I am trying to plan a few days in between visiting a friend in Bratislava and going to a wedding near Split, Croatia. I only have about three days and have thought of the following.. - Train to Budapest, spend a few days there before flying to Split - Fly to Ljubliana, spend a couple days there before train to Split
- Fly to Sarajevo, spend a night there, train to Mostar for a night there, then train to Split. Is it worthwhile to try & fit one of these into 3 days? Any other ideas between Bratislava and Split? Thanks!!
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
I can only vouch for Sarajevo and Mostar, having been there in 2011 - and I would highly recommend both. They are not going to be as pretty or manicured as Ljubliana, but they are fascinating cities with a rich (and sad history)
Posted by
OP
Fernandina Beach
3 posts
Thanks Agnes! I was actually leaning toward Sarajevo-Mostar, and I finally booked it tonight. Really looking forward to it. If you have any tips for traveling between Sarajevo and Mostar (train v bus) please let me know.
Thanks again!
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1189 posts
Boy I hate to dis Brataslava...I would go back to Ljubljana and Split before I would go back to Brataslava. A good portion of the old town of Brataslava was eliminated when they put the 'new' bridge in. Split...pretty impressive palace. Only what? 340,000 square feet of living space? wayne iNWI
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3049 posts
Do Sarajevo/Mostar. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Loved both places, my favorite part of my Balkan trip. I'd even consider two nights in Sarajevo and straight on to Split. Mostar is neat but one night is not enough in Sarajevo. Consider buses instead of trains, it might be faster and cheaper.
Posted by
OP
Fernandina Beach
3 posts
Wayne, thanks for the tips! I am sad to hear that part of old town Bratislava was taken over by a new bridge. I love Bratislava and will still spend a couple days there visiting a good friend. Sarah, thanks for the tips! I was wondering about the short time too and think I might extend to stay two nights in Sarajevo now and 1 in Mostar. Hopefully that will work better. I am really looking forward to this leg of the trip! Thanks again to all.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
Hi Alisha, I agree with the posters who gave more time to Sarajevo relative to Mostar (I spent 3 days in Sarajevo and I wanted to stay in Mostar longer than the 1 1/2 days I was there). Regarding the train vs. bus option, that was a funny story - the train ride was supposed to be spectacular, so we took it. The train station in Sarajevo harkened back to my youth growing up in communist Poland (quite an experience, with a dismal atmosphere and smoke everywhere - not that you won't find smoke elsewhere in Bosnia, because you sure will). The train was old and rickety and the lights would go out intermittently after we went in and out of tunnels..lovely greenery outside though and nice rivers. Then there was construction on a section of the train line at one point, and we were transferred to a bus to finish the journey (this was in 2011)...so, in retrospect, I would take the bus all the way. You'll have a great experience, probably eye opening too! When in Sarajevo, be sure to visit the Tunnel Museum and the many haunting cemeteries scattered throughout the city - it was incredible experience to see the grave markers, the tunnel, and mortar destroyed buildings; they really brought the siege to life.