Going to Bosnia

[jolinar of malkshor]

I will be in Sarajevo for a few days. Has anyone been? Are there any good sites to see within the city? Any good restaurants?

Thanks for the tips in advance.

[FlamesAddiction]

Hey, I'm going to Bosnia (and Croatia) in September. Can't help you out about Sarajevo though... I'll be going to Donji svilaj and Mostar.

[Kybosh]

Just walking around the downtown in Sarajevo is pretty neat. Go check out the huge mosques, cathedrals and synagogues (all within a stones throw apart). You can see where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated and trace the pathway of his motorcade. You can go see one of Europes oldest still-standing synagogues. There is also the Turkish market there. Make sure you try some cevapi or cevapcici (che-va-pee and che-vap-chee-chee). It's like Bosnian fast food but instead of burgers it is beef sausages in a kind of pita with mustard and stuff. Although it isn't a feel good experience, you should go see the fields upon fields of graves just outside of the downtown area on either side. If you're into clubbing there are supposed to be some cool ones in Sarajevo. . . it's not my thing so I don't have any names.

If you want to venture outside of Sarajevo you can take a neat train ride through the mountains to Mostar (2.5 hr train ride south) and see their cool stari grad (old town) and stari most (old bridge). Neat place.

[Knalus]

Make sure you get your visa. You don't want to get mixed up over there. And remember - the border guards are always right.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Knalus

Make sure you get your visa. You don't want to get mixed up over there. And remember - the border guards are always right.

Unless the rules have changed, I didn't need a visa to get in or out. That was two years ago though. Out hostel just registered us with the appropriate agencies when we checked in. It's kind of neat/weird that the airport in Sarajevo is still run by NATO forces though.

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Unless the rules have changed, I didn't need a visa to get in or out. That was two years ago though. Out hostel just registered us with the appropriate agencies when we checked in. It's kind of neat/weird that the airport in Sarajevo is still run by NATO forces though.

I was kidding

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Knalus

I was kidding

Haha. As for the border guards, I found it pretty intimidating when they are asking you stuff in serbo-croatian while there is a huge gun on their hip. After the blood drained from my face I would normally go "Engleski?" and they would either say da or niet and I'd be on my way!

[SoulOfTheFlame]

In my experience... Bosnian chicks are HAWT

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Just walking around the downtown in Sarajevo is pretty neat. Go check out the huge mosques, cathedrals and synagogues (all within a stones throw apart). You can see where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated and trace the pathway of his motorcade. You can go see one of Europes oldest still-standing synagogues. There is also the Turkish market there. Make sure you try some cevapi or cevapcici (che-va-pee and che-vap-chee-chee). It's like Bosnian fast food but instead of burgers it is beef sausages in a kind of pita with mustard and stuff. Although it isn't a feel good experience, you should go see the fields upon fields of graves just outside of the downtown area on either side. If you're into clubbing there are supposed to be some cool ones in Sarajevo. . . it's not my thing so I don't have any names.

If you want to venture outside of Sarajevo you can take a neat train ride through the mountains to Mostar (2.5 hr train ride south) and see their cool stari grad (old town) and stari most (old bridge). Neat place.

Thanks for the tips. Sounds really interesting. I may be able to take the train. Does it run regularly? Any issues regarding safety?

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by SoulOfTheFlame

In my experience... Bosnian chicks are HAWT

Yes they are. And if you are Canadian, they buy you drinks too! (at least they did for me in Sarajavo and Mostar)

I can't count how many cevapi's I had when I was in Bosnia. Breakfast, early lunch, late lunch, early dinner, late dinner, 10pm snack...

[BlackArcher101]

Damnit, this thread, the travel thread, now the New Zealand flight attendants want me to get the hell out of Canada.

Have fun in Bosnia!

[hockeycop]

Stay safe brother

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Thanks for the tips. Sounds really interesting. I may be able to take the train. Does it run regularly? Any issues regarding safety?

I'm not sure on the train schedule but I think that it was pretty regular for that leg. Just book your tickets the day before and you'll be fine.

To be honest I felt safer in Sarajevo than I did in parts of Paris or London. Most people were pretty friendly and were actually excited that you took the time to come visit their little country.

[Regulator75]

Don't forget a metal detector and watch out for land mines.

[icarus]

I'm going to warn you... you may need to sit down... there's going to be even more jaywalking than in Winnipeg.

[Envitro]

I haven't been back since we left (1992 due to war), but both my parents and my brother have been back, as well as countless cousins, etc.

The city is just awesome. You don't have to worry about crime too much (just be aware like you would in any European city, or anywhere else for that matter) or safety or landmines (WFT?). FYI, landmines were only used in open fields in the war, and most have been taken down and de-mined as a part of the peace treaty.

Lots of good clubbing to be had, and depending on what you're into (dance/house music, or pop, or rock) there's lots of bars and clubs around the city.

Now, I highly recommend the largest dosage of Cevapi as many times per day as you can eat it. Also, lamb on a spit roast is also a local favourite. Go to the old city (Bas Carsija) and walk through the market. There are dozens of shops and little restaurants with awesome food.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Envitro

I haven't been back since we left (1992 due to war), but both my parents and my brother have been back, as well as countless cousins, etc.

The city is just awesome. You don't have to worry about crime too much (just be aware like you would in any European city, or anywhere else for that matter) or safety or landmines (WFT?). FYI, landmines were only used in open fields in the war, and most have been taken down and de-mined as a part of the peace treaty.

Lots of good clubbing to be had, and depending on what you're into (dance/house music, or pop, or rock) there's lots of bars and clubs around the city.

Now, I highly recommend the largest dosage of Cevapi as many times per day as you can eat it. Also, lamb on a spit roast is also a local favourite. Go to the old city (Bas Carsija) and walk through the market. There are dozens of shops and little restaurants with awesome food.

Thanks for the info. I will post some pictures when I get back.

[jolinar of malkshor]

What currency should I take. Is the Euro widely used there?

[starseed]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

you want to venture outside of Sarajevo you can take a neat train ride through the mountains to Mostar (2.5 hr train ride south) and see their cool stari grad (old town) and stari most (old bridge). Neat place.

I was just reading about the old bridge, it has some pretty heavy history.

I am jealous! I want to go to Bosnia

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

What currency should I take. Is the Euro widely used there?

I remember most places taking the euro but I think they try to screw you on the exchange rate. You might want to take out some marks from an atm when you get there.