Why go now?


In recent years, the Balkans have become a go-to destination, with the bulk of culture- and sun-loving tourists heading straight to Croatia. But while Dubrovnik is creaking under the weight of visitors, lesser-known Mostar lies just a few hours away.


View more!






The old town lies in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is best known for the Stari Most – a 16th century Ottoman bridge – which crosses the Neretva river. Lively eastern-influenced bazaars line the polished cobbled streets, while visitors sit at riverside cafes, drinking Turkish coffee and watching brave locals dive from the bridge in an ancient tradition.





In summer,cheap authentic jordans, the heat can be stifling, but in the cooler spring and autumn months,cheap jordans free shipping, Mostar is the ideal place to go for a cultural break. The country’s unique history,cheap wholesale jordans, from its time in the Ottoman Empire to being part of Yugoslavia, is reflected in the grandeur of its wide-ranging architecture, while the relaxed atmosphere makes it perfect for a short break.


View more!





Getting there


There are no direct flights from the UK to Mostar, but there are plenty to Sarajevo, with Croatia Airlines (www.croatiaairlines.com)&nbsp,cheap jordan shoes;and Austrian Airlines (www.austrian.com) offering returns from around ?150.


Buses from Sarajevo to&nbsp,cheap real jordans;Mostar are frequent and cost around ,http://www.nevergiveup.cba.pl/index.php?site=forum_topic&topic=10321&page=1cheapjordanshoesfreeshipping.com/bolg?10 for the two-and-a-half hour journey. Tickets are available on getbybus.com,cheap air jordans.


View more!



Where to stay


Special treat


For a taste of traditional Ottoman luxury, head to hotel and protected national monument Muslibegovi? House on Osmana D?iki?a. The former Otttoman mansion is a must for its luxurious four-poster bedrooms and peaceful gardens. Doubles from ?90, including excellent local breakfasts,cheap jordans online,http://www.midwestartfairs.com/node/add/articlecheapjordanshoesfreeshipping.com/bolg.





Mid-range


Hotel Hercegovina is a modern boutique hotel minutes from the heart of the Old Town, with its own restaurant serving traditional cuisine. Doubles from ?50.


Budget


There are few hostels in Mostar, and Hostel Nina was its first. The small family-run hostel is the ideal place for travellers looking for a clean, budget stay, and lone visitors will be sure to meet fellow travellers in the relaxed gardens – especially if the barbecue is in use. Dorm rooms from ?10 per person.

On arrival


8pm


Head out to see the impressive Stari Most lit up at night, before having dinner on the terrace of Konobo Taurus – a traditional Ottoman-inspired restaurant looking out onto the river. Order a shared grill platter, and settle down to listen to the live music playing at the Black Dog Pub next door, without having to sit among tourists.









Stari Most lit up at night

Credit: ANNA GORIN







10.30pm


Join the crowds wandering through the streets of the Old Town. Explore the markets and then try to grab a table at one of the many bars overlooking the bridge. Finish off your night with a traditional coffee or a glass of Bosnian red.

Day one




10am


Take advantage of the cooler temperature by heading out for a long walk. Skip the busy centre, and go towards the Partisan Memorial Cemetery on Bijeli Brijeg. On the 30-minute walk, you’ll pass many cemeteries dedicated to those who lost their lives during the Balkan Wars of the early 90s, before reaching the 1965 memorial built to honour those killed during the Second World War.


12pm


Wander back through the modern centre of urban Mostar, before reaching the Old Town. Soak up the busy atmosphere in the ?ar?ija, or markets, on either side of the Stari Most and pick up good bargains on rugs, pottery and jewellery.









You'll find a bargain if you're prepared to haggle

Credit: getty







2pm


Have lunch at Tima Irma – a tiny family-run restaurant on a backstreet near Stari Most. The inexpensive food is high quality, and, unlike many Mostar restaurants, there is plenty of choice for vegetarians, including the huge soft-cheese salad. Meat-eaters should try the classic ?evapi - a type of skinless sausage - while everyone should feast on the warm flat bread.


