If you book
one of our villas in South Dalmatia, day trips to the neighbouring states of
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Crna Gora are definitely recommended. Not far from Croatia, but quite different and very interesting. Read about the places we have selected for you and
let yourself be enchanted!
Crna Gora, better known as
Montenegro, has many natural and cultural attractions.
The Bay of Kotor includes several cities (Kotor, Hercegnovi, Tivat ..) and islands that are
world famous for their history and beauty.
The city of Kotor, also
called Dubrovnik in small, is surrounded by a city wall, which is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. A stroll through the old town, starting at the sea door, is the best way to get to know the city. After visiting the
picturesque streets of the city, you can try fish or grilled meat dishes in one of the restaurants, which are fresh and very tasty.
Cat lovers can visit the
Cat Museum, but we also recommend the
Museum of Seaman and Sea Trade, for which Kotor is very famous. To top the day, head to the
fortress of St. John, from where the view of the city and the Bay of Kotor is
breathtaking.
Tivat, the youngest town in the Bay of Kotor, became world famous for the port of
Porto Montenegro. The port has space for up to 630 yachts, among which are the
most expensive and largest in the world. In the center is the city park, which is home to
many exotic plant species, that the city's seamen brought back from their voyages. The villa of the
Buca-Lukovic family, considered to be the richest family of all time of that area, is located on the town promenade. The villa is now a museum where you can learn more about the history of the family. There are no sandy or pebble beaches in the city, but you can go to the
Lustica peninsula, where the
beautiful sandy beaches invite you to swim. Tivat is also known for it´s fun night life, which takes place in the many bars and clubs.
For those who prefer an active vacation,
Lovcen Mountain is the right place. The mountain rises above the Bay of Kotor, and is ideal for hiking. On the mountain the
small village of Njegusi is located, where the most powerful king of Montenegro, Petar II Petrovic Njegos, was born. There are many spots on the mountain from which you can
enjoy the view of the Bay of Kotor. Not far from the village of Njegusi, on the hill
Jezerski Vrh, is the mausoleum of King Petar II Petrovic Njegos. The way to the mausoleum is steep and has many stairs, but once you get there you can
relax in peace and admire the beauty of nature …
The city of
Mostar, which is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is 57 kilometres from the Croatian town of Ploce.
The Neretva River flows through the city of Mostar, which is why the city is also known as the “
City on the Neretva river”.
The Mostar Bridge is the city's landmark and
connects the Catholic and Muslim parts of the city. The bridge was destroyed in the war in the 1990s, but the bridge was
reconstructed and rebuilt in 2004. During the summer there is a competition where young men from the city
jump from the bridge into the river. It's a tradition that goes back hundreds of years, but only the
bravest and most experienced take part. The bridge is 24 meters high and the water is very cold, so it takes a lot of preparation. Today tourists can also take part in the competition. Who feels like it? :)
The city itself is very interesting, because
two different cultures meet here. On one side of the city is the Orient, where you must visit the
Muslibegoviceva kuca, one of the most beautiful objects built during the rule of the Ottomans. The
Kajtazova kuca, which is under
UNESCO protection, was once the sultan's harem and is very well preserved to this day. In the
Hammam museum you can learn more about the culture and customs of the Ottomans.
On the other side of the bridge, is the
Catholic part of the city. The
Franciscan monastery is only 400 meters away from the bridge, whose library contains writings from the 16th and 17th century. The
Holy Trinity Church was damaged during the war, but is one of the
most beautiful Orthodox churches in the region.
After visiting both sides of the city, try some traditional food in one of the restaurants. The specialties include
burek, cevapi, bosanski lonac, prsut, krempita, tufahije, rakija and of course
coffee. We're sure you will like the food, and it will be another reason to visit the city again!
A special natural attraction is only 40 km away from the city of Mostar. These are the
Kravice waterfalls on the Trebizat river. The 27 meter high waterfalls have been placed under protection by the state, to keep nature preserved. During the summer you can
swim under the falls, which is a great delight for younger visitors. The waterfalls are surrounded by unspoiled nature, which makes the whole experience
breathtaking and unforgettable! There is also a small mill next to the waterfalls, which is no longer in use, but has been very well preserved. Enjoy the view of the waterfalls and the small mill and
let yourself be enchanted 😊
Petra Stazic
22.2.2023
MY ISTRIA GUIDE
