Today I wanted to share something different to my regular blockchain and 3D printing topics and this time it is about traveling.
As someone who grew up in Europe I travelled many of the famous European countries and visited all continents on our beautiful planet. After years of travelling and visiting those places I returned back home and didn't know where to head next. Just a small background info, my ancestors were originally from bosnia which was part of the ex-yugoslavian countries. Still, I never really travelled the country and visited their tourist cities like Mostar which is also beautiful and worth a short of 2-3 days.
When I realised this travel gap in my past, I directly went to the capital Sarajevo for a visits. We traveled by car and I was first extremely disappointed as well as when driving into shocked by the old and frankly to be honest ugly buildings and light smog (nothing compared to china).
The old town
Even though my first impressions were not great, my attitude promptly changed as soon as we arrived at the centre where the old town is. After checking in our hotel Konak which is directly located in the old town called Bascarsija. After check-in I directly went through their back door into the old streets full of restaurants and coffee shops - no not the Amsterdam type of shops.
Relaxing atmosphere and mentality
Growing up with the fast paced mentality and hectic life in Germany, I suddenly felt a completely different atmosphere which calmed me down and was very relaxing. My walking speed changed, my thoughts calmed down and in general all pressure or lets call it stress dropped. Suddenly, I was just slowly walking down the old streets with their historical architecture, having some delicious food, amazing mokka coffee, smoke some hookah, visit museums and enjoy the mountain view around the city.
I would likely not be capable to actually live in Sarajevo for the long-term, but for a vacation this is better than any wellness experience for your mind and soul. Don't get me wrong, I still go skiing in winter and to the beach in summer, but at least once a year when everything is too hectic I book a week there and completely recover.
Basically walking down the old town or one of the attractions around the city, eating delicious food, drinking coffee while reading a book, writing a book (or work on any other side project) and maybe even visit a museum once or twice. The culture and historical aspect is still visible which lets you learn about recent history making you more grateful.
Visit Sarajevo at least once (in summer)
You are probably thinking I am biased and to a certain degree I likely am. There are other beautiful cities on the balkan, eastern Europe and so on of which every country as well as their cities have their unique atmosphere. However, if you want to recover energy, relax and have a peace of mind this is my number one recommendation!
You won't understand what I am trying to tell you with this unless you visited and experienced the atmosphere yourself. Some of my friends didn't believe me and now started to visit the city once in a while even without me. The fly in for a couple days during the warm summer days when many tourists as well as locals spend time in the Bascarsija. The appreciate the value for such low prices and recover in Sarajevo like nowhere else.
Hope this post added a new place to visit on your travel list and please feel free to ask questions below. I will be more than happy to help you plan your travel and recommend accommodation, restaurants and anything else. As always, the best places are a bit hidden ;)