4pm


If you aren’t staying at Muslibegovi? House, make sure you visit the small complex – one of the most significant examples of residential architecture in the country’s Ottoman period. Explore the 19th-century exhibits, from the house’s extension, and pause for a friendly chat with the current owners, who still live in several rooms of the house.


6pm


Stop off for a coffee at outdoor Koski Basta Caffe, and take in the views of the Stari Most and the river. Join the locals in having a Turkish coffee with a sweet treat – Turkish delights and pancakes are on offer – before heading next door to the Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque. After climbing 89 steps to the top, and paying a small entrance fee, you are awarded with the sweeping 360-degree views of the old city. If you time it well, you can see the city at sunset, and take photos from inside the 17th-century courtyard.









Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque

Credit: getty







8pm


Treat yourself to a long dinner at Hindin Han, an historic mill-cottage building looking out onto the river and surrounding countryside. Enjoy the unusual décor, while eating the traditional cuisine. Opt for the seafood, particularly local river trout. While away the evening looking out onto the river, trying out the different types of baklava for dessert.

Day two


10am


Take a taxi to the small village of Blagaj, just 15 minutes away. There you can wander the streets and shops of the tiny village, before reaching the spectacular Blagaj Monastery looking out onto a pool at the bottom of a cliff. With its romantic wooden architecture, it is worth spending some time wandering the Dervish monastery and taking in the atmosphere. Afterwards, take a short boat ride on the pool, which is the source of the river Buna, and try a taste of the pure water.









Blagaj Monastery

Credit: getty







1pm


For lunch, head to Restoran Vrelo, right next door to the monastery. It serves simple grilled seafood and salads.


3pm


Go back to Stari Most for one last photo, and have coffee and dessert at Lagero café. If you’re lucky, you’ll see brave locals stripping off to dive from the bridge, in a five-century old tradition, training for the annual July competition.











Every July locals dive from the city's bridge

Credit: getty






City checklist


1. Taxis are cheap but most sights are walking distance, so don’t feel pressured to order one when the most you’ll have to walk is about 30 minutes.


2. Market prices start high. Make sure you haggle and never pay more than half the first suggested price.


3. The tourist office is at 39 One??ukova (+387 61 561 451), just seconds from the Old Bridge, and is open till 8pm.

Top tip


The official currency is the Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark (BAM), but almost everyone accepts euros.





The Serious Fraud Office has opened a criminal inquiry into Tata’s steel-making operation, the Telegraph can disclose.


Police officers are examining allegations that staff working for the company’s office in Britain may have falsified certificates detailing the composition of the product before they were sold.


It is understood that the inquiry centres around the group’s site in Yorkshire and arose after the company referred itself following an internal audit.


Well-placed sources said that the documents being examined affected 500 customers, including BAE and Rolls-Royce.


There is also a trading standards investigation, but it is unknown whether they are linked.


The disclosure comes at difficult time for Tata and will be embarrassing for the Government. The Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, is franti...ls a “responsible seller” after the company last week said it plans to withdraw from its British steel operations, putting thousands of jobs at risk.


Last week,http://mateuszdg.tvtom.pl/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=165269cheapjordanshoesfreeshipping.com/bolg, the Business Secretary was forced to return early from a trip to Australia when Tata announced it was putting its UK assets up for sale and Labour accused the Government of being “missing in action”.


There have been calls for the state to take temporary ownership of the plants to keep production going to retain customers, making it more attractive to potential buyers.


Taxpayers may have to take on the ?500,cheap jordans?million hole in the company’s pension scheme to secure a sale.


In total, Tata Steel UK employs about 15,000 people here and supports another 25,000 positions. Mr Javid said this week that a formal sales process would begin by Monday.










The SFO inquiry is understood to centre around certificates that are produced to verify the composition of steel.


Auditors found material that suggested inappropriate testing and certification may have occurred. At least nine employees of the firm have been suspended. There is no suggestion that the information on the certificates has led to any safety concerns.


Both the SFO and Tata declined to comment.


A Rolls-Royce spokesman said: “We were made aware of an issue by Tata last year. We have not been contacted by the SFO and cannot comment on any investigation.”


View more!