Introducing Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Balkan country that was formerly part of Yugoslavia, is often overlooked, even among Eastern European countries. The capital of Sarajevo is still synonymous with the fighting that took place there between the Serbs and Croats in the 1990’s. The area is peaceful now, but it still hasn’t quite shaken off its dangerous, war-town image.

The Basics
Most of the country is landlocked and mountainous. Areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters with very cold temperatures. No visa is needed for entry. Most foreign visitors will arrive by plane at Sarajevo Airport, which is close to the city but offers no public transport. Major carriers Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines operate international flights into the city, but most people will connect somewhere in Europe and then take a low-cost regional carrier into the country. Sarajevo is also services from daily trains from Zagreb in Croatia and Budapest in Hungary. Renting a car is not recommended, as the roads can be very poor in some areas. To get around the country, bus is your best option

Costs
Bosnia and Herzaogovina are still very cheap to visit, but the trade off for that is that infrastructure can be lacking in areas, and you may have a hardtime finding people in the tourisim industry who can speak English. The currency is tied to the Euro – 1.95 KM = 1 Euro). You can easily get a meal for about 2-3 Euros.

Culture and Cuisine
In Sarajevo, the most popular local food is cavapi – a kind of kebab. Unlike the kebabs yo might see in the US, which are served on skewers, the kebabs here are grilled on skewers and then removed and served wrapped in a pita. Pita stuffed with meat, cheese, spinach or potatoes are also popular and cost just about 1 Euro. Local food is heavy on meat and fish, including bacon, smoked meats, beef, and lamb. For vegetarians, the best bet is a traditional sourdough soup or some rice of pasta.

Traditional meals also center on lots of stews, including boiled cabbage and goulash, which are both very cheap and filling. For dessert, most Bosnians will eat ice-cream, puddings and custards,  and baklava. Wine and beer are widely available in the country. For a nonalcoholic drink, try Turkish coffee, also available in every coffee shop.

Dangers
Bosnia and Herzegovina are relatively safe for tourists. There are of course pickpockets who prey on tourists, but that happens in just about every country in Europe and the world. The biggest danger you’ll come across in the country is that the of the 5 million land mines that have been left around the countryside form the war during the 90’s. If an area looks abandoned stay clear in case of mines (which were often planted to protect private property) and do not stray off designated paths in areas where land mines are known to exist.

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