Travel tips for Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia.

June 12, 2009 4:50 AM

What are some interesting (frugal) things to do and see in Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia?

I´m headed to these four countries in a few weeks and haven´t really prepared for the trip. I like walking and could happily walk 30 or 40 km or so each day, exploring. Tentatively I´ll be in Belgrade, Sarajevo, a whole bunch of cities in Croatia, Ljubljana and Bled, although that is totally open to change. Seeking recommendations for food, clubs, outdoor activities, neighborhoods to walk in, etc. As background, I´m 21 years old, particularly interested in the recent history of the area, and planning to hitchhike, bus, walk, and couchsurf for most of two months. Any other tips appreciated!!

posted by acidic to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

I stopped over in Split, Croatia last year. It's fully of history (both Roman and Medieval) and really picturesque.
posted by PenDevil at 5:35 AM on June 12

If you are going to Slovenia, consider taking a bus or somehow getting to the Postojna Caves. They are wonderful tourist caves (guided tours through phenomenal caverns).

See this link: http://www.postojna-cave.com/
posted by mbarryf at 5:51 AM on June 12

Do not miss Bled, Slovenia. It's literally the most beautiful place I've ever been. Spend a few hours walking around the lake, and take the rowboat tour out to the castle.
posted by elmer benson at 6:20 AM on June 12

I hosted two great young Serbian guys (now in their mid-20s) from Belgrade who were Global Freeloaders. MeMail me if you want their contact info. They are super nice and we still keep in touch; they would probably be very happy to return the favor. One of them runs a Belgrade hostel now I believe. Their English is pretty good, so they can probably give you lots of current info about this area.
posted by HeyAllie at 9:51 AM on June 12

I once saw an episode of PBS Nature set in Plitvice Lakes National Park, and I've been dying to go ever since.
posted by jillsy_sloper at 11:02 AM on June 12

Memail Dee Xtrovert.
posted by kldickson at 11:10 AM on June 12

In Bled, I can highly recommend staying in the Travellers Haven. Nice place, the staff are AMAZING. In fact I made friends with some people, we stayed in Bled an extra 3 days, the staff helped us negotiate a car rental (argued with the guy in Slovenian to get us a reduced price as he was two hours late with the car), gave us tips on where to drive etc.

I left my shirt in the dryer there, they emailed me and posted it to Australia for me. So they are really willing to go above and beyond.

I did my best to make up for that gesture by sending them cuddly toy kangaroo and koalas.

If you have time in Slovenia, getting to Piran is lovely, or going for a drive through the alps close to Italy is nice too. Mefimail me if you want to see some of the pics I took.

Have a great time!
posted by Admira at 4:13 PM on June 12

Mostar is worth seeing, if a little touristy. I haven't done it myself but backpackers I met raved about the scenery between Mostar and Sarajevo. Southern Montenegro has some really spectacular scenery, around Kotor and Citenje. Both areas are pretty accessible from Dubrovnik.

Lake Bled is as good as everyone else says. (Links are to my photos from a trip last year.)

Buffet Fife in Split does terrific meals for not much money. The Split Hostel is also good, well located and doesn't have bedbugs. Villa Veselova in Ljubljana is a good hostel if you're doing the backpacker thing.
posted by the duck by the oboe at 3:06 AM on June 13

Seconding Plitvice National Park and adding Krka Waterfalls to the list. :) If you like nature, try to visit Soča Valley and Bovec in Slovenia.

Btw, you say you like walking. Ljubljana has a 30 km footpath around the city where the barbed wire was set up during WW2. The history is mostly forgotten, but the path is very popular among the walkers, bikers and runners.
posted by gakiko at 11:39 PM on June 14