8-Nights Best of the Balkans

Mostar

Mostar is a small historic town in southwestern Bosnia, surrounded on three sides by rugged mountains. Mostar is Bosnia's most famous and popular destination, mainly because of its impressive Ottoman-era historic district and famous Ottoman-built arched stone bridge over the Neretva River gorge. Although quite small, Mostar is the capital of the Herzegovina district.

Since Mostar lies on the trading route between the Adriatic Sea and mineral-rich Bosnian lands, the site was occupied for many centuries prior to Ottoman rule of the region. However, it was the Ottoman Turks who established the present-day town when taking control of the region in 1468. They began building many Ottoman-style buildings, Turkish-style mosques and large private mansions for wealthy citizens. Their most-acclaimed architectural structure is the arched stone bridge, Stari Most, built in 1566.

Like nearly every town and city in Bosnia, Mostar was badly damaged by the 1990s regional wars. Many historic mansions and buildings, private homes and all of Mostar's bridges were completely destroyed. A major incident in Mostar took place in 1993, when Bosnian Croats began a 10-month siege of the Muslim quarter of the city, rendering its landmark, stone-arch bridge, Stari Most, and mosques to rubble.

Fortunately, Mostar has been able to rebuild, in great part thanks to various international organizations and governments contributions. The reconstruction of Stari Most (the Old Bridge) has been completed and it is well worth a visit. On the other hand, many large buildings have been left in states of destruction, complete with bullet and grenade holes, providing a stark reminder of the devastation. Rebuilding of the city continues, and tourists are warmly welcomed.

The annual bridge jumping competition from Stari Most into the Neretva River below is famous throughout the regions. Having taken place for more than four centuries, this competition attracts both swimmers and spectators from all over Europe.

Split

Split, the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast, is the heart of Dalmatia. The old town is built around the harbor on the south side of a high peninsula sheltered from the open sea by many islands. Split achieved fame when the Roman emperor Diocletian (245-313), noted for his persecution of early Christians, had his retirement palace built here from 295 to 305. Since 1945 Split has grown into a major industrial city with large apartment-block housing areas. Much of old Split remains, however, and this combined with its exuberant nature makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Europe.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is one of the most historically interesting cities in Europe. It is the place where the Western & Eastern Roman Empire split; where the people of the Eastern Orthodox east, the Ottoman south and the Roman Catholic west, met, lived and warred. It has been both an example of historical turbulence and the clash of civilizations, as well as a beacon of hope for peace and tolerance through multi-cultural integration.

Today the city has physically recovered from most of the war damage caused by the Yugoslav Wars of the early nineties. Sarajevo is a cosmopolitan European capital with a unique Eastern twist that is a delight to visit. The people are very friendly, be they Bosniak, Serb, or Croat. There is very little crime, not nearly as many tourists as on the Dalmatian coast and a wealth of architecture (not to mention history) to see.

Kotor

Take a step back in time and visit the old town of Kotor, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean. The asymmetric structure of the narrow streets and squares, combined with the awesome monuments of medieval architecture, contributed to Kotor being placed on UNESCO’s “World’s natural and cultural inheritance” list. From ancient fortification systems surrounding the city to 12th century cathedrals, Kotor is a dream come true for those who revel in history. Entrance to town from the Gurdic spring, consists of 3 separate gates, built from the 13th, 16th and 18th centuries. The Cathedral of St. Tryphon is one of the most visited and impressive churches in the city. According to some texts, the original church was erected in the 8th century and rebuilt in 1166. Two earthquakes, one in 1667 and one in 1979 seriously damaged the cathedral and it continues to be restored to this day. The city is breathtaking in every respect and only a visit will truly reveal all it has to offer.

Dubrovnik

Classed as a world heritage treasure by UNESCO, Dubrovnik is a place of ancient streets lined with stone palaces, Venetian-style buildings and bell towers. The city is enclosed by stone walls, and the highlight is a leisurely walk atop these massive walls for a great view of the city and the sea. Entering Dubrovnik, you are greeted by an impressive pedestrian promenade, the Placa, which extends before you all the way to the clock tower at the other end of town. The Orlando Tower here is a favorite meeting place. Just inside the city walls near the Pile Gate is the Franciscan Monastery housing the third-oldest functioning pharmacy in Europe, operating since 1391. For a fantastic panorama of the city, take a cable car ride to the summit of the 1,340-foot Mount Srdj.