If you're looking for something off the beaten path, then do visit and discover the natural wonderland that is the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the heart of southeast Europe. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a major confluence of eastern and western civilizations, with a long and fascinating history. This is a stunningly beautiful country with a vast array of landscapes, cultures, traditions and people. It is the ultimate tourist destination with more or less agreeable weather all year round.
You can pick and choose your destination to unwind from thick forests, historical sights, pilgrim spots and crystal clear waters that provide ample opportunities for swimming and water sports.
The weather is a mix of Mediterranean and Continental under the influence of the Adriatic Sea and the mountainous Alps. Bosnia probably derived its name from 'bosana', an old Indo-European word meaning water, which it is blessed with in plenty. Located in the western Balkans, Bosnia covers the north and centre of the country, bordering Croatia to the north and south west, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the south east.
Bosnia is largely mountainous, encompassing the central Dinaric Alps. This provides lots of opportunities for skiing. Herzegovina comprises the southern part and borders the Adriatic. Herzegovina is the renamed version of ancient Hum, after being conquered by the Ottoman invaders. The country has only 20 km of coastline, around the town of Neum in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, which has many hotels and is an important destination for sports and tourism.
The southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina has Mediterranean climate and is into agriculture big time. Central Bosnia is the most mountainous part of Bosnia, featuring mountains Vlašić, Čvrsnica, and Prenj. Eastern Bosnia too has mountains like Trebević, Jahorina, Igman, Bjelašnica and Treskavica. The XIV Winter Olympic Games were held here in 1984.
Eastern Bosnia is also heavily forested along the river Drina. In fact, overall close to 50% of Bosnia and Herzegovina is forested. The central, eastern and western parts of Bosnia have most of the forests. River Sava that runs through northern Bosnia contains fertile agricultural land along its side and is extensively farmed. The farmlands stretch into neighbouring Croatia and Serbia as a part of the Parapannonian Plain.
There are a few major cities located in different regions of the country. Sarajevo, the capital, Bijeljina and Tuzla in the north east, Banja Luka in the north west region known as Bosanska Krajina, Zenica in the central part of Bosnia and Mostar in the south which is the capital of Herzegovina are the more popular cities. The town of Medjugorje is also a major international tourist destination, thanks to its roots as a centre of Catholic pilgrimage.
Sarajevo is one of the most historically interesting cities in Europe and is a multi-religious melting pot. This is where the eastern and western Roman Empire split; where the people of the Eastern Orthodox east, the Ottoman south and the Roman Catholic west met, co-existed and warred. A real city of contradictions, on one hand Sarajevo stands as a stark example of historical turbulence and the clash of European and Arabic civilizations, while on the other it offers a beacon of hope for peace and tolerance through multi-religious, multi-cultural integration.
The Old Town is in the heart of Sarajevo. This area has cobbled streets, mosques and is dotted with Oriental style shops, immediately transporting one to a world away from Europe. This feeling is accentuated when the call to prayer resounds in the background; one could be forgiven for thinking that one is actually in the Middle East.
Another town worth seeing is Mostar, once a prime tourist destination but with many of its monuments destroyed in the war. It is undergoing progressive reconstruction and it is indeed heartening that many 16th and 17th century mosques, a few medieval buildings and cobbled streets, and the famous Turkish bridge survived the war completely. This ancient bridge was rebuilt and opened to the public in mid 2004.
For the devout Catholic, a visit to Međjugorje is unavoidable. The town is located around 25 km south west of Mostar and close to the border of Croatia. Today the town is best known due to apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary which appeared to six Herzegovinian Croats. It is now visited by pilgrims from around the entire world and is one of the world's most popular Catholic pilgrimages.
A visit to Bosnia is best timed for spring or summer. Skiers should, however, visit between December and February.
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