Female Travelling to the Balkans

07/07/2014

Travel notes of a summer holiday in Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia

Hostelsclub staff share some tips after a summer holiday with friends in Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia; check it out as some tips are really useful and interesting in order to plan a real Balkan experience.

3 girls on a road trip through the Balkans, how did you go about it?
We had only 10 days and decided to pencil in our itinerary only Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia. We initially did not really know how to go about it, despite we are used to travelling independently and off the beaten tracks. I had never travelled to a former Jusoglavian country, only few friends had and could share their experience with us. The more stories and tips they shared with us and the more we read on guide books and blogs the less reservations we had. We felt completely at ease at did not experience any inconvenience that couldn't have easily happened somewhere else when traveling. It's safe to say that solo female travelers can definitely embark on a solo road trip to the Balkans.

Shopping in Blagaj

What are the most important tips an suggestions to consider before planning an adventure to the Bankans?

We got all our hostel accommodation booked and secured before the trip. We also decided to travel by public transport and found out that it is easier and quicker to travel by bus rather than by train (the small difference in price is definitely worth it). Travel routes and bus schedules had been checked beforehand just to get a rough idea and online resources were quite reliable. Hostel staff helped us very much in sorting them out though, it was a great help. Mosques and Muslim sites are must sees especially in Mostar and Sarajevo: don't forget to carry a scarf with you, if you want to get in and enjoy these unique examples of Muslim art.

What was the most memorable part of the trip?

Our visit to Sarajevo. We were only 10 when the Jugoslavian war hit the Balkans but remember very clearly about it from our parents' talks, tv coverage and school teachers explanations. We hailed from North-Eastern Italy and only the Adriatic Sea separated us from the war. To be there 20 years later and walk freely in a city sieged for more than 2 years made us question ourselves very much.

If you had to choose only three places, which ones shouldn't be missed?
A walk up to the Hill of Marjan to enjoy an almost 360-degree view of Split, a day trip to the Dervish monastery of Blagaj, Kalenić green open market in Belgrade to feel like a local.

Wandering around Mostar's cobblestoned alleys

What's the best meal you had and where?

I must admit that I ended up gaining weight after my 10-day trip. I had lovely seafood and fish in Split but my favourite dish was mince meat ćevapi/ćevapčići in particular those by Zeljo close to Sarajevo's Bascarsija.

Any advices for those thinking about visiting the Balkans?
Beside guide books, read Ivo Andric's "The Bridge on the Drina"; don't let reservations and pregiudices hold you back; sort out your hostel accommodation beforehand, travel by bus over train (or rent a car, that's the best way to enjoy the landscape).

Have you ever traveled to the Balkans? Do you have any travel tip you wish to share with Hostelsclub? Let us know!

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