Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hej, to all of you!

This is the most emotional destination to write about. It is the city where we have met, where we have family and the destination of our third “date” and you know what they say “third one is a charm”. I am sure it had special magic because of Sarajevo.

This time the trip to destination was a bit different. I have arrived earlier then Adi, I drove 560 km from Maribor to Sarajevo. My beloved car (which I do not own anymore), now I use beautiful pink bike for a transportation. Adi flew from Stockholm to Sarajevo for us to have another amazing trip.

Me and Adi both share same origin – Bosnian, him from Foca and me by my fathers side Foca and by my mothers Doboj. So we have an apartment in Sarajevo a “second” home where we stay, while being there. But while we were there on this occasion we wanted a special experience so we booked a night via Booking to the hotel we always wanted, Hotel Europe. In Sarajevo you always drive in circles, there are a lot of one way roads in the centre of town. Let me just drive you true words on the street. While driving on the Obala Kulina bana next to river Miljacka you can admire beautiful Skenderija, Embassys, Academy of art, bridges and so much more. You will glance in front the beautiful City hall but do not follow the beauty, take a left turn at the Latin bridge. Yes at THE bridge which was the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austia by Gavrilo Princip in 1914, casus belli of WW1. You have not even jet arrived to your hotel and already you experience so much. So you took a left on the Green berets, from there is just easy, one way left and next to Bezihstan there it is on your right the beauty Hotel Europa. The Europe is situated at the prime location between the Ottoman Old Town core, Baščaršija, and the central part of Sarajevo showcasing the Austro-Hungarian buildings. So much going on this street, you are going to love it. When you are entering you are being welcomed with soft lounge music and the enticing interior design. The spirit of the past times is preserved in the traditional section of the hotel showcasing the flamboyant decor of the years gone by, whereas a new section is designed with modern style. Next to all of it you are being greeted by friendly staff at the reception. The next step will be you entering luxurious room, just calling you to relax and enjoy. Beautifully designed room in the classic Austro-Hungarian style or modern style influenced by minimalism. You will find everything that you need there and believe me you sleep like a baby, especially after the shower in the amazing bathroom. But if not feeling so sleepy you can always hit one of the many places on the street for the night drink or just enjoy at hotel spa&wellness facilities including fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, turkish bath, tanning beds, saunas and massage. If the hour is not that late take a coffee at the famous Viennese café, or grab a bite at Restaurant with first-class local and a must is baklava at Mozart`s Patisserie. If you are going there in the warm months try to enjoy the evening and plan your must see at destination on their summer garden, which is amazing get away from the buzz of the town. Dimmed lighting, comfortable seats and beautiful view at lighted Bezihstan.

So at planning for destination you will not have difficulties, you are at the perfect location to everywhere. Make sure you just have enough time to visit everything and to truly experience Sarajevos essence. Remember you always have to have time for coffee, to sit down at chat, several times a day! As I was writing before, divide “things to see” by squares in town and around. You can also easily travel to other towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina, like for example Mostar. So sticking to Sarajevo, what you can not miss is for sure Bascarsija, enjoy in smell, taste, hearing, seeing and touching every inch of this magical place. Here you must eat cevapi and pita with various stuffing, later do have some coffee and tufahija. When you are near go to se beautiful City hall and the house built across the bridge Inat kuca – there you will also find some really nice food. Do not forget to see the old town from above, climb up to Bijela tabija, is just beautiful. The most important part is that you take a walk true Ferhadija to Tito´s street, believe me in between you will have much to see. Do not forget to listen and smell. Sarajevo is famous for its multiculturality you will notice Mosques, Churches, Cathedrals and Synagogues. The view when you see all of them in line is just amazing, symbiosis. While walking go and buy some fresh local and sesonal fruits, vegetables, all sorts of things at Markale and find its historical meaning too.  When entering Tito´s street remember that you have not been to Sarajevo if you have not taken picure by Enternal fire. This is just something small this town have to offer from city centre. If you are interested to take another beautiful walk, try Big alley in Ilidza, do not forget blanket and some snaks to enjoy at the end of Big alley. I call Sarajevo a “bowl” of everything good, town is like a valley surrounded by its mountains. Is always a good idea to go up there especially in winter. Try to catch some breakfast at Bijelasnica their ustipci. I have mentioned lunch and breakfast I forgot about dinner, well for me is a tradition to take a pizza at Kovaci, at this local backery it is one of a kind. Then get yourself up to Zmajevac-Vidikovac, to see the lights of a town while eating pizza, perhaps listening to some music with people you enjoy. My all time favourite is still 4 rooms of lady Safia, this restaurant just give you whole other gastronomic view on local cuisine. Remember Sarajevo is great for a good night out, so is really popular among all generations. Surely something special is going on in the time of Sarajevo film festival. This town just have it all history, music, good food and its beautiful nature. But why this town is so special is most certainly because of the people living there and their way of life. Explore, chat and just have a great time.

This was just something little of what this town have to offer, hope you like it!

Yours sincerely,

triplandos.