Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of those countries that raised eyebrows whenever I told someone I was headed there. Those who had no idea where it was had a vague notion that it was dangerous; those who knew the country were under the impression that it was still at war. Bosnia, as it is often called, does … Read more
Stari Most (Old Bridge in Bosnian), was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and is considered to be one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. It was shelled to bits during the Bosnian War, but rebuilt to its original form after hostilities ceased. For generations, male teenagers were expected … Read more
Cobblestone streets of Mostar, on the western side of the Neretva River. This former war-torn city has recovered to become one of the most attractive and popular tourist destinations in the Bosnia-Herzegovina. The city was named after the bridge keepers of old (mostari) who guarded Stari Most, the old arched stone bridge that spans the … Read more
Old town of Mostar, seen from the top of Stari Most, the famous arched stone bridge over the Neretva River. This bridge became the dividing line during the Bosnian War, with Croatian Bosnians occupying land to the west of the bridge and Serbians occupying the mountaintops on the eastern flank of the city. Moslem Bosniaks, … Read more
My introduction to Budva, Montenegro was anything but auspicious. I chatted with the owner of my guest house as she checked me in, explaining that I’d been touring the ex-Yugoslavian countries all summer, perhaps with an eye to finding a place where I might establish a base in the future. “In that case, you’d have … Read more
