The aftermath of the First World War was not particularly exhilarating for the people of the Balkan peninsula. While nationalism was all the rage in the post-1918 world, one cannot find a ton of nation states in this part of the globe. Instead, what we do find is the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. […]
The Socialist Sarajevo: A Yugoslav Town Stuck in 1984 Read More »
Sarajevo is an enigma to me. Despite its small size and tiny population, this multilayered town offers far more than it meets the eye to those who are lucky enough to visit it. That is why, rather than writing a single guide for it, in the following four weeks, I will go over some of
The Imperial Sarajevo: A Mix of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Identities Read More »
Neum is pretty tiny. It is practically a village that happens to have hotels, and it reportedly becomes a ghost town by the time winter comes. This means that there is not a mind-blowing range of offerings in its humble dining scene. There are some places that specialize in grilling meat, some others that are
Neum’s Delightful Dining Scene: A Case of Quality over Quantity Read More »
A quick look at the map of the Balkans may have one believing that Croats, Montenegrins, and Albanians have a virtual monopoly on the beaches of the Adriatic coast. This is not true. By the end of the 17th century, the Republic of Ragusa ceded some of its territories to the Ottoman Empire so that
Neum: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Little-Known Panhandle to the Adriatic Read More »
Mostar is an excellent destination on its own. It offers some interesting sights to see and exceptional food to enjoy. However, it also excels in offering some insane day trip options. You can visit the likes of Konjic, Kravica Waterfall, Počitelj, Blagaj and a few others easily within a single day if you are staying
Blagaj: An Enchanting Journey to a Mystic Past Read More »
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mostar is home to an exceptional dining scene. After all, it is a rather touristic town in the Balkans. This is to say, Mostar has a rich culinary history, and its locals must innovate to keep their numerous visitors pleased, so that even more of them can visit in the next year. Due
Dining Out in Mostar: A Tasty Mix of Tradition and Modernity Read More »
When we decided to celebrate my mother’s birthday in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), it proved more difficult than usual to create the perfect itinerary. We wanted to enjoy the Adriatic Sea for a few days in Neum, stay in Mostar and Sarajevo for a while, and ideally visit a few cool sights near those two
Mostar: A Guide to The Two-Sided Bosnian City Read More »
You all know the drill by now. “More the merrier” is my mantra when it comes to sharing all the juicy details following a trip I take. After all, having a fully-fledged itinerary right in front of your eyes, complete with all the costs incurred during this trip, has to be somewhat useful to your
My North Macedonian Itinerary and Budgetary Notes (July 2024) Read More »
A visit to Skopje should not be considered complete before one visits the nearby Matka Canyon. This manmade heaven is likely the best escapade you can have from the hustle and bustle of Macedonia’s expansive capital, and though it is a bit hard to get there on your own (and on a budget), as I
Matka Canyon: The Best Green Getaway of Skopje Read More »
Tetovo is not for everyone. While the city is home to one of the most beautiful mosques that I have seen so far, it offers very little on top of that to justify a day trip from Skopje. I enjoyed my time there, and have no regrets about the visit, however, compared to some other
Tetovo: The Colorful Mosque and Beyond Read More »