if my daughter comes with me; she is interested in a 4 to 5 star hotel. Would like one in the midddle or super close to the old town so as to wander around. PS how safe is saravejor?

Jack..I'm sure you mean Sarajevo (Sara-yayvo). At one time The Hotel Europa had seen its better days, but was the best town had to offer during Tito days ...we stayed there when the town was preparing to host the 1984 winter olympics. I understand it has been totally remodeled from the damages of the 90's bombings. It is a touch of old Europe...smack in midtown...I know of no dangers at present. Mostar and its restored Old Bridge could be a goal for you, and I hope you're going into Croatia, too, so you can visit Dubrovnik, Split and Trogir...Try your best to include the captivating Pltivice (Plit-vichy) National Park where several lakes at different elevatons flow one into the other. Breathtaking.

stu tower (I have many scannned pics from the 70's through the 90's if interested)

that's captivating Plitvice...

I was in Sarajevo (as a solo female traveler) in 2009 and did not ever think twice about my safety. I'm no expert, and I'm sure people differ in their experiences of it, but i found it a charming, hospitable, fascinating, and very laid-back city. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

The city has not regained its historic mix of religious and ethnic diversity, and it may never do so, but I got the sense that most current residents of Sarajevo would just like to live in harmony with others - it seems to be a lesson learned by those who survived the war and now live in Sarajevo. If you have any concerns, check with US State Department.

When I was there, there were still a few signs of the war of the 1990s - buildings that were still being restored (for example, Sarajevo's magnificent city hall was still under reconstruction) or for which reconstruction was in abeyance pending determination of current ownership. And there were other, sanctioned memorials to the war - an eternal flame, a monument to the children who died, a museum centered on the remaining segment of the tunnel that provided the only access to or from the city during its prolonged siege. For those who are interested, these sights provide a powerful testament to the experiences of people from this area during this terrible time.

I may be mistaken, but I believe that star ratings of hotels in Sarajevo and other parts of Europe have more to do with the range of services that are provided (e.g., whether there is a pool) than the quality of any services that are provided (so, as I understand it, a hotel can get a 5* rating for providing a lot of services even if everyone thinks the service is really lousy). I know people differ in their preferences about hotel services, but I (for one) would rather a stay in a European 2* hotel with excellent service than a 4* hotel that reviewers found unsatisfactory. And staying in or close to the old Ottoman quarter (Bascarsija), whatever the number of stars, would assure easy access by foot to most of Sarajevo's highlights, restaurants, cafes, etc. Just a thought for your consideration.

Stu Tower has affirmed the advice that you have already gotten on your other posts about the places that are particularly worth seeing in and around Croatia, proving that there is some consistency among those of us who have been fortunate enough to see this part of the world in the things we recommend most highly.

Enjoy!

thanks. thinking of a limited trip: kocula, dubrovnik, mostar, saravejo, a drive to kotor. Sequence thinking about: land in saravejor, spend the remainder of day and next day there, go to mostar, seeing things on the way possibly with funky tours saravejo, then proceed with 'tour' thru poctli(spelling), dubrovnik. Two full days wandering there, then day excurison to kocula, another day excursion to kotor, etc.. Fly back from saravejo.

Jack....as to day trips, I would sugggest that you break up the round trip to Kotor, especially. I recommend driving further(30 kms.) south to (Aman)Sveti Stefan, a most unique lodging on its own islet, with a pedestrian isthmus leading from the shore. It is now part of the Villa Milocer on shore...but stay on the islet. It's winner. Then drive back up north to Dub the next day. That's a heap of mountain driving for one day (round trip), but breaking it up will ease the stress...scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. Enjoy your visit to B-H and Croatia. Note...I'm not a member of the P-G Police...punctuation and grammar... but I do think it's good form to learn the correct spelling and pronunciation of the places you will visit...Korcula, Sarajevo, Pocitelj, Plitvice, etc. Buy a map or a guide book...Lonely Planet has the best local maps, IMO/IME

stu

http://www.amanresorts.com/amansvetistefan/home.aspx

thanks stu. Usually when I am writing I don't have these names with me. Initially thinking of hiring as driver and or guide for a one day excursion to the kotor area so not to be so stressed out re driving on hilly unfamiliar roads. I am not the best driver. If my daughter's fiance goes; then, possibly a different story. Interested in your pics for these areas. Thx By the way difference between the hilton outside the old town walls of dubrovnik and that fancy one "p" palace inside.

Jack...you might try The Argentina complex overlooking Dub, or if renovation is completed, our fave, The Villa Dubrovnik, just up the road from Argentina, with superb views of the city. A 15 minute pleasant walk into the heart of the city.
stu

Jack,,here are a few early pics of Sarajevo and Mostar, and a few from Plitvice. I'll scan more today of Dubrovnik, Trogir, Kotor, Sveti Stefan etc.(click on magnifying glass icon to enlarge, using mouse to move them around)
stu
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...Kq1odTr3IKLHA#

Jack, you mentioned the Hilton Imperial just outside the town walls in Dubrovnik, and I believe you're thinking of the Pucic Palace Hotel in the heart of Old Town. I did considerable research on hotels in Dubrovnik when we were there a couple of years ago and finally decided on the Hotel Bellevue. I'm absolutely convinced that it's the best hotel in Dubrovnik. It's an easy 10 minute walk into town and each room has a balconey with sea view. I had a chance to look at several other top hotels while there and still thought it was the best place we've ever stayed and that's saying a lot.

THANKS HOW ABOUT ZAGREB?

Jack...I added about 40 more scanned pics of Plitvice, Dubrovnik, Trogir, Split, Mostar and Sarajevo..just click on my above message to you...they'all show up. Should give you a good feel for todays Croatia and yesterday's Yugoslavia.
Stu

will good. thank you

First, Sarajevo seems very safe for walking around.

As for four and five star hotels, we did not stay at one. We did stay at the Hotel Michele

We rented a car at a location near the Radon Plaza Hotel which has 5 stars and describes itself as "the most luxury Hotel in BiH." I would not recommend this hotel--it is far out from the old city and lacks charm

We stayed in one of the rooms at the Hotel Michele which was definitely not 4 star level. But I believe the apartment rooms are more luxurious, and we enjoyed the hotel. Quite a few actors have stayed there during the film festival. This is an easy walk to the old town.

Stu - I just look at your pictures, they are wonderful and most evocative. I am astonished by the difference in Mostar as it was then and how it is today, crammed with people and stalls selling stuff lining the narrow streets.

As for 4 and 5 star hotels in Sarajevo, those sort of places like the Holiday Inn and Radon Plaza are way out of town where you get no sense of feeling for this lovely city. Both are nice enough int heir own way, but frankly staying in either you could be in any hotel, in any city, anywhere. And you can't realistically walk to the centre from either.

Stay closer in to the Bascarsija, and you'll have a much more enjoyable time. I stay in Hotel Safir: very clean, fabulous service and location. There are only 8 rooms, and it is regularly used by people who work for the UN and diplomatic services.

Have you looked at tripadvisor?

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-...vo-Hotels.html