosnia.
Joannyc: Our interest in Bosnia was based on a recent trip to Croatia along the coast. But we fell in love with Croatia from a previous trip which was planned as Italy and Slovenia. We flew into Venice and rented a a car for an easy 2 hour drive to Strunjan, Slovenia. From Strunjan, which is 10 minutes from the more picturesque village of Piran, we did day trips to Lake Bled, Slovenia (90 min), Trieste, Italy (30 min) and two day trips into Croatia which we had not planned but which started our love for Croatia (Buje-20 min....Motovun-50 min). Fell in love with the incredible scenery, the beautiful villages, remote wineries (literally you have to follow the homemade signs down long back roads to family owned farms where they provide free tastings, samples of cheese and sausage and then fill containers (not bottles) of homemade wine for incredibly cheap prices. The Croatian people are wonderfully friendly. It was a great trip and soooo affordable.

I know someone who just moved to Sarajevo last month. He has been making a photo report about his initial experiences.

Bosnia. A start. | Any Port in a Storm (proboards.com)

Mike I’m in Dalmatia. If you get here send me a message maybe we can get a vino. Joannyc you too!

Riotogrl,
Will do! I think May will be doable. What town/village are you located? We stayed in Komarna and Loved it. Plus we did 3 visits to Sibinek/Primosten area. Croatia is a diamond.

Mike1728, thanks for all the great info! I'm getting the idea that it may be put off again for another year instead of this fall, unfortunately.

Rialtogrl, will do! Would love to finally meet you! Mimosas at sunrise??? Heeheehee!

"...4 nights along the Croatian coast (looking at Brela or Makarska) then back into Bosnia..."

As things stand, you'll need another negative covid test result to get back in to Bosnia. I can't see that requirement changing for some time. Plus one to get into Croatia.

Joannyc I’m glad you remember that! But drinks are better at sunset here 😉 I will tell kja, I’m in touch with her.

Mike I’m usually in Hvar. Easy to get to Makarska.. yes you might need a test each way, but I think there will start to be some pressure to open things up. There is an outfit that will come to your lodging to do the test, it is not cheap but it’s convenient. They are in Split, but maybe they will have a guy in Makarska area, you could ask. I know they are also in Brač. https://florence.hr/en/pcr-test/

I have not used the service but my friend who works in the Split tourist office told me about it. Could come in handy.

edited to add, if you come to Hvar I’ll show you around! I know the best wineries!

Kerouac thank you for posting that link. I did not see it until now (moderation I guess.) I am interested to read your friends experiences.

rialtogrl, I'm glad you and kja enjoyed the sunrise mimosas! I haven't been in touch with her since Spring or so. Hope she is doing well! And, I prefer sunset cocktails over getting up before dawn these days!

Hvar is on my rough itinerary so I hope we can get together when I finally get there!

Mike, probably your friends in Croatia have alerted you, you can enter Croatia with proof of paid accommodation (has to be paid) and proof of vaccination. Cases are on the rise and starting today restaurants close at 20.00 (instead of 22:00) but unless things change you can come to Croatia in May.

https://mup.gov.hr/uzg-covid/english...AE_Rh9c5pHw6KQ

i am not sure if you would have to get a test to return to Bosnia after..

rialtogirl,
So right now, I understand that US citizens (and other nationals, of course) are able to travel to Croatia if they have had the vaccine(s) at least 2 weeks prior to arrival. I wonder how long that's going to last, given the current increase in numbers and potential for another wave after the summer. But for those who are eager to travel, this is clearly an option.

Progol, correct. I do not think they will reverse it, honestly, they need the tourists to come. Maybe after the summer is when they would shut the borders again. I could be wrong. Hopefully more vaccines are coming, and we can stop worrying about it.

rialtogirl, fingers crossed for more vaccines and soon! That will make the difference everywhere and maybe we can all be able to travel more freely again.