Backpack Europe and Budget Travel: Travelling in Bosnia / Herzegovina
Travelling in Bosnia / Herzegovina
Bosnia / Hercegovina is a real eye opener. Travelling through the country side and seeing the devestation that war brings will make you change the way you look at things. The people are extremely friendly, the prices are low, and it's stll relatively unexploited by tourism.
Backpacking Bosnia / Herzegovina - Quick Facts
Local Language: Bosnian - As with most Eastern European countries, if you don't speak the local language, German might help. It's very hard to find locals that speak English (though some of the young people do).
Visa Requirements:Canadians are allowed in Bosnia for 30 days without a visa.
Health Risks: None - But there are still landmines in the hills and remote areas of Bosnia. Don't stray into any abandoned village, and try to stick to paved surfaces.
Costs: Bosnia is extremely cheap! You can find rooms for a few dollars and meals for much less than in other Eastern European countries. The shopkeepers in the Turkish Quarter in Sarajevo are open to bargaining as well. In fact, it's a must.
The Turkish Quarter in Sarajevo, Bosnia / Herzegovina
My Travels in Bosnia
I travelled to Sarajevo on a bus from Dubrovnik, in Croatia. What an eye opener. I couldn't believe my eyes when every village you pass is literally torn in half. Building are being rebuilt, but the scars of war are incredibly visible. You'll pass makeshift crosses and memorials set up on the roadside with pictures of young soldiers and civilians who died in the Bosnian war. Mostar is very scarred, in fact I bet you couldn't find more than two inches of space between bullet holes and shrapnel marks on any structure.
It was definitely an eye opener. The people were incredibly nice and mellow though, very friendly and helpful. I didn't have any trouble travelling in Bosnia and strongly recommend it for anyone who wants a diversion from the rest of Europe's exploited tourism industry. You'll be one of the few tourists there, and it'll make the experience that much more rewarding.
Hotels and Hostels in Bosnia
I ended up staying with a woman who offered a room in her apartment. It wasn't that great though. She was really pushy, a little too much for my tastes. But it was short notice, and the price was cheap. When you get off the bus in Sarajevo you'll be bombarded by people offering rooms and hostels. Take your pick. If you're looking for a hotel however, you may want a reservation in the summer.
For hotels in Bosnia, check out the link below:
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is a shocker. When you enter the city on the bus, you'll be driving down the main highway that leads into the heart of the city. You'll see bombed out buildings, shattered windows, children playing in the ruins, and shrapnel holes all over the place. Burn marks, bullet holes, and peace keepers make you realize right away that you're not in the safest of places. But it is safe now, I didn't have any trouble at all.
Sarajevo is a hub for religion. There are several mosques, churches, and synagogues throughout the city. They're everywhere!
The heart of downtown is the Turkish Quarter, where you can purchase engraved artillery shells and Turkish rugs and tea sets. A piece of artillery certainly makes for a nice souvenir. You'll also notice the "Sarajevo Roses" - Shrapnel holes on the streets, filled with rubber marking where people were killed by shelling.
Sarajevo and Bosnia in general is a fascinating place. I strongly suggest you visit there if you have the chance. It'll give you a new appreciation for so many parts of your life.
As always, bring a guidebook. It'll add so much more to your experiences.
For Bosnian and European travel guidebooks, check here:
Bosnian and European Guidebooks
Trains to Bosnia
There pretty much aren't any, or very infrequently anyways. The train station in Sarajevo has to be one of the most deserted buildings in the city. It's the bus all the way.
Eurail passes don't cover Bosnia, but Interrail passes do:
Cheap Train and Eurail Passes
For more information about the Bosnian rail system itself, click here:
http://www.zbh.com.ba/
Flights to Bosnia
Flights to Bosnia arrive in Sarajevo. For more info, check here:
Cheap flights to Sarajevo, Bosnia
Bosnian Language
Bosnian is similar to Croatian and Serbian. Bosnia is also a very divided country - In muslim parts, you may greet people differently, and in Serbian parts the alphabet is in Cryllic. You definitely need to learn some Bosnian though, because English speakers are few and far between.
Canuck Abroad's Bosnian Travel Dictionary
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