Croatia Self Drive 11 - Croatia & Bosnia Uncovered

Drive north-east through quiet rural scenery towards the spectacular Drina River valley.  On the way, stop in Višegrad to see the UNESCO-listed Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, one of the finest Ottoman bridges in the Balkans, and the nearby Andrićgrad cultural quarter. Continue to Goražde for an overnight stay. The town offers a poignant look at Bosnia’s recent history but also a gentle riverside setting for an evening stroll and dinner.

Follow the winding mountain roads to Sarajevo, a city of layers and contrasts. Across two nights you’ll have time to explore the Ottoman bazaar Baščaršija, Austro-Hungarian boulevards and ornate buildings, museums interpreting the siege (including the superb Tunnel of Hope) the war years and Sarajevo’s multicultural past. Not forgetting the Latin Bridge (site of the 1914 assassination) and many of the locations from the Winter Olympics of 1984, many reached by cable car. Evenings here are lively, warm and full of character — Sarajevo is often a highlight of the entire trip.

Head north to Tuzla, a distinctive industrial-meets-Ottoman city known for its colourful salt square, open-air saltwater lakes and friendly café culture. As a one-night stop it works well, breaking the long drive and offering a change of atmosphere. (Extra night perhaps to visit: Srebrenik Fortress – dramatically perched and extremely photogenic and Gradačac – with its white tower and small lake).

Cross into Croatia and enter Eastern Slavonia, one of the country’s least visited yet most rewarding areas. Stay in Osijek, a relaxed university city with the beautifully preserved Tvrđa Fortress, grand Habsburg-era squares and riverside promenades, easy access to some of Croatia’s best nature and wine regions.This section adds contrast, tranquillity and an insight into eastern Croatia’s culture.

Recommended outings over your two nights:

• Kopački Rit National Park, a vast wetland reserve ideal for peaceful walks or quiet boat trips;

• Ilok, Croatia’s easternmost town, known for its medieval castle, Danube views and excellent Traminac wines.

Return to Bosnia and settle in Jajce, one of the country’s most picturesque towns. Over two nights you can enjoy the famous Pliva Waterfall, falling right into the heart of town, the medieval fortress, calm walks around the Pliva Lakes, watermills and small heritage sites in the surrounding countryside. With its mix of nature and history, Jajce rewards an unhurried pace.

Drive to the hillside town of Travnik and its impressive fortress then head south via Ramsko Lake and dramatic mountain roads and a small detour to Konjic, pausing for photos by the emerald Neretva River and its Ottoman bridge. Continue to Mostar, spending two nights enjoying the iconic Stari Most, the stone lanes of the old bazaar, riverside terraces and traditional cuisine. Plenty of time for optional visits to Blagaj Tekke, Počitelj or Kravica Waterfall. Mostar is warm, atmospheric and photogenic — a favourite for many visitors.

Leave Mostar and re-enter Croatia, taking the scenic coastal-inland route towards Ston, famous for its vast stone defensive walls and long tradition of oyster and mussel farming. It’s an ideal lunch stop, with excellent seafood restaurants beside the waterfront. If time allows, continue a little further along the Pelješac Peninsula, celebrated for its vineyards, rugged coastlines and the prestigious Dingač wine region. Even a short detour gives you a taste of one of Croatia’s most distinctive landscapes.

From here, continue to Dubrovnik for your final two nights. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed introduction to a city that more than lives up to its reputation. Over your stay you’ll have ample time to walk the city walls for sweeping Adriatic views, explore the marble streets of the Old Town, visit the baroque churches, palaces and quiet back alleys, take the cable car up Mount Srđ for a grand panorama and enjoy hidden terraces, cliffside bars and sunset-facing restaurants. Why not add an optional boat trip to Lokrum Island or the Elafiti Islands.

Dubrovnik provides a fitting finale: a blend of architectural beauty, coastal light and timeless atmosphere before your flight home