Is it safe to drive inland through Bosnia???

Liz, You may wish to have a look at this information from the U.S. State Department: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1070.html#traffic_safety Another website with good information is the U.K. government site: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/europe/bosnia-herzegovina One section to note is this: "Although roads themselves may be clear on major routes, there are many landmines close to the edge of roads. Don't stray from roads and paved areas without an experienced guide." Note that an International Driver's Permit is compulsory for driving in Bosnia. Happy travels!

land mines...WOW!! 37mph mostly....50 mph at most!!! WOW!! We drove around the main island of Fiju in 2011 and the speed limit was very low, but land mines close to the edge of the road... I just don't know about that!!! thanks so much for your info!!! We'll have to talk about this! Liz

Matthew and Ken, thank you both very much for sharing your knowledge. I was going to check the US State Dept. web site for travel advisories, but Ken, you gave me that info already. We most likely will drive inland through Bosnia back to Zagreb but I will probably also be scared the whole day!! I've always had an adventurous spirit but land mines.....that's about the limit for me!! Again, many, many thanks to both of you!! Liz

I agree with Matthew. We've driven around Bosnia several times. FYI, If you are going to Mostar there is a spectacular waterfall called Kravice Falls that is very close and worth a visit.

Trust me....we will stay on the roads!! Nor will we be venturing off the micheln route!! It is still scary to me but I do SO much appreciate all of your comments!! And Kravice Falls near Mostar....I will check that out!! Again, thank you all so much!!! Liz

Hi Ann. Your trip is similar to what my husband and I are doing. We fly into Zagreb and get a car. Then we are driving north to Bled, driving through the Julian Alps, then down to Lipica to see the Lippanzer horses (we've seen them in Vienna and in Spain now we want to see where Gen. Patton and his army rescued them from the Russians in WWII). Next is Istria and Pula....I too love those Roman ruins!! Then on to Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, and finally Mostar. When we leave Mostar we'll drive back to Zagreb to fly out of there the next day. AFter reading all these replies and then reading the travel advisories from the US State Dept. and the UK...I think we're driving back via the motorway in Croatia. I didn't like the idea of land mines just off the roads, but what tipped it for both of us was the statement in the UK travel advisory to travel through Bosnia in convoys. That was it! There is only us. If something went wrong w/ the car apparently there is very little help in the interior of Bosnia. Just seems safer and smarter to take the safe way back through Croatia. We might change our minds but the travel time is about the same. I know it will be a great trip and again, many, many thanks to all of you for your replies!! Liz

In 2009, I flew into Lubjuiana (sp), Slovenia and stayed there three days. I took a day trip north to Bled and the lake. It was wonderful! Also, I took a day trip to Trieste, Italy on the bus. Different city. Never have I seen so many motor cycles! But, the Romans had been there, and I will always go to see a Roman ruin. Then, I went to Zagreb for two days. Next, I rent a car and drove to Tito's bithplace and made a loop around to various sites for 3 days. After returning the car in Zagreb, I took a bus to Pula and spent 3 days on the Isterian penisula. I went by train to Split for several days. Next, onto to Dubrovnik for five days. I took several days trips out to sites, islands, and Herzagovina. After that, I took the bus to Mostar. I don't think I would wnat to drive on those roads although perhaps they have improved in the recent years. I stayed in a very nice 4 stars hotel for $60 in Mostar, but the building next door was a bombed out shell. I walked all over Mostar and loved it. From there, I took a bus to Sarevijo. This city has been restored better than Mostar. Took a walking tour in English and a tour of the tunnel from the war with Serbia. I took a bus to Graz, Germany and a train to Frankfurt. Flew home from there. The trip was a month long. Sorry for the spelling errors.) Enjoy!

Liz, We live in Bosnia because we are in the Foreign Service (US Department of State). We have been here since August 2012. Yes, the mines are scary, but as mentioned before, the areas are labeled. Simply be smart and never drive off of main roads. Also keep in mind that Bosnia was just recently rated in the top 10 most friendlies places to visit! Yay! =) Another good thing I learned is "if you didn't it, then don't pick it up." Another little mine tip for you. ;) I feel very safe here, but again we just use our smarts, follow main roads, and enjoy the views. Enjoy your trip!

Tiffany, who voted Bosnia top ten most friendliest places? Just curious. My last european trip which included several countries was the same impression. I really enjoyed the Bosnian people they were very friendly and it made my trip thru there memorable.

Again, thank you all for your input. I get the part about averaging the comments on a country from all the different sources. Some of it does sound a bit dramatic. And I do believe that most people in this world are good and willing to help others. I've also noticed that most of the hotel people I've been emailing back and forth for reservations throughout Slovenia, Croatia and also in Mostar have all seemed very helpful and friendly. Nor would we venture off of the main roads back to Zagreb. My husband and I both love to travel (both previous airline people)and we both have adventurous spirits. All that being said, it is still a little scary to me. Here in the US we are all so spoiled and have no idea what living in some countires is like. We take for granted so much that other people don't even have a chance to experience. Even countries like the UK, France, Germany, and many others throughout the world do not have the standard of living that we have here in the US. But a 3rd world country like Bosnia....that's another whole set of problems. To be honest, whether we drive back through Bosnia or return to the motorway in Croatia will probably depend on how we feel that day and the information we get from the hotel people in Mostar. Again, thank you all so much for your thoughts. I know we will have a great trip through a region neither of us has ever been to. Thanks again!!