We are ending our 2 week bicycle tour of the Dalmation Islands in Split Sept 16-19th, and would like to plan a day/overnight stay to Mostar Sept 17-18th. We had reserved a trip w/ Hertzog Day Tours for this (private) trip w/ scenic, historical stops to and from. However, it was canceled as of today. We feel devastated as we extended our Croatian tour in order to go to Bosnia.
Any recommendation of a guide who can provide a tour from Split->Mostar 9/17th, then return to Split 9/18?
Thanks!
Posted by
4961 posts
You may have better luck finding a guide while in Mostar and just taking the bus there and back (or driving).
Posted by
Halifax, NS
336 posts
I had a look at Hertzog. I’m surprised they cancelled considering they offer this as a private tour.
You could try Tours by Locals. I’ve used them before. They offer a trip from Split to Mostar.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Any thoughts on Guru Tours? Herzeg Day Tours recommended them.
Posted by
Poreč Istria, Croatia
151 posts
Most trips to Mostar are done without private tour. There are more than a dozen coach options daily for you, then get a local guide I'm Mostar if you want.
Posted by
New Orleans
1217 posts
I suggest you contact Ermin Elezovic. His contact number is in Rick's Croatia/Slovenia book (in the Mostar chapter). EDIT: Here is his email address: [email protected]. Ermin has a very comfortable car, and drives around the area (including into Croatia). Ermin's wife (forgot her name, but I met her in Mostar - wonderful!!) does guided day trips in Mostar and the area - she is also described and recommended in RS's Croatia book. They also have a couple of other drivers in their business who might be the ones to pick you up in Split and get you to Mostar.) Between Ermin and his wife, if either is available, you might find that they can help you arrange a fabulous couple of days. I am pasting in my description of my day with Ermin in June, 2018:
This was the most beautiful, insightful and enjoyable day of my trip. I pre-arranged with Ermin Elezovic (in the RS book Croatia/Slovenia), p. 429) to pick me up at Panzion Cardak in Mostar and eventually deposit me at the Old Town Hotel in Sarajevo. Ermin is warm, witty and wise. He was dependable, helpful, a great driver, and loves his country passionately yet with insight and honesty. Immediately in the morning we went to the historic gorgeous Sufi site at Blagaj, where the old Sufi Dervish house is built right beside/over a river and beside the cave that is the source of the river. Ermin got us there before any other tour groups or individuals, so we wandered through the house alone, feeling the strength of the ancient stones, the water, the soaring swifts overhead, and the cliffs hanging high above us. He knew about each room, its history and use, and clearly loves and reveres the place. Next we visited the historic old village of Pocitelj, where I explored up high stone stepped streets, and then rejoined Ermin to relax at the shady table of an outdoor cafe run by a friend of his, enjoying the views and the cool drinks. Finally, we had an incredible lunch at a country restaurant down a quiet lane, alongside a small river, that had pools full of fresh trout, and a stone mill where they grind their own polenta. Wowee! For under $10 US I had fabulous grilled fresh trout (those guys were probably swimming earlier that morning), polenta with herbs and butter, salad and bread. Oh my. And we sat in the shade beside a pool, watching other trout swim unaware of their eventual grilly fate. Finally, Ermin drove me into Sarajevo and made sure that I was within a few steps of my hotel. This private tour was my "splurge" of the trip and worth every penny (Bosnian mark).