I’ve had a paper accepted here; so I’ll be travelling to Novi Sad Serbia in late June. After looking at various permutations of dates and flights (taking into account the husband’s birthday on 18 June), here’s my itin:
- 19 June Depart YVR (via YYC and FRA)
- 20 June Arrive Belgrade; transfer to Novi Sad
- ????? (some combination of Bosnia, Croatia and perhaps Slovenia)
- 23 June transfer to Belgrade for 1-2 nights
04 July Depart Zagreb; arrive in YVR later same day (via YYC and FRA)
This routing puts on Air Canada from Western Canada to Europe. I should be able to sleep decently–especially if I can use some of my upgrade points.
So good people, have you travelled the region? Lived there? Suggestions for travel between cities, places to stay, things to see and do? I’m too old for backpackers; too poor for 5 stars. Here’s my current thinking for the ????? bit:
- 24 June fly to Sarajevo
- 24-28June: Sarajevo, Mostar
- 28 June: bus to Dubrovnik
- 30 June: fly to Zagreb
- 02 July: train to Ljubljana (friends there)
- 03 July: train to Zagreb
But would welcome suggestions!
Sounds great, John – enjoy!
One thing: try to take a couple of extra days. You never know when you’re going to be there again, and it’s totally worth it to spend an extra day or to, or to route through Paris or something and just enjoy yourself for 24 or 36 hours.
Thanks John.
I’ve already maxed out my time based on the airfare and how much time away from work I can manage. I’ve been to Belgrade and Zagreb before, but they’re the most cost efficient cities in the region for where I need/want to be.
And I’ve discovered that as I get older, I enjoy travelling solo less and less. 🙁
The only one I’ve missed on your itinerary is Mostar, where Enej is from. Loved all of the places though.
I did Dubrovnik => (bus) => Sarajevo => (train) Zagreb => (train) => Ljubljana. The train from Sarajevo to Zagreb was a bit long but it wasn’t bad at all.
I stayed at this apartment style place in Sarajevo and it was really nice. I can’t remember how I found it off the top of my head.
I recommend going to the cemetery outside of Zagreb.
Thanks Zack! I don’t mind a longish train ride at all. If there were sleepers Sarajevo-Zagreb I’d do it….but after my Serbian Railways experience Zagreb-Belgrade (old crappy freezing 1st class with not so much as a warm toilet in November) I’m a bit wary. I get conflicting info about whether there are couchettes between SJJ and ZAG. Really, I’m not a princess. Really. *adjusts tiara*