When people travel, they generally have only one goal: to reach their destination as quickly as possible. Personally, I believe it shouldn’t be that way. The ‘ficacrew’ team has created so many wonderful memories simply because we didn’t take the highway but rather meandered through narrow roads, listened to the advice of locals, and traveled along alternative routes.

In this text, I will make an effort to spice up a very popular route between Sarajevo and Mostar (we will even reach Stolac) with the beauties of Bosnia and Herzegovina that make traveling much richer and more interesting.

The destinations we will mention are only a few minutes’ drive off the usual route, and they tell an UNusual story all by themselves. The main road to Mostar is known for its beauty as it winds at the foot of the wonderful Prenj mountain.

From Konjic, the mountains begin to be bypassed in the direction of Jablanica, and our first advice would be to start diving right into the foothills of these beautiful mountains. After Jablanica, we descend to the lake created by the Neretva and head towards villages like Ravna or Bijela.

The Bijela River flowing from the direction of Prenj is enchanting. The clear, yet cold river is an ideal place to refresh and rest after a slightly longer journey. The fresh water is just one of the things that will take your breath away. In addition, there is untouched, wild nature, and it should remain just like that.

While Prenj challenges you to try to conquer its peak, it is time to move on. There is still much to see in one weekend. You continue your journey towards Mostar. The Old Bridge is not the only location worth seeing in this wonderful city.

For the next destination away from the everyday, you should head towards Fortica. Fortica is a hillside of Mount Velež. Fortica offers a wonderful view of the city of Mostar and provides an opportunity for meals/refreshment and our beloved adrenaline. Somehow confused, we just kept climbing higher and higher. At the top, we found a mountain hut and a huge zipline! We hadn’t planned to raise our adrenaline that evening, but we were lured by the thrill of seeing people almost flying 600m towards the other rock at a speed of 100km/h. We didn’t hesitate long to make that decision, and within 10 minutes, we were standing on the edge of a concrete slab with smiles on our faces. One step and you’re off! Next time you’re in Mostar, feel free to head a few serpentine turns further until you reach that same concrete slab. Enjoy!

After Mostar, we head south again, deeper into Herzegovina, towards Stolac. When you reach Buna, do not turn towards Stolac but continue straight for 1km to arrive at a natural phenomenon – the Buna Channels. The picture shows the Neretva flowing through a natural canal. The fact that the entire Neretva river fits between two walls only 3m apart fascinates me. Its speed and power can be seen and felt when you sit on the dried part of the Neretva riverbed. As I mentioned earlier, one should spice up the journey, and at this location, the Buna river comes to turn this place into a fairy tale.

The Buna flows or spills from the right side over a length of 100m. The water created from a cave 12km upstream forms a small delta above the Neretva and spills over in a series of small waterfalls. If there were no pictures, I think people wouldn’t believe me, but this is just a few meters from the main road that leads further towards Neum, for example. Stop, see, and feel the power of this place.

Now it is time to head towards Stolac, which is located 26km southeast of Buna. This will be our final location of the journey, and we would recommend spending the night in this city full of history and interest. This city was placed under UNESCO protection in 1980 as a ‘museum town’, which actually proves the significance of visiting this gem. Thanks to the pleasant conditions found in these regions, Stolac has evidence of being inhabited since prehistoric times. In the Badanj cave, there are artworks that date back to 14,000 B.C.!

After that realization, this place in Herzegovina makes you understand where you actually are and who was here before you. Let’s jump a few thousand years ahead and arrive at Daorson. Daorson was once a city of the Illyrians in this area. As a landmark, it is located 5km from the center of Stolac, near the village of Osanjići. These remains date back to 300 to 50 B.C. Here are the remaining stone remnants after thousands of years. As we approach more recent structures, the preservation increases.

The fortress in the picture has, of course, experienced many changes throughout its life. It is believed to have been built in the 6th century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, but it appears in historical sources in 1375. While walking these walls, you can imagine the trade routes leading past the fortress, the looting, love stories, wars, and other situations that took place here hundreds of years ago. Every time I find myself in such locations, those thoughts pass through my mind, and I enjoy them.

Not far from the fortress is Radimlja. When someone mentions Radimlja, I feel like a hospitable Bosnian and Herzegovinian. The well-known raised hand on the stećak has many meanings, but for me, it serves as a greeting. I feel like I am on my land and talking to our ancestors. Radimlja was established in the 14th century and due to its wealth (in number, decoration, artistic craftsmanship, etc.) is considered one of the most significant and valuable necropolises in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I would recommend a bit of research and reading about this location before you go. I say this so you can connect with your ancestors a little better. A wonderful place for everyone!

Through Stolac flows the Bregava river, whose water tells old Stolac stories. There are plenty of mills, little bridges, and old houses along the river, so take some time and walk upstream along the Bregava. Bregava, like many Herzegovinian rivers, is small, a sinking river, but a clear beauty. A walk upstream leads you to the Provalija waterfall, which tends to almost dry up during the summer, so don’t be disappointed. This river is likely one major reason for the rich history in this area, and even today, its flow adorns this rich rocky landscape.

This Herzegovinian weekend will rejuvenate you. Our history has left me with a feeling of completeness and belonging, and the Herzegovinian water would rejuvenate me every time I felt tired. The locations I mentioned are truly just the beginning. Every corner hides some treasure that needs to be explored and shared!