Nestling in the centre of the Balkan region is a heart shaped country. The mountainous region is known as Bosnia and is covered in thick forest. To the south of the country lies the Herzegovina region which is largely rugged flat farmland. It has a narrow coastline of about 20 km along the Adriatic Sea. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a long name for this little country but like its shape its inhabitants have big hearts and their hospitality is second to none – making guests feel like part of the family. Herzegovina is a stunningly beautiful country with staggering landscapes, a rich mix of cultures and traditions and welcoming people. This is where eastern and western civilisations meet and Herzegovina reflects its long history in buildings of outstanding beauty.
Natural landmarks of incredible beauty are scattered through the country like pearls. There are the wonderful waterfalls of Kravica near the city of Ljubuski, here you can just enjoy the views or bathe in the waters. On the border with Croatia there is the Vjetrenica cave system. This is a range of caves that have still not been fully explored and it is open to the public. And of course there are the mountains with wonderful skiing facilities and astounding views.
There are no really big cities in Herzegovina but they are rich in history and culture. Only one city has over 100,000 inhabitants and that is Mostar which is perhaps the most famous city and the unofficial capital of the region. Here you can find the Old Bridge which is perhaps one of the finest examples of Ottoman originality in the western Balkans.
There are many wonderful old cities all rich in history from different cultures which are just waiting there to explore. Most cities have old markets to explore, churches and an original mix of old and new which gives Herzegovina its distinctiveness. There are opportunities here for travellers to explore to their heart’s content, both in natural surroundings or in retracing the footsteps of the many that have trodden through towns and villages.
Once you have found out all there is to find out, there are many sporting activities which you can enjoy. Not only can you hike in the countryside in the summer months, you can also paraglide from some of the hills. As the season changes to winter, enjoy amazing skiing on virgin white slopes. Everything you need is here for a fantastic family trip in facilities that are top notch but on slopes that are none too crowded.
Climate
Herzegovina is cut off by Dinaric Alps from the warming influences of the Mediterranean and its climate is quite variable with generally hot summers and cold winters. In the more mountainous regions of the country summers tend to be shorted and the winters harsher. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 0°C and the warmest month is July with an average temperature of 26°C. Most rainfall occurs in the autumn and the spring showers are usually gentle and mild.
Getting There
Bosnia-Herzegovina is well served by a large variety of companies. It is possible to fly direct from most major UK airports. Flight duration is a mere 3 hours and you can choose from a number of airports at which to arrive, the main ones being Tuzla, Mostar, Sarajevo and Banja Luka. Transfer time from arrival airports to main towns is never long and well served by taxi and buses. There are many good deals to be had whether you are taking the whole family or you are just looking for a weekend trip. It is also possible to drive from the UK taking the ferry and then major roads directly to Herzegovina.
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