Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia & Herzegovina is a country of striking contrasts and deep history, where the legacy of successive empires and cultures has left a rich, layered heritage. While much of its past has been turbulent, this only adds to the sense of character and authenticity you encounter here. First-time visitors quickly notice the variety of influences - from Ottoman mosques and Austro-Hungarian architecture to remnants of Yugoslav modernism - creating a landscape where history is visible on every street corner.

Even the country’s most visited cities, such as Mostar and Sarajevo, remain relatively undeveloped in terms of mass tourism, making them ideal for travellers seeking an immersive, off-the-beaten-track experience. Southern Herzegovina, including Trebinje and the nearby Hutovo Blato nature reserve, offers an easily accessible short break for those coming via Dubrovnik.

MOSTAR lies in southern Bosnia, straddling the Neretva River. Its iconic Stari Most, or Old Bridge, was carefully reconstructed after the war and spans a picturesque old town lined with shops and market stalls. Nearby, the Old Bridge Museum explores the bridge’s long history, while a narrow stairway up the Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque minaret provides panoramic views over the city.

SARAJEVO the capital, is steeped in history and culture. Founded by the Ottomans in 1461, it blends Eastern and Western influences in every building and street. It was here that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked the First World War, and later the city hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics witnessing the triumph of Britain's ice dancers, Torville & Dean. The 1990s war left scars, yet the city’s reconstruction has combined respect for the past with contemporary architecture, making Sarajevo a compelling mix of resilience and vibrancy.

TREBINJE at the southern tip of the country, is just a short drive from the Croatian coast. Unlike many historic towns, it emerged from the war largely unscathed, leaving its 18th-century Old Town intact. The town’s central square is lively yet unhurried, with traditional cafés, bakeries, and a market. A gentle walk along the river leads to an ancient stone bridge, offering a quiet moment of reflection and the charm of a small, enduring town.

Bosnia & Herzegovina rewards travellers who take the time to explore its streets, valleys, and rivers, offering a rare combination of natural beauty, history, and living culture that stays long in the memory.

Other places of interest:

In the southern region of the country, within easy reach of Mostar and/or Trebinje there are some truly incredible places to visit. These include the Vjetrenica Cave, Dinara Hills, the stunning waterfalls at Kravice and also at Blagaj, the ancient hillside village of Pocitelj, the seaside resort of Neum and the Hutovo Blato Nature Park.

Further north the terrain is even more spectacular and is dominated by dramatic mountains, steep river valleys, lakes and so much history in its villages and monuments. Our pick of the places to visit would be Jajce, Gradacac, Travnik and Visegrad but follow the stunning courses of the Drina, Neretva or Una valleys in any direction and your gaze will be rewarded. More urban delights can be found in Banja Luka and Tuzla and getting even further off the beaten track is possible with some hiking in the Sutjeska and Tajan national parks.

JAJCE bears the epithet 'royal' having been the residence of the Bosnian kings; it is the place where Stjepan Tomašević, the last Bosnian king, resided until his death in 1463. The Waterfall is one of the "twelve most beautiful in the world", and the only one located in the very heart of a town - the River Pliva dives from a cliff into the River Vrbas at the point of their confluence. The Citadel in Jajce used to be the biggest and the best fortified in the whole country. Other places of interest include the Mithraic Temple, the Museum of the Second Session of the National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia (AVNOJ), the Bear Tower, the catacombs and the Esma Sultana Mosque.

Stečci - these monumental medieval tombstones that lie scattered across the landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina and are one of the country’s most legendary symbols. These are the tombstones of those who refused to swear allegiance to any kingdom but their own or to be swayed by any influence, staying true to themselves.

Medjugorje - since 1981, in a small village in Bosnia-Hercegovina named Medjugorje, the Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing and giving messages to the world. She tells us that "God has sent Her to our world, and these years She is spending with us are a time of Grace granted by God."

We look forward to being of service.