DESTINATIONS BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA | ESCORTED TOURS operator operator ASK THE ABOVE: White-water rafting on the Neretva River, near Konjic PICTURE: Annapurna Mellor/Intrepid Travel
and its history. Elsewhere, a Herzegovina Wine Route centred around Ljubuski, southwest of Mostar, and featuring almost 30 winemakers, including family-run affairs such as Carska Vina and Andija, has already been launched with the help of the programme, and there are plans to add an East Herzegovina Cheese and Honey Trail too. In total, USAID hopes to have at least 20 new experiences developed for 2023.
DIVERSE SIGHTS Intrepid’s tour takes in some of these experiences and many more in a country filled with genuinely stunning sites. We fall in love with Mostar’s old town and its rebuilt Old Bridge, one of four Unesco sites in the country, but are even more blown away by part of another Unesco site, the Radimlja necropolis, where almost half of the 273 medieval stećak or gravemarkers are carved with beautiful motifs. Nearby, the waterfalls and riverbank beaches of Stolac, a town
travelweekly.co.uk
33The country’s ethos is one of a youthful outlook and bright future – rooted in friendship and unity across different cultures
overlooked by a scrambly fortress, is a great base for exploring a region whose cypress, olive, citrus and pomegranate trees lend it a very southern Mediterranean feel. When we reach Pocitelj, where beautiful Ottoman houses follow the side of the valley to the river Neretva, I feel I’ve encountered the highlight of the trip. En route, the unusual mossy overhangs of the gorgeous Kravitj horseshoe crescent waterfalls on the Trebizat river offer fine Instagram opportunities, as does the 15th-century Tekija Blagaz, a Sufi monastery/Dervish
house in an incredible River Buna source setting under towering cliffs.
NATURAL BEAUTY Heading back north towards Sarajevo, the town of Konjic, set on a curve of the Neretva River and surrounded by mountains, is the perfect base for hiking, cycling and white-water rafting through canyons and past waterfalls, all activities offered by local company Visit Konijc. Established and run by a husband-and-wife team, the growing venture exemplifies the independent and entrepreneurial spirit of tourism and travel initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And it perfectly illustrates the
country’s ethos: one with a youthful outlook and hopefully bright future – rooted in friendship and unity across different cultures and ethnic groups. It’s to be hoped that tourism will not only make a huge difference to it economically, but also change its story from one of war to one of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
TW
“We decided to run this tour because finding new destinations for sustainable travel is a priority for us at Intrepid. With overtourism issues in some parts of Europe, we love finding lesser-known places to show our travellers. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a fantastic destination, and we’re excited to start running our trips next year. It will give clients things they won’t find anywhere else, in a destination that has so much to offer in terms of history, nature and culture. The local people are very welcoming and eager to share their country, culture and customs with visitors, and this new expedition will deliver on that through amazing food, gripping stories and thrilling adventures.” Natalie Kidd, chief purpose officer, Intrepid Travel
BOOK IT
Intrepid Travel’s eight-day Bosnia & Herzegovina Expedition starts from £1,165 including some meals, transport, accommodation and activities, not including flights. Departures commence in May 2023.
